Welcome to the enchanting world of Fiji, a place where dreams become reality. If you’re in search of the perfect honeymoon destination that combines natural beauty, cultural richness, and genuine serenity, then you’ve stumbled upon the right place. Nestled in the heart of the South Pacific, Fiji beckons with its pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, lush rainforests, and the warmth of its people.
Our Fiji honeymoon itinerary is designed to immerse you in the beauty, culture, and adventure this South Pacific gem has to offer. Whether you’re a couple seeking tranquility and romance or eager for thrilling escapades, we’ve curated a journey that caters to all tastes. Join us as we uncover the best experiences Fiji has in store for your unforgettable honeymoon. It’s time to start your new chapter together in paradise!
If you’re seeking an escape from the ordinary, a place where time slows down and your worries melt away with the setting sun, Fiji is the answer. In this travel itinerary, we’ll guide you through a journey that encapsulates the best of Fiji, from the bustling markets of Nadi to the remote and pristine Yasawa Islands. Whether you’re a thrill-seeker, a culture enthusiast, or simply someone in search of serenity, Fiji has something to offer everyone.
List of my other Fiji Posts
Where to go in Fiji for a honeymoon trip?
Fiji has a world of wonders to offer visitors and I was able to visit the country for three weeks. While a honeymoon in Fiji doesn’t quite have the array of options as a honeymoon in South Africa for example, there is still so much to choose from.
If you’re a scuba diver or are keen to learn how to dive during your honeymoon, then Fiji is absolutely the place for you.
These are the main highlights that Fiji has to offer from my research
- The Yasawa Islands
- Mamanuca Islands
- Bull shark diving around the Beqa Lagoon
- Coral Coast on the main island of Viti Levu
- Taveuni (the Garden Island)
- Great Astrolobe Reef at Kadavu island
- Beaches and resorts around Savu Savu
- Lau islands for the really adventurous
I spent most of my time in Taveuni and the Yasawa islands. I also spent a few days in Kadavu diving (attempting) the Great Astrolobe Reef. Unfortunately, the weather was really bad when I visited and it rained the entire time (during the dry season!) which meant diving was not possible. However, the natural beauty of Kadavu was stunning and I really wished I could have seen the reef longer than I did.
Avoid traveling much of Vita Levu where Nadi and Suva are
For a honeymoon in Fiji, you’ll want to avoid spending much time on the mainland of Viti Levu. The big island is home to the industrial and commercial hubs of the country and while there are a few places that are interesting, I wouldn’t recommend spending much time here for a honeymoon.
The only place that I would consider spending any time is in Pacific Harbour which is home to the bull shark dives. I would recommend spending 2-3 days here if you are keen on diving with the bull sharks which I know won’t be on most people’s lists. However, if you’re an avid diver and you’ve had this on your bucket list, what better time than to do this on your special trip?
Avoid Port Denarau
Port Denarau is a popular area for many of the tourists that come to Fiji. This area is located south of Nadi and is main ferry terminal to go to the Mamanuca and Yasawa island chains.
Port Denarau is home to all of the big hotel chains like Marriott, Hilton, Intercontinental, Radisson, and more. This area is clearly aimed towards families, older travelers, and people that want that resort vibe. It’s a terrible option for a honeymoon in my opinion as it is simply not that pretty.
Best time of year to visit Fiji?
You don’t want to be the victim of bad weather during your honeymoon to Fiji to make sure to understand the different seasons of the country. The good news is that Fiji welcomes visitors year-round, but your experience can vary significantly depending on the time of year you choose for your adventure.
Just to note that these are all averages and you can get all types of weather at any time of year given it is the tropics. I visited during the dry season and had many days of rain while in Taveuni and other places like Kadavu!
High Season (July to September): Perfect Weather and Thriving Marine Life
During Fiji’s high season, from July to September, you can expect impeccable weather with warm, sunny days and pleasant nights. Rainfall is minimal, making it an ideal time for outdoor activities and beach lounging. The dry season also brings excellent underwater visibility, perfect for snorkeling and diving enthusiasts. You’ll have crystal-clear waters to explore vibrant coral reefs and marine life.
This might be the best time for your Fiji honeymoon as you’ll most likely be greeted with sunny conditions and beautiful vibes.
