© FijiPocketGuide.com
© FijiPocketGuide.com

Understanding the Fiji Regions

© FijiPocketGuide.com

What are the Regions in Fiji?

Planning a getaway to Fiji sounds simple enough until you realise there are 333 islands! Thankfully, the islands are split into various regions and islands groups, each having its own charms and reasons to visit. In this guide to the Fiji regions, we go over each region or island group, in brief, to launch you into planning the trip of a lifetime.

The Regions in Fiji in Brief

Here’s a quick overview of Fiji’s regions if we have to describe them in one sentence…

  • Viti Levu – Fiji’s largest and main island where you’ll arrive in Fiji, split into various regions:
    Nadi – Home to the international airport
    Denarau – Hub of five-star resort and transport to the Mamanucas and Yasawas
    Coral Coast – Resorts line the sandy shores of Viti Levu’s south coast
    Pacific Harbour – Fiji’s adventure capital!
    Suva – Fiji’s actual capital
    Suncoast – The less-visited northern coast of Viti Levu
  • Mamanuca Islands – Postcard-perfect islands close to Nadi Airport
  • Yasawa Islands – A more remote scattering of islands with resorts
  • Lomaiviti Islands – Your island holiday alternative near Suva
  • Lau Islands – Fiji’s most remote island group where very few tourists go
  • Vanua Levu – Fiji’s second-largest island with plenty of resorts
  • Taveuni – A nature lover’s paradise with a national park
  • Kadavu – The southern island group for the intrepid explorer.
The differences between the fiji regions© Google Maps

Viti Levu (The Main Island)

Viti Levu is Fiji’s largest island and most populated. Often referred to as the “mainland”, Viti Levu features several regions that travellers might want to explore. Each region presents its own charms, activities and selection of fabulous resorts.

Nadi

The first region or area that most travellers first hear about when researching Fiji is Nadi. Pronounced “Nan-di”, Nadi is home to the country’s main international airport and is one of the largest cities on the islands. It’s home to several urban areas, a countryside stretching inland, and beaches, although not as idyllic as elsewhere in Fiji.

Learn more about Nadi in The Complete Guide to Nadi.

Denarau

About a 20-minute drive southwest of Nadi is a popular tourist hub, Denarau Island. This manmade island is connected to the mainland by a causeway and presents a contrasting town experience to Nadi, with manicured lawns, a golf course, five-star resorts and a small town of eateries and shops by the marina known as Port Denarau. Denarau is where most of the boats, and even some helicopter and seaplane flights, depart for the Mamanuca and the Yasawa Islands.

Learn more about Denarau in The Complete Guide to Denarau Island.

Coral Coast

Stretching along the southwestern coast of Viti Levu, the Coral Coast is where you can find the most idyllic beaches on the mainland. Much of its coast is lined with budget to five-star resorts, some with their own beaches. The main centre here is Sigatoka, while other landmarks include Fiji’s first national park the Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park, and the Sigatoka River. The latter is a popular route for boat tours into the rugged heart of Viti Levu.

Learn more about the Coral Coast in The Complete Guide to the Coral Coast.

Pacific Harbour and Beqa

Travel further west along the south coast of Viti Levu and you will reach the Pacific Harbour & Beqa area. The Pacific Harbour is known as Fiji’s “Adventure Capital”, thanks to an array of activities, from white water rafting to shark diving. The small town has beaches and looks out onto the coral reef of the Beqa Lagoon and its surrounding island, some of which have their own offering of resorts.

Learn more about the Pacific Harbour & Beqa in The Complete Guide to Pacific Harbour & Beqa.

Suva

Suva is the administrative capital of Fiji and Fiji’s most populated city. It’s the main hub of the University of the South Pacific and features an array of parks and eateries to enjoy. Many cruises call to port in Suva, while boats and flights to outer islands like the Lomaivitis, Vanua Levu and Taveuni also depart from here. Nearby features include the Colo-i-Suva Forest Park (Guided walks of Colo-i-Suva are also available with Kay Services Tour available on Viator and Tripadvisor) and the town of Nausori, home to Fiji’s other international airport.

Learn more about Suva in The Complete Guide to Suva.

The Suncoast

Finally on Viti Levu, the Suncoast is the northern coast of the island, often referring to the area between Lautoka in the west and Korovou in the east. The Suncoast features many interesting towns, such as Lautoka, Ba and Rakiraki, while boasting a small by a good selection of off-the-beaten-track resorts. There’s also off-shore islands, the main of which being Nananu-i-Ra Island, offering budget cottages and windsurfing.

