10 Best Foodie Experiences on the Pacific Harbour & Beqa

Last Updated: 24 September, 2024

Food Activities on the Pacific Harbour and Beqa Island

There’s no better place to experience the Fijian culture through food than the Pacific Harbour. Sure, it’s a bold statement to make, but with the Beqa Lagoon on its doorstep teeming with tropical fish, the Pacific Harbour’s resorts and restaurants serve up some fantastically fresh Fijian seafood. On top of that, the locals are keen to share their culture with food-orientated activities from cooking classes to crab-catching. Get inspired with this list of things to do on the Pacific Harbour for foodies.

While you’re here, you might also be interested in our Food Guide to the Pacific Harbour & Beqa. Plus, bookmark The Complete Guide to Food in Fiji for even more tips!

1. Learn to Cook Local Food in a Fijian Cooking Class

One of the most immersive foodie experiences that’s not too hard to find on the Pacific Harbour and Beqa Island are Fijian cooking lessons. Guests at the Beqa Lagoon Resort have the opportunity to learn how to make kokoda – a traditional dish of fish marinated in coconut milk. Or learn how to cook kokoda using prawns cooked traditionally in bamboo, over an open fire at the Nanuku Resort. Other resorts which offer cooking lessons include the Royal Davui Resort and the Lalati Resort & Spa.

Location: Nanuku Resort – Queens Road, Pacific Harbour. Beqa Lagoon Resort & Lalati Resort – Beqa Island. Royal Davui – Davui Island.

10 Things to Do on the Pacific Harbour for Foodies

2. Learn About Local Herbs and Spices in a Fijian Medicine Walk

Discover Fijian herbs and medicines on a medicinal walk through the native forest. This is a particularly popular foodie activity to do on Beqa Island where it has its own unique culture – the same culture that practices “firewalking” in Fiji. Join medicine walks with Beqa Island resorts such as Lalati Resort & Spa.

Location: Beqa Island.

things-to-do-on-the-pacific-harbour-for-foodies

3. Do a Fijian Food Safari

Guests staying at the Nanuku Resort will certainly get their foodie fix on an all-inclusive “Fijian Food Safari”. Your guide will teach you how to catch crabs in the mangroves like a local before taking you on a medicinal walk to learn about local herbs. The tour also includes a visit to a market and farm to buy fresh produce from the locals for a Fijian warrior to prepare for you back at the resort in a cooking demonstration. Learn more about this resort in our 5 Best Luxury Resorts on the Pacific Harbour.

Location: Nanuku Resort – Queens Road, Pacific Harbour.

4. Try Moonlight Prawning, Crab Catching and Beekeeping

Yes, there are more foodie experiences to be had at the Nanuku Resort, so let’s get to it! Take a traditional bilibili raft through a mangrove forest to catch crabs and bring them back to resort to preparing lovo (underground) style. You can also go up a river to cast nets for prawns at moonlight, followed by an evening in a local family’s kitchen to learn how to cook coconut-steamed prawns. Finally, an alternative experience is to play beekeeper for the day by visiting the resort’s beehive. See how honey is made followed by a honey-focussed spa treatment and a five-course honey-themed tasting menu.

Location: Nanuku Resort – Queens Road, Pacific Harbour.

5. See a Coconut Demonstration

Ah, fascinating coconuts! Learn how to husk a coconut at resorts with coconut demonstrations at resorts like the Lalati Resort, Royal Davui and Nanuku. For an extra special treat, learn how coconut milk is made at the Beqa Lagoon Resort and taste real fresh coconut milk!

Location: Nanuku Resort – Queens Road, Pacific Harbour. Beqa Lagoon Resort & Lalati Resort – Beqa Island. Royal Davui – Davui Island.

6. Experience “Destination Dining” with a Beach Picnic

Eating out doesn’t necessarily mean eating at a restaurant when you’re on the Pacific Harbour. Romantics can whisk lovers away to private sand cays for a beach picnic with resorts such as Lalati, Royal Davui, Beqa Lagoon and Nanuku. Alternatively, have a private dinner with a personal butler on the pier of the Lalati Resort. Or there’s always the option to enjoy in-residence dining in your resort. For more romance, see our 10 Romantic Activities on the Pacific Harbour.

Location: Nanuku Resort – Queens Road, Pacific Harbour. Beqa Lagoon Resort & Lalati Resort – Beqa Island. Royal Davui – Davui Island.

7. Try a Traditional Lovo Feast

You can’t visit Fiji without trying the smokey melt-in-your-mouth flavours of a “lovo”. This traditional cooking method has been used for centuries, slow-cooking meat and tropical vegetables in an underground oven complete with a ceremonial unveiling. Catch a lovo feast once a week at resorts like Lalati and Nanuku Resort. Or experience a lovo as part of the Jewel of Fiji Tour. The Jewel of Fiji tour offers an immersive cultural experience that includes a scenic river cruise, a visit to a traditional Fijian village, and a delicious lovo feast, showcasing the authentic flavours and rich heritage of Fiji. Learn more about cultural activities in 10 Best Ways to Experience the Fijian Culture.

Location: Nanuku Resort – Queens Road, Pacific Harbour. Lalati Resort – Beqa Island. Jewel of Fiji – Naitonitoni Road, Navua.

8. Experience a Traditional Kava Ceremony

Continuing with traditions, another one you have to experience while in Fiji is the kava ceremony. Kava is a narcotic drink made with Yaqona roots mixed with water. The earthy drink is shared during a welcoming ceremony performed when new visitors arrive at the village. The experience is replicated at most resorts in the Pacific Harbour and Beqa Island, usually performed one night of the week.

