What Kind of Fiji Holiday Suits You? A Guide to Planning Your Perfect Escape

There’s More Than One Way to Do Fiji: What Kind of Fiji Holiday Are You?

White-sand beaches. Ridiculously blue water. Palm trees leaning over the shore. Fiji certainly knows how to make a good first impression.

And for Kiwis, the best part is that paradise is surprisingly close to home. A few hours on a plane can take you from everyday life in New Zealand to warm Pacific water, tropical islands and a pace that makes checking your emails feel wildly inappropriate.

But here’s the thing: there’s more than one way to do Fiji. You can escape a New Zealand winter and spend five days barely moving from a beachfront lounger. Disappear to an adults-only island with someone special. Dive with sharks. Surf some of the South Pacific's most famous breaks. Catch a boat into the Yasawas. Hike through tropical rainforest on Taveuni. Eat your way through local markets. Or combine a little bit of everything.

So rather than asking “What should I do in Fiji?”, there might be a better question: What kind of Fiji holiday suits you? Whether you're planning your first Fiji trip from NZ or searching for an excuse to go back, here are some of the different ways to experience one of our favourite South Pacific neighbours.

1. The ‘I Want to Do Absolutely Nothing’ Fiji Holiday

2. The ‘Just the Two of Us’ Romantic Escape

There are romantic holidays, and then there’s waking up on a tiny tropical island in Fiji with the ocean outside your door. For Kiwi couples, honeymooners or anyone celebrating something special, Fiji has plenty of intimate island resorts and adults-only escapes, without the long-haul flight. For something a little more secluded, look towards the Yasawa Islands. Stretching north-west of Viti Levu, they're known for dramatic green peaks, beautiful beaches, blue lagoons and smaller resorts that feel properly away from it all.

Nacula Island

Beautiful beaches, clear lagoons and a great base for snorkelling and exploring the famous Blue Lagoon area.

Yaqeta Island

Remote and peaceful, with beautiful reefs and a more exclusive island feel.

Blue Lagoon

One of the Yasawas' best-known spots for impossibly clear water, swimming and snorkelling.

What to do

Take a sunset cruise, snorkel together, book a couples massage or have dinner by the beach.

Best for

Couples who want fewer crowds, beautiful scenery and a romantic escape that feels a little more off-grid.

Good to know

The Yasawas take longer to reach than the Mamanucas. Ferries depart from Port Denarau, while some resorts can also be reached by seaplane or helicopter, so factor transfer time and cost into your plans.

3. The ‘I Can’t Sit Still’ Adventure Holiday

4. The “I Want to Become a Fish” Fiji Trip

If you choose destinations based on what’s happening beneath the water rather than on land, Fiji deserves a spot high on your list. Known for colourful soft corals, warm tropical waters and incredible marine life, Fiji offers everything from easy reef snorkelling to drift dives and encounters with sharks. Where you stay matters, though, Fiji's best underwater experiences are spread across different islands and regions.

Taveuni & Rainbow Reef

One of Fiji's most famous diving areas. The Somosomo Strait is home to Rainbow Reef, known for colourful soft corals, walls and drift diving.

Pacific Harbour & Beqa Lagoon

The place to look if shark diving is on your Fiji bucket list, with specialist operators running dives in the area.

Bligh Water

Between Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, this area is known for vibrant reefs, soft corals and more advanced diving.

Mamanuca & Yasawa Islands

Great if you want to mix your underwater adventures with a classic island holiday, with snorkelling and reef trips available from many resorts.

What to do

Scuba dive, snorkel house reefs, join a reef trip or simply grab a mask and see what's beneath that ridiculously crystal clear, blue water.

Best for

Divers, snorkellers and anyone who spends more time looking under the water than sitting beside it. 

Good to know

Choose your resort based on the diving you want to do, not the other way around. Taveuni, Beqa Lagoon and the Mamanucas offer very different underwater experiences, so check how far your accommodation is from the dive sites on your wish list before booking.

5. The ‘I Actually Want to Experience Fiji’ Holiday

Fiji's beaches might get most of the attention, but they're only part of the story. Step beyond the resort and you'll find bustling markets, traditional villages, local food and a mix of cultures that give you a much better sense of Fiji beyond the postcard.

