Cruising to Fiji: What to know

Quick insights

• Fiji offers many outdoor water sports including snorkeling, surfing and scuba diving.
• More than 300 islands make up this Pacific nation—only a third of which are permanently inhabited.
• Fiji’s capital, Suva, is a bustling cruise port with many cultural attractions.

Fiji as a popular cruise destination in the South Pacific thanks in large part to its stunning landscapes and rich cultural heritage. It’s also still a relatively untouched part of the world. More than 300 islands make up this Pacific nation, but only about a third of them are permanently inhabited.

Fiji’s islands offer an abundance of white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters that are perfect for swimming, surfing and snorkeling with rainbows of tropical fish. If you’re thinking of vising Fiji, a cruise may be a great way to explore multiple islands and experience the diverse beauty of the South Pacific.

What to know about Fiji

Fiji is an archipelago located in the South Pacific Ocean about 1,110 miles northwest of New Zealand. Many of Fiji’s islands were formed by volcanoes, providing a rugged and breathtaking backdrop to many of its islands which have rainforests, lagoons, waterfalls and lush gardens.

Its two main islands are Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. Suva—on the island of Viti Levu—is Fiji’s largest city and capital as well as a popular cruise port. The port is located about a 10-minute walk to Suva’s city center where you can find shopping and cultural attractions like the Fiji Museum and Suva Markets. However, Fiji’s smaller islands have some notoriety as well.

Monuriki—a small, uninhabited island situated off the coast of Viti Levu — was used as a location to film the movie “Cast Away” and the TV show “Survivor” has filmed in Fiji’s Mamanuca Islands for several seasons.

Best time to cruise to Fiji

Fiji is for the most part a warm, sunny locale with a consistent climate. The temperatures year-round vary from 68 to 87 degrees. February is typically the hottest month, and August is the coldest.

The best time to cruise Fiji is during the dry season, between May and October, when the weather is cooler, and rainfall is minimal. The seas around Fiji are typically calm, but especially during the dry season. Calm water provides better visibility when doing water activities, so you may want to travel this time of year if snorkeling is high on your Fiji bucket list.

Fiji's peak tourist season is between July and September. If you’re looking to cruise during these months, you may want to consider booking your cruise at least 6 – 12 months in advance.

Fiji cruise itineraries

The ideal length of a Fiji cruise will depend on the type of trip you want to take and how much of Fiji you want to see. When cruising to Fiji, you’ll likely need to decide on one of two itineraries:

• A Pacific Island cruise by a larger cruise operator that will offer a stop or stops in Fiji as part of a route through several South Pacific Islands
• A smaller cruise by a local operator that will sail within the islands of Fiji

Smaller cruise companies operating out of Fiji may offer less than 50-person boats and a true island-hopping experience. When you arrive in Fiji, your trip around the islands will likely include both well-known spots and off-the-beaten-path locations.

Many popular cruise lines offer week-long cruises that stop in Fiji as well as New Caledonia, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. These cruises often begin in Australia—leaving from Sydney or Brisbane—or Aukland, New Zealand.

Things to do in Fiji

The diversity of the Fijian islands offers a lot for sun seeking travelers and adventurers. When cruising through Fiji’s islands you can:

• Snorkel in shipwrecks
• Participate in a Polynesian fire walk ceremony
• Visit the world's only underwater post office in Port Vila
• Explore traditional Fijian villages
• Shop in local markets
• Ride the water on a glass bottom boat or stand-up paddle board
• Hike waterfalls
• Trek through the rainforest
• Soak in hot springs and mud pools

In addition, you may find yourself soaking up a spectacular Fijian sunset from the deck of your ship on more than one occasion.

Preparing to cruise to Fiji

Preparing for your cruise to Fiji? Here are a few things to consider that can help streamline the planning process:

• Packing: Swimsuits and warm weather clothes will likely dominate your bag. However, when interacting with locals, it is a sign of cultural respect to wear shorts and skirts that are knee length.
• Documents: You will need a valid passport to cruise to Fiji. Ideally, you’ll want a passport that doesn’t expire within 6 months of your trip.
• Health: Seasickness is common on cruises. If you’re prone to motion sickness, consider bringing over the counter medication, motion sickness wristbands or ginger capsules to help avoid seasickness.
• English: Fijian is the official language of Fiji, but English is commonly spoken.

In summary

There are many ways to experience Fiji via a cruise. You can sail on large, popular cruise line to Fiji and other notable South Pacific Islands. You also have the option to board a smaller luxury cruise that sails around the inhabited an uninhabited islands of Fiji.

No matter the type of cruise, Fiji will offer plenty to do and see. This lush, tropical island nation is teeming with stunning beaches and rugged landscapes giving travelers plenty to do and see while exploring its many islands.