OUR thoughts on FIJI

What can we say about Fiji that hasn’t been said a thousand times before?  Probably not too much, but what we can say, is that in Fiji, we have absolutely no doubt that we can find you the perfect place for a perfect holiday.  Fiji provides an enormous variety of destinations, activities and experiences and we know we can give you the best possible fit for your vacationing needs.  It doesn’t matter whether you are looking for five star luxury in a big mainland resort with full international spa facilities or a family friendly resort with wonderful children’s programs or a secluded executive island retreat or a place with plenty of keep-fit and sporting activities, a place for an unforgettable wedding or honeymoon, or a world-class small ship cruise around really idyllic tropical islands, we can find all this and more for you in Fiji.  Fiji is a place that really gets under your skin; people go back year after year.  The big broad smiles of the Fiji people and the greeting of “BULA” everywhere you go together with the world-class tourist facilities there, make Fiji very special indeed.  Beware though; one trip to Fiji is never enough!

OUR NADI AND DENARAU AREA
OUR OFF-SHORE ISLANDS
OUR SOUTH COAST VITI LEVU
OUR FIJI SMALL SHIP CRUISES
OUR NORTHERN ISLANDS
OUR SOUTHERN ISLANDS

OUR NADI AND DENARAU AREA
With around 18 flights each week between Auckland and Nadi, we are bound to find one that suits your schedule and if you need to stay a night or two in Nadi there is a cluster of hotels close to Nadi International airport.  The wonderful resort centre - Denarau is only twenty minutes by car or coach from the airport and 8 minutes from Nadi town.  From the moment you pass through the main gate security post you can’t help but be impressed by the sheer size of the place and the facilities on offer.   On the left hand side you will see the Denarau Golf & Racquets Club’s 18 hole golf course and on the right the Residential Neighbourhoods where you can be booked into a private golf villa for a holiday.  Next on the right you come to the road down to the Port Denarau Retail & Commercial Centre where you will find the arrival and departure point for the boats out to the Mamanuca Island Resorts, restaurants and shops.  At the end of the entrance road, straight ahead you’ll see the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa and next to it on the right the Hilton-managed Fiji Beach Resort & Spa.  Turn left at The Sofitel and you’re at The Westin Fiji Resort & Spa, next come the Sheraton Denarau Villas, the Sheraton Fiji Resort & Spa and the Radisson Resort Fiji.  No matter where you stay all this is accessible to everyone by hopping on the “Denarau Shuttle Bula Bus” which does a circuit of Denarau attractions once every 20 minutes 6.30am to 6.30pm every day. Denarau is also a perfect venue for a conference and we have experience organising perfect weddings too.

It's like one big resort, but the sheer size and the many options can be a bit daunting, so let us advise you – we know Denarau intimately.

OUR OFF-SHORE ISLANDS
There are over 330 islands in Fiji and some of the most breathtakingly beautiful ones are found west and north-west of Nadi.  These are the Mamanuca and the Yasawa Islands and, as in the rest of Fiji, there is a diverse range of island resorts and standards of accommodation found out there - we know them all.  Getting out to the islands adds to the holiday experience and we have all the options available – fast, stable catamaran scheduled resort transfers, faster speedboats, helicopters, seaplanes or scheduled flights.  We particularly enjoy the South Seas Cruises scheduled catamaran services from Port Denarau which run 3 times a day on a circle around most of the Mamanuca Group as not only do you get a resort transfer, you normally get an islands cruise too.  The view from a helicopter is spectacular. Some island resorts specialise in family holidays, others in superior breaks for romantic couples, some offer diving and many other activities, some have “barefoot” style ambience, and others provide the best of everything.

We like nothing better than finding the right one for you and as we’re dealing with them constantly, we are always right up to date on what would best suit your particular requirements.

There are literally dozens more islands in Fiji.  If you are looking for something closer to the Coral Coast or Suva, or to the North, even something a little less mainstream, maybe a special Eco Resort or Fijian Village-owned beach bure, give Our Specialists a call.

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OUR SOUTH COAST VITI LEVU
Natadola, Coral Coast and Pacific Harbour
The road trip from Nadi Airport to Suva via the Queens Road (South Coast) is a comfortable 3 hours non-stop.  To give an idea of distances, here is a rough guide of travel times from Nadi to various resort areas along the route.  The Intercontinental Fiji Golf & Spa at Natadola Beach – 45/50 minutes.  Shangri La’s Fijian Resort at Yanuca Island – 45 Minutes.  Outrigger On The Lagoon near Sigatoka on The Coral Coast – 70 minutes. The Naviti Resort and the Warwick Fiji Resort and Spa on The Coral Coast – 90/95 minutes.  Pearl South Pacific Resort at Pacific Harbour – 2 hours 15 minutes.  These are only a few of the many great places to stay along this route which starts and ends with world-class golf course resorts.  In addition to the major resorts there are boutique properties offering a wide range of accommodation types and standards.   Once you settle in to your chosen resort you will probably be content to stay put.  However, if you choose to stay on the “mainland” we like the opportunity this provides to explore a little outside the resort; maybe just a trip into Sigatoka Town or a day trip into Suva or Nadi or a trip up the Sigatoka Valley to the famous Fiji Pottery village etc. There are plenty of extra things to see and do from the Natadola, Coral Coast and Pacific Harbour areas when you get slightly off the beaten tourist track.

