30 Tips for Your Family Fiji Vacation with Kids

Last Updated: 21 October, 2024

Travel Advice for Families Visiting Fiji

What is supposed to feel like your special time away with the family can have the opposite effect when it comes to planning. Is everyone going to enjoy themselves? Are there enough things for the kids to do? Is there going to be enough time to relax? Can I buy the right baby food in Fiji? If you’re thinking about taking a family holiday to Fiji, then the answer will be a resounding yes! Fiji is one of the best places in the South Pacific to travel with children. Resorts and activities are well-catered to family travel, with things to do for the whole family, as well as opportunities for everyone to enjoy their own version of “Fiji time” while being well looked after. Regardless, every parent could do with a few extra tips for travelling to Fiji with children, and we are here to provide with a whopping 30 tips!

1. Book Early, Especially if Visiting During the School Holidays

Our first batch of travel tips for families in Fiji covers accommodation. First up, be sure to book early! Family rooms are not only the first rooms to go, but most families travel to Fiji at the same time during the school holidays. The New Zealand and Australian school holidays are when Fiji is at its busiest. If you’re aiming for a school holiday escape, be sure to book accommodations and tours as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. FYI, the school holidays are the second half of April, essentially the whole month of July, the first half of October and the end of December through January. Note that the July (winter) holidays are the busiest and when flights and accommodation are at their most expensive.

Check out The Best Time to Visit Fiji: Best Months to Visit for our advice on when to visit!

2. Look for Accommodation Where Kids Stay Free

Have a look for places to stay where kids stay, and sometimes eat, for free. Some of Fiji’s largest resorts have regular deals like this, while even some of the smaller guys from our list of the 10 Fiji Resorts Where Kids Stay & Eat for Free! Just know that these deals do exist and are well worth looking out for.

29 Essential Tips for Travelling to Fiji With Children

3. Double-check that Kids are Allowed at Your Chosen Accommodation

On the other hand, there are many accommodations across Fiji that are exclusively for older guests, even if it’s not made obvious at first glance. A popular age restriction is “no 12 years and under”, so if it’s not completely obvious that your accommodation allows younger children, just be sure to double-check.

4. There is No Fencing Around Swimming Pools

A little bit of a safety tip, note that there are no fences around any swimming pools in Fiji, neither at holiday homes or resorts. You’ll want to keep an extra eye on little ones around the pool.

For more safety tips, head to Fiji Safety Tips: Is it Safe to Travel to Fiji?

5. Look Out for Family Deals

The best thing about travelling with a family might seem like the quality time you’ll have together, but we think it’s the family deals! Activities, tours, and even some resorts often promote “family” specials that offer fantastic value for money. Always ask for the family rates! For more tips like this, check out 25 Tips to Save Money in Fiji.

6. “Squeeze” into a Double Room to Save Money

On a tight budget? Consider if you actually need to get a full family room? Many of the resorts in Fiji allow kids to stay for free if you book a double, twin or double twin room. You’ll often find that there’s still plenty of space if you’re travelling with babies and young children.

7. Go Heavy on the Sun Protection

Perhaps the biggest health and safety concern in Fiji is the sun. While it makes for an awesome holiday by the beach, the UV levels are quite high and are especially harmful on unprotected sensitive skin. Make sure you are quite strict on sun protection with child-friendly (and reef-safe) sunscreen, cover exposed skin where you can, use sunhats, stay in the shade when UV levels are at their highest (around midday) and drink plenty of water. See The Best Sunscreens for the Fiji + Sun Protection Tips for more advice.

8. Use Kind Insect Repellent

Yes, mosquitoes are a thing in Fiji, and one way to protect your children from itchy bites is with insect repellent that, like sunscreen, is gentle on their sensitive skin. Check out the 10 Environmentally-Friendly Insect Repellents. On the subject of mosquitoes, a mosquito net for cots and prams/strollers is a great idea to provide your baby with extra protection from pests. While resorts and hotels in Fiji have mosquito nets on beds, they rarely have them on cots. For more tips, check out the 10 Ways to Avoid Mosquito Bites in Fiji + How to Treat Bites.

