If you, like me, have always been attracted to the Fiji Islands and are looking for information and advice to organize a holiday, you have found the right article.
Let's discover together this incredible archipelago, where it is located, how to reach it, how many islands there are and many other information to plan the trip.
Documents and Visas
You do not need a visa for a tourist stay of less than 120 days, you just need to be in possession of a passport with at least six months of validity.
Time Zone and Language
The time difference between Spain and the Fiji Islands is 12 hours ahead. The official languages ​​are English and Fijano.
Currency And Credit Card
The local currency is the Fijian dollar (FJD). As I often recommend, even in Fiji, the best way is to have several payment options: credit cards, debit cards, travelers' checks and something in cash. The ideal is Australian, American or New Zealand dollars, which can be exchanged at any bank in the country.
ATMs are located in major urban centers, and accept major international credit cards, including Cirrus and Maestro.
However, remember that if you go to more remote areas, you will hardly find ATMs.
The main credit cards are accepted by restaurants, shops, medium-high range hotels, as well as by travel agencies or car rental companies.
How to reach the Fiji Islands
Fiji is approximately a 4 hour flight from Australia, 2 hours from New Zealand, 11 hours from Los Angeles, Hong Kong and Seoul.
The international airport is located at Nadi on the island of Viti levu.
The plane ticket for this country is quite expensive, between 1.200 and 1500 euros per person and the hours to reach it are many, no less than 30 hours.
Here are some routes used to reach the Fiji Islands:
Madrid - Seoul, South Korea - Fiji - Min.25 hours
One of the cheapest routes.
Madrid - Seoul: Approximately 11 hours
Seoul - Nadi: Approximately 11 Hours
Airline: Korean Air
Madrid / Barcelona - (London or Frankfurt) - Los Angeles - Fiji - Min. 29 hours
One of the most used and on average economic routes.
Madrid - London or Frankfurt
London or Frankfurt - Los Angeles: Approximately 12 hours
Los Angeles - Fiji: Circa 11 Ore
Airline: Air New Zeland
Madrid – Sydney – Fiji – Min. 32 ore
One of the most expensive and longest but widely used routes.
Madrid - Dubai: About 5 and a half hours
Dubai – Sidney: Circa 14 ore
Sidney – Fiji: Circa 4 Ore
Madrid - Singapore - Auckland (New Zealand) - Fiji - Min.36 hours
Madrid – Singapore: Circa 12 Ore
Singapore - Auckland (New Zealand): Approximately 9 hours
Auckland (New Zealand) - Fiji: Approximately 2 hours
This option can be pleasant because often the wait in Singapore is enough to be able to visit the city for a few hours.
Madrid/Barcelona – Hong Kong – Fiji – Min. 41 ore
Madrid - Hong Kong: Around 11 hours
Hong Kong - Fiji: Circa 11 Ore
Hong Kong can be reached with The Cathay Pacific or the Air Pacific, from Hong Kong you can fly to Fiji with the Fiji Airways.
As you see, the journey to reach the Fiji archipelago it is very long, so it would be a good idea to divide the trip and stop for a few days in one of the airports listed, for example Los Angeles or Seoul, or take the opportunity to visit part of Australia.
To do this I recommend you look for a flight open jaw, that is, with multiple destinations, for example through the Expedia.com site.
The screen you see below shows an example of a search for a flight with multiple destinations, in this case we depart from Barcelona to Sydeney, where we stop for a few days and leave for the Fiji Islands. The return is from Nadi to Barcelona, ​​but this is just an example, have fun looking for a flight with your favorite destinations.
Another way to get to Fiji is by purchasing a ticket “Round the World Ticket” and choose the archipelago as one of the stops on your world tour.
When to go to the Fiji Islands
The Fiji Islands enjoy a temperate tropical climate making it an ideal destination at any time of the year. However, the best time is the dry season, the Fijian winter, which runs from May to October, with temperatures ranging from 20 ° to 27 °, when it rains less and there is less humidity.
The wet period runs from November to April, with higher temperatures and the risk of cyclones, especially from January to March.
Which and how many are the Fiji Islands
Fiji is an aricipelago of about 330 volcanic islands scattered in the South Pacific that occupy about 18.400 km2 of the Melanesian area.
The two major islands are Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. In the first, as big as Lombardy, there are the most important cities of the country, the capital Suva, Lautoka and Nadi, the tourist city where the International Airport is located.
Further north is the second largest island, Vanua Levu, with its main towns of Labasa e Savusavu. Vanua Levu is the favorite destination for lovers of trekking and diving.
However, the coveted postcard beaches are not found on the two main islands, but on the smaller islands. These islands are divided into archipelagos, among the most famous and perhaps the most beautiful are the the Mamanuca group and the Yasawa group, both can be reached from Nadi, both by sea and by air.
Mamanuca Islands
Le Mamanuca they are the closest to Nadi and also the most touristic. They are a group of about 25 volcanic islands. Most of the Mamanuca Islands are flat, with coconut palm fringed beaches.
The main islands of the group are Malolo, Beachcomer, Castaway, Kadavulailai, Malolo Lailai, Mana, Matamanoa, Tokoriki, Treasure and Yanuya. The climate is dry and breezy for most of the year. Power by Matamanoa they are the most popular for honeymooners.
Yasawa Islands
Le Yasawa Islands they are less touristy than Mamanuca and have an even more uncontaminated nature ideal for those seeking relaxation and a particular contact with nature.
The Yasawas are a group of about 20 volcanic islands in the west of Fiji, they are, for the most part, mountainous islands with peaks up to 600 meters high.
The main islands of this group are Kuata, Nacula, Nanuya Lailai, Nanuya Levu, Naviti, Tavewa, Waya, Waya Lailai, Yaqeta e Yasawa.
Nanuya Levu, anche detta Turtle Island is where the film "Blue Lagoon" was filmed.
Both archipelagos also offer accommodation for the independent travelers, with less comfort than luxury resorts but with charming beaches and the warm hospitality that distinguishes the Fijian people.
These beautiful islands can also be reached on day trips from Port Denarau, approximately 10km from Nadi.
Other destinations worth mentioning are the Taveuni and Kadavu Islands the third and fourth largest islands in Fiji, respectively. Both are among the most beautiful places for scuba diving.
However, there are many islands not yet reached by mass tourism such as Read by Lomaiviti.
If you have visited this incredible archipelago and want to add something, or if the Fiji Islands will be your next destination and you have any questions to ask, please leave a comment.