Location: Inquire at your Pacific Harbour or Beqa resort.

9. Treat Yourself to Some Fine Dining…

Although Fiji is more about island-style dining – eating on the floor with your hands if you’re staying in a Fijian village – there is at least one fine dining experience to be had on the Pacific Harbour should you want to spoil yourself. Guests of Nanuku are in for a treat with its signature restaurant, Kanavata Restaurant and Lounge, showcasing the fresh Beqa Lagoon seafood prepared into an internationally-influenced menu. Find out more about the local restaurants in our Guide to the Best Easts & Restaurants on the Pacific Harbour & Beqa.

Location: Nanuku – Queens Road, Pacific Harbour. See the link above for more recommendations and their locations.

10. … Or Cheap Eats

What the Pacific Harbour lacks in its fine dining scene, it more than makes up for it with a smorgasbord of authentic eateries. Treat your taste buds to mouthwatering Fijian curries, hearty roti wraps, juicy burgers, and crispy fish and chips. For a dining experience that truly captures the local flavour, venture beyond your resort and explore the vibrant culinary landscape. We’ve put together The Top Cheap Eats on the Pacific Harbour to guide you through the best budget-friendly dining options in the area. Trust us, your stomach (and wallet) will thank you!

Location: See the link above for recommendations and their locations.

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Activities on the Pacific Harbour and Beqa Island

Now that you know about the food activities on the Pacific Harbour and Beqa Island, here are the answers to the internet’s frequently asked questions about culinary experiences in this region!

What are some must-try local dishes in the Pacific Harbour and Beqa Island?

Some must-try local dishes in the Pacific Harbour and Beqa Island include kokoda (raw fish marinated in coconut cream and lime), lovo (food cooked in an underground oven), and fresh seafood like grilled mahi-mahi or snapper. Don’t miss out on trying traditional Fijian desserts like vudi vakasoso (caramelised plantains in coconut milk). For more information, check out our 10 Foods to Try in Fiji.

Are there any cooking classes available in the Pacific Harbour area?

Yes, several resorts and local establishments in the Pacific Harbour area offer cooking classes where you can learn to prepare traditional Fijian dishes. These classes often include a visit to local markets to source fresh ingredients, followed by hands-on cooking sessions with expert chefs. It’s a great way to immerse yourself in the local food culture and take some culinary skills home with you.

What types of seafood can I expect to find in Pacific Harbour restaurants?

The Pacific Harbour area is renowned for its fresh seafood. You can expect to find a variety of fish such as mahi-mahi, tuna, and snapper, as well as shellfish like lobster, crab, and prawns. Many restaurants in the area pride themselves on serving catch-of-the-day specials, ensuring you get the freshest seafood possible. For more information, check out our 10 Best Restaurants in the Pacific Harbour & Beqa.

Are there any food tours available in the Pacific Harbour and Beqa Island region?

Yes, there are food tours available in the Pacific Harbour and Beqa Island region. These tours often combine visits to local markets, tastings of traditional Fijian dishes, and sometimes even include fishing or foraging experiences. It’s a great way to explore the local food scene and learn about Fijian culinary traditions from knowledgeable guides. For more information, check out our Foodie Guide to the Pacific Harbour & Beqa.

Is it safe to eat street food in the Pacific Harbour area?

While street food can be a great way to experience local flavours, it’s important to exercise caution. Stick to vendors that are popular with locals and where you can see the food being prepared fresh. It’s generally safer to eat cooked foods rather than raw dishes from street vendors. When in doubt, opt for restaurants or resort dining options. For more information on food safety in Fiji, check out How to Stay Safe in Fiji.

More About Food Activities on the Pacific Harbour and Beqa Island

That’s it for our guide to food activities on the Pacific Harbour and Beqa Island, for more information about culinary experiences in Fiji, check out the following articles:

Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in our Complete Guide to the Pacific Harbour & Beqa.

Sources:

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across Fiji and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

Tourism Fiji (General travel advice - Updated [2025])
Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association (Tourism trade association - Updated [2025])
SPTO (Pacific tourism advice - Updated [2025])
Fiji Immigration (Visa and immigration advice - Updated [2025])
Fiji Revenue & Customs Service (Customs and visitor taxes - Updated [2025])
Biosecurity Authority of Fiji (Biosecurity advice - Updated [2025])
Fiji Meteorological Service (Weather forecast and warnings - Updated [2025])
Fiji Bureau of Statistics (Statistics and travel data - Updated [2025])
Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (Tourism statistics - Updated [2025])
Land Transport Authority (Road safety advice - Updated [2025])
Safe Travel (New Zealand travel advisory for Fiji - Updated [2025])
Smart Traveller (Australia travel advisory for Fiji - Updated [2025])
Travel.State.Gov (U.S. travel advisory for Fiji - Updated [2025])

Our editorial standards: At Fiji Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

About The Author

Laura (Lora) S.

This article was reviewed and published by Laura, editor in chief and co-founder of Fiji Pocket Guide. Since arriving solo in the South Pacific over 10 years ago with nothing but a backpack and a background in journalism, her mission has been to show the world how easy (and awesome) it is to explore a paradise such as Fiji. She knows the islands inside-out and loves sharing tips on how best to experience Fiji’s must-dos and hidden gems. Laura is also editor of several other South Pacific travel guides.

About Laura About Our Team