Fiji has cemented its reputation as one of the best family holiday destinations. The Fijian locals know how to keep kids smiling from sun-up to sun-down with acapella melodies that glow under guests skin and stay with you long after you’ve headed home.
With over 300 islands across 18,000 square kilometres of azure seas there is bound to be a white sandy beach, a rainforest canopy, colourful reef or soaring sunset with your family’s name on it. Best of all is the weather - comfortable year-round with temperatures in the twenties and early thirties from December to April and largely in the twenties the rest of the year.
A third of the country’s islands are inhabited, many with lush resorts so whether you’re looking for land adventures, underwater fun, down time by a pool, eco education, self-catered or all inclusive, Fiji resorts offer something for every family style and budget.
For eco family adventure: Jean Michel Cousteau Resort, Vanua Levu
The Jean Michel Cousteau resort on is a no brainer for those in search of eco adventure. Set amongst seven hectares on the northern island of Vanua Levu, junior can channel their inner Jacques Cousteau with the resort’s resident marine biologist, plant coral on the reef and even harvest and cook their own local produce. Did we mention the all-inclusive rates include kids club and both nannies and buddies for your kids? Add waterslides and trampolines, four swimming pools including one just for adults, 13 local dive sites, rainforest waterfall hikes and geothermal springs in the nearby town of Savusavu.
www.fijiresort.com
For extended family luxury: Kokomo Island
There’s nothing like a tropical holiday to bond your extended family. Whether travelling with the grandparents or a group of adult families, Kokomo Private Island provides next level luxury to attend to your family needs. Choose from a one to three-bedroom beachfront villa with private pool or a three to six bedroom residence with butler and nanny and views for days. There’s both a kids and a teen club with beach games, snorkelling adventures and more plus a plethora of activities from kayaking to paddle boarding, sunset cruises, waterfall hikes, village tours and farm to table dining. www.kokomoislandfiji.com
For the sustainable family that cares: Six Senses, Malolo Island
Six Senses resorts are known for their dedication to sustainability and Six Senses Fiji is a jewel in their crown. Found on Malolo Island in the Mananucas, the luxury resort grows organic produce, makes their own drinking water and boasts one of the largest off grid solar installations in the southern hemisphere powering 100% of the property. Home to 39 critically endangered Fijian crested iguanas alongside Cluckingham Palace (100 hens and roosters) and a beehive for local honey. Kids will love the Grow with Six Senses program designed to immerse them in culture, wellness, social experiences, and adventure. Add an outside under the stars cinema, a surf academy to tackle beginner to advanced breaks, private pools with every villa, a jungle day spa and local village experience.
www.sixsenses.com/en/resorts/fiji/destination
For adrenaline family fun: Auberge Resorts, Nanuku
Nanuku sits on 550 private coastal acres on the south coast of the main island and is part of the elite Auberge hotel collection. If adrenaline is your thing, then you’ll have plenty to raise the cortisol with white water rafting through black volcanic gorges, trekking on soaring sand dunes, mangrove forest crab hunting, marlin deep sea fishing and more. Parents will love the private nanny for every child under six and kids will love the personal beach bonfires with sleep out tents under the stars.
https://aubergeresorts.com/nanuku/
Go Survivor style at the Shangri La, Yanuca
The Shangri La on Yanuca Private Island serves up some serious boasting rights for the coolest of kids - an action-packed water park originally built for the cast of Survivor Fiji. Add mini golf, water sports, tennis, basketball and a causeway to the nation’s main island and your teens will have plenty to keep them occupied while you dine in any one of five restaurants or take time out in the spa.
www.shangri-la.com/en/yanucaisland/fijianresort/
Shipwrecked by choice at Castaway Island, Mamanuca Islands
Life is about the moments and you’ll create a ton of them when your family heads to Castaway Island in the Mamanuca Island Group. This four-star resort has everything you need from sandy white beaches, coral reefs, tropical rainforest and a plethora of hiking trails, beach volleyball games, yoga classes, traditional cooking school, kayaking, paddle boarding, surfing and more. There’s even one pool for all the family and one for adults.