Shoulder Season (October to November, April to June): Balancing Crowds and Cost
Fiji’s shoulder seasons, from October to November and April to June, offer a pleasant compromise between weather, crowd levels, and cost. The weather remains pleasant, with occasional rainfall. You can still enjoy sunny days while experiencing fewer crowds and lower prices for accommodations and activities.
If you visit from October to November, you might even witness the magnificent humpback whale migration. However, be aware that some dive sites might have reduced visibility during these months.
Low Season (December to March): Tropical Showers and Fewer Crowds
Fiji’s low season, spanning from December to March, is characterized by fewer tourists and affordable prices. The heavy tropical showers during this wet season may deter some travelers, but they also contribute to Fiji’s lush landscapes, which are at their greenest and most vibrant during these months.
Prices for accommodations and activities are at their lowest during this period. Despite the occasional heavy rainfall and high humidity levels, the low season can be a fantastic opportunity to experience Fiji without the crowds.
How much time do I need for a Fiji honeymoon?
At first glance, I didn’t think much of Fiji as far as how much it had to offer. I figured it was just a few islands and that I could see most of the place in a week or two at most. I even considered taking a flight to another country nearby like Tuvalu to check it off the list. The more I researched Fiji ,the more I realized boy was I wrong.
There is a lot that Fiji has to offer and two weeks turned out to be way too little for all the places that Fiji had. I filled up 2.5 weeks no problem and wish I had more time in the end! Everyone has their own travel style and priorities so my needs might not be yours. I did a lot of diving and absolutely love beaches so I made sure I had plenty of time to see beautiful beaches. If you don’t need these things, then you could spend much less time in Fiji.
I spent a week just traveling through three different islands in the Yasawa island chain. I could have easily visited another island or two and I didn’t even get around to visiting any of the Mamanuca islands. I also rushed through each island with 2 nights in each island but I could have easily spent 3 or more.
For a honeymoon, it really depends on what you’re after. Are you looking to just chill on a beach and do nothing else? You probably don’t need more than a week. Do you want to be more adventurous and go diving, hiking, and exploring different islands? Then you should budget at least two weeks so you are not rushed.
There’s something for everyone in Fiji so hopefully this Fiji honeymoon itinerary will give you inspiration!
What to know before visiting Fiji?
Fiji is an easy country to travel around. The infrastructure is great, the people are super friendly, and the country is safe. Here are some of the tips I have from what I learned during my trip.
Get the free tourist sim card and top up
Like anywhere in the world I travel, I always opt for a local SIM card when arriving and Fiji is no different. One of the unique things about Fiji however is that every tourist can obtain a free SIM card. Yes, Fiji offers you free tourist SIM cards that come with a few gigs of data.
Vodafone and Digicell are the main players in Fiji and they both have stores at the Fiji International Airport in Nadi where you can pick up a free SIM card. In addition to the free SIM card, they will try and sell you additional data packages at a heavy tourist price. Simply say no to purchasing any additional packages and just do it on your own by topping up credit to your SIM card and buying data individually.
As an example, Vodafone wanted something like 35 FJD for 2 weeks and 30 GB of data at the store in Nadi. However, if you just top up yourself, you can get the same package for about 10-15 FJD. Top up yourself and save yourself lots of money!
Cellular service is decent enough on the main islands like Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. However, islands like Taveuni had spotty service and the Yasawa islands only had 3G at best.
Bring cash when visiting the islands
Cash is king in Fiji. This is because almost all the hotels in the country will charge a hefty premium for using a credit card. I saw fees ranging from 3-5% which negatives any rewards you might receive from credit card rewards! I found myself taking money out of the ATM constantly especially as I pay no ATM fees with my bank.
When visiting places like the Yasawa islands, make sure to bring cash with you from the mainland as there are little to no ATMs on the island. You’ll find plenty of ATMs at Nadi airport or Port Denarau.
There are no scooters here
Fiji has no scooters in the entire country. Having traveled so much of Indonesia for example, I love having my own scooter to get around. No one uses scooters, even though it would make complete sense for the population as most can’t afford cars. The only way to get around the island is by car, taxi, or bus. This makes it restrictive to see bigger islands since renting a car is quite expensive.
