Fiji Itinerary: See the Best of Fiji in 2 Weeks!

Known for its white sandy beaches, abundant marine life and pristine waters, Fiji is a bucket list destination.

Since there are plenty of things to see and do in this South Pacific archipelago, you need to make the most of your time there.

To help you out, I’ve put together a two-week Fiji itinerary based on my own trip. It covers all the unmissable activities to do while visiting this stunning island nation.

If you like the sound of island-hopping, lazy days on the beach, snorkelling over colourful reefs and swimming with manta rays… read on as this two-week itinerary has it all.

A quick note on sustainable travel in Fiji

Being an island nation, it’s understandable that Fiji has growing concerns about climate change. After all, rising sea levels put the country’s natural resources and people’s livelihoods at risk. 

Many resorts have been instrumental in sustainable tourism efforts.

In the Yasawa and Mamanuca islands (a popular island-hopping route), resorts tend to be small and owned by people from the local villages.

In some resorts, it’s not uncommon for electricity to only be available in the evenings and water is heated by the sun (it gets hot, trust me!). 

Awesome Adventures, an island-hopping tour operator plays a huge part in conservation in the Yasawas and Mamanucas.

Projects it’s involved with include studying the manta ray population, planting mangrove nurseries and rebuilding damaged coral reefs. 

Getting around Fiji

The best way to get around Fiji is by bus if you want to explore the main islands, otherwise, you can get a reasonably priced taxi.

The most efficient way to go island-hopping is by ferry from Port Denarau.

Not all islands are easy to cross on foot or by car, but you can usually get a boat that will take you around the other side.

If you want a fancier way to travel then you can fly but bear in mind that this mode of transport is pricey and you’re fairly limited with where you can go. 

Fiji Itinerary: Main islands or island-hopping?

The first thing you need to decide when planning your two-week Fiji itinerary is whether to explore Fiji’s main islands of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu or go island-hopping.

Fiji is comprised of 333 islands, 110 of which are inhabited. 87% of the population lives on the two main islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu.

Nadi and Suva are both cities on Viti Levu. Nadi has the country’s largest international airport whereas Suva is the capital. 

To get the most out of your trip, I recommend the latter. Island-hopping allows you to see a lot more of what Fiji has to offer in a short amount of time. 

This specific itinerary focuses mainly on island-hopping in the Mamanucas and Yasawas with a few spare days to do some extra activities in or around the main islands.

Island-hopping is very easy to do. I would say that it’s the easiest way to explore Fiji.

Fiji Day 1: Arrive in Nadi 

Fiji’s biggest international airport is Nadi so that’s probably where you’ll be flying into.

There isn’t much point hanging around here as there’s not a lot to do. You’re better off heading to your resort or hotel to relax after your journey. 

My favourite place to stay is Bamboo Backpackers a budget-friendly hostel (although it does have private rooms) by the beach.

The hostel is a fantastic launchpad for your island-hopping adventure because it provides you with free transfers to Port Denarau.

It’s also very easy to get there from the airport because they have a free shuttle to pick you up and they can arrange a taxi to take you back. 

If you have a bit of time to spend after your flight there are plenty of activities to enjoy at Bamboo Backpackers.

The hostel has a great social scene, a swimming pool, bar and restaurant.

Volleyball on the beach is a popular pastime during the day, otherwise, you can visit the reception desk and book some local activities. 

Fiji Day 2: Get to know Viti Levu 

Aaand relax! It’s your second day in Fiji so it’s time to familiarise yourself with the way they do things around here.

One such custom is ‘Fiji Time’, a state of being in which all stresses melt away.

You’ll find that there’s no rush to do things. Activities start when they start – not before – and you’re encouraged to enjoy just being in the moment. 

Hang out, chat and get to know locals and other fellow travellers from around the world. If you’re staying at Bamboo Backpackers, you can hit the beach. It’s just 30 seconds from your room, after all!

You can afford to dedicate this time to R&R because the next 10 days are going to be action-packed on the islands.

If you’re an active person who likes to get stuck in, I recommend booking a day trip to Natadola Beach for snorkelling,

Or you could visit the Garden of the Sleeping Giant, a peaceful oasis at the foot of Nadi’s Sabeto Mountains. 

In the evening, make sure you experience a traditional kava ceremony.

Kava is an earthy-coloured drink made from powdered Piper methysticum, a plant that is native to the western Pacific Islands.

It’s a popular social drink like alcohol in Western cultures, although not nearly as potent.

For one thing, you don’t get drunk or high. Instead, it acts as a gentle depressant, aiding relaxation and sleep. 

It’s a bit like taking a few drops of CBD oil or drinking a ‘sleepy tea’. You might find a tingly or numbing sensation in the mouth, but it’s perfectly safe to drink.

You can drink as much or as little as you want. Kava ceremonies have been a part of South Pacific culture for centuries. 

