Fiji - 2025 update

Hi there, I just got back from two weeks in Fiji, and I noticed the forum discussions here are a bit outdated (the most recent ones are from 2017). So feel free to ask if you'd like an update!

Hi there,

In that case, feel free to share a travel journal with the members 😉

Hi, Is snorkeling worth it—that is, are there a lot of live corals and many species of fish? If so, is it possible to get there from the beach? We’re traveling around the world with our kids and would love to visit the Fiji Islands. Are there any budget-friendly accommodations for backpackers? Thanks for sharing! Laure

Hi Laure, Fiji is a great destination for snorkeling, but don’t expect any freebies for the best spots. For example, near Nadi (Yasawa, Mamanucas), you can stay with locals for a reasonable price, though the comfort level will match. Or you can opt for resorts if you want comfort similar to Europe—but that’ll run you around 150 € per night. It’s still possible to snorkel independently near the coast and see plenty of fish (I did this on the south coast). But if you’re after something truly exceptional ("lots of live coral and fish species"), you won’t escape the paid boat trip. Just to clarify, I only had a week, so I stuck to the main island (Viti Levu) and nearby archipelagos. Apparently, some of the more remote islands (Taveuni, Kadavu) are ideal and maybe less touristy, so they might be more doable on a round-the-world trip.

I just got back from three weeks in Fiji (Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Taveuni).

Fiji is stunning, but not really backpacker-friendly—especially for me—and it’s *extremely* expensive, even with our Canadian loonie...

I’m a freediver, so I can talk about the dives I did there. I dive with scuba divers, but I’ll also cover what the average snorkeler sees near the surface. 😛 First off, everything’s done by boat—mostly because the best sites are out at sea, and also because tides are strong in Fiji, leaving very little water near the coast. I only saw pristine coral, which is rare these days—some of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen, right up there with Port Barton in the Philippines. Visibility was generally good; I could easily see the surface even at -25 m. Tons of fish of all kinds, plus a few sharks and turtles. Some days, the sea can be a bit choppy (I puked my guts out on my first trip). Water temp was comfortable—I dove without a wetsuit no problem—around 27 °C, I’d say.

As for accommodation, it really depends on what you’re looking for, but prices range from expensive to downright unaffordable.