Fiji is not a cheap place to travel
Fiji is not a budget travel destination. As it is located in the middle of the Pacific and imports almost everything, you can expect things to simply cost more. Prices are not as high as visiting typical European hotspots but don’t expect budget prices like in Bali and other parts of Southeast Asia.
Lodging is the most expensive part of Fiji by far as there aren’t many options for cheaper travel as much of the tourism in Fiji is catered to high price points. I would budget something like 200 FJD a day for budget travel and 500 FJD for a nicer experience.
Pack reef safe sunscreen
Make sure to stock up on reef safe sunscreen if you plan to dive or snorkel. Fiji has a very delicate ecosystem that has withstood the test of time up to this point. Let’s do our best to protect the marine life of Fiji!
Stock up on supplies because there’s not many places in Fiji to buy stuff
Make sure you stock up on toileties and any other things important to you. If you lose something like a contact lens case, you’ll be hard pressed to find it in Fiji. There are large grocery stores on the main island but as soon as you leave the mainland, there aren’t many places to buy things.
Day 1-3: Arriving in Nadi and going to the Beqa Lagoon
Every flight to Fiji will arrive in Nadi so this is where you’ll start out your trip. Whether you’re here on a honeymoon or not, there’s no reason to spend any time in the city as there’s nothing to see. Therefore, I would recommend you go straight to Pacific Harbour. From Nadi, you’ll head straight to Pacific Harbor which is the town in front of the Beqa Lagoon. we stayed here for two nights as I wanted a full day without rushing to enjoy the shark dive. However, if I had more time, I would have stayed another night or two so I could do one more day of shark diving as it was so amazing.
I would not spend more time than that however as there really isn’t much to do in Pacific Harbor. While the beach is long and sandy, it’s not as beautiful as beaches in the other islands of the country.
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If shark diving is not something you want to do on your honeymoon, then skip to the next section of this post for more ideas on how to structure your big trip.
Nadi to Pacific Harbor
From Nadi, you have a few ways to get to Pacific Harbor:
- Taxi: The fastest way is by taxi. THis will take around 2.5 hours and cost around 200-230 FJD.
- Bus: There are a few bus companies that do the route from Nadi to Pacific Harbor. Pacific Transport has multiple daily departures from Nadi to Suva with Pacific Harbor along the way. The cost is 10-12 FJD and it will take 3 hours.
If you are short on time and only have one day for the shark dive, you could take a taxi around 5:30am and make it in time for the morning briefing at the dive shop. Unfortunately, no buses will depart early enough from Nadi for you to make the dives.
Is shark diving in Fiji safe?
One of the first things you’re probably asking yourself is the safety of these shark dives. As a diver, we already know that sharks are not the blood thirsty beasts the media likes to portray them to be so I will skip that part altogether.
As for this specific dive in Fiji, I must say that I found the entire operation to be very trustworthy. Beqa Adventure Divers, as well as the other two dive shops in Pacific Harbor, really know what they’re doing. They’ve done these dives for decades now multiple times a week. The divemasters and instructors here follow a strict safety protocol and do not mess around.
They tell you things like sit still while watching the show, do not extend your arm to take a photo as sharks see this as a sign you’re feeding them, swim slowly, etc. There are also at least one shark handler per 5 divers. These handlers carry metal rods that are used to gently poke sharks that get too close to the group. These guys were always behind the group monitoring the sharks activity.
I didn’t feel unsafe at any point and was not scared regardless of these shark handlers but I know they definitely helped the less adrenaline seeking individuals within the group!
Day 3-7: Taveuni and the Rainbow Reef
From Pacific Harbor, it’s time to go to Taveuni island which was one of the highlights of this honeymoon itinerary. Affectionately known as the Garden island by the locals for its ultra arable land where anything you plant grows, this island is the dicing mecca of Fiji.
It’s home to the world famous Rainbow reef which lives up to its name for its immense diversity and colors. The corals are among the best I’ve ever seen and to still have this type of ecosystem in today’s world is something special. The Rainbow Reef is also home to the Great White Wall dive which is rated as a top 10 dive in the world. More details on that later.
