Fiji: in the know

From travel forms and testing to vaccines and quarantine, shares everything you need to know for an easy, jennifer ennion safe and happy Fiji holiday.

More than 350,000 Aussies head off for a holiday in Fiji every year. The Pacific Island destination appeals to families for so many reasons – blissful beaches, kids’ clubs, friendly locals, educational activities… If you’re planning your next sojourn, here’s what you need to know.

Before you leave

There’s a lot to wrap your head around before travelling to Fiji, but it’s far from daunting once you have a check-list. Firstly, you need to be vaccinated (two doses) and have proof, either a digital or paper International Vaccination Certificate, which can be attained from passports.gov.au. Children under the age of 12 can travel unvaccinated.

Travellers over 12 years need proof of a negative PCR test taken within 48 hours of leaving Australia or a negative Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) within 24 hours of departure. The PCR test must be carried out by a travel test provider, such as a clinic, doctor or hospital. My test fell on a Sunday, and because of limited clinic hours and closures, I was unsure where to go. I called the COVID-19 hotline (1800 020 080, health.gov.au) and was given a list of open clinics close to home. There is also PCR testing at the airport – you’ll need to arrive a bit earlier, but it’s half the cost of a normal PCR needed for international travel.

If you opt for a RAT, it will need to be supervised by an authorised person such as a pharmacist, or at the airport. The type of RATS accepted are on fiji.travel. You will also need to show you have medical travel insurance that covers COVID-19 before travelling. It’s best to ask your travel agent about this. While previously visitors were required to isolate on arrival in a Care Fiji Commitment (CFC) property for three days, this requirement will be lifted from April 7.

Arriving at Nadi International Airport

It’s heart-warming to be greeted with cheery bulas from locals after touching down in Nadi. Even the officials make transiting through customs and security a breeze. You can see staff smiling under their masks, and there are hand sanitising stations everywhere.

Holiday testing

Within 24-hours of your arrival, you will be required to have a Rapid Antigen Test (from FJ$30, around AU$30). All CFC resorts have testing facilities. At the time of publication, Australian immigration requires a negative test. You have two choices of tests: a PCR (from FJ$200, around AU$130) within 72 hours of departure, or a RAT brought from home, taken within 24 hours of leaving. The RATS must be an approved brand and observed in a clinic, and you will need a medical certificate of a negative result.

I had a PCR at the Intercontinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa on the mainland and it was smooth and quick, only briefly interrupting my morning of snorkelling.

Be sure to also complete an Australia Travel Declaration at least 72 hours before returning. This took me about 30 minutes online.

Travelling around Fiji

There’s no quarantine upon arrival in Fiji, so you can travel around as soon as you touch down on the main island of Viti Levu, as long as you stick with CFC businesses. That means you can join a tour, dine at a restaurant outside your resort, or transit to an island hotel.

Although this all sounds like a lot, most of the hard work is done before you leave Australia. Plus, it’s worth the extra effort when you can chill under a palm tree or beside an azure lagoon, go surfing, fishing or diving, and enjoy the sweet sound of bula once more.