9. Pick a Child-Friendly Resort

Kids love Fiji, and Fiji loves kids! This is definitely the feeling after spending the week at one of Fiji’s many child-friendly resorts! Not only are there swimming pools, cultural shows, kayaking, snorkelling and more activities for the whole family to enjoy, but the fantastic (and free) kids’ clubs give your children a chance to mingle with kids their own age, learn about Fiji and have a whole lot of fun. Meanwhile, Mum and Dad can enjoy relaxing in “Fiji time“. Here are our top picks for the best child-friendly resorts in Fiji.

10. Assign Roles

It’s important to assign roles between parents or between the whole family before jetting off to Fiji. Who is going to be in charge of the food? Who is going to choose the activities? Who is going to book the activities? Who is going to handle the airport check-in while the other watches the kids? Communicate these roles early so you avoid hick-ups in Fiji, giving more time for everyone to enjoy themselves. Plus, assigning small roles to the children is a great way to teach responsibility.

11. Get a Few Fun Items to Help Them Make the Most of Their Holiday

We’re thinking of a waterproof kids’ camera, like this Ourlife Kids Camera, so they can take some holiday snaps without you having to worry about them breaking expensive gear! Or how about an interactive travel journal, like the Go!: Kids Interactive Travel Diary, which gives activities for kids to do throughout their holiday?! For more fun gadgets, check out the 20 Must-Have Gadgets & Travel Accessories for Fiji.

12. Be Toilet-Ready!

Travelling with babies or potty training toddlers can be tricky, especially when you’re trying to pack light! Nappies/diapers are readily available in convenience stores and supermarkets across Fiji’s main island, Viti Levu, as well as on Vanua Levu. But if you are travelling to one of the outer islands, it’s best to stock up first! If you’re planning a lot of pool time, make sure you use swim nappies like these Reusable Swim Diaper Training Pants.

[Update: After testing and trialling reusable diapers, we’ve found that finding a suitable place to wash them can be tricky abroad compared to using reusable diapers at home].

13. Get a Child Locator

While it’s probably not likely that you’ll get separated from your children on holiday, it does happen. A great safety feature to have is some sort of GPS locator, such as this Smart Watch for Kids. Give it to them before the holiday so that they can get used to it. If a watch is not right for your kid, then attach this discreet Tile GPS Tracker or Apple AirTag to their bag.

14. Get Your First Aid Kit and Medication Together

Whether you’re travelling alone or with kids, it’s best to have a bit of a travel medication kit ready. It’s important to note that while resorts on the mainland are within driving distance of pharmacies and supermarkets, the same cannot be said when heading to the outer islands. When buying medication, check the dosage for children and ask a pharmacist if you are unsure of what you can give to your kids. Your medication kit should include a pain and fever reducer, such as ibuprofen and/or acetaminophen, steroid cream for itching, antihistamine for allergic reactions, cough and cold medicine for older children, and a regular first aid kit with plasters/band-aids, antiseptic cream, etc. Check out our recommendations in What to Medication to Pack in Your First Aid Kit for Fiji. Remember, if you are bringing any prescription medication, make sure to declare it when you arrive at the airport in Fiji.

15. Let Them Pack Their Own Day Pack

… But make sure to check. This is another great way to teach responsibility and get your child feeling more involved in the holiday!

16. Eat Healthy Snacks

Dealing with sugar rush or stomach aches is enough of a worry at home, let alone on holiday! Dried fruit and snack bars are a great way to go when the little ones are feeling snacky. If you plan to pack some snacks for the flight to Fiji, just note that once they are opened, you probably won’t be able to pass them through Biosecurity once you land, so don’t go too overboard.

17. Prepare for the Flight with Entertainment

There’s always a bit of downtime when travelling, especially at the airport if you’ve been savvy enough to check in on time (or during any stopover if you’re coming from far). Games are an essential boredom-buster while getting the whole family bonding, so pack some travel-size games, like Uno and Connect 4 Grab & Go. They’ll also come in handy when you’re enjoying some downtown at your accommodation after a day full of adventures.

18. Educate Your Kids About Fiji

While your kids are bound to learn a lot about Fiji from the amazing kids’ clubs, get them excited for their trip away by educating them on Fiji before you go! Use a map and show them where you’re all visiting and pull out some trivia from our Fun Facts About Fiji for Kids.