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OUR FIJI SMALL SHIP CRUISES
A cruise on a small ship is the perfect accompaniment to a Fiji Holiday.  Of course, there are wonderful day cruises from Denarau on a range of vessels from fast catamarans to lazy sailing sloops and these are a great addition to any holiday in Fiji.  If you have the time, what Fiji offers which is even better than a day cruise is a range of 3, 4 and 7 day cruises from a variety of departure points to picture-perfect tropical islands with amazing beaches and marine life, real Fijian villages and wonderful natural features.  Coupled with this, however, is the real “cruise ship experience” without the crowds while still retaining many of the big ship features – Fiji style.

You get to know the other passengers and the crew and lasting friendships are often made.   Days are usually spent ashore on some perfect island and the nights spent around a beach campfire or dining in style on board are just perfect.  The view of the night sky seen from the deck of a small cruise ship anchored in a sheltered bay somewhere in the middle of a Fiji Island group is an awesome experience.  Your ship will usually move off overnight and the next morning will drop anchor at another perfect spot.

Blue Lagoon Cruises
Blue Lagoon Cruises depart from Lautoka and offer 3 day/2 night cruises, 4 day/3 night cruises and 7 day/6 night cruises through the Yasawa Islands.  Blue Lagoon Cruises also offer their very special Historical & Cultural Dateline Cruises, usually 3 times a year – February, August and November.  These cruises visit Levuka (Fiji’s first Capital), Taveuni, Kioa, Rabi, Macuata Islands and the Yasawa Islands.  Many of these places are not normally visited by tourists.  Get in quick!

Captain Cook Cruises
Departing from Denarau Marina, experience a 2 day/3 night Southern Yasawa Cruise or a 3 day/4 night Northern Yasawa Cruise onboard MV Reef Endeavour. By joining them up you can experience a wonderful 6 day/7 night cruise. Or for something slightly different how about a 3 or 4 day Sailing Safari to the Southern Yasawa Islands on a 108 ft topsail schooner with each night spent ashore at Barefoot Lodge on Drawaqa Island and ever day you sail off to a new island to explore, swim and snorkel. Adding value to your Captain Cook Cruise, they also offer complimentary transfers to/from most Nadi/Denarau hotels to Denarau Marina. Once a month from May-June, August-November there is also a 6 day/7 night cruise to Northern Fiji visiting Tivua Island, The Yasawa Islands, Levuka, Savusavu, Taveuni and time permitting a mystery island en route back to Denarau. To see more about Captain Cook Cruises click here

Tui Tai Expeditions
Sail on the 140 ft (42m) 3-masted luxury motor sailor “Tui Tai”. A Tui Tai cruise includes the absolute best of everything.  Everything is included in the price; from gourmet meals to drinks, scuba diving, spa treatments, kayaks, mountain bikes, the lot. “Tui Tai” caters for a maximum of 22 guests on her 5 or 7 night weekly cruises based on Natewa Bay (out of Savusavu) on the big northern Island of Vanua Levu.  Not only will you be treated like Royalty, you’ll get to visit places that are absolutely untainted by civilisation and you will be treated as an honoured guest everywhere you go.  There’s nothing like the Tui Tai trip anywhere else on Earth.

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OUR NORTHERN ISLANDS
Now, for something extra special for those who have “done the main resorts in Fiji” or for those people looking for award-winning naturally stunning, eco-friendly places with the highest standards which few people have experienced before you – look no further than this part of Fiji – Vanua Levu, Taveuni, Matangi and Qamea.

Vanua Levu
The second biggest island in Fiji, the main town is Savusavu. Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort is a 5 star exclusive resort from which there are wonderful views over Savusavu Harbour.  This is one of only a few intimate island resorts in Fiji that caters for children year round.  There are a few conditions, Our Specialists have complete details. The Namale Fiji Islands Resort & Spa (also accessed via Savusavu) has only 16 bures even though it’s set in over 300 acres of superb tropical forests and gardens.  This high quality resort features a great gym and even a basketball court and bowling ally.  Children accepted aged 13 and over. 

Taveuni - known as 'The Garden Isle'.
The Matangi Private Island Resort is a 50 minute van and fast boat ride from Matei Airport Taveuni.  This horseshoe-shaped island has wonderful beaches, top-line facilities and some of the best snorkeling in the South Pacific.  Matangi is known as the ultimate resort for couples.  On another island just a boat ride from Taveuni you’ll find Qamea Resort & Spa.  A high quality remote resort with a fabulous beach and stunning snorkelling, matched with a range of premium bure accommodation and dining opportunities.  Our Specialists have visited these resorts and once you visit them you’ll understand immediately why we worried they would never want to leave to come back to work!

OUR SOUTHERN ISLANDS
Kadavu Island lays 100 kms south of Viti Levu and is easily accessed by air from Nadi or Suva.  The Matava Resort is an eco-adventure resort which only has 9 bures and can accommodate a maximum of 22 guests.   Diving, surfing, sea kayaks, all types of fishing, bird watching, trekking, whale and dolphin viewing (June to October), are regular activities.  It’s a great spot for weddings and honeymoons.  It’s also a great spot to relax and unwind.  The views of the ocean from the verandah of the Honeymoon Bures which are scattered up the hill are magnificent.

So, there you have it.  We have only just scratched the surface with these few “Thoughts on Fiji” there is a lot more we could have included.  Fiji really has something for everyone.  We have been visiting Fiji for years and we are still surprised and delighted every time.  Our Fiji Specialists would love to help you to enjoy a perfect holiday break in OUR Fiji.

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