Guide to Fiji | Travel + Leisure
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Guide to Fiji

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When to Go

The name Fiji is actually a Tongan corruption of Viti, the original pronunciation for the archipelago spread over 426,000 square miles in the South Pacific Ocean. Fiji's climate is tropical, with only a slight average temperature variation (with a maximum of 84F to 88F) between seasons. Cyclones occasionally pass through in winter (November to May). Keep track at www.met.gov.fj.

Getting There

Air Pacific (www.airpacificusa.com) has four nonstop flights from Los Angeles weekly, plus three from Honolulu. Air New Zealand (www.airnewzealand.com) has three nonstop flights from LAX.

Getting Around

Most domestic transfers are organized through resorts or tour operators. Domestic carriers Sun Air (www.fiji.to) and Air Fiji (www.airfiji.com.fj) have regularly scheduled flights between Nadi and Suva on Viti Levu, and to Savusavu or Labasa on Vanua Levu. However, cancellations can occur on short notice. Charter flights are an expensive but reliable option. Try Island Hoppers (www.helicopters.com.fj) or Pacific Island Sea Planes (www.fijiseaplanes.com).

Where to Stay

Dolphin Island
64-7/378-5791; www.dolphinislandfiji.co.nz; doubles from $1,800, all-inclusive, three-night minimum.

Nukubati Island
800/707-3454 or 011-679/881-3901; www.nukubati.com; doubles from $680, all-inclusive, five-night minimum.

Royal Davui Resort
011-679/330-7090; www.royaldavui.com; doubles from $1,130, including all meals.

Wakaya Club
800/828-3454; www.wakaya.com; doubles from $1,900, all-inclusive, five-night minimum.

Vorovoro Island
Join a progressive online tribe for primitive one- to three-week stays on an undeveloped 200-acre island off Vanua Levu.
800/497-0236; www.tribewanted.com; annual membership from $219.

Evason Hideaway at Vatulele
Early next year, the 19-room resort will receive a makeover by Sonu Shivadasani, who also owns Soneva Gili in the Maldives and Evason Hideaway at Hua Hin in Vietnam.
011-679/672-0300; www.vatulele.com; doubles from $1,026, all-inclusive.

Likuliku Lagoon Resort
The 46-room Fijian-style resort will have 10 overwater bungalows in a marine sanctuary 15 miles outside of Nadi. Opening 2007.
011-679/672-0978; www.likulikulagoon.com; doubles from $650, including all meals.

What to Do

Pure Fiji Spa
Try to visit the factory and boutique on market day, when tribal vendors deliver hand-pressed-flower papers and woven baskets. Or book a dilo nut rescue wrap in the day spa.
52 Karsanji St., Vatuwaqa Suva; 011-679/338-3611; www.purefiji.com; treat- ments from $120, for hot-stone therapy.

J. Hunter Pearls Fiji
Tour Justin Hunter's farm and watch black pearls being harvested. His shop sells set and loose pearls, as well as oyster-shell jewelry.
Savusavu, Vanua Levu; 011-679/885-0821; www.pearlsfiji.com.

Rivers Fiji
Affiliated with Oars International, this adventure operator has one- and two-day white-water river-rafting trips along the Upper Navua Gorge and Wainikoroiluva River on Viti Levu.
800/446-2411; www.riversfiji.com; trips from $120.

Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort
Fiji is known for its outstanding soft-coral reefs and vibrant underwater life. This resort on Savusavu Bay has one of the best PADI dive schools in the world.
800/246-3454; www.fijiresort.com; doubles from $575, including all meals and transfers; three-night minimum.

What to Read

Life in FeeJee: Five Years Among the Cannibals
By Mary Wallis (The Narrative Press). A lively and opinionated firsthand account of a South Pacific voyage by a Salem, Massachusetts, sea captain's wife. Originally published in 1851.

Copyright © 2008, American Express Publishing. All rights reserved.