Destinations

Eight reasons why you’ll never want to leave Fiji once you get there

Fiji is the perfect place to rejuvenate mind, body and soul.

You can’t beat a holiday in Fiji when you need to step back from the chaos of daily life and relax and unwind. Fiji is your ultimate wellness destination.

As well as being the home of stunning landscapes and some of the world’s friendliest people, Fiji also offers unique encounters with nature, making it the perfect place to rejuvenate mind, body and soul as well as reconnect with yourself, the environment and your partner or family.

Here, we take a look at just some of the magic you can find in Fiji.

Where to stay

Malolo Island Resort may be one of the few places in the world where you can disconnect from technology. Set in lush tropical gardens, the colonial style ‘bures’ don’t have internet – replacing the ping of incoming emails with the sound of swaying coconut palms and encouraging guests to rediscover the joy of face-to-face conversation. The Spa offer open-air treatment bures features world-famous Fijian massages, pure local oils and extracts combined with the tranquillity of a rainforest setting. Malolo is 100% owned by a local family and the staff – many from the island itself – to nurture guests in that way only Fijians know how. You can book a great deal here.

Situated on the Coral Coast, Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay is one of only two resorts with over-water bures. This five-star luxury resort is the perfect place to reconnect with your loved one. Who needs to go anywhere else when you have stairs descending into pristine lagoon waters right below your deck? (Unless it’s to the day spa or restaurant, of course!) You can book a great deal here.

Yasawa Island Resort and Spa is an exclusive resort with 10 private beaches. Located in one of the most unspoiled parts of Fiji, Yasawa Island Resort and Spa is your ‘white sand and crystal clear water’ Fijian dream come true. Sustainability is at the fore, too, with food purchased from the local village, metal straws, no single-use plastic and even a glass crusher to convert used glass into building materials. You can book a great deal here.

What to do

Planting coral

It’s always wonderful to give back to a country that has welcomed you, and a great way to do that is by helping repopulate coral reefs damaged over time by water activities. At the Shangri-La, Intercontinental and Outrigger Resorts you can help with the process of growing coral from tiny fragments on metal frames that will be transferred to damaged reef areas.

Great Sea Reef

Shining bright turquoise through clearer-than-clear waters, the Great Sea Reef (Cakaulevu) is the third longest barrier reef in the world. Snorkelling over this natural wonder – which includes a series of protected marine areas – you could encounter anything from green sea turtles and spinner dolphins to manta rays and even whales, as well as hosts of tiny, colourful tropical fish.

Chasing waterfalls

Not everyone associates tumbling waterfalls nestled amidst lush green foliage with Fiji, but that’s why Taveuni is called the Garden Island. Ensconced in tropical jungle, the Bouma National Heritage Park contains three stunning waterfalls, with pool and locations perfect for swimming, barbecuing and picnicking.

Swimming with rays

While snorkelling with fish is popular in Fiji, you can also frolic with majestic gliding manta rays in the Yasawa Islands and Kadavu. These gentle giants (sometimes weighing over a Tonne) are very inquisitive, sometimes even performing flips and ‘dancing’ for their audience.

Rise Beyond the Reef

For a truly satisfying shopping experience, rather than taking home mass-produced souvenirs, seek out products made by not-for-profit organisation Rise Beyond the Reef. You’ll go home with a beautiful example of Fijian traditional art or craft and simultaneously support efforts to bridge the divide between remote communities, government and the private sector, creating a better world for South Pacific women and children.

For more Fiji inspiration, visit www.fiji.travel

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