5 beautiful places you have to see in Fiji

By Gemma Tedaldi | Published: 21st October 2018 | Updated: 1st November 2023

Bula Vinaka! If you are after 5 places you have to see in Fiji then you are in the right place! Fiji is an archipelago of over 300 islands in the South Pacific. It is also a must-visit for anyone who wants some tropical relaxation, unforgettable landscapes and happiness on every corner. From palm tree-lined beaches to crystal clear diving, Fiji is not to be missed! It is even a leader in eco-tourism, so get planning your trip out there, and make sure you include visits to the 5 beautiful places below;

1 – Garden of Sleeping Giant & Orchid Gardens

First stop in Fiji should be a visit to the Garden of the Sleeping Giant and the Orchid Gardens. The mountain that looks like a sleeping giant on its side can be seen from all over the mainland and has an incredible amount of natural flora and fauna. You can walk around the gardens for hours on end, with insects buzzing around the fragrant flowers and the soothing trickle of water along the pathways.

2 – Mudpools & Hot Springs

Next stop head to the thermal mud pools and hot springs where the locals cover you in a skin rejuvenating mud before getting in a series of thermal pools to cleanse and exfoliate. You have to allow the thick brown clay-like mud to fully dry to your skin before you can get into the first pool, with a sinking mud floor, before getting into the next two lovely warm pools. One was even 72 degrees, strictly not for dipping in may add!

Planning your own trip to Fiji? Make sure you check out our Travelling Tedaldi Amazon Store Travel Guides for all your guidebooks and maps. (We’ve done the hard work for you and linked all the things we used to plan our trip!)

3 – Waterfalls & Nalesutale Village

After a relax in the hot springs why not head to a local village for a kava ceremony and some incredible traditional food? That’s exactly what I did and you should too! We visited the picturesque village of Nalesutale and were welcomed with a blessing by the village chief and some amazing food, think fresh fruits and vegetables grown in the village and surrounding rainforest by methods passed down the generations.

(Kava is the unofficial drink of Fiji and the locals can be found drinking it anywhere and everywhere! If I’m honest it is a very odd crop that when reduced down and added to water creates a mild sedative / numbing sensation when drunk. It seriously messed with my mouth, Meryl, on the other hand, didn’t seem to be affected!)

After filling up on delicious food head out for a waterfall trek through the nearby rainforest. We found yet more food such as pomelo and wild pineapples growing. (Who knew pineapples grew pink and purple to start with?!). Obviously, it being a rainforest we did get a tad wet, but it is worth it to experience the raw nature of Fiji. (And the teeny tiny frogs that were everywhere!).

Check out our post on Bali to experience a different side of Island life: 10 incredible places to visit in Bali

4 – Bounty Island

When you think of beautiful places you have to see in Fiji, how does 48 acres of an untouched tropical island with pristine white sands and bright blue clear water sound? Well if that sounds like your cup of tea then you need to head to Bounty Island!

Only half an hour from Port Denarau by boat, it is the closest island to the Fiji mainland of the Mamanuca group, (all of which are incredibly beautiful islands!). You can chill away the day on the sun-soaked beaches or get out into the water snorkelling/diving. The colourful coral reefs around the island are definitely worth exploring just you can immerse yourself with the local marine life. The Sergeant fish becoming a firm favourite of mine! You can even feed baby turtles that the locals rescue!

5 – Smugglers Cove

Obviously being in Fiji means there are plenty of beaches for you to pick from. But for some rest and relaxation Smugglers Cove beach might be my favourite on the mainland! With a beach that seems to go on for miles, mountains in the distance and hammocks strung between palm trees what more could you ask for? I spent a good few evenings watching the sunset over the sea, swinging on a hammock in the warm breeze.

You can also enjoy a night of fire dancing, fresh fruit cocktails and the freshest seafood going all from the comfort of your beachside hammock!

Now, this isn’t a place to see but it sure is one way to see places…

Skydive!

One way to see all the beauty of Fiji from above is to skydive over these incredible islands. It might sound a bit mad but it was truly the most amazing experience viewing Fiji from above, even if you are dropping rather fast!

And there you have it, 5 beautiful places you have to see in Fiji! I dare you not to book flights out there right now…

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Gemma (i.e The Travelling Tedaldi)

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Gemma Tedaldi

Gemma is the owner and author of The Travelling Tedaldi, a travel blog helping travellers to discover the best road trips and travel itineraries throughout the UK and Europe. When she isn’t writing about her favourite travel destinations, she can often be found out exploring local hikes or planning future trips.