The Luxury Guide to Lautoka, Rakiraki & the Suncoast

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How to Get to the Suncoast

The Suncoast is located on the northern coast of Viti Levu, Fiji’s main island and approximately 2 hr 30 mins away from Nadi International Airport and Suva, along the Kings Road. Both road transport and air transport provide scenic ways to get to your luxury accommodation.

While we list a few transport methods appropriate for a luxury getaway below, see more options in our 5 Ways to Get to the Suncoast.

Suncoast via Private Flight

Arrive at your resort in style by flying in a helicopter or seaplane. Private flights are available to selected resorts on the Suncoast. They depart from Nadi International Airport, taking approximately 1 hr 10 mins to reach the Suncoast.

Find out more about flight operators, as well as Suncoast resorts to fly to, in our 5 Ways to Get to the Suncoast. Plus, you’ll find Where to Hire a Plane or Seaplane in Fiji useful.

Suncoast via Private Transfer

Enjoy a scenic 2-hour drive along the coast of Viti Levu. Companies offer private transfers in a range of air-conditioned 4×4 vehicles. Minibuses and even 40-seater coaches are available for larger groups.

See which transfer companies service the Suncoast in our 10 Best Airport Transfers in Fiji.

Luxury Car Rental

The Suncoast is a top road trip destination in Fiji, so if you want to enjoy some independent travel with the best set of wheels, consider renting a luxury vehicle.

Pick-up a rental vehicle from Nadi International Airport with brands such as Europcar who have luxury rental vehicles in their Prestige range. Hertz also has modern Jeep Compasses and Ford Rangers.

See The Best Car Rentals in Fiji for a full comparison of car rental companies.

For more information about boat charters, taxis and guided tours, see our full rundown in the Suncoast Transport Guide: 5 Ways to Get to Lautoka & Rakiraki.

© Chris McLennan - Tourism Fiji

Luxury Services on the Suncoast

As an up-and-coming tourist destination, the Suncoast is not quite as developed as other Fiji destinations. There are no kids’ clubs, no adult-only resorts… But that’s kind of the charm of the place.

The luxury services you do receive are bespoke, so you can be sure you’ll receive undivided attention to your needs in order to make your vacation to Fiji extra special.

Child Services

At this more secluded end of Fiji, you will not find the large kids’ clubs as found in other resorts, but more personalised child services. Dolphin Island specialises in family holidays, offering exciting activities for your little ones, from children’s cooking classes to snorkelling instruction.

The large team of staff on the boutique accommodation island are available to provide babysitting services, should you want some time to reconnect, as well as plenty of adventures that the whole family can do together.

See 10 Things to Do on the Suncoast with Kids for examples.

Wedding Services

Looking for an island destination wedding in tranquil luxury? Then consider the wedding venues and services of the Suncoast’s resorts. Volivoli Beach Resort offers a range of wedding packages, from a simple island wedding theme to a Fijian-style affair.

Dolphin Island also offers bespoke wedding planning for a destination wedding on their luxury island – perfect if you want a small group of friends and family to join you.

Find out more in our Wedding & Honeymoon Guide to the Suncoast.

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Luxury Activities on the Suncoast

On this side of Viti Levu, everything is a little more tranquil and a little more “Fiji time“, so even if you choose a group activity, chances are you’ll get the experience all to yourself – true luxury without the premium price. From the depths of the coral-filled Bligh Water to the peak of Mt Tomanivi, you’ll find enriching experiences for the mind, body and soul.

Luxury Water Activities

The Suncoast lies just off the shores of the Bligh Water, one of the snorkelling and scuba diving hotspots of Fiji. While snorkelling at the outer reefs provides a stunning experience, getting amongst it all in a scuba diving trip is unbeatable.

The dive sites around Rakiraki are relaxing enough for beginners to feel comfortable yet captivated during their dive, while experienced divers will find a new and enthralling underwater world. The Vatu-i-Ra Passage boasts deep dives into soft yellow coral, while the dive sites around Nananu-i-Ra Island featuring interesting channels dubbed the “Amazing Maze”.

