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Picture this: crystal-clear turquoise waters gently lapping against soft, white sandy beaches, vibrant coral reefs teeming with colorful marine life, and lush green landscapes that seem to stretch on forever.
This is the quintessential scene of the Fiji Islands, a tropical paradise that is synonymous of romantic vacations and couples holidays – not the first place you think to visit with a family with kids.
While the Fiji Islands promise an idyllic world that looks like heaven, families visiting Fiji will find a treasure trove of experiences that will keep every member of the family engaged.
From thrilling water sports to serene moments of relaxation, everyone from toddlers to grandparents will find their slice of heaven here.
If you’re wondering what to do in Fiji for families, or not sure how to make the most of your vacation, this guide is for you!
Is Fiji Good For Families?
The Fiji Islands are unlike any other family vacation. It combines adventure, relaxation, and a splash of culture, but it’s not a vibe for every family.
It’s common knowledge that Fiji is a place where you can relax. Most resorts are luxury level, and cater to couples, but you can find family-friendly resorts that have waterslides, pools, kids’ clubs and nanny services, and plenty of water sports for kids to enjoy.
But why got go Fiji if you’re going to stay in the resort?
Even small kids will appreciate getting out and exploring Fiji. The beaches are known for their powdery white sand and crystal-clear waters. Whether your kids are building sandcastles or trying to catch the elusive “sandy crab” (spoiler alert: they’re not great at hide-and-seek), everyone will enjoy playing in the silky sands.
If your kids are a bit older, they will love snorkeling the coral reefs, zip-lining through lush rainforests, or maybe even learning to cook traditional Fijian dishes.
It may not have as much adventure as your typical family holiday, but no one goes to Fiji and comes home and says “yeah, it was just alright.”
Which Island To Stay On With Kids
Our biggest hurdle was deciding whether to ‘go island’ or stay on Fiji’s main island, Viti Levu.
Part of me wanted a “stranded on a deserted island” kind of holiday, but the other part of me knew that I could quickly go a bit mad just staring at the coral all day. Plus deserted island vibes aren’t great for kids who need constant stimulation.
In the end, we decided to stick to the mainland and do some day trips out to the Fiji islands.
Our reasons for sticking to the shore were many and varied, but we put it down to the following key points:
- After arriving in Fiji after a plane trip with three kids, we were quite sure we wouldn’t fancy hopping straight on a boat, no matter the destination.
- The idea of spending a night on the mainland and then heading out was appealing, but we wanted to arrive and be settled, not enjoy ourselves for a night and turn around and pack again in the morning.
- As much as a ‘do nothing’ beach holiday appealed, the idea of being stuck in a resort, even a luxury one, for over a week did not sound appealing.
Our choice to stay in Denarau Island on Viti Levu was the right one for us and we really made the most of it. If it’s your first time in Fiji as a family, I can confirm this is an easier way to experience the country.
Things To Do In Fiji As A Family
Now you know where to base yourself, here are some of the highlights of what we got up to.
1. Resort hopping around Fiji
There are lots of signs saying “hotel guests only”, but we still had a ball catching the Bula Bus around the 7 resorts it stopped at and jumping in the hotel pools.
To feel less guilty, we made sure we enjoyed morning tea or lunch or afternoon tea (and even dinner one night at the Westin) while we were there.
A top tip if you’re planning a little Bula Bus pool hopping is to take your own towels to Fiji so you don’t stick out with the wrong hotel towel.
Incidentally, the most family friendly pools on Denarau were the Sofitel or Blu Raddison.
The only trouble with both of them was line-of-sight: there were a lot of crevices to lose a kid in at both of these pools so you need to be on high alert at all times.
For a ‘relax in your armchair and see the whole pool’ experience – definitely my preference when you have young kids in tow – is the Hilton.
2. Have a mud bath at the Sabeto Hot Springs and Mud Pool
The Sabeto Hot Springs and Mud Pool is a very family-bonding sort of experience.
The kids loved getting coated in the thermal mud and we parents loved the hot baths to wash it off in.
It’s a very basic set up, but it’s so relaxing once you get into the hot bath that you quickly forget you’re basically swimming in a mud hole in the middle of nowhere.
We swam in the baths for a good couple of hours and enjoyed ourselves immensely. Incidentally, a visit to the Garden of the Sleeping Giant was really worth a side trip – it’s not far from the mud pool.
3. Kava drinking
You can take an organised tour to an ‘authentic Fijian village’ to learn about Fijian culture and to participate in a kava ceremony, or you can become friends with some of the staff at your resort and be invited home to their village to meet their chief.
We managed the latter and we had an immersive afternoon buying kava at the local markets to take as a gift to the chief and then driving out to get to know the friendly people who live in the village of Nawaka, just outside of Nadi.
If you do take a tour, the you’ll likely be taken to the Navala village in Ba, where you will be shown around the village by a local resident.
You’ll get to take part in a traditional welcome kava ceremony and have a home-cooked Fijian lunch, and mingle with the friendly locals. It’s a great way to show your kids how other people live.
4. Go island hopping around the Fiji Islands
We took day trips from port Denarau to some smaller and very different islands. Here are some of the smaller islands we recommend checking out.
Savala Island, Fiji
The first was a trip out to Savala Island on the Oolala Cruises.
Savala is a deserted island with just a shade structure and amenities for visitors who snorkel, paddle board, canoe and swim in the pristine ocean for the day.
I opted for a massage in an open-air hut and it was such a delightful experience with the lapping of waves almost drowning out my children calling, “Mum, MUUUUM, where’s Mum?” every five minutes. Ah, kids, huh?
Though the day spent on the island was blissful, the best bit about the Oolala cruise was the trip in the boat there and back. The cruise is staffed with the chirpiest fellows you can imagine who are just fantastic with a song and their guitars.
