Fiji travel

Travelling to the Mamanuca Islands means immersing yourself in the heart of Fiji. An archipelago within an archipelago, a paradise within a paradise, this string of twenty islands promises the essentials in pared-back simplicity: turquoise waters, sunshine year-round, soft sand, and fascinating coral that constantly beckons you on a dive. With charming names like Bounty, Malolo, Matamanoa, Tavarua, Kadomo and Monuriki – where Tom Hanks famously found himself “cast away” – the Mamanuca Islands are, in some cases, uninhabited, while others are home to people with contagious smiles. The energy here is devilishly positive, while the stay is devilishly divine.

In the Pacific, Viti Levu, literally “the great Viti”, stands out as a giant. Because it is the largest island in Fiji, but also because it is overlooked by Mount Tomanivi, the highest point in the archipelago. That being said, it is not a matter of travelling across it from end to end. People prefer to make short stops there, using it as a springboard to visit its little sisters and neighbouring areas. A trip to Viti Levu is not complete without experiencing the vibrant atmosphere of its cities such as Nadi, Lautoka, Tavua – and the gentle charm of its coconut-tree fringed beaches. Densely populated and now well-accustomed to tourism, the large island of Viti has also managed to uphold its traditions. And, at the centre of the island, the lush green hills, difficult to access, have yet to reveal all their secrets.