Located in the South Pacific, Fiji is an archipelago of more than 300 islands.
Famed for its rugged landscapes, palm-lined beaches and coral reefs with crystal clear water, Fiji has to be at the top of everyone’s bucket list.
Here is the ultimate ten-day island hopping guide to Fiji.
For you to follow this guide, we suggest purchasing a Bula Pass. A Bula Pass is your ticket to explore the Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands via boat easily.
Day 1: Nadi
Nadi is a city on Fiji’s main island and the country’s central transportation hub.
You will spend one night in Nadi before catching an early morning boat to Tavewa Island tomorrow.
What to do and see in Nadi?
Some of the best things to do during your one-day stay in Nadi include
- Visit Sri Siva Subramaniya Temple: This is the largest Hindu temple in the Southern Hemisphere, and its beauty is one of the many reasons to visit. The temple costs 5 FJD for the entry fee and enforces a strict dress code.
- Visit the Fiji Culture Village: The Fiji Culture Village offers an immersive experience of Fijian culture. Tours allow tourists to watch traditional dances, try Kava and learn more about the culture.
- Walk the Garden of the Sleeping Giant: Located on the outskirts of Nadi, the Garden of the Sleeping Giant is a garden boasting many flowers and trees. The entrance to the garden is 17 FJD and includes fresh fruit juice at the end.
Where to eat in Nadi?
Some of the best places to eat in Nadi include
- Bulaccino Cafe: Located in the heart of Nadi, this cafe serves an impressive selection of delicious food and drinks. As a welcoming, high-quality cafe, Bulaccino Cafe is worth visiting.
- Tu’s Place: If you’re looking for a place to eat traditional Fijian food, then Tu’s Place is a must. The atmosphere here may be casual, but the food and service are excellent.
- Bonefish Seafood Restaurant: You can’t stay on an island without eating some seafood, and Bonefish Seafood Restaurant is the place for it. With reasonable prices for excellent quality food, Bonefish Seafood Restaurant is a must.
Where to stay in Nadi?
- Ramada Suites By Wyndham Wailoaloa Beach Fiji (high-end accommodation)
- Novotel Nadi (mid-range accommodation)
- Nadi Downtown Hotel (low-end accommodation)
Day 2: Tavewa Island
On day two of your ten-day trip to Fiji, get up early to jump on the ferry to Tavewa Island. The journey is six hours, so it’s best to go as early as possible.
Tavewa Island is one of the most northern islands in the Yasawa Group and a fantastic spot for snorkelling and relaxing.
Since you won’t arrive on the island until the afternoon, the best thing to do is go to your accommodation and wander to get your bearings.
What to do and see on Tavewa Island?
There are so many fantastic things to do and see on Tavewa Island. However, you won’t do much on your first day as you will get there in the afternoon.
After your long boat journey, we suggest relaxing on the beach and watching the sunset.
Where to eat on Tavewa Island?
Since the island is so tiny, you will be confined to eating at your resort or nearby resorts.
Some of the places to eat on Tavewa Island include
- Coconut Beach Resort
- Coralview Island Resort
Where to stay on Tavewa Island?
Since Tavewa Island is so small, there are also limited places to stay.
- Coconut Beach Resort Fiji (high-end accommodation)
- Coralview Island Resort (mid-range accommodation)
- Authentic Cabin Rental for a Beach Getaway to the Yasawa Islands, Fiji (low-end accommodation)
Day 3: Tavewa Island
On your third day in Fiji, you will experience what Tavewa Island is most known for, its fantastic snorkelling spots!
What to do and see on Tavewa Island?
Today you will be doing two activities underwater to experience the best of what Tavewa Island has to offer.
In the morning, after your breakfast, head to the Blue Lagoon on the northern end of the island. Here you will experience white sandy beaches and perfect snorkelling conditions in the clear, warm waters.
After lunch, head to the Coralview Island Resort for clam snorkelling! Just off the beach out the front of the resort are where you can find giant clams, a sight to be seen on Tavewa Island! Although there isn’t much to discover other than the clams and the colourful corals, it’s definitely an activity worth doing on Tavewa Island.
Where to eat on Tavewa Island?
Since the island is so tiny, you will be confined to eating at your resort or nearby resorts.
Some of the places to eat on Tavewa Island include
- Coconut Beach Resort
- Coralview Island Resort
Where to stay on Tavewa Island?
Since Tavewa Island is so small, there are also limited places to stay.
- Coconut Beach Resort Fiji (high-end accommodation)
- Coralview Island Resort (mid-range accommodation)
- Authentic Cabin Rental for a Beach Getaway to the Yasawa Islands, Fiji (low-end accommodation)
Day 4: Tavewa Island
On your final day on Tavewa Island, you will head to one of the most beautiful places in Fiji, the Sawa-i-Lau Caves.
What to do and see on Tavewa Island?
Today you will head to Sawa-i-Lau Caves, a series of limestone caves that waves have hollowed out over time.