www.castawayfiji.com
Destination Denarau
Families are spoilt for choice on the manmade Denarau Island, the heart of Fiji Tourism. Choose from nine hotels including a Radisson Blu, Sheraton, Hilton and Westin plus a world class 72 par golf course designed by Eiichi Motobashi with a premium club house. Denarau is a mere fifteen minutes from Nadi International Airport so you can fly in and flop poolside within moments and the island’s international marina is the perfect gateway to explore Fiji’s islands by boat.
www.denarau.com
The waterfront Sofitel on Denarau offers both an adults only and kids beach club so you can play together or chill out apart. The Niu Kids Beach Club is in the family side of the resort and boasts a climbing wall, trampoline, play house, splash and play pools while the Teenage Zone offers X Box, PlayStation and arcade games. The adults Waitui Beach Club is adults only with infinity pool and luxury cabanas.
www.sofitel-fiji.com
For teen spirit: Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort, Viti Levu
The famed Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort is found on the Coral Coast of the main island. Boasting two kids’ clubs and a close proximity to Kula Wild Adventure Park filled with jungle water slides, the Outrigger will keep all ages entertained. Expect butlers and nannies designed to keep all members of the family’s needs met, a beach front location with tropical pool and two bedroom family bures for relaxing to the sound of the sea.
www.outrigger.com/hotels-resorts/fiji/viti-levu/outrigger-fiji-beach-resort
Pristine privacy at Vomo Island
It doesn’t get better than Vomo Island for those wanting time away from it all. This privately owned island is 220 acres of pristine tropics on the edge of the Yasawa Islands archipelago. Never crowded with a selection of private residences and villas, the island is lapped by azure seas and lined with white sand. The resort is all inclusive and features baby butlers and a kids village accessed by a cool suspension bridge and a dedicated chef and a ton of fun activities. Older kids can embark on kayak adventures, survivor challenges, fishing trips and eco warrior programs. There’s also plenty of infinity pool action and cocktail and cuisine menus for sunset dining to keep the adults chilled out.
www.vomofiji.com
Overwater holiday at the Fiji Marriott Momi Bay
Fancy sleeping in an overwater bungalow? Then head to Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay and check in to an overwater suite on a tranquil blue lagoon. The resort offers 250 hotel rooms including 114 suites and Fijian Style Bures for dining. The Turtles Kids Club will keep your offspring entertained with slides, swings, climbing options and a designated Kids Pool with water guns plus a thriving activity program including marine life and local culture. They can even make a pirate boat, take part in a mini Amazing Race and catch a crab for the crab race.
www.marriott.com.au/hotels/travel/nanmc-fiji-marriott-resort-momi-bay/
Tee up at the Intercontinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa
If golf gives your family a buzz then head straight to the Intercontinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa nestled in 35 acres of tropical gardens in Natadola Bay on the main island with views across the sea. Expect five restaurants and bars, a day spa, 18 hole championship golf course, three swimming pools, a dive pool and a kids club. Take your pick from 266 hotel rooms and suites and a ton of nightly entertainment including fire lighting, fire dancing and drumming. The Planet Trekkers Kids Club will keep the 4 to 7 and 8 to 12 year olds happy and teenagers can partake in Teen Trekkers daily activity schedule including Pitch & Putt, beach football, cricket, touch rugby, beach, and volleyball sessions.
www.fiji.intercontinental.com
Authentic local legend: Malolo Island Resort
This intimate rustic resort is owned by a local Fijian family and specialises in creating laid back holidays far from the distraction of modern devices. The crew here let the coral reef, coconut palms, salt water and friendliest people work their unwind magic. Located in the Mamanuca Islands and accessed by private water taxi or a short seaplane ride, Malolo, the emphasis here is doing everything, something or nothing. Read in a hammock or relax in the day spa or take on all the adventure activities including surfing, diving, village trips, jet skis, paddle boards and diving. Kids can join in the fun at Tia’s Treehouse with a full activity schedule with arts, crafts, water fun, movies, bonfires, boat races and more. www.maloloisland.com
Whether you like a relaxing or an active holiday, Fiji has something for everyone. Book flights to Fiji with Virgin Australia and discover pure paradise for yourself.