The same resorts that offer windsurfing usually also have kayaks available for their guests. At a few resorts near Viti Levu, where the beaches aren't so good, the chance to kayak among the mangroves compensates. Organized ocean-kayaking tours are available to the Yasawa Islands, Kadavu and Taveuni.
A professional white-water-rafting operation (http://www.riversfiji.com) is based at Pacific Harbor on southern Viti Levu. Their rubber raft trips carry visitors through the deep gorge of the turbulent Upper Navua River. The Lower Navua River is still very picturesque, with waterfalls plunging from the cliffs, and it's possible to drift down on a bamboo raft or ride in a motorized canoe.
Fiji's numerous ocean reefs can make sailing hazardous, and self-service bareboat yacht charters are not offered. Crewed yacht charters are possible at Musket Cove on Malalo Lailai Island in the Mamanucas and at Savusavu. Cruising yachties arriving on their own boats can clear Fiji Customs at Suva, Lautoka, Levuka and Savusavu.
GolfBritish colonialists left golf courses behind in all of the towns with sugar mills, including Nadi, Lautoka, Suva and Labasa. These are still well-used by local businessmen and politicians, but tourists are more attracted to modern championship courses, such as the Denarau Golf Club next to the Sheraton at Nadi and the Pearl Golf Course at Pacific Harbor. Additional international golf courses are currently under construction next to the Marriott and InterContinental hotels on western Viti Levu.
Hiking & WalkingVirtually all of Fiji's outer islands offer excellent hiking along age-old trails between Fijian villages or up grassy hillsides. The western half of Viti Levu is also an excellent hiking venue, especially in Koroyanitu National Park behind Lautoka and the Nausori Highlands above Nadi. Dense rain forests make hiking in eastern Viti Levu more challenging, but the pleasant network of trails in Colo-i-suva Forest Park is only a 20-minute taxi ride away from downtown Suva.
Scuba & SnorkelingFiji offers some of the best scuba diving in the world, with excellent visibility and a great variety of sites within a short boat ride from the main resorts. The largest concentration of dive shops is in the Mamanuca Group, just west of Nadi International Airport, but there are also well-established scuba-diving operations in the Yasawa Islands, along the Coral Coast, at Savusavu, and on Beqa, Kadavu, Ovalau and Taveuni islands.
Although scuba diving costs money, snorkeling out from a beach is free, but there aren't many places around the two largest islands where this is possible (the Coral Coast on the south side of Viti Levu is an exception). However, almost every outer island resort has been built adjacent to an excellent snorkeling area. The Mamanuca and Yasawa islands stand out in this regard. The Blue Lagoon, made famous by Hollywood, is next to Nanuya Lailai Island in the Yasawa Group.
SurfingWorld-class surfing is available off Tavarua and Namotu islands in the Mamanuca Group, and on the reefs of Yanuca and Kadavu south of Viti Levu. Peak surfing season is March-October, when the southeast trade winds build waves which arrive unimpeded from Antarctica. Fiji's reef breaks are not for beginners.
Most upscale resorts in southern and western Fiji loan windsurfers to their guests for free. It's especially popular in the sheltered waters of the Mamanuca Group, but also at Nananu-i-Ra Island off of northern Viti Levu.
Shopping
Shop for a wide variety of local goods—pottery,
tapa (bark) cloth, recordings of local music, coral, wood carvings, Fijian grass skirts and shell jewelry. Fijian war clubs and sharply pointed cannibal forks make intriguing souvenirs, but you must purchase them before going to the airport, since the duty-free shops in the departure lounge aren't allowed to sell them. It is a good idea to stop at a store belonging to the Jack's Handicrafts chain to familiarize yourself with some prices before heading out to bargain with market vendors. Be careful when buying handicrafts, however, since many are now imported from Asia, and don't buy turtle-shell or whalebone products: They will be confiscated by customs officials when you return home. Cameras, watches, perfumes and other items are available. However, many models may be less modern and more expensive than what you can find at discount stores at home. Security regulations permitting, a duty-free bottle of Bounty rum distilled in Lautoka is an outstanding item to carry aboard the plane. It's brilliant with ice cream.
Shopping Hours: Monday-Friday 8 am-5 pm and Saturday 8 am-1 pm.
Day By DaySeven days in Fiji would be ample if you plan to visit other South Pacific islands, such as Samoa, French Polynesia or the Cook Islands. If Fiji is your primary destination, 10 days would be about right. Here is a suggested itinerary:
Day 1—Arrive Nadi. Take an afternoon tour of the Nadi area.
Day 2—Travel to Lautoka in the morning to board a Blue Lagoon cruise in the afternoon.
Days 3 and 4—Cruise the Yasawa Islands.
Day 5—Overnight in Nadi after the cruise.
Day 6—Drive or take a bus along King's Road to Suva. Full day. Overnight in Suva.
Day 7—Morning flight to Savusavu or Taveuni, with an afternoon tour of the island. Overnight on the island you're visiting.
Day 8—Enjoy Savusavu or Taveuni.
Day 9—Return to Nadi.
Day 10—Depart Fiji.
Should you have more time or prefer to do more diving, stay longer on Savusavu or Taveuni, or visit the Yasawas or one of the other islands. If you're looking for sunshine, stay on the west side of Viti Levu, near Nadi, or in the Yasawa or Mamanuca islands.
