The Fiji archipelago can be divided into 7 groups of islands.
VITI LEVU
This is the largest island in the archipelago and the third largest island in the Pacific Ocean. Viti Levu has an oval shape, from west to east it stretches for 146 km, and from north to south – for 106 km. About 70% of the country’s population lives here and the main Nadi International Airport is located here.
According to Top-mba-universities, Fiji.the main highway of the island runs along the coast of Viti Levu. In the western part of the island it is called the Queen’s Highway, and in the eastern part it is called the King’s Highway. You can drive along this road in one day, but basically excursions last for several days and cover the most popular places on the island. The west coast of Viti Levu is known as the “Burning West”. This is the most “dry place” of the island, where most of the country’s resorts are located. The eastern part of Viti Levu is more humid. Here on the southeastern coast of the island lies the capital and main port of the country – Suva . There are about 80 parks in Suva, among which is the main attraction of the city – Sorston Botanical Gardens. Almost all representatives of the Pacific flora grow in this park. Here is located Fiji Museum, which features exhibits that tell about the history of Fiji and the country’s indigenous people. Victoria Parade Street is the center of business life in the capital. Along it are the main shops, banks, offices of large companies and tourist offices. Not far from this street is the Municipal Market, where Fijians, Polynesians, Chinese and Indians sell a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, fish and meat. The best restaurants in the city are located on Kummin Street.
Orchid Island is located 10 km from the capital, where the Orchid Island Polynesian Cultural Center is of interest.. This center was created in order to acquaint tourists with the main handicrafts that are characteristic of the archipelago. Here in the Cultural Village, a variety of local products are presented, they can be purchased in numerous small souvenir shops. Also in the Cultural Center there is Alberta Park, where tourists can walk and relax.
A 20-minute drive from Suva, the forest reserve Kolo-i- Suva is interesting. In the reserve, among the tropical vegetation, 6 km of hiking trails have been laid. From Suva you can go to Beka Island. It is home to the unique tradition of the Sawau tribe – walking on red-hot coals. Every day, colorful performances are held here with the participation of followers of this tradition. Of the nearby islands, one can also distinguish Bow Island. It is known for having the oldest church in the country. West of Suva, the Coral Coast stretches along the coastline, where the main resorts of the island, diving and surfing centers are located. The city of Sigatoka is located here. It sprawled along the banks of the river of the same name. The city’s main attraction is the Sigatoka Sand Dunes Conservation Area. It was with her that the creation of protected areas in Fiji began in 1989.. Sand dunes stretch for several kilometers along the coast and cover an area of 650 hectares. Their height ranges from 20 to 60 m. In addition to a wide variety of landscapes, the dunes are also the site of archaeological excavations. Fragments of pottery over 2600 years old and ancient burials dating back to the 15th century BC were found here. The Tavuni Hill Fort Archaeological Park was created at the site of the excavation, where a fort once stood to protect the coastal areas. Here you can see the ruins of houses, observation towers, fortress walls and a temple. A museum has been opened on the territory of the park, which tells about the history of the region and local cannibals.
The main city of the Coral Coast and the main tourist center of the country is Nadi . In Nandi there is an international airport of the same name, where tourists arrive who want to see the archipelago. This is the starting point for traveling in Fiji. Nandi is the religious center of Hindus and Muslims. The main Hindu temple of Sri Shiva Subramanya is located here. It is believed to be the largest Hindu temple in the Southern Hemisphere. It is a multi-colored pyramid 30 m high, which is decorated with various ornaments. The temple consists of three parts, which were built in honor of the deities Murugan, Ganesha and Meenakshi.
East of Nandi lie the Nasuori highlands.. Deep in the Nasuori Mountains are numerous villages where traditional old Fijian houses stand. These villages will be interesting in the sense that the local population has not gone far from their ancestors and lives according to the old way. In the village of Nakabuta, for example, you can buy clay souvenirs that the villagers make with their own hands. In the vicinity of Nandi, it is also worth visiting the gardens of the Sleeping Giant. This is a park with an area of 20 hectares, where about 2 thousand species of Asian orchids grow. Along the entire garden there are wooden paths that pass through forests, orchid gardens and lakes.
25 km north of Nandi is the city of Lautoka.. The largest sugar factory in the country is located here, where excursions are arranged. The sugar industry is the city’s main source of income. Lautoka hosts the Sugar Festival every September.
The northern coast of Viti Levu is not very developed in terms of tourism. The roads here are not as good as in the west of the island. However, there are many places to visit. The city of Rakiraki is located here. Not far from it is the Lololo pine forest. This place is suitable for walks and picnics. There is an observation tower in the forest, which offers a beautiful view of the surroundings. If you go from Rakiraki inland, you can get into the mountainous area of Nadarivatu with numerous hiking trails. In the north of the country, the city is also interesting Naiserelagi, where there is a church with a fresco depicting the crucifixion of the “black Christ”, the classical Indian city of Ba and the settlement of Vatukaula, built near the nearest gold deposit.
Vanua Levu and TAVEUNI
Vanua Levu Island is located 160 km northeast of Viti Levu. It is the second largest island in the archipelago.
City of Labasa – the largest on the island. Its entire population works on the surrounding sugarcane plantations. Of the attractions of Labasa, one can single out the nearby island of Nukubati with white coral sand beaches and a resort area built in colonial style; archaeological sites near Vasavul and nearby hilly areas with black volcanic formations near the village of Vunika.
The most developed place in Vanua Levu in terms of tourism is the city of Savusavu . It is located on the southern coast of the island in the bay of the same name. Only one street runs along the city, where restaurants, shops, clubs and offices are concentrated. It ends at the local yacht club, which is very popular among tourists. Main attraction Savusavu – hot springs. Their outlets are scattered throughout the city and beyond. Steam is sometimes knocked out of the asphalt and on city lawns. Some women even prepare food with water from these sources. Hot springs are evidence of active volcanic processes that once took place on the island. From Savusavu, excursions to a pearl farm are offered, as well as adventure cruises on a ship called Tui Tai, which is an old ship.
From Savusavu the two main roads of the island begin – the Hibiscus Highway, which runs along the coast through the resort areas, and the Savusavu-Labasa Highway, which passes through the forested central part of the island. And on that, and on another route it is interesting to take a ride by car or bus. East of Savusavu is the Natewa Peninsula, connected to Vanua Levu by a narrow isthmus. The peninsula is home to copra plantations, rainforests and local small villages. This place is great for hiking.
South of Vanua Levu, not far from the Nateva peninsula, is the island of Taveuni. Taveuni is known for its beaches, 31 km coral reef, colorful vegetation and excellent bird watching opportunities. The International Date Line (180th meridian) passes through Taveuni, where the Meridian Cinema stands in the main town of Somosomo Island. But the whole island lives by the same time, for which the International Date Line was slightly shifted. Not far from Somosomo is the city of Vaiyaevo, which stands at the foot of a mountain more than 1000 m high. On the slopes of the mountain there are the most unusual birds – Fijian goshawks, peregrine falcons, several types of pigeons, yellow- and red-masked parrots and a white kingfisher.
On the island of Taveuni, it is worth visiting the Bouma Falls which have been attracting tourists for a long time. Previously, the territories adjacent to the waterfalls were not equipped for tourism; in 1993, hiking trails and special places for recreation and picnics were created here. Bouma is a cascade of three waterfalls. They are located on forested mountain slopes in the central part of the island.