How to get to Taveuni and the Rainbow Reef
The best way to get to Taveuni is by flight. For 99% of tourists, this is going to be the way you come here because the ferry takes an entire day from Suva. There are multiple daily flights to Taveuni from Suva and Nadi. These flights are all operated on Fiji Link which is part of Fiji Airways.
These island hopper planes are the preferred way to get around Fiji and I absolutely loved taking them as they offered beautiful views of the Fijian islands.
Where is the Sumosomo strait?
The Sumosomo straight is located between Fiji’s second largest island of Vanua Levu and its 3rd largest island of Taveuni. Channels are always a good place to start looking for beautiful underwater life as the channel currents generally bring in ample amounts of nutrients and plankton that the corals/fish thrive on. The Sumosomo strait is home to the Rainbow Reef which truly lives up to its name in every essence of the word.
The underwater world here is so colorful that I saw colors that I had never witnessed before. As you’d expect with the South Pacific, there are countless species of fish, incredibly healthy corals, and pristine conditions all abound. I would compare the Rainbow reef to other top diving spots like Raja Ampat, Komodo, and Sipadan.
The Rainbow reef is also home to the ultra famous Great White Wall dive which is an absolute must if you are diving in the area. More information on that in later sections of this post. While the Rainbow reef isn’t known for its big stuff, you can be lucky and see the occasional manta ray and numerous shark oceanic shark species.
We were lucky enough to see a humpback whale on the surface! A mother and calf were casually swimming through the channel! Unfortunatelyj, we were not lucky enough to snorkel with them as the whales swam off into the distance. If that were to have happened, I might have well just called it a career in diving!
Diving in the Rainbow Reef
Now on to the good stuff, the actual diving of the Rainbow Reef. Like I’ve already mentioned numerous times in this post, the diving in this part of Fiji is among the best in the world. Every dive that I did had different things to offer. Huge schools of fish, incredibly vibrant corals, moray eels, sea snakes, garden eels, various nudibranch species, reef sharks, and more were on offer.
The currents that swept through Rainbow Reef brought with them a wealth of nutrients that nourished the marine life. This abundance was evident in the health and diversity of the reef inhabitants. The visibility was often exceptional, allowing me to take in the intricate details of the coral formations and the vibrant marine life that called this reef home.
As I descended beneath the waves, the underwater world unfurled before my eyes. Soft and hard corals painted the landscape in a mesmerizing palette – pinks, purples, reds, and oranges – covering every nook and cranny. The corals had crafted intricate structures resembling underwater gardens, making it feel like I was exploring an enchanted realm.
Navigating through the crystal-clear waters, I encountered a bustling community of marine creatures. Schools of anthias and butterflyfish painted the scene with their vibrant hues. Barracudas and trevallies cruised by with an air of authority, while the occasional reef shark glided gracefully in the distance, a reminder of the ocean’s wild beauty.
While I don’t remember the name of every dive site I visited, the one that did stick out to me was the cabbage patch. This was a beautiful dive that saw us float across a huge garden of flower corals. This was by far the biggest congregation of these coral species I’ve seen and made for some great photos.
In the end, photos and videos are the most important things so this will hopefully do a better job of reflecting the beauty of Fiji diving than my writing!
Day 11-17: Yasawa island hopping
For the final part of this itinerary, we went to the Yasawa island chain which is famous for its incredible beaches and scenery. From Taveuni, you’ll need to fly back to Nadi and take a ferry or helicopter to the Yasawas.
Unfortunately, the earliest flights from Taveuni to Nadi only arrive in Nadi around 10am. This is too late for the Yasawa Flyer (the ferry) as it only leaves once a day from Denarau at 9am. Therefore, we had no choice (woe to us!) but to take a helicopter to the first island in the Yasawas. The helicopter, as you can expect, offers absolutely stunning views of the archipelago and reef system.
The tough part about the Yasawas is deciding which islands you’ll stay on with the limited time you have. My Yasawa islands post goes into detail about the various resorts/islands that are available and how I decided which places to stay.
Bouma Waterfalls of Taveuni
One of the best things to do in Taveuni is a visit to the famous waterfalls. Located half way down the island on the East side are three magnificent waterfalls that can be combined into one hike (roughly 3 hours Roundtrip).