From Tavewa Island, a scenic boat trip to the Sawa-i-Lau Caves treats travellers to spectacular sights of tiny, forest-covered isles with powdery white sand beaches. After arriving at the jetty, a friendly Fijian tour guide will help you with your bearings outside and inside the cave system. It’s best to hire a tour guide instead of going alone if you get lost.
The caves were originally formed underwater and then, by tectonic movement, were pushed to sea level a few hundred years ago. Today, the caves are half submerged and offer adventurous travellers the chance to swim in secret pools hidden under naturally formed limestone caves.
After you have explored the majestic Sawa-i-Lau Caves, it’s time to head back to your accommodation, grab your things and hop on the ferry to your next destination, Nacula Island!
Day 5: Nacula Island
Nacula Island is a hilly and volcanic island located north of Tavewa Island. Nacula Island is the third-largest island in the Yasawa Group and the second-farthest north in the group of islands.
The boat journey from Tavewa Island to Nacula Island is very short.
What to do and see on Nacula Island?
Nacula Island’s activities are very much based around the beach and ocean, so if you love relaxing and water, this place is for you!
On your first morning on Nacula Island, wake up and head to the beach near Nabua Lodge. Here you can relax on the sand or swim in the azure blue waters.
If you’re up for a bit of an adventure after spending the morning relaxing, hop on a reef-hopping tour! Nabua Lodge offers snorkelling tours for 15 FJD that take you by boat to two local reefs and a shipwreck.
In the afternoon, hike to Sunset Point for a spectacular view over the beach while the sun goes down. At the end of the beach near Nabua Lodge, you’ll see a sign that says “Sunset”. Follow the short trail up the fill for stunning sunset views.
Where to eat on Nacula Island?
Although Nacula Island is bigger than Tavewa Island, places to eat are still limited to resorts and a few other cafes and restaurants.
Some of the best places to eat on Nacula Island include
- Hill Side Beach Cafe
- Oarsman’s Bay Lodge
- Blue Lagoon Beach Resort
Where to stay on Nacula Island?
- Oarsman’s Bay Lodge (high-end accommodation)
- Blue Lagoon Beach Resort (mid-range accommodation)
- Safe Landing Eco-Lodge (low-end accommodation)
Related: Here are the best beaches in Fiji.
Day 6: Nacula Island
On your second day on Nacula Island, you’ll be spending it, you guessed it, outside!
What to do and see on Nacula Island?
After enjoying a delicious breakfast at your accommodation, head to Oarsman’s Bay Lodge for an early morning hike.
Right behind the resort, there is a trail that takes you up the mountain for stunning panoramic views over the entire island. The first summit takes around 30 minutes to get to and boasts breathtaking views of the beach, ocean and island.
Afterwards, head to the lodge for lunch before your exciting afternoon activity.
Once you’ve digested your lunch, head to the beach in front of Oarsman’s Bay Lodge for some epic snorkelling. A beautiful reef home to thousands of colourful fish and vibrant coral is located directly off the shore.
At the end of an exciting day spent outdoors, sit on the beach to watch the sunset turn the sky into incredible red, orange and yellow hues.
Where to eat on Nacula Island?
- Hill Side Beach Cafe
- Oarsman’s Bay Lodge
- Blue Lagoon Beach Resort
Where to stay on Nacula Island?
- Oarsman’s Bay Lodge (high-end accommodation)
- Blue Lagoon Beach Resort (mid-range accommodation)
- Safe Landing Eco-Lodge (low-end accommodation)
On day seven in Fiji, you will get up early and hop on the ferry from Nacula Island to Naviti Island. The ferry trip is only an hour long.
Located in the southern part of the Yasawa Group, Naviti Island boasts untouched shores, white sandy beaches, azure waters and large green spaces.
After arriving at your accommodation on Naviti Island, head to Honeymoon Beach for your first activity of the day, snorkelling!
Honeymoon Beach is a completely secluded and private beach that boasts white sand and turquoise waters. If you have your snorkel, head out into the water for brightly coloured coral and thousands of beautiful fish.
After an eventful morning of swimming and snorkelling, grab something to eat for lunch, then chill out in a hammock for a few hours. Whether you read a book, admire the scenery or fall asleep, nothing is more relaxing than being in a hammock on a beautiful island in Fiji!
In the evening, head to one of the resorts for dinner and enjoy watching the sun go down on another fantastic day.
The Naviti Resort has some of the best places to eat on the island, including
- Nukunuku Restaurant & Bar
- Talei Restaurant
- Grill Restaurant
Since Naviti Island is one of the bigger islands in the Yasawa Group, there is a range of places to stay, including
- Naviti Resort (high-end accommodation)
- Korovou Eco Tour Resort (mid-range accommodation)
- White Sandy Beach Resort (low-end accommodation)
On your second and last full day on Naviti Island, you will spend it relaxing and interacting with some of the most majestic marine life in the world.
After a slow morning enjoying breakfast and laying in the sun, get ready for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
One of the best things to do on Naviti Island is hopping on a snorkelling tour that takes you to where manta rays frequent. Manta rays are some of the most majestic and beautiful marine creatures, so snorkelling alongside them is a must!
