First, choosing an island is key. The main island offers activities similar to Southeast Asia, with less impressive sea views than the outer islands, but it makes up for it with a rich local cultural atmosphere, convenient transportation, and no shortage of food, drink, and entertainment.
In Nadi, you can dive, watch dolphins, experience Pacific Island song and dance performances, and even try skydiving among other activities.
The outer islands offer more choices. About 70% of visitors choose to go to the Mamanuca Islands, which include Tivua (Heart Island), Treasure Island, Mana Island, Malolo Island, and Vomo Island. You can reach these by boat or plane. 
Tivua Island (Heart Island) doesn’t have accommodation and has a limit on the number of visitors.
Mana Island is a well-known tourist spot, famously featured in the movie “Cast Away.” It has many rooms and was developed early.
Vomo Island is more upscale and luxurious, with only 30 rooms, special care for children, a kids’ club, and a sea turtle conservation center.
These islands offer various water activities and snorkeling, with the main difference being the quality of the surrounding sea water.
Fiji has the world’s only floating bar, Cloud 9, with a daily limit of 100 people, offering not just drinks but also a lot of fun and good food.
When traveling to Fiji, the fun is cumulative, and the foundation is choosing your hotel.
From an economic standpoint, staying only on the main island is more cost-effective, while a mix of main island and outer islands will give you the best of both worlds in terms of sightseeing and relaxation.
Staying on the main island makes it easier to participate in day trips like skydiving and 4WD adventures, which are typically booked on the main island. However, the natural beauty of the outer islands is more pristine and authentic; only by staying on an outer island can you truly experience the essence of Fiji.
However, with 333 islands in Fiji, each with different hotels and characteristics, many face the dilemma of choosing the right island or hotel.
Fiji’s outer island hotels are generally one hotel per island and can be categorized into three types:
The Yasawa Islands, further away with excellent sea water, but typically require a seaplane, making them more expensive and suitable for diving enthusiasts or experts; accommodations are usually basic.
The Mamanuca Islands, particularly Mana Island, offer convenient transportation and good sea water, but they can be crowded and noisy.
Ultra-luxurious private islands like Vomo Island, which, aside from being expensive, have no flaws.
Main Island Hotels
InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa:
This resort boasts a 2-kilometer stretch of beautiful white sand beach, listed by Forbes as one of the world’s most beautiful beaches. Even on the main island, you can enjoy island sea views. It also features an 18-hole golf course, free WiFi, a 24-hour gym, five restaurants, three bars, three pools, and conference facilities.
Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort:
Very close to the beach and just a 3-minute drive from Denarau Port. The hotel has an outdoor pool that leads directly to the beach and a day spa. Rooms are decorated in a Pacific style, perfect for a vacation mood. Choose Sheraton if you want to relax after a busy schedule.
Hilton Fiji Beach Resort & Spa:
This luxurious resort features spacious rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows and 2.5 kilometers of private beach. It includes a day spa and nine pools, two of which are exclusively for adults in the Koro building.
Shangri-La’s Fijian Resort & Spa:
Located on the private Yanuca Island, all rooms offer stunning sea views and have balconies. The resort provides free WiFi, restaurants, bars, and pools, set against a beautiful natural lagoon with white sandy beaches.
Radisson Blu Resort Fiji:
Spanning 10 acres on Denarau Island, this resort is surrounded by a temperature-controlled lagoon-style pool and lush gardens, adjacent to an 18-hole golf course, and a 25-minute drive from Nadi International Airport.
Outer Island Hotels
Likuliku Lagoon Resort:
It has a 7-kilometer private beach, with direct access to stunning beaches, and features a wooden platform for enjoying the sea view. The resort includes restaurants, bars, and well-equipped rooms with tea and coffee makers, TVs, mini-fridges, etc.
Tokoriki Island Resort:
An adults-only resort known for its romantic beach vacations in Fiji. It offers Fijian hospitality, making it a perfect choice for honeymoons. Overlooking a private beach, it provides a day spa, outdoor pool, two restaurants, and thatched-roof villas with private courtyards and breathtaking sea views.
After reading this, have you found your ideal island or hotel?