Nadi

Visit Nadi Market for tropical produce, spices and a glimpse of everyday life, then stop by the colourful Sri Siva Subramaniya Temple, one of Nadi's most distinctive landmarks.

Suva

Fiji's capital is the place to experience a more urban side of the country, with markets, local eateries, colonial-era architecture and the Fiji Museum in Thurston Gardens.

Fijian villages

Join a guided village visit to learn about local customs and traditions, which may include a sevusevu welcome and kava ceremony.

Try the local food

Look out for kokoda, fresh fish marinated in citrus and coconut milk; a traditional lovo feast; plus Indo-Fijian curries and roti.

What to do

Browse local markets, try Fijian food, visit a village, experience a kava ceremony or spend a day exploring beyond the resort.

Best for

Travellers who want to come home knowing a little more about Fiji than the view from their sun lounger.

Good to know

When visiting a Fijian village, go with a local guide and follow their lead on etiquette. Dress modestly, ask before taking photos of people and be respectful of local customs, especially if you're invited to take part in a ceremony.

6. The “Why Choose One Island?” Fiji Holiday

If staying put isn't really your style, why choose just one Fiji island? The Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands are particularly good for island hopping, letting you mix lively resort stays with quieter beaches and more remote islands, all in one trip.

Denarau 

A handy starting point, with Port Denarau serving as the main departure point for ferries into the Mamanucas and Yasawas.

Mamanuca Islands

Your first stop for easy-to-reach beaches, snorkelling, surfing and resorts. Malolo, Malolo Lailai and Mana are among the islands to explore.

Yasawa Islands

Head further north for a more remote feel, with volcanic landscapes, beautiful lagoons and smaller island resorts.

Taveuni

If you've got more time, fly east for rainforest, waterfalls and some of Fiji's best-known diving.

What to do

Combine two different islands, snorkel your way through the Mamanucas or spend a few days heading further into the Yasawas.

Best for

Travellers with a week or more who want to see more than one side of Fiji.

Good to know

Don't overdo it. Two well-chosen islands can make a much better seven-night trip than trying to squeeze in three or four. Check ferry schedules and transfer times before booking, and remember that the further you travel into the Yasawas, the more of your day you may spend getting there.

7. The “Show Me the Fiji Deals” Holiday

With Mix & Match, you can compare travel options and fares to find flights that work for your dates, budget and Fiji plans. Then, when weighing up your overall trip, remember to factor in accommodation, meals and island transfers too, especially if you're heading beyond the mainland.

• Flights from NZ – check whether your fare includes checked baggage, and compare different travel dates if you're flexible.

• Island transfers – staying in the Mamanucas or Yasawas? Factor in ferry, boat, seaplane or helicopter costs on top of your flights and accommodation.

• Meal packages – these can be worth considering on smaller islands, like going all inclusive, meaning you don’t have to worry about money on your island escape.

• Resort extras – look for inclusions such as breakfast, resort credits, complimentary activities, bonus nights or room upgrades.

• Travel dates – escaping the Kiwi winter is popular, so compare dates around peak travel periods to see where you can find better value.

Best for

Travellers who want to make their Fiji budget go further without automatically choosing the cheapest option.

Good to know

Check the cost of getting from Nadi Airport all the way to your resort before booking. A great-looking deal in the Yasawas can become considerably more expensive once island transfers and meals are added, while a package that includes these upfront may offer better overall value.

Which Fiji Holiday Is Yours?

If you've made it this far, you probably have an idea. Maybe you're “The Lounger”, whose greatest ambition is making it from breakfast to the beach. Maybe you're “The Adventurer”, already researching dive sites and waterfalls.  That's one of the reasons Fiji remains such a favourite for New Zealand travellers. It's close enough for an easy escape, but once you're sitting underneath a palm tree with the Pacific in front of you, it feels properly away. 

There isn't one perfect Fiji holiday.

There's a perfect Fiji holiday for you.

And once you know what kind of trip you want, choosing your islands, resorts, flights and Fiji holiday package becomes a whole lot easier.

Ready to Find Your Fiji?

Whether you're dreaming about escaping the Kiwi winter, taking the family somewhere warm, checking into an island resort or spending a week snorkelling, swimming and doing very little at all, compare Fiji flights and holiday packages from New Zealand to find an escape that fits the way you want to travel. Book with Mix & Match Today!