After an exciting few hours of snorkelling with manta rays, spend some time relaxing on the beach.
In the evening, head to White Sandy Beach, one of the most spectacular sunset spots on Naviti Island. What better way to end your time on the island than watching yet another beautiful Fijian sunset?
- Nukunuku Restaurant & Bar
- Talei Restaurant
- Grill Restaurant
- Naviti Resort (high-end accommodation)
- Korovou Eco Tour Resort (mid-range accommodation)
- White Sandy Beach Resort (low-end accommodation)
Day 9: Wayalailai Island
On your last two days in Fiji, you will spend your time on Wayalailai Island, the southernmost island in the Yasawa Group, closest to Nadi.
The ferry trip from Naviti Island to Wayalailai Island takes just over an hour.
For your final two days in Fiji, you will spend them relaxing with one last exciting, adrenaline-filled activity.
What to do and see on Wayalailai Island?
After checking into your accommodation on Wayalailai Island, explore the beaches!
There are plenty of white sandy beaches on the island where you can put your towel down and relax or swim in the blue water. After all of your adventuring over the past week, it’s also a great spot for a nap!
In the afternoon, head to a Kava ceremony. Kava is the traditional drink of Fijians that is made from a ground-up kava plant that is dried in the sunshine for two months and then soaked in water.
In the evening, you can watch the sunset on the beach or head for an early dinner, as you need a good night’s sleep for your exciting adventure in the morning!
Where to eat on Wayalailai Island?
Some of the best places to eat on Wayalailai Island include
- Wayalailai Resort
- Naqalia Lodge
Where to stay on Wayalailai Island?
- Naqalia Lodge (high-end accommodation)
- Wayalailai Ecohaven (mid-range accommodation)
- Homestays (low-end accommodation)
Day 10: Wayalailai Island
Wake up bright and early on your last day in Fiji, as you’ve got an exciting morning before you head back to the main island in the afternoon!
What to do and see on Wayalailai Island?
At sunrise, you can join a local tour guide for 30 FJD to trek 30 minutes to the summit, where you will get breathtaking panoramic views of Wayalailai Island and the surrounding Yasawa Islands. What better way to end your trip to Fiji than watching the sunrise over the islands you’ve spent your time on?
After your sunrise hike, it’s time for your last exciting activity in Fiji, snorkelling with reef sharks! There is a guided tour from Wayalailai Island for 60 FJD that takes you off the island’s shore, where you can swim and snorkel with these beautiful creatures. Don’t worry; they only eat fish, not people!
In the afternoon, it’s time to head back to your accommodation, pack your bags and hop on the ferry (or plane) to go back to Viti Levu for your international flight home.
Useful Tips for Travelling in Fiji
The best time to visit Fiji
The best time to visit Fiji to experience blue skies is between May and September. October to April makes up the wet season, which is the time of year when the country is most at risk of cyclones.
The best time to visit if you’re tied to school holidays is during the New Zealand and Australia winter school holidays (June and July). During these months, the prices go up, but it’s the best time of year to experience blue skies, crystal clear water and warm temperatures.
If you want to visit Fiji but aren’t convinced about the high temperatures, why not visit during the shoulder season in May or October when the temperatures are cooler, but the weather is still great? During this time, the country experiences its dry season with low rainfall and humidity.
If you’re a budget traveller, the best time to visit Fiji is in November and February to April. November to April is Fiji’s wet season, with heavy rain and high humidity. If you aren’t too worried about getting rained on and want to save money, this is the best time to visit Fiji, as you’re bound to get reduced rates on accommodation.
What is the currency of Fiji?
The Fijian Dollar is the currency of Fiji.
Can you drink tap water in Fiji?
The water that comes out of the tap in Fiji isn’t the same as the famous “Fiji” bottled water. However, it’s generally safe to drink tap water at major hotels and in popular tourist areas, such as Nadi and Suva. However, because the places that are listed on this ten-day itinerary are quite small and remote, it’s recommended that you drink bottled water instead of tap water.
The language of Fiji
Fiji has four official languages: Fijian, Fiji Hindi, English and Hindi.
Most people speak English in Fiji, so you won’t have trouble communicating with people. However, learning a few basic phrases is also courteous to impress the locals.
Some basic Fijian phrases include
- Hello: Bula
- Goodbye: Ni sa moce
- Good morning: Ni sa yadra
- Yes: Lo
- No: Sega
- Please: Yalo vinaka
- Excuse me: Tolou
- Thank you: Vinaka
Is Fiji safe?
Like most countries around the world, Fiji’s level of crime is generally low, but petty theft is common. When travelling in cities and tourist destinations, it’s best to keep your valuables and travel documents in a hotel safe.
Final Thoughts
Located in the South Pacific, Fiji is a nation made up of hundreds of beautiful islands.
Perfect for swimming, snorkelling, relaxing and enjoying, the islands of Fiji offer unmatched experiences that make holidaying there a must-do.
If you’re planning a trip to Fiji sometime soon, this is the only ten-day itinerary you need to have an unforgettable trip.
