Fiji – is the perfect family destination. Forget stressful holidays keeping your kids occupied or receiving stares from childless strangers. Jump on a plane for four hours (totally achievable with the kids) and transport yourself to paradise, with kids’ clubs, nannies, incredible pools and plenty of activities to keep the whole family busy. All you need is to work out the best places to stay in Fiji…on any budget! We have you covered.
The Fijians’ love of children is legendary and virtually every property you stay at has a kids club, adoring nannies or easily booked babysitters to ensure every member of your family is well cared for. It’s the perfect family holiday!
Heading off on an adults-only trip? Fiji has you covered there too with a host of lush adults-only properties that offer tranquillity and exceptional luxury.
Really, the hardest part about planning your trip to Fiji is knowing what region of Fiji to stay in as all properties are geared towards making your stay incredible. We have you covered, read on for the best places to stay in Fiji.
There are three main tourist areas all offering their own unique experience.
1. Denarau Island
Denarau is a 25-minute drive from Nadi Airport. It is a man-made island so all the resorts are beachfront properties. The beaches here are not suitable for swimming, so opting for a property with a great pool is a must! Luckily you are spoiled for choice.
Many of the leading hotel chains have spectacular resorts here, including the Radisson, Sheraton, Sheraton Villas, Westin, Sofitel and Hilton. The best resorts in Denarau for families, particularly those with young children, would be Radisson Blu and Sofitel, as they have waterslides, and we all know kids love waterslides!
Positioned side by side, these properties are all within walking distance of each other making it easy to enjoy the various dining options on offer. There is also a handy shuttle bus known affectionately as the ’Bula Bus’ which makes getting around Denarau even easier. A jump-on, jump-off open-air bus servicing all the resorts and the marina, it runs all day, every day for a nominal daily fare.
Have a larger family, want the opportunity to prepare your own meals or prefer a little more space? There are also some apartment-style accommodation options available to help make your stay perfect, making it one of the best places to stay in Fiji.
Nearby, Denarau Marina houses a supermarket, deli, bakery and a number of popular restaurants. Day trips to the outer islands leave from Denarau Marina making it easy to explore the true beauty that Fiji has to offer. If you choose to stay at Denarau, we highly recommend booking at least one day trip out to the islands where you can snorkel, swim in crystal clear turquoise water or enjoy a delicious meal on the water.
The beautiful pool at Radisson Blu on Denarau Island
2. Coral Coast
Positioned between Nadi and Suva, the Coral Coast is a perennially popular area for families. The beaches are lovely but they are tidal. When the tide is high you can use the beach, and when the tide is low the resorts make up for the lack of beach time with amazing pools and activities.
Our picks for favourite family resorts on the Coral Coast are the Outrigger, the Intercontinental, Warwick and the Shangri La Fijian. These resorts tend to be very reasonably priced, making them the most economical option.
Due to the Coral Coast’s more isolated location, (45 min – 2-hour drive from Nadi Airport) we recommend booking a breakfast inclusive or all-inclusive package with all meals and drinks included if available. Be careful not to book an early morning departure from Nadi if staying on the Coral Coast as this means a very early departure from your resort.
The amazing Outrigger on the Coral Coast
3. Mamanuca Islands
The Mamanuca Islands are widely considered the ‘real’ Fiji – and offer the white-sand islands you see on all the advertisements and in the glossy brochures. The Mamanuca islands are serviced three times a day by South Sea Cruises – they offer a large catamaran which departs Denarau daily at 9am, 12:15pm and 3:15pm. This catamaran makes multiple stops at various resorts en-route.
The boat is licensed so you can buy drinks and snacks on board to enjoy during the journey at either the outdoor seating area or inside where there is air-conditioning. The round trip from Denarau takes around 3hrs, but your journey will be shorter or longer depending on the island resort you stay at.
Not keen on a lengthy boat transfer? You can also choose to arrive in style at most of the Island Resorts via seaplane. Pacific Island Seaplanes offer seaplane scenic flights from Nadi Airport which take anywhere from 10-30mins.
Alternatively, Island Hopper Helicopters offer graceful scenic flights on their choppers. Sea Fiji and Mamanuca express offer 24-hour water taxi service to the Islands. The most ideal island resorts for families are Vomo Island, Castaway Island and Malolo Island.
Keep in mind that both the seaplane and helicopter will have a more restrictive baggage limit than a boat transfer, so pack light!
Relax on the waters at Vomo Fiji
Resorts according to budget…
Looking for the best places to stay in Fiji? Here’s a rundown of the resorts according to budget.
Upper Luxury:
- Vomo Island, Mamanuca Islands
- Yasawa Island Resort, Yasawa Island (they have special family weeks each year when kids are permitted)
- Nanuku Resort, Pacific Harbour
- Jean Michele Cousteau, Savu Savu
Luxury:
- Intercontinental, Coral Coast
- Castaway Island, Mamanuca Islands
- Malolo Island, Mamanuca Islands
- Sheraton Tokoriki Island, Mamanuca Islands
- Outrigger, Coral Coast
- Sheraton, Denarau
- Radisson, Denarau
- Sofitel, Denarau
- Hilton, Denarau
Moderate:
- Mana Island, Mamanuca Islands
- Treasure Island, Mamanuca Islands
- Musket Cove, Mamanuca Islands
- Shangri La Fijian, Coral Coast
- Warwick, Coral Coast
Budget:
- Naviti, Coral Coast
- Hideaway, Coral Coast
- Plantation island, Mamanuca Islands
- Bounty Island, Mamanuca Islands
Adult only:
- Liku Liku – Mamanuca Islands
- Royal Davui- Beqa Lagoon –Pacific Harbour
- Yasawa island Resort – Yasawa Island
- Qamea Resort- Taveuni Island
- Tokoriki Island Resort – Mamanuca Islands
- Lomani Island – Mamanuca Islands
Getting there
Just a 4-hour flight from Sydney, Fiji really is the ultimate destination for families and couples seeking a tropical escape. It’s such an easy trip to make with kids. Flights are readily available ex. Sydney through Qantas, JetStar, Virgin and Fiji Airways, all with competitive fares and various departure times.
Tokoriki Island, Fiji
Where possible, opt for flight times that accommodate seamless connection to onward transfers, such as when heading to the Coral Coast or outer islands. If this is not possible, many travellers opt for a short stay in Denarau at the start or end of their trip to make this easier.
When to travel
While you can fly year-round to Fiji, we suggest avoiding travel from November through April as this is Fiji’s wet or cyclone season. Offering temperate, sunny weather from May through September, it is perfectly suited for escaping Sydney’s dreary, cold winter months.
Book your Fiji escape now and experience warm, welcoming Fijian hospitality for yourself.