I did my kava drinking ceremony at Bamboo Backpackers and at a few other resorts on my island-hopping route. It was free to do too!

Fiji Day 3-10: Island-Hopping in the Mamanucas and Yasawas

Okay, this is where the action starts. A coach will leave bright and early in the morning bound for Port Denarau. I would double-check the time for this. Sure, ‘Fiji Time’ exists but not for this transfer.

I think 8-10 days is the optimum amount of time to go island-hopping. Depending on your schedule, you can book for as little as a few days or up to a month. 

The only rules are you have to stay at most resorts for a minimum of two days and you have to have booked your accommodation for the island you want to stay at before you get off the ferry. 

If you like to wing it when you travel, you can book your itinerary on the ferry, but I wouldn’t recommend it.

A lot of resorts in the Mamanucas and Yasawas are small with limited capacity.

If they don’t have room for you then you can’t stay there. You’re better off avoiding the stress altogether and booking your accommodation in advance. 

In case you missed it, I’ve written a detailed guide to island-hopping in Fiji which covers everything from the types of boat passes you need to the best islands to stay at.

If you would prefer a quick answer, I’ll share a brief outline of the route I recommend below.

Island-hopping itinerary

If you’re island-hopping for the full 10 days, start with the resort that’s furthest away and work backwards.

Days 3-5

I went to Nacula Island in the Yasawas. It had the most beautiful scenery. Think white sand beaches, striped blue sea and abundant coral reefs.

Nacula Island is close to Fiji’s famous Blue Lagoon and the Sawa-I-Lau Cave. All these activities are available from the resorts.

I stayed at Nabua Lodge. It was a simple stay with dorm rooms but it was so pretty. Another option is Oarsman’s Bay Lodge or the swanky 5* Blue Lagoon Resort.

These resorts are about 4 hours and 30 minutes away from Port Denarau.

Days 5-8

The next island I went to was Naviti in the Yasawa Group. It’s a large volcanic island covered with tropical forest and fringed by golden beaches.

Naviti is a prime island for activities like swimming with manta rays (highly recommend!).

I stayed at Korovou Eco-Tour Resort for three nights. Again, it was a budget stay with dorms but it does have private bures too.

Other popular options nearby include Barefoot Manta Island Resort (Drawaqa Island), Mantaray Island Resort (Nanuya Balavu Island) and Paradise Cove Resort (Naukacuvu Island).

All these resorts offer the same activities and they’re between 3 to 3 hours and 30 minutes from Port Denarau (or an hour from Nacula).

Days 8-10

For my last island in the Yasawas, I visited Wayasewa, the southernmost island in the group along with Kuata. This island is a great place to swim with reef sharks (again, highly recommend!).

I stayed at Wayalailai Ecohaven Resort but it was a slightly unusual setup as it only had availability for one night. An entire school trip arrived the next day!

So, for my second night, I stayed at Naqalia Lodge which was just around the corner on the same island. Another great option is Barefoot Kuata Resort on Kuata Island.

These resorts are two hours from Port Denarau (or between an hour or an hour and 30 minutes from Wayasewa.

Days 10-11

The last island I stayed at on my Fiji island-hopping itinerary was in the Mamanucas, the closest island group to Port Denarau.

I stayed at South Sea Island. It’s one of the first islands you stop at on the boat. It’s so small, it’s more like a sandbank than an island and it’s very popular with day trippers from Nadi.

South Sea is a great end to your island-hopping as you can lie on the beach and have a well-earned rest. Activities here include snorkelling, kayaking and looking at the reefs from a glass-bottomed boat.

Once the daytrippers leave, you have the island to yourself and you can sit on a sunbed with a cocktail and watch the waves lapping against the shore. Bliss.

Activities in the Mamanucas and Yasawa Islands

You might be wondering why should you spend nearly two weeks in Fiji island-hopping up the Mamanucas and Yasawas?

Other than beautiful, picture-perfect scenery and the island where Tom Hank’s Castaway was filmed (Monuriki), there’s a wealth of fantastic activities.

To recap, just some of the things you can do include:

1. Swimming with reef sharks 
2. Diving with bull sharks 
3. Swimming with manta rays 
4. Snorkelling in the Blue Lagoon
5. Visiting the freshwater Sawa-I-Lau Cave
6. Going on guided sunset walks 

Discover how to see Fiji’s incredible Mamanuca and Yasawa islands in this island-hopping itinerary!

Fiji Day 12: Day Trip to Cloud 9 

So, you’ve arrived back at Port Denarau after a thrilling 8-10 days exploring the islands and you need a bit of a pick-me-up. Don’t worry, I’ve got just the thing.

How does a floating pizzeria and cocktail bar sound? That’s exactly what Cloud 9 is. 

If you’ve gone back to Bamboo Backpackers (it’s convenient and the free transfers are a real perk), a minibus will pick you up and take you to Port Denarau.

Ideally, you want to book Cloud 9 in advance because like the resorts, it’s popular, it has limited space and you have to choose which timeslot you want.

