A Guide to Fiji for Families

When I think of Fiji, I picture a couple walking hand in hand on a beautiful white-sand beach. After all, this is the sort of image that most of the tourism promotions for the destination feature.

So, when I had the opportunity to go to the South Pacific archipelago to learn about family resorts specifically, I was confused — is Fiji even a family destination, I wondered?

It’s quite a trek to get to Fiji, that’s for sure — from the West Coast, flights are about 11.5 hours long — and so much of the marketing I had seen promoted luxurious honeymoon-type trips. Given that, I was pleasantly surprised to find that there is an abundance of family-friendly activities and resorts available in Fiji, and at every budget level. Here are some of my top findings.

Family Friendly Tours in Fiji

From snorkeling to village visits, clients with kids can do so much in Fiji.

My own family experienced a tour with EcoTrax, a great operator for travelers of all ages. During our tour, we stopped at a private island to swim in the sea and enjoy snacks on the beach. The youngest person to participate in the adventure was three months old, and the oldest was 97, proving that it’s a fitting activity for multigenerational trips.

Many Fijian properties, including Lomani Island Resort, can help set up island-hopping snorkeling experiences that include a layover at my favorite stop, Cloud 9. Here, clients will find a two-level floating platform with a bar and an Italian wood-fired pizzeria in the middle of the ocean. (It even has gluten-free pizza.)

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Our tour with Sigatoka River Safari, meanwhile, took us to a traditional Fijian village. Spending time here changed my whole outlook on Fiji. We learned that some local children swim across the river with their books and uniforms in a pot above their head (to keep the items dry) then walk 1 to 2 miles to get to school. My childhood was similar when I was growing up in a village in Jamaica; this Fijian village experience reminded me that no matter how far apart any of us may seem, we always have something in common. Another highlight of our tour with Sigatoka was meeting with the village elders for a kava ceremony, a symbolic ritual that includes enjoying a kava root drink.

Then, families passionate about diving will find unparalleled underwater adventures here. Known as the “Soft Coral Capital of the World,” Fiji boasts vibrant coral reefs, diverse marine life and pristine waters perfect for both novice and seasoned divers. Certified diving families will find plenty of opportunities to bond while exploring breathtaking dive sites, encountering everything from colorful reef fish to majestic manta rays. Dive shops abound, and most resorts can help advisors book excursions for clients.

Family Resorts in Fiji 

I visited three resorts while in Fiji: Shangri-La Yanuca Island, Fiji, Castaway Island, Fiji, and Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort. All provide nanny programs that offer a great value for families, often charging around $6 to $10 per hour. Families are usually assigned the same nanny for their entire visit, which often helps the kids feel more comfortable. This service is certainly a boon for parents, whether they want to head out on excursions during the day without the kids or simply to have an extra hand on deck while on the property.

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I found Outrigger’s Castaway Island to be the biggest surprise of all. This private island resort caters to families who are both on a budget or looking to splurge. Clients looking to save might arrive by ferry and choose accommodations without a beachfront view. If money is no object, guests might arrive by helicopter or private boat and stay in a Family Beach Bure; this accommodation can sleep up to 10 people. The property also offers a fun and educational way for families to give back via its coral planting program. Guests can also snorkel out to see the resort’s conservation efforts in action.

When to Go to Fiji

The most economical time to travel to Fiji is from January to March, as well as September. Weather-wise, wintertime in the U.S. is the summer season in Fiji, and vice-versa. Even in winter, it’s quite warm during the day in Fiji. During winter evenings, temperatures are cooler, but that also means less humidity. June through August are Fiji's busiest months, and resort pricing reflects this increased demand.