Viti Levu Feature

Natural Wonders

Viti Levu's magnificent landscapes are unmatched anywhere else. You can raft or kayak between the 300-foot-high black volcanic rock walls of "Fiji's Grand Canyon," Navua Gorge; climb the Sigatoka Sand Dunes, an archaeological treasure-trove; bird-watch and swim amid rain forest in the natural pools of Colo-I-Suva Forest Park. The gorge is accessible by well-organized day tours and the dunes and park have good visitor centers.

Surfing

Fiji has yet to develop a surf culture in spite of its world-class breaks. This means little or no line-ups for big barrels at Frigates Passage, the world-class right-hander at Wilkes Passage, and long rides just about everywhere. Due to their size and the fact that many break over reefs, most of these waves are for intermediate and expert surfers only, and almost all are subject to the tides. You'll have to stay at Tavarua Island Resort off the west coast of Viti Levu in order to surf the epic left-handers Cloudbreak (featured in the movie Endless Summer 2) and Restaurants.

All the Amenities

The mainland is the place for those looking to have four restaurants within walking distance of multiple swimming pools, the largest range of facilities to keep children occupied, and 24-hour room service. Most of Viti Levu's four- and five-star hotels are within a two-hour drive of Nadi Airport. You'll find large, family-friendly resorts in the more pristine setting of the Mamanuca Islands, but none offer amenities quite on the scale of Denarau Island and the Coral Coast.

Curry

Roughly 40% of the island's population is Indo-Fijian and a far higher percentage of them makes up its chef pool. From fresh lobster and prawn to classic chicken and beef, you'll find restaurants throughout serving excellent curry platters complete with rice, roti, dhal soup, vegetable curry, papedum, and a diced vegetable chutney.