Ticket prices start from FJD169.00 for transfers or FJD229.00 with a bar tab. From start to finish, the day out will be approximately 6 hours. 

A small boat will take you over to Cloud 9. You’ll instantly be able to recognise it by its two-level floating structure bobbing about gently in clear turquoise waters.

Much of the bar is covered to protect you from the heat of the sun and there are plenty of sunbeds and sun lounges to loll about on. 

If you get peckish you can treat yourself to an Italian wood-fired pizza fresh from the oven and indulge in the internationally stocked bar.

Simply sunbathe and enjoy the music, courtesy of resident and guest DJs or explore the local coral reefs at your leisure.

When your timeslot is up, a boat will take you back to the port and a minibus will drop you off at your accommodation. Easy! 

Fiji Day 13 -14: Relax or visit Taveuni Island

The reason why I’ve given some extra days around Nadi and not on more of the islands is that it’s a good idea to give yourself some buffer time before the day of your flight. 

To put it bluntly, anything could happen. For example, bad weather could make it too risky for ferries to pick you up causing you to be stranded on a remote island for an extra night.

Sure, there are worse places to be stranded than a gorgeous resort, but it’s better to be safe than sorry!

On your last remaining days, you can either relax at your resort and meet up with your fellow island-hoppers or if you’re feeling adventurous, you can head to Taveuni Island (again, give yourself some buffer room). 

Taveuni is Fiji’s third-largest island and it’s characterised by the huge shield volcano which rises from the South Pacific floor. Lush green rainforests cover the island making it a haven for tropical birds.

Popular highlights of the island include visiting the Tavoro Waterfalls, the Bouma National Heritage Park and the Civa Pearl Farm. 

Taveuni is a little trickier to get to than the island-hopping route. You’ll need to catch a bus to the capital, Suva, before taking a short flight from there to the island.

You can get a ferry from Suva to Taveuni but bear in mind it’s 16 long hours. Not ideal if you’re short on time! 

Extra things to do in Fiji

Here are some bonus activities to mix up your two-week Fiji itinerary:

Go diving 

Fiji is surrounded by the largest coral reef system in the Southwest Pacific, covering an area of 3,869 square miles. So, it’s no surprise that it’s a prime spot for diving.

If you’re a budding diver or have your PADI diving certificate already, you may want to make the most of this fantastic marine location. 

Top diving destinations in the Mamanucas and Yasawas include Barefoot Kuata Resort and Wayalailai Ecohaven Resort.

Other spots around Fiji are Beqa Lagoon Resort, Aqua-Trek and Beqa Adventure Divers (known as one of the best shark dives in the world – no biggie!).

You can also get the lowdown on everything you need to know about diving including gear, tips and more in this complete guide to diving.

Hike with Talanoa Treks 

Fiji is perhaps most famous for its beaches and the waters around it, but the country is also a great destination for hikers. Talanoa Treks is Fiji’s only dedicated hiking company. 

They have partnered with rural communities to provide travellers with the chance to hike across Fiji’s tropical interior and experience authentic culture.

Hikes are guided and you can book a trip for one night or four nights depending on the route you want to take. 

Tips for visiting Fiji

Here are a few top tips to get the most out of your Fiji itinerary: 

Plan the best time to visit Fiji

The weather in Fiji tends to stay the same all year round with temperatures resting in between 26℃ and 31℃.

The peak season runs from July to September as tourists flock from Australia and New Zealand in search of some winter sun.

Between November and April is typhoon season. Temperatures get very high, and violent storms batter the islands.

I wouldn’t recommend visiting at this time, particularly if you want to explore some of the more remote islands. 

I visited Fiji in September and to be honest, it couldn’t have been more perfect!

It was just at the end of the peak season, so the resorts were quiet, but temperatures were still hot, and the weather was more or less pleasant (save for a storm or two here and there). 

Bring cash with you when island-hopping

The smaller islands don’t tend to have card machines or cash points and you’ll still need to pay for your activities and food, depending on your island-hopping pass.

You can get cash out at the airport or Bamboo Backpackers (for a small fee). 

Respect local customs 

When visiting Fiji, it’s important to show that you respect and show appreciation for their customs.

Be friendly, join in the entertainment and be open-minded. Whilst interacting with Fijians, don’t raise your voice or point directly at someone. 

If you’re visiting a village, dress conservatively, don’t wear a hat and if you’re given food you should wait for it to be blessed before eating it.

Always remove your shoes before entering someone’s house. 

Editor’s tip: English is Fiji’s official language, although they do speak Fijian. 37% of the population is descended from indentured Indians brought over by the British in the late 19th century to work on the sugar cane plantations. 

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Looking for more Fiji travel tips? Check out these posts!

• 8 Reasons to Put Fiji On Your  Bucket List Now
• How to Plan the Best Fiji Island-Hopping Itinerary
• How to Swim with Manta Rays in Fiji

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