Viti Levu Tourist Information
'Great Fiji' - largest of the islands
There are some fabulous resorts and beautiful spots along the coastline although the tiny, deserted, postcard-perfect beach scenes of Fiji tend to be more numerous further afield. For those who do not want to take an internal flight or spend too long after touch down before getting to their resort, Viti Levu has plenty to offer.
Viti Levu is where it all happens in Fiji. Three quarters of the population live on the island, which is roughly 120 km by 100 km, and which serves as the political and economic centre of Fiji. The island boasts the highest peak in Fiji, Mount Victoria at 1,323 metres, international airports at Nadi and Suva, and the world famous dive destinations of the Coral Coast and Beqa Lagoon.
The capital, Suva is on the more lush eastern side of the island although the vast majority of international flights land in Nadi. Within a couple of hours drive from the airport are wonderful trekking opportunities, the excellent Natadola Beach and plenty of top quality diving, particularly along the south coast.
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How to Get There
Nadi is the main international gateway to Viti Levu - see the main Fiji tourism information section for details. Suva is also an international gateway. Most resorts will run transfers to their resorts so there is little to do but look out for the relevant waving hand in a sea of waving hands upon arrival. Taxis and buses also run to just about everywhere on the island from the airport.
Where to Stay
Our affiliated hotel reservation agents Agoda.com have a wide variety of diver-friendly accommodations in Viti Levu, along the Coral Coast, Nadi, Suva or the popular islands on the north coast. Browse their website choices, use their on-line chat to ask your questions, or simply use your credit card to make your booking.
Take your pick from dozens of options, from top-of-the range international beach resorts to budget lodges, and everything in between. There's something to suit everyone's taste and pocket. And you can be sure that whatever options you select, it will be backed up with their 'Low Price Guarantee' to ensure you get top-dollar value for money.
Beaches
If you are coming to Fiji solely for the beaches then the best advice is to take an internal flight to the more remote parts of the country where enchanting empty white beaches are scattered throughout. Viti Levu's good beaches are limited to some nice spots all along the Coral Coast, where arguably the island's best diving is to be found, and the beautiful beach at Natadola about 30 minutes south of Nadi. Beqa has some fine beaches most notably the secluded pristine white sand beach at Lakawi.
Sightseeing and Things to do
Pacific Harbour, in the heart of the Coral Coast along the southern edge of Viti Levu and about 50 km west of Suva, promotes itself as the Adventure Capital of Fiji. For such a small, little developed village, there really is a lot to do from here, besides being the main launch point of most diving tours out to Beqa Lagoon. For instance, there's a shark feeding concession at Shark Reef Marine Reserve, where you can dive with eight different types of shark, including bull sharks and tiger sharks - one of a very few places in the world where you can do this.
If you'd like to extend your life expectancy just a little, you can canoe the Navua River for genuinely adventurous river rafting and kayaking trips in the Namosi Highlands. An exhilarating journey down the river, past villages and rainforests, and through grade III rapid-filled gorges. Dare to plunge off the towering, waterfall cascades? Take the opportunity to see some of the Fijian wildlife with wild river ducks, and black and white herons.
If you enjoy the wind in your hair, take a jetski tour across the 12 km passage to Beqa Island to enjoy snorkelling the shallow reefs there, take in the sights and try your hand at waterskiing. Surfing is also quite renowned at nearby Frigate's Reef.
For more sedate interests, join a cultural village tour and learn about age-old customs and traditions such as the Kava ceremony, war dances, mat plaiting and traditional handicrafts, and herbal medicine farms. Round it all off with a sumptuous island Lovo - earthen oven
Mountain biking in the Sabeto foothills can be relatively gentle and is a great way to see around, taking in jungle, waterfalls, Natadola Beach and even a visit to a local village.
Sigatoka offers horse riding and surfing as well as a visit to Tavuni Hill Fort which was the original home of an old Tongan clan and now serves as an information centre where you can learn all about the locals' heritage and flesh-eating past.
For hikers and nature-lovers a trek through the Koroyanitu National Heritage Park in the Viti Levu highlands is a must. Waterfalls, archeological sites, bird-watching and breath-taking views all conspire to keep you rapt as you hike through this beautiful countryside.
One of the most fascinating sights is the spectacle of the firewalkers of Beqa (pronounced 'Benga'). This can be witnessed both on Beqa Island itself and in the Pacific Harbour area. It is quite something to behold the serenity of the men who step slowly over the burning, white-hot stones and receive no burns or pain whatsoever.
Suva, on the east coast, is the country's capital and has less island charm and more smog than elsewhere, although it does have libraries, museums and cultural centres, in addition to the interesting colonial architecture.
Nadi (pronounced 'Nandy') lies on the west coast, 170 km from and opposite Suva by road. Don't plan on spending much time here as it really only serves the purpose of a stop-off for international flights to and from Fiji.
Entertainment, Dining & Nightlife
Suva tops the list in terms of party options with Victoria Parade becoming a hive of activity at night. There are pubs and clubs galore here including trendy dancefloors, the ubiquitous Irish bar, and for those with no sense of good music, a barndance club.
Nadi has a few spots, particularly on the main street downtown. Live bands and other forms of entertainment such as fire-walking are not unusual. There are also a couple of cinemas. Elsewhere you may find a few small bars dotted around but most bars and discos will be found in the higher-end resorts.
Throughout Viti Levu you will find a variety of restaurants catering to most tastes and all budgets. In most places you will come across a mix of local, Western, Indian and Chinese. Indian restaurants in particular are everywhere, very cheap and sport an array of spicy, mouth-watering morsels. No stay in Fiji would be complete without a lovo night where your food is cooked in a traditional pit oven. There are also plenty of little cafes serving cakes, pastries and local coconut pies - yum yum.
Shopping
Don't come to Fiji expecting to leave with all the latest Tommy Hilfiger, rather some wood carvings and a sari or two. Handicraft shops such as those at the airport, downtown Nadi and certain resorts are good places for, unsurprisingly, handicrafts but also the only place to buy books.
Suva Municipal Market is worth a visit for its kava, exotic fruit and vegetables and Indian sweets. For her, the sari shops of Suva's Cumming Street will have her cumming back for more.
The People of Viti Levu
Three quarters of the country's population lives here so the island is demographically representative of the country; indigenous Fijians and Indo-Fijians make up the vast majority of the islanders.
Local Transport
Most resorts run airport transfers so many visitors see nothing much more than this journey as they spend the rest of the time diving and chilling. However buses do snake their way all over the island and are inexpensive and fun ways to get around if you are feeling a little more active.
Taxis are also plentiful but meters are not standard, so pre-trip negotiations need to be concluded before you get in. If hiring a car and you intend to penetrate the interior, then a 4WD is a prerequisite. For the more Bond-like, cheap scenic flights between Nadi and Suva cost about US$ 76.
Interested?
Are you interested? If you're keen to discover the Coral Coast, then click below to check your options now for:
Be sure to book up in plenty of time to avoid limited choice! The best Viti Levu and Beqa Lagoon diving opportunities are booked by repeat customers who book well in advance to ensure their reservation!
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