Beyond the Port Area

This nation’s heady cultural stew shows up in its traditional fire-walking ceremonies, which you can witness via Pacific Harbour Cultural Extravaganza excursion. Get a feel for the culture by tasting its Indian restaurants, and visiting the Chinese supermarkets found in Suva, the capital on Viti Levu Island, where your Carnival cruise to Fiji docks. On Fiji’s main island, you can experience the rich history of the island on a guided tour with Sightseeing Historic Suva. Walk on endless miles of windswept, undulating sand—some dunes as high as 60 ft.—at Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park.

Take a zipline ride with Forest Flying Fox Adventure, where you’ll experience the emerald green tropical forest from high above. In Suva, spend hours at the Fiji Museum, which vividly tells the country's story. It has a terrific collection of war clubs, cannibal forks, tanoa bowls, and shell jewelry. Visit actor Raymond Burr’s lush private garden, the Garden of the Sleeping Giant, just north of Nadi.

Beaches in Fiji

Swim in the warm bays of the Yasawa Islands, past some of the nation’s top resorts on a Fiji cruise. The Mamanuca Islands have vivid blue seas and stunning coral reefs. The Coral Coast, on Viti Levu’s western edge, has breathtaking beaches lined with tony resorts.

The Outer Islands are droplets of creamy white sand in turquoise seas, and the sunny, secluded beaches of Monuriki are all about complete escape.

Shopping in Fiji

Suva is one of the top shopping cities on Fiji cruises, with many of its stores along Victoria Parade and on Cumming Street. Tropical produce is for sale in the Suva Municipal Market, Fiji’s largest and liveliest market. Nestled in Suva’s Botanical Gardens, the Fiji Museum has an excellent shop selling reproduction Fijian wooden platters and bowls, red-clay pottery, “cannibal” forks, and charming model Fijian canoes.

The Government Handicraft Centre, also in Suva, has a selection of locally hand-crafted goods by rural artisans. Look for woodcarvings, woven goods, pottery, and masi cloth. At the Fiji Spice Gardens, on Viti Levu, you can see where vanilla, pepper, nutmeg, cinnamon, and ginger are grown and buy vanilla extract, black peppercorns, and cinnamon powder.

Other Islands in Fiji

Fiji is famous among scuba divers as the "Soft Coral Capital of the World" and the waters here support an enormous number and variety of colorful coral. The Great White Wall and the Rainbow Reef is located on Fiji's third-largest island, Taveuni. You can also enjoy the waterfalls in Bouma National Heritage Park.

Live out your Robinson Crusoe fantasies on cruises to Fiji with an Ancient Molituva Historic Site excursion where you’ll enter the old village setting on the tiny Monuriki Island. Enjoy pampered indulgences while experiencing total relaxation at Fili’s Pearl Resort with an excursion from A Tropical Delight-The Pearl South Pacific Resort.

Travel Tips

• English is Fiji’s official language, although many people speak Fijian.
• The Fiji dollar is the official currency.
• Fiji enjoys a balmy tropical climate. Average daytime temperatures range from 83 degrees F to 88 degrees F. The dry season is June through September. October through May is the wet season, when you can expect rainy periods between days of intense sunshine.
• Your cruise to Fiji anchors in Suva, the nation’s main harbor city.