Getting There:
Reaching the Bouma Waterfalls is an adventure in itself. You’ll need your own car or a taxi on the island to take you there. Most of the road is unpaved so it takes toughly 45 minutes to reach from Matei. Ask your hotel to arrange a taxi for you or simply ask around for cheaper rates as everyone knows someone. For example, my hotel wanted to charge us 180 FJD for this taxi ride but I simply asked my dive shop for a driver recommendation and they did it for 120 FJD.
The Hike and the Trail:
The trail leading to the Bouma Waterfalls is a treat for the senses. As you set off, a symphony of birdsong serenades your journey through a thriving rainforest. The well-maintained trail is a canvas of green, punctuated by the occasional burst of color from tropical blooms.
Lower Bouma Falls:
Your first reward on this journey is the Lower Bouma Falls. Here, water cascades gently over rocks, forming a tranquil pool that invites you to take a moment of reflection amidst nature’s soothing embrace. The delicate mist in the air adds to the atmosphere, refreshing your senses.
Upper Bouma Falls:
Continuing your trek, you’ll come across the Upper Bouma Falls. With a more dramatic drop, this waterfall offers a stunning spectacle. The pool below is an irresistible invitation, and a dip in its cool waters is a must-do to reinvigorate both body and soul.
Tavoro Falls – The Crown Jewel:
The pièce de résistance of the Bouma Waterfalls experience is Tavoro Falls. This multi-tiered masterpiece is a testament to nature’s artistry. As you stand in awe of its beauty, you’re reminded of the raw power and grace that water possesses. You can choose to admire it from a viewing platform or get closer for an immersive experience that will leave you mesmerized.
What to Pack:
For this adventure, pack essentials that’ll enhance your experience:
- Sturdy footwear for the trail
- Comfortable clothing suitable for hiking
- Swimwear for the waterfall pools
- Sun protection essentials
- Insect repellent
- Reusable water bottle and snacks
- Camera to capture the magic
Where to stay in Taveuni for a honeymoon
Taveuni is a huge island that is 50km from north to south. For such a big island, it is surprisingly undeveloped and there aren’t many options for accommodations. However, there are a few great options for honeymoons in Taveuni including the Taveuni Island Lodge and Resort.
As with the rest of Fiji, accommodation options in Taveuni are on the expensive side. During my search, I couldn’t find many options at all with the ones I did find being very budget, or very luxurious in pricing. After visiting the island, I can confirm there are a few more option than I had previously assumed.
We decided to splurge a bit and treat ourselves to the super fancy Taveuni Island Lodge and Spa. This property was absolutely stunning. It’s located near to the airport on the top of a hill which offers it absolutely stunning views of the Sumosomo strait and neighboring Vanua Levu island.
The rooms were spacious and beautifully decorated in a traditional island style. The meals are also included as is the case with many of the resorts on the island as there are little to no outside restaurants. On the entire island, I could only fight one café and one restaurant.
If you’re on a budget, everyone that didn’t stay at a nicer resort stayed at the Maravu Lodge which is across the street from the Taveuni island lodge. It’s a more basic eco lodge that offers accommodations at a much lower rate than the other options I found on the island.
Day 7-15: Yasawa Islands
Finally, it’s time to move on to my favorite part of the itinerary, the Yasawa islands. This archipelago of islands is located in Fiji’s far west and is the iconic Fiji of your dreams. For a honeymoon, look no further than the beautiful little islands and resorts of the Yasawas.
The Yasawa islands are located in the northwest of Fiji. It is located a ferry ride or helicopter away from the main island of Viti Levu and the ferries depart from the main town of Nadi.
The Yasawa islands consist of 20 or so islands that form the greater Yaswa island chain. Directly south of the Yasawa islands are the Mamanucsa island chain which comprise another dozen or so islands. It’s common to combine these islands together in one trip but take note that there is no easy way to get between these islands without going back to the mainland.
While it’s not quite as luxurious as a place like the beautiful Park Hyatt Maldives, it makes up for it in natural beauty and cultural charm.
Which island in the Yasawas to stay for a honeymoon
For a honeymoon trip, I would recommend visiting one to two islands so you can have time to relax but see how different islands look.
