Brook Sabin
Wasn’t it great to be young? We had no idea what stress was, could eat whatever we wanted, and had more energy than the average power station. Then adulthood hit – alongside a tsunami of stress, the metabolism conked out, and energy costs $5 a cup.
In other words, when we go on a family holiday – we are after different things. Children want action; parents want to unwind.
And finding that perfect mix is the secret to unlocking a great family holiday.
The answer is two-fold: a beach or pool for relaxing – sprinkled with activities that adults and children will equally enjoy.
In Fiji, I found four day trips that do precisely that.
Private island paradise
Many families head to Port Denarau to base themselves for a Fiji escape; it is an artificial island packed with big-name resorts like Hilton and the Sheraton.
There is one problem, however. The island is not surrounded by dreamy turquoise waters; you are not getting that tropical holiday the brochures sell you.
There is now an easy solution. The world’s first private island beach club has opened, a 20-minute ferry ride from Denarau – and they will pick you up from your hotel.
It is called Malamala Beach Club; the island is a perfectly-round sandy paradise with loungers for adults, while the children can enjoy the beach, kayaking or snorkelling.
Get the heart racing
For a day out the whole family will never forget, try a shark snorkelling tour.
Children as young as 5 are welcome and – from what I experienced – parents are more scared than the younger ones.
The day trip from Denarau whisks you out to the idyllic Yasawa Islands on a high-speed ferry, before being met by a longboat to head out to a small reef – home to white and blacktip reef sharks.
This is not some sanitised aquarium visit; the sharks are very inquisitive – and will come right up for a look. You get to spend about 45 minutes swimming with the friendly locals, as they dart around the reef.
While a few of our fellow day trippers were a little hesitant to get in the water at first, we all ended up not wanting to get out when it was time to go home.
Coolest pizzeria on the planet
Floating on crystal clear water, on the outskirts of a magnificent lagoon, is the world’s most beautiful pizzeria.
Just a warning: Cloud 9 is also a bar, with live music, so it can get a little loud. But it is still packed with families, enjoying a pizza and diving in for a snorkel.
Children under 7 are not permitted.
Fly through the trees
Zip Fiji has a 16-line course that zigzags through the jungle, joined together by boardwalks that squeeze through boulders, have sweeping views over the coast, and even lead to one of the biggest caves in the Pacific.
The ziplines require you to slow yourself down – which involves a bit of practice with a specially designed glove.
Don’t worry if you brake too late; the guide will give you a big Fijian hug at the end to slow you down.
The author’s trip was supported by Fiji Tourism and Air New Zealand.
This article was produced as part of a partnership with House of Travel.