Scuba diving can be organised from all the luxury resorts on the Suncoast, with Volivoli having its own dive shop.

Sports fishing is another popular activity on the Bligh Water thanks to the current created between Fiji’s two largest islands, offering exciting fish to target including mahimahi, black marlin and sailfish. Relax on the open water with a beer in hand and wait for the bite.

Join Half Cast Charters at the Volivoli Beach Resort where the resort’s chefs are happy to cook your catch for you.

Trawling trips can also be organised with Dolphin Island and Dua Dua Beach Resort.

For the perfect mix of land, sea and gourmet food, treat yourself to a private beach picnic experience with Dolphin Island. You’ll be transported to a nearby island decorated with pristine sandy beaches ideal for sunbathing, swimming and snorkelling.

For something more casual, Joiji & Alisi’s Homestay (Ring Gold Divers) organises beach picnic boat trips where you and your loved one will be whisked away to an off-shore island. You’ll get the day to sunbathe, snorkel, swim and indulge in a local picnic.

Luxury Land Activities

Wash all the stress of modern-day life away with a luxurious spa treatment on the Suncoast. Daulomani Day Spa at the Volivoli Beach Resort offers massages, facials and more combined with outstanding ocean views. Unwind with a traditional Fijian massage to enhance relaxation and rejuvenation at Dolphin Island.

For a touch of luxury in Lautoka, treat yourselves to a rejuvenating session at the Beauty Lab of the Tanoa Waterfront Hotel.

Don’t miss one of the most fulfilling aspects of visiting the Suncoast, exploring Fiji’s rugged island interior. Discover waterfalls, remote villages rich in tradition, and breathtaking mountainous and rainforest landscapes on a tour of inland Fiji. Make it a half-day trip to Narara Village where you’ll be welcomed with a traditional kava ceremony before being taken to their natural waterfall slide – check it out with Dolphin Island.

Alternatively, make it a multi-day journey of discovery with Talanoa Treks who will take you through Fiji’s unique cloud forest, villages and waterfalls on a trip to the top of the country’s highest peak, Mt Tomanivi.

More Things to Do on the Suncoast

The rest of your time on the Suncoast can be enjoyed by embarking on a private sunset cruise along the stunning coastline, which you can find out more about in the 10 Luxury Activities on the Suncoast.

For experiences that don’t necessarily fall into the luxury category but are no less amazing, check out the 20 Best Things to Do on the Suncoast.

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Luxury Dining on the Suncoast

Finally, another way to ensure a five-star holiday is with five-star cuisine. The Suncoast’s resort restaurants only use fresh local produce either from local markets or grown on-site. The finest restaurants can be found around Rakiraki and Lautoka where Fijian and South Pacific cuisine are the main items on the menu.

Gourmet Restaurants on the Suncoast

The closest thing to fine dining on the coast of Rakiraki is at the Nuku Bar & Grill at the Volivoli Beach Resort. The open-air restaurant serves fantastically presented Fijian and Japanese cuisine – the sort of food you’ll want to take a million photos of before you divulge. We recommend the caramelised pork belly or sushi platter.

At Raymond’s Restaurant at The Fiji Orchid in Lautoka, classic Fijian and South Pacific cuisine is served upon banana leaves and tastefully decorated with orchids. Seafood is flown in from the Macuata Province, while fruit and vegetables are grown on-site.

The restaurants at both the Tanoa Rakiraki Hotel and Tanoa Waterfront Hotel in Lautoka are well-presented restaurants to dine for a special occasion. Tanoa Rakiraki serves up spectacular Indian food, while Fins Restaurant at Tanoa Waterfront offers both a local and international affair.

For those staying on Dolphin Island, you’ll get to choose your own catch to be served up each evening when the local fishermen call in at the island. Some nights, the Dolphin Island team prepare a traditional Fijian “lovo” for you – food slow-cooked in an underground oven.

And finally, for those staying in the luxury Bularangi Villa, the chambermaid is on-call to prepare delectable Fijian dishes right in your villa’s kitchen. She is also available to provide private Fijian cooking classes.

For more recommendations, see our Guide to the Best Eats & Restaurants on the Suncoast.