Vacations & Travel

MORE TO SEE IN FIJI

The adventures and discoverie­s that await in Fiji beyond the palm-fringed, island beaches.

- BY ALENEY DE WINTER

With its unspoilt island beaches, retina-searing blue lagoons, and barefoot island vibe, Fiji and resort holidays go together like sand and sea. But there’s more to Fiji than palm trees and poolside cocktail service. For those who prefer their holidays turbo charged, Fiji is blessed with cultural cool and an abundance of active adventures.

LIKE A BIRD

Fiji’s mountainou­s terrain and tropical forests make the perfect setting for adventures in the treetops. At Zip Fiji, only 35 minutes outside of Nadi, you can fly high at lightning speed above the canyon across the forest canopy along five kilometres of zip line interwoven with breathtaki­ng wilderness. At the end, there’s the added bonus of launching yourself down past the stalactite­s of The Tau Caves, one of Fiji’s most picturesqu­e and special places.

SURFING SAFARI

Located halfway between the Fijian mainland and the heart-shaped island of Tavarua in the Mamanuca Islands is Cloudbreak, a world-class left-hander that’s regularly voted as one of the best and most challengin­g surf spots on Earth. Its fast outer-reef waves call wave riders the world over to surf its spitting barrels and long playful lines, but this treacherou­s swell is not for novices, who would be better served donning a wetsuit at Natadola on the Coral Coast, a beautiful resort beach with a shore break that’s ideal for body surfing and beginners.

UNDERWATER ENCOUNTERS Between April and October, the warm waters running through the channel between Nanuya Balavu and Barefoot Island – known traditiona­lly as Drawaqa Island – offers filter feeding mantas a feast of nutrient-filled plankton. The conservati­on experts at Barefoot Island offer safe guided swims alongside the magnificen­t mantas in their natural habitat, providing an unforgetta­ble experience for any wildlife lover.

HAPPY AS A PIG IN MUD

Sabeto Hot Water Springs’ natural geothermal hot pools and volcanic ash mud baths are renowned for their age-defying benefits and restorativ­e effects. Once you’ve had your fix of wallowing and wading, you can nab a massage from one of the local villagers for the ultimate in therapeuti­c bliss.

WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE

Immerse yourself in authentic Fijian village life on the awardwinni­ng Sigatoka River Safari. This spectacula­r 17-kilometre safari jet boat adventure through the picturesqu­e Sigatoka Valley takes visitors right into the heart of the mysterious highland interior, with its fascinatin­g history, customs and legends. At its village destinatio­n guests can experience a day in the life of a real ‘kaiviti’ (Fijian). Sigatoka River Safari rotates visits to one of 15 different villages each day so as not to encroach on local life and the traditiona­l way of life.

ALL THE RIVERS RUN

For those who prefer their adventures with a side of rough and tumble, a highlands whitewater rafting adventure with award-winning Rivers Fiji is the ultimate way to experience the natural and cultural heritage of Fiji. Adventure seekers can choose between the extreme, rafting along the rapids of the incomparab­le Upper Navua Gorge, or the serene, gliding along the gentle waters of Middle Navua River in an inflatable kayak. Whichever adventure you choose, a lush landscape of verdant jungle, towering canyons and cascading waterfalls awaits.

ON YOUR BIKES

Hit the rails with Ecotrax Fiji, a three-hour adventure for all fitness levels, riding the world’s only rail-mounted electric assisted pushbike carriages. The trail, originally blazed by Fiji’s sugarcane industry, will guide you through a stunning landscape of bush, rock, villages and fields to a deserted Coral Coast beach.

THE NEED FOR SPEED

Get revved up with Terratrek, a self-drive guided tour through the mountains at the back of Pacific Harbour. An adventure as much about the journey as the destinatio­n, strap yourselves into a dune buggy and follow your Terratrek buggy guide to explore the hinterland valleys and rainforest on a whiteknuck­le drive to one of Fiji’s most stunning waterfalls, with time for a refreshing dip in the waters, before hooning back.

ISLAND HOPPING

Explore the Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands by small ship aboard Captain Cook Cruises’ Reef Endeavour. Along with Fiji’s most beautiful sights, passengers can enjoy traditiona­l

Fijian singing and dancing, and an immersive insight into Fijian culture. Explore daily destinatio­ns by kayak or glass bottomed boat and meet some of Fiji’s most colourful marine life on a snorkellin­g or diving adventure. If you prefer your adventures more mild than wild, just kick back by the pool or on the sundeck.

FINS AND SPINS

Considered one of the best shark dive sites in the world, Beqa Lagoon is something of a shark superhighw­ay where divers can spot scores of sharks, including reef sharks, tawny nurse sharks, sicklefin lemon sharks, silvertips, and tiger sharks. If you prefer your fish on the friendlier side, there are more than 100 dive sites including soft coral and wreck dives in the lagoon. And if you’d rather keep your head above water, take a high-octane spin of Beqa Lagoon with Jetski-Safari Adventures.

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 ??  ?? Opening image: Locals having a blast body surfing.Clockwise from left: Ride the world's only rail-mounted electric assisted pushbike carriages through the bush; fun in the inland waterfalls; explore the island with Captain Cook Cruises.Next page, top right: Head to the hinterland for stunning waterfalls.
Opening image: Locals having a blast body surfing.Clockwise from left: Ride the world's only rail-mounted electric assisted pushbike carriages through the bush; fun in the inland waterfalls; explore the island with Captain Cook Cruises.Next page, top right: Head to the hinterland for stunning waterfalls.
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 ?? Photograph­y by Tourism Fiji and various establishm­ents. ?? Above: Zip line at high speeds just outside Nadi.
Photograph­y by Tourism Fiji and various establishm­ents. Above: Zip line at high speeds just outside Nadi.

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