Each island typically only has one resort as they are small. The resorts in the Yasawas range from budget home stays to ultra luxury hotels.
These are the hotels that I recommend for honeymooners looking for a luxurious experience
- Paradise Cove: $$$
- Navutu Stars: $$$
- Turtle Bay Resort: $$$$
- Yasawa Island Lodge: $$$$
- Vomo Resort: $$$$
These are in my opinion the most luxurious lodges and best honeymoon destinations in the Yasawa islands. You can get to all of these resorts by helicopter or ferry but the Yasawa Island lodge can only be reached by a private plane which arrives at their private airstrip!
Just because a resort is cheaper doesn’t mean it’s any less beautiful whatsoever. If you want to mix up luxury and rustic to diversify your experience, make sure to check out the other islands that I stayed in by reading my detailed Yasawa islands blog post. In this post, I cover everything about taking the ferries, the history of the islands, and a detailed report of every resort I visited.
Taking a helicopter to the Yasawa Islands
If you don’t fancy spending many hours on the Yasawa flyer, then taking a helicopter is your next option and definitely my most recommended option for a Fiji honeymoon experience.
We ended up taking a helicopter to get to the Yasawa islands purely based on time constraints. We had just completed multiple days of diving on Taveuni at the Rainbow reef and were due to fly out in the morning. The flight arrived in Nadi at 10am which was already too late to take the flyer. The only option would have been to stay a night in Nadi and take the Yasawa flyer the following day.
This is essentially wasting a day of doing nothing and when you’re short on time, the helicopter is the way to go. Thankfully while I like to travel like a backpacker, I can afford simple splurges like a private helicopter thanks to being financially independent!
Booking a helicopter
To book a helicopter, you can have the resort arrange this for you or simply do it yourself by contacting on of the helicopter companies. Not all resorts have a helicopter landing strip so keep that in mind when you book your resorts. I ended up flying with Island Hoppers which had fantastic helicopters with glass windows all around the cockpit. This allowed for incredible views of the archipelago and ocean below us.
I’ve taken helicopters before in the Okavango Delta and Victoria Falls but it is always a treat. The Yasawa islands are truly beautiful and the variety of the islands makes it one of my favorite places in the country.
Cost of helicopter
As you can expect, Fiji helicopter transfers are not cheap. For a one way transfer to Nanuya island in the northern part of the islands was 850 FJD per person (~$380 USD). As this was one of the furthest destinations from Nadi, the price will go down the further south your resort is.
Paradise Cove Resort
Finally, to end the trip, we stayed at the Paradise dove resort which was by far the most expensive of the bunch. This resort is one of the more luxurious ones in the Yasawa islands and is the only one I’ve stayed in. However, next time I would consider a stay at the Yasawa island resort or the Vomo Island resort for a more honeymoon and luxurious experience.
Nevertheless, the resort is beautiful and every bit the 4* rating it claims to be. It’s both modern and traditional at the same time with a beautiful beach in front of the resort. I thought the rooms here were very basic as only the much more expensive beach front villas will enjoy beach views. Everything else is one level back which means you have a view of nothing.
The food here is the standout with two restaurants serving traditional elevated Fijian dishes. One of the restaurants even had an omakase style tasting menu for dinner which was impressive given the price we paid.
Fiji honeymoon itinerary day by day breakdown
To summarize my Fiji honeymoon itinerary, this is how it was planned on a day by day basis.
Day 1: Arrive in Nadi, go straight to Beqa Lagoon
Day 2: Beqa Lagoon Shark dive
Day 3: Fly to Taveuni
Day 4: Full day diving in Rainbow Reef
Day 5: Full day diving in Rainbow Reef
Day 6: Full day diving in Rainbow Reef
Day 7: Hiking in Taveuni
Day 8: Taveuni to Nadi to Yasawa Islands
Day 9: Full day Yasawa island resort stay
Day 10: Full day Yasawa island resort stay
Day 11: Full day Yasawa island resort stay
Day 12: Full day Yasawa island resort stay
Day 13: Full day Yasawa island resort stay
Day 14: Full day Yasawa island resort stay
Day 15: Back to Nadi and flight hom
