Fiji tours & vacations

Being an island in the South Pacific region, seafood plays a big part in the local cuisine. Locally grown produce mainly consists of root vegetables and tropical fruits. Coconut is a key ingredient across many dishes and Indo-Fijian influences are evident in cooking across the archipelago. 

Foods to try in Fiji

1. Kokoda

Think of this as a Fijian-style ceviche. The dish uses raw fish soaked in lemon or lime juice and is served with a combination of onions, chilies, peppers and tomatoes.

2. Fijian curry

Indian influences are evident in the cuisine with a variety of curries seen all over the islands. They're typically made with coconut milk, tomatoes and a combination of local fruit and vegetables such as plantain. Curries are served with roti or dahl.

3. Rourou

This traditional Fijian dish is made from taro leaves that are cooked or stewed in coconut milk. It's often served on the side with freshly cooked fish.

4. Lovo

Lovo is a traditional style of cooking similar to New Zealand’s hangi. Meats and vegetables are wrapped in banana leaves and buried in a hole to cook for several hours over coals.

5. Cawaki

If you like seafood, you may be tempted to try the local delicacy of cawaki, or sea urchin. It's popular in coastal towns and villages but you'll also find them in city markets. They can be eaten raw or cooked.

6. Palusami

This dish comprises parcels of corned beef, onion, garlic and coconut cream wrapped and steamed in taro leaves. Other South Pacific nations like Samoa have their own take on this dish.

Learn more about Fijian food

Fijians are known for their welcoming hospitality and truly live up to this reputation. Interactions are met with a smile and curiosity is the norm, making you feel like an honored guest in the most far-reaching places of the islands.

Fiji’s population is made up of a rich cultural mix of native Fijians at around 57 percent and Indo-Fijians make up 37 percent of the population. This means the archipelago is a blend of Melanesian and Indian influences. Indigenous Fijians maintain both traditional cultural practices and strong Christian values with more than half identifying to the faith.

Approximately 34 percent of the Indian-Fijian community is Hindu and 7 percent practice Islam. One of the most noticeable cultural practices is the act of drinking kava (yanggona) which is consumed as part of ceremonies as well as being a welcoming gesture to guests in communities.

Hibiscus Festival

A nine-day event held in Suva on the main island of Viti Levu each August. The Hibiscus Festival has been running for more than 50 years and is a community celebration bringing together traditional music, food stalls and the crowning of the ‘Hibiscus Queen’ (as part of the island’s beauty pageant).

Bula Festival

Much like the Hibiscus Festival, this event is held in Nadi on the western side of Viti Levu and goes on for a week. The word ‘bula’ means ‘welcome’ or ‘hello’ and is a common gesture of greeting used in most parts of Fiji. Authentic Fijian cuisine is served up as part of the event and visitors are encouraged to join the festivities.

South Indian Fire Walking Festival

This extraordinary spectacle is held between July and August. The event attracts large numbers from the local Hindu community to Suva Point. The ceremony involves Hindu priests and devotees piercing the tongue and cheeks before walking across hot coals. The event signifies the end of 10 days of abstinence to worship the goddess Maha Devi.

Lautoka Sugar Festival

Lautoka is known as the sugar capital of Fiji, situated on the west coast of Viti Levu, it’s the second biggest city (after Suva). Sugar cane holds large economic value for the country. The festival is held over a week in September and is another community celebration that brings in locals from throughout the islands to take part. 

Learn more about festivals in Fiji

Public holidays that may impact travel include:

• Queen's Birthday

• Fiji Day

• Diwali

Please note dates of Fiji's public holidays may vary.

Fiji is an archipelago in the South Pacific scattered with around 300 islands and 540 islets. The country is approximately a five hours’ flight from the east coast of Australia. The interior of the main island is made up of thick jungle terrain, bursting with waterfalls and large winding rivers. The rich volcanic soil creates an ideal environment to grow crops of coconuts, ginger, kava, bananas, cassava and breadfruit. More than half of Fiji’s population live in major towns along the coast, either in Suva, Lautoka and Nadi on the island of Viti Levu.

Thanks to its tropical climate, Fiji is a year-round destination with warm temperatures (it rarely dips below 20°C) and plenty of sunshine throughout the year. That said, the best time to visit for optimal weather – think blue skies and little rain – is during the dry season which runs from May to October. Traveling in the shoulder months is also a good option as the weather isn't too wet and there aren't as many tourists.

The monsoon season runs from November to April, and while this is considered to be the off-season, it's a great time to explore without big crowds (excluding the festive season which sees a spike in tourists). Just bear in mind that the weather is hot and humid, and torrential (but brief) downpours are common. There’s also the possibility of cyclones.

Learn more about the best time to visit Fiji

Many resorts in Fiji have onsite gift and souvenir shops, but we recommend heading to a local market to peruse the stalls and get to know the locals. They're a great place to find handmade art and crafts, traditional food and general souvenirs.

It's a good idea to check with your local customs officials to ensure that you are permitted to bring certain items into your home country. Australia and New Zealand generally have strict quarantine laws.

Here are some items you may like to buy in Fiji:

1. Coconut shells

From smooth and polished serving bowls to elaborately painted decorations, coconut shells have many purposes!

2. Tapa cloth

Tapa is a traditional Fijian textile painting on barkcloth from the mulberry tree. All materials are organic, including the dyes which are extracted from plants, herbs and charcoal.

3. Pearls

Fijian pearls are known around the world for their rare colors and beauty. Why not take a slice of paradise home with you and treat yourself, or buy some jewelry for someone special.

4. Bula shirt

Who doesn't love a brightly colored shirt? Bula shirts are a clothing staple for men in Fiji and the wider South Pacific. They're fun, versatile and will lift your spirits if you're feeling those post-holiday blues.