The best family activities to do in Fiji

child snorkeling through a school of fish

Zoe Macfarlane

Posted May 26, 2022


There are so many factors to consider when you’re travelling with kids. Does the resort or hotel have family-friendly facilities? Are there enough activities in the area to keep the whole crew engaged? Will there be opportunities to educate or broaden mindsets? Thankfully, we know just the place that ticks all these boxes (and so much more): Fiji!

Like many Pacific islands, Fiji impresses with its marine-filled turquoise waters, gorgeous palm-fringed beaches, and abundance of activities to wow and woo. However, it’s also got the X factor that sets it apart from other beach destinations, thanks to the heart-warming hospitality of Fijians, and these are the best things to do in Fiji with kids.


Fiji's best family activities 

Kids’ Club

Fiji is so popular with parents and grandparents because many resorts have top-notch kids’ clubs to ensure you’re not carrying the full load of entertaining your younger ones. Expect to be regaled with stories of crab racing, coconut weaving and hair braiding as they return from their club activities.

Along with the kids' clubs, you can organise a nanny to support your me-time (the high-end VOMO resort calls nannies Baby Butlers).

 

Meet the Locals

With friendly calls of “Bula” peppering your day, you can understand why everyone raves about Fiji’s hospitality. However, it’s not until you engage in a village tour that you get to connect with that heart-opening Bula spirit.

While there are cultural tours that can give you a glimpse into the heart of Fijian life, village tours (especially in more remote regions) reveal what daily life looks like. From schooling to gardening to socialising and more, and, if you're lucky, you’ll witness a meke. It’s a traditional dance with acapella singing that lifts the soul. Pack some school supplies from home if you’d like to contribute to the village. 

 

The kids will have a ball in Kids' Club. Image: Tourism Fiji
Meet the locals and learn about Fijian culture. Image: Tourism Fiji

Water Sports

It should come as no surprise that Fiji has every kind of watersport on offer to its visitors. Snorkelling and scuba diving their 10,000 km2 of coral reef is an obvious one, but you can also kayak, paddleboard, water ski, jet ski, fish, windsurf, kitesurf, and parasail.

You can also take a boat trip to one of Fiji’s 333 islands, two-thirds of which are uninhabited.

For surfers, Fiji has world-class waves thanks to its epic reef breaks. For those in the family looking to push their surfing skills, Cloudbreak on Namotu Island is one of Fiji’s most famous surf spots. To suit a variety of surf skills, Natadola Beach and Sigatoka Sand Dunes cater to the entire family best.

Fijian Islands

While Denarau makes for an effortless flop and drop holiday, you can better understand Fiji when you add in travel off Nadi Island.

First up, we love the dramatic peaks and coral-fringed islands of the Yasawa Islands. Activities this way include swimming with manta rays, snorkelling, hiking and even scenic flights over the islands.

The Blue Lagoon is the most famous beach in the Yasawas, with water so clear that everyone can see the tropical fish, whether they can snorkel or not. There’s also the fascinating Sawa-I-Lau Cave here.

Savusavu, located on Fiji’s northern island, is a lush paradise filled with virgin rainforest and marine waters filled with colour, activity, and life.

Experience a slower pace and more traditional way of life on Savusavu, known as Fiji’s ‘hidden paradise’. Snorkel, dive, kayak, visit the pearl farm and wander the vibrant produce at the local markets.

Hiking

Did you know that more than 55 per cent of Fiji is covered by forest. In fact, there are 17 forest reserves filled with hiking trails that take you past stunning scenery and diverse flora and fauna. To understand the deep Fijian connection to the land, consider hiking.

Across Fiji, there are a ton of great hikes to consider. For the ambitious family, summit Fiji’s highest peak, Mount Tomanivi. While it’s only 1,324 metres, it is steep in places and recommended for teens upwards. Allow 4-5 hours.

For a family-friendly walk, visit Biasevu waterfall. Tours can include an informative guide, plus a welcome kava ceremony, adding a cultural element to the day. Suva’s Colo-I-Suva Forest Park also has plenty of family friendly trails to refreshing rock pools and waterholes.

 

Get the whole family involved in water sports around the island. Image: Tourism Fiji
Make memories as you travel around to different islands. Image: Tourism Fiji

Sandboarding

On Viti Levu, the Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park is fun for the entire family. Not only because Fiji’s first national park offers impressive 60-metre-high sand pillars and sweeping dunes far into the distance, but because you can go sandboarding. The park also has an informative section about the area’s archaeological history.

While in Sigatoka, stop by the Kula Wild Adventure Park; it’s Fiji’s biggest fun park. Along with enriching activities, like meeting iguanas, feeding baby turtles, and racing the jungle slide, you can also go ziplining.

Spa Days

For some delightful one-on-one time with your child, why not book a spa experience for something a little different? Aside from being relaxing and rejuvenating (especially if Pure Fiji products are involved), it also offers some bonding time, particularly if you’re used to teens at home. While mother-daughter sessions are often packaged up at the resort spas, father-daughter and mother-son spa dates are gaining popularity. 

 

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