I couldn’t imagine a nicer way to spend an afternoon than zipping along the Fijian waters belting out “Wichita Linesman” with a glass of not-too-bad wine in my hand – it’s true these guys are slightly obsessed with American country music, but you can’t have everything.
Treasure Island
Our second island trip was with South Sea Cruises to Treasure Island.
It was a complete contrast to Savala as the ship was large and so was the island. Treasure Island resort, which hosted us for the day was quite run down, but set in paradise nonetheless.
The snorkelling around the island is unbelievable and my son was very taken with the resident turtles and water trampoline.
Still, I was very glad we hadn’t opted to stay here for an entire week as there just wasn’t enough to do.
Vomo Island
Just off the coast of Nadi is a string of 20 small and pristine islands called the Mamanuca Islands, the most beautiful islands in the South Pacific.
Most of these islands are private islands belonging to the resorts, such as the adults-only Sheraton Resort and Spa on Tokoriki Island or the Shangri-la Yanuca Island.
But for families with kids, one that is family-friendly is Vomo Island, which has the fantastic Vomo Island Resort.
What’s special about this resort is it has a Kids Village, which is a kids’ club for children aged 3 and up, where a team of friendly staff look after your little ones and do crafts, face painting, and more.
They also have a playroom with quality toys, media room, undercover play area, outdoor climbing frames, dress up wardrobe and craft tables.
If your kids are older, you can even take them on kids scuba diving experiences, or engage in other outdoor activities such as kayaking or playing a round of tennis or golf on the 9-put golf courses. There are many facilities for all the family to enjoy, making it worth visiting for a day or even longer.
Another resort in the Mamancua Islands that has a kids’ club is Castaway Island Fiji, at Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort, which also has a program for teens.
5. Explore Nadi for a city experience
I’m sure many people would be happy to laze at their beautiful Fijian resort for a week or more and I honestly wish I was one of them (I’m quite sure my family wishes I was too!), but I’m not.
I love to relax as much as the next person, but I’m far too curious to stay put for long.
Which is why I dragged the family around the markets and streets of Nadi, meeting the locals, taking pictures and generally trying to soak up what life in Fiji is really like.
Nadi is where the main airport for Fiji is located, so most people land there and quickly skip off to the islands, but it’s worth sticking around for. It’s a bustling, friendly sort of city, but it would be a real eye-opener for many children, and mine were no different.
We had many interesting, philosophical discussions about the nature of wealth and what it is in life that makes us truly rich people.
The kids were very quick to note how happy the Fijian kids were, even though they didn’t seem to have much.
“They’re rich with piles of friendship instead of money,” my daughter pointed out. I’d say that’s the sign of a very good holiday indeed.
6. Surf the Coral Coast
When you start to go further south in Fiji, you lose the family-friendly beaches and hit surfer country, where the waves are stronger and larger.
The Coral Coast is arguably the point in which family-friendly meets surfer level, and has a few beaches with gentle waves, but is only a stone’s throw away from beaches with tougher waves.
If you’re a surfing family, this is the region for you. Places like Frigates and Cloudbreak are ideal for surfing and are accessible only by boat. The waves are small, but they are unique in that they are created by reef breaks.
7. Chase waterfalls
If you’re tired of beaches, head inland for some waterfalls. The most famous waterfall is Biausevu Waterfall, a short trek from the beaches on the Coral Coast.
The hike passes through the jungle for 30–60 minutes or you can take a horseback riding tour if you prefer.
Orchid Falls is another waterfall on Fiji’s main island, which is overflowing with water in the wet months (December to April). You can also swim in the refreshing lagoon below.
8. Whitewater Raft Upper Navua River
The Navua River is a remarkable river canyon on the main island, and is one of the most thrilling places to go whitewater rafting.
Head to the Upper Navua River, which passes through a towering canyon fringed by tropical wilderness and rainforest, and features a series of challenging rapids.
The rapids here are class 2 and 3, perfect for those who haven’t rafted before and want to experience the thrill but without it being too leisurely.
Check out whitewater rafting tours in Fiji here!
Tips for Visiting Fiji With Kids
Before you go, here are some words of advice about visiting Fiji with kids, so you can make the most of your family holiday.
- Sun Protection is Key: Bring plenty of sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses. Remember, the only thing that should be glowing on your trip is your kids’ smiles, not their sunburns!
- Choose Family-Friendly Accommodations: Don’t assume that resorts are family-friendly, many of them are not! Look for resorts that cater to families with kid-friendly amenities.
- Plan for Water Activities: Whether it’s snorkeling, kayaking, or paddleboarding, get ready to make a splash! I recommend you get a reef guard suit for the kids as too much ocean water can irritate the skin.
- Embrace Island Time: Things may move a little slower in Fiji, and that’s okay! Take a deep breath and enjoy the laid-back vibe.
- Pack Snacks for the Journey: Bring along some favorite snacks to keep the kids fueled and happy during the day. Grocery stores and places to pick up small items are few and far between, though you can always buy things in the resorts.
- Stay Hydrated: With all the fun in the sun, make sure everyone drinks plenty of water.
Final Thoughts
Now you’re ready to embark on an enchanting journey through the Fiji Islands, where family bonds are strengthened, laughter echoes through the palm trees, and the spirit of adventure awaits at every turn.
Whether you’re seeking cultural experiences, outdoor activities, or simply a place to unwind, Fiji is the ultimate family getaway that will leave you longing to return.
We hope this guide gave you some ideas for what to do, and helped you prepare for your trip.
Fiji Tours and Attractions
Do you have any tips for travel to the Fiji Islands with kids? Let us know in the comments!