19. Remember Their Insurance Too!

When buying your travel insurance, look for insurance that covers children too! Most travel insurance companies have policies to cover kids for free if travelling with an adult, so always inquire.

20. Pack a Baby Carrier for the Outer Islands or a Travel Stroller for Denarau

Although we have a full packing list in What to Pack for Fiji: A Full Fiji Packing List, those with infants will need to consider a couple of holiday extras. In most instances, a baby carrier is the way to go, as there are not many places that are stroller-friendly once you reach the outer islands or the rural heart of Viti Levu. If you’re just sticking to the mainland hotspots, such as Denarau, Nadi and the Coral Coast, a handy travel-size stroller is suitable. There’s no need to pay for extra luggage if you take a stroller, like these travel strollers from Baby Joy, which fold up to an incredibly small size and only weigh 6 kg (13 lb). They are even accepted as a carry-on!

21. Request a Bassinet for Your Flight

For those travelling with a baby, book a bassinet seat! These seats usually have extra space for a provided aeroplane bassinet (a cot, basket or skycot), but they are limited and must be booked in advance. Once your baby has had a peaceful sleep on the flight, you’ll be glad you asked!

22. Stay Hydrated

From the dry airline cabin air to the hot weather in Fiji, staying hydrated is essential to keeping everyone healthy. It’s likely that everyone in the family will need to drink a lot more water than they usually do at home, so keep that in mind. The water quality is good in the main cities and resorts around Fiji, but always ask if you are unsure. If you are exploring some of the more remote islands, make sure you take bottled water, boil the water before drinking or use a Lifestraw Filter Bottle. For more details, check out Is the Water Safe to Drink in Fiji?

23. Pick a Meeting Point Everywhere You Go

Every time you go to a new place, agree on a meeting point with the whole family! It’s the classic: “If you get lost, come back here, wait for me, and I will come to get you!”

24. Ask for the Kids’ Menu in Restaurants

Almost every time you go out for dinner, your kids will be given a kid’s menu with cheaper, smaller portions, and more “Western” food than the main menu. Where it’s unclear whether there is a kids’ menu, always ask to avoid higher prices and wasted food.

25. It’s Ok to Breastfeed in Public in Fiji

Breastfeeding in public is acceptable as long as you are reasonably discreet.

26. Baby Food is Easy to Find in Supermarkets

Don’t worry about stocking up too much on baby food, as international baby food brands can be found in most convenience stores and supermarkets in Fiji. However, you will need to stock up if you spend time on one of the outer islands. Learn more about self-catering in A Guide to Supermarkets & Food Shopping in Fiji.

27. Locals are Super Friendly with Children

Children are adored in the Fijian culture, so don’t be alarmed if the locals touch or pick up your baby without asking first. It’s a common and accepted thing to do here. Some people may even take pictures, but it’s all in good spirit. For more local customs, check out Fiji Etiquette: A Guide to Customs and Traditions.

28. Kids Go First!

When boarding a boat, car or bus, let the kids go first.

29. Always Keep Your Options Open

Some kids can get moody when travelling, saying “no” more often. So when offering an activity, have a couple of extra options ready, so they run out of “nos” before you run out of options. Better yet, use open-ended questions like: “There is so much to do here, such as sea, pool, kids club, slide, waterfall, or what would you like to do today?”

30. Get a Local Toy Before Leaving

A fun way to end the trip is by treating your little ones to a local toy to remember the holiday by! Fiji-made toys are easy to find in souvenir stores and stalls, and help have a positive impact on the local economy. Check out some cool gifts in the 20 Best Souvenirs & Gifts from Fiji.

More Tips for Your Family Fiji Vacation with Kids

That’s it for our list of tips for your family’s Fiji vacation with kids. Congratulations on making it this far! But, of course, our advice for families in Fiji doesn’t end here. Check out more tips for a family trip to Fiji using the following guides:

Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in The Complete Family Travel Guide to Fiji.

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 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])
SPTO (Pacific tourism advice - Updated [2025])
Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association (Tourism trade association - 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.

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