Learn more about the Suncoast in The Complete Guide to the Suncoast.

The differences between the fiji regions© Google Maps

The Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands

Two groups of islands pepper the seas off the western coast of Viti Levu. The Mamanuca Islands and the Yasawa Islands are the most popular island groups for tourists to holiday due to their proximity to Nadi International Airport and their picture-perfect islands.

The Mamanuca Islands

The Mamanuca Islands are the closest islands to Nadi and Denarau, taking only around 20 minutes to reach by boat. The island group is made up of 20-something islands, either uninhabited or harbouring an array of island resorts. There’s something for everyone, from the budgeting backpacker to families to couples seeking an adult-only retreat. Many day trips from Denarau explore these islands for those not staying here.

Learn more about the Mamanuca Islands in The Complete Guide to the Mamanuca Islands.

The Yasawa Islands

A larger and more scattered island group than the Mamancuas, the Yasawa Islands stretches north of Viti Levu, yet is still accessible from Nadi and Denarau by ferry taking 45 minutes to two hours depending on which is you choose. The Yasawas has its own selection of resorts, including budget resorts and an exclusive selection of luxury resorts. Many of the resorts also share islands with villages, making the Fijian culture part of the Yasawas experience.

Learn more about the Yasawa Islands in The Complete Guide to the Yasawa Islands.

The differences between the fiji regions© Google Maps

The Lomaiviti and Lau Islands

Off the eastern coast of Viti Levu is the small island group of the Lomaiviti Islands. Travel some 200-300km (124-186 miles) east and you’ll eventually find the remote region of the Lau Islands.

The Lomaiviti Islands

A group of tourist-friendly islands just off the coast of Suva, the Lomaiviti Islands present a mix of island resorts, villages and historic towns. Ovalau is the Lomaiviti Islands’ main island and was once home to the capital of Fiji before it moved to Suva. The islands offer down-to-earth guesthouses, budget and mid-range resorts, as well as one luxury private island.

Learn more about the Lomaiviti Islands in The Complete Guide to the Lomaiviti Islands.

The Lau Islands

Some 60 islands are sparsely scattered across the eastern waters of Fiji, some of which are actually closer to Tonga than they are to Viti Levu. The Lau Islands are rarely explored by tourists, only by those who go on a twice-year cruise ship from Denarau or who fly by private charter to the one luxury private island resort that resides here.

Learn more about the Lau Islands in The Complete Guide to the Lau Islands.

Understanding the fiji regions© Google Maps

Vanua Levu and Taveuni

Fiji’s other large landmasses are Vanua Levu and Taveuni. Sitting in the northern region of Fiji, these islands present a quieter big island experience compared to Viti Levu.

Vanua Levu

Fiji’s second-largest island is home to a selection of towns, villages and remote resorts. On land is a mix of forest reserves and plantations, while much of the surrounding ocean are protected marine reserves and coral reefs, making it one of the top Fiji destinations for scuba diving. The main centres on Vanua Levu are Savusavu in the south and Labasa in the north.

Learn more about Vanua Levu in The Complete Guide to Vanua Levu.

Taveuni

Located off the southwestern shore of Vanua Levu, separated by the Somosomo Strait, Taveuni is Fiji’s third-largest island. Taveuni is nicknamed the “Garden Island” after its lush rainforest protected in the Bouma National Park. The surrounding waters feature pearl farms, as well as marine reserves and off-shore islands with plenty of resort options.

Learn more about Taveuni in The Complete Guide to Taveuni.

Understanding the fiji regions© Google Maps

Kadavu

Finally, in the southern reaches of Fiji is the island and surrounding islands of Kadavu. Separated 150+ km from Viti Levu across the Kadavu Passage, Kadavu is an island less travelled but doesn’t have less to offer. Those who travel by plane or cargo boat from Viti Levu will be treated to authentic villages, down-to-earth eco-friendly resorts, inland waterfalls and fantastic scuba diving along the Great Astrolabe Reef.

Learn more about Kadavu in The Complete Guide to Kadavu.

Author

Robin C.

This article was reviewed and published by Robin, the co-founder of Fiji Pocket Guide. He has lived, worked and travelled across 16 different countries before settling in the South Pacific, so he knows a thing or two about planning the perfect trip in this corner of the world. Robin is also the co-founder of several other South Pacific travel guides and is a regular host of webinars with the South Pacific Tourism Organisation.

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