Off the Beaten Path - Fiji

You wouldn’t necessarily think of Fiji as a hotspot for being on the road less wandered, especially with brochures touting luxurious resorts, pool-side bars and palm-fringed beaches dotted with hammocks. However it is surprisingly easy to get off the beaten track in Fiji. Over half the country, including the main island of Viti Levu, offers less-trodden paths and unique adventures for those ready to explore beyond Denarau. 

Taveuni
Perhaps the best known of the islands on this list, Taveuni has its resorts clustered to the north, but the island still feels rugged and forgotten thanks to the Bouma National Heritage Park that protects 80% of the pristine, rainforest-dense land. Take the Lavena Coastal Walk along the untamed southeast coast, climb Des Voeux Peak in search of Fiji’s incredibly rare, emblem flower, the crimson Tagimaucia or simply visit the authentic villages around the island where you’ll likely be invited into the homes of the friendly locals.

The Kadavu Group

Kadavu and Ono are two, nearly road-free, rainforest-clad and incredibly friendly Isles bordered by the Astrolabe Reef, one of Fiji’s best yet-little visited diving and fishing haunts. Again, there are resorts, and you’ll probably need to stay in one since it’s very difficult to get around otherwise, but each is isolated and gives a sense of having voyaged to the edge of paradise. 

Walk to traditional villages, look for the many rare and colorful birds that thrive here, or snorkel the island’s several manta ray hot spots.

Vanua Levu

Fiji’s biggest island feels a little like the Wild West. There are resorts along eastern part of the south coast around yachties favorite town Savusavu, but much of the rest of the island requires a 4 wheel drive and a fairly well developed sense of adventure to explore. In the heart of the island lie the ruins of Nukubolu, an ancient village complete with old stone foundations, a volcanic crater and hot springs. To get even farther off track head to Vanua Levu’s smaller outlying islands like Namenalala, which has one eco-oriented resort and has some of the most pristine coral reefs in the whole country.

The Lau Group
The other islands we’ve mentioned are relatively easy to get to and have a fair amount of tourist infrastructure but the Lau Group does not. This is where the real trail blazers go, those who are not afraid of cargo ships and who have plenty of time to get stuck, lost or both. But the reward is great. Empty beaches, coral atolls surrounded by thriving corals, and intensely blue waters. Flights are irregular and even cargo ships are infrequent. The most common method used by visitors to reach these remote isles is by privately owned sailboat – check the Fiji’s marinas to search for crewing options where you may be able to hitch a ride. 

Let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you with all your business and leisure travel needs. Call us at (602) 843-5100 or visit our website: rawhidetravel.com

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