Three great Fiji getaways

The Coral Coast is a popular location to stay thanks to its coastline full of lovely beaches and an abundance of attractions about 1.5 hours from the bustle of Nadi, with the convenience of staying on the main island of Viti Levu.

The Outrigger is a luxury resort with a laidback, family-friendly vibe on the Coral Coast that resembles a traditional Fijian village set out on the water's edge amongst lush tropical gardens. For the best experience, book a stay at the Plantation Bure right on the beachfront where you can lounge in a hammock and enjoy access to the beach just a few steps away for a morning dip or beach stroll. 

With the bure and suite options, you can also take advantage of a Talai butler service to give you that break from the daily chores you endure at home. This includes complimentary laundry service, afternoon canapes, a sparkling wine glass, and an evening turndown service with a nightcap. Other bonuses include complimentary high tea and a private invitation to the weekly VIP cocktail party. And even if you don't stay at a beachfront bure, you will have superb views of the outer reef in one of their other suites.

Outrigger’s five restaurants will cover you for taste preferences, each with its own distinct offerings. Ivi is an adults-only fine dining venue, and at Baravi right by the pool, you can enjoy Asian fusion and authentic Fijian dishes such as ceviche and prawn coconut curry. The nightly torch-lighting ceremony will occur each evening right in front of you.

The Sundowner is excellent for all ages and occasions. Enjoy its delicious signature wood-fired oven pizza and other dishes, facing the ocean and sea breezes. The live music and comprehensive menu make for a lovely and relaxing evening. After dinner, you can catch fire dancing on the beach or an outdoor movie on the lawn just a stroll away.

If you visit with children, you won't feel the need to leave this resort. There are many kid-friendly spots and activities including a lagoon-style pool complete with toddler-friendly areas, pool volleyball, tie-dying of t-shirts, evening outdoor movies and evening warrior fire dancing by the beach. Activities such as snorkelling and kayaking are also at your fingertips, with complimentary equipment for you to use. Kids will love being able to see crabs and fish right by the shore. 

Parents will also be delighted to know that Outrigger offers a complimentary Kids Club where you can drop your kids off for two-hour sessions starting from 9am to 9pm. There is an option to hire a dedicated 'mei mei' babysitter for younger children for an additional cost. While the kids are there, take time out at the adult-only pool and adults-only Vahavu restaurant and swim-up bar.

So many conveniences can be found here, including a hair salon and the award-winning Bebe Sanctuary Spa on a mountain ridge with stunning views of the South Pacific Ocean. Here, you can unwind with a traditional Fijian bobo massage. 

If travelling sustainably is important to you, the Outrigger makes it easy for you to make a difference during your stay. Its sustainability program gives guests a chance to help plant corals to sustain reefs or help with efforts to build essential facilities for local schools. 

Must do: Book a journey with Sigatoka River Safaris, which offers jetboat rides along Fiji's longest river and includes a visit to a Fijian village. Here you can get a first-hand experience of life in this country.

For a hilltop bar experience just across from the resort, Outrigger is just a stone's throw from Kalo Kalo Bar, perched high upon Lomalagi Hill (Heavenly Hill). Kalo is Fijian for "stars", and of you happen to be there on the right night, you'll know why: the bar offers a stunning view of them in the sky. Enjoy a mix of contemporary cocktails and tapas, plus oysters and Champagne at sunset over spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean. 

If you are seeking luxury and privacy, look no further than Nanuku, which provides this and a truly special and memorable experience. The magic starts when you first arrive at this award-winning private luxury resort away from the hustle and bustle of Nadi and Suva. You will be greeted with a traditional Fijian warrior welcome and warmly welcomed into their Nanuku family. Expect to be swept away by the tranquillity and privacy this resort offers and its warm and friendly top-notch service. All this means you can enjoy a truly relaxing holiday from the daily grind. 

All accommodation options include a private pool, an outdoor rain shower, and even a popcorn machine to enjoy movie nights. The private rooms are tucked away from everything, yet are also mere steps from the beach. 

The resort provides a range of onsite activities to save you from travelling, meaning you’ll have more time to relax. Its location is on the Beqa lagoon, named the "Soft Coral Capital of the World" by famed oceanographer Jacques Cousteau. It is an optimal site for snorkelling to experience its, vividly-hued coral and marine life, including bright blue starfish. 

You can also take a 20-minute boat ride to the Nanuku private island, where you can enjoy a picnic. 

NASA recently donated a Dobsonian telescope to the resort for guests to use. Together with Fiji being one of the best stargazing locations in the world, this will help give you incredible views of deep space and the moon.

After the recent visit to the resort by NASA SSERVI (Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute), there is a range of ongoing space-exploring activities offered at Nanuku. This includes the Celestial Concierge, where you can enjoy a boat ride experience to the Nanuku private island to learn about the healing powers of the moon and about Fijian navigation traditions using the night stars as a guide.

Other activities on offer include traditional cooking lessons, with the chance to go on a cooking safari where you’ll gather and cook your food in the rainforest. 

Nanuku also has a dedicated wellness coach (an Olympian and a Commonwealth Games Judo medalist) who can guide you through a fitness class. You could enjoy a refreshing morning yoga session right in front of the glistening ocean views. 

When you book your stay, inform the staff of your preferences and interests for activities, and they can set up an individualised itinerary for you. 

If you have kids in tow, they will love the Lailai Adventure Club kids club, where children are immersed in nature, mindfulness, education, and traditional experiences. Cultural activities include traditional earth cooking, Meke dancing, flower basket weaving, evening torch lighting, story-telling, coconut husking, Lei making, Fijian language lessons, Fijian singing lessons and more.

Must do: Make sure you experience the kava ceremony under the leader's guidance, who will explain its significance in connecting the community. A kava ceremony is a joyful experience and a key part of Fijian culture. It is often performed in villages for important visitors, celebrations or to spend time with family and friends. It involves sitting in front of a bowl, with the Kava drink made in front of you from the crushed root of yaqona, strained with water. It is a mild sedative drink that should calm and relax you. Let your guide help you through the etiquette. 

If you want to leave the resort to experience some of the other activities that the Pacific Harbour offers, you can speak to the resort’s friendly concierge to help arrange these. These experiences include a waterfall trek, a 12-metre drop from the Giant Swing at the Kila eco-adventure park or white water rafting the Navua River. 

Natadola Bay, approximately 55 minutes from Nadi, is recognised as one of the best beaches in the world. The Intercontinental Fiji Resort is one of a few accommodations and the only luxury resort on this beach. You will be treated to enchanting panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. At the same time, you enjoy cocktails from one of its restaurants and bars. Truly relax and indulge yourself at "Fiji's Best Resort Spa 2022," an award won at the eighth annual World Spa Awards. 

All the suites are located by the water and have Cleopatra style bathtubs for two to relax in while taking in the ocean views and sounds.

Enjoy a world-class golfing experience among the backdrop of coral reefs and the Pacific Ocean at the 18-hole golf course. This course has hosted many major international tournaments, including the Fiji Open in 2010. 

Each evening at the Kama Lounge, you can witness the torch-lighting ceremony and authentic traditional Fiji entertainment, including traditional Meke and South Pacific Fire Dancing and Island Dance.

The resort staff is on hand to assist you with water sports such as wakeboarding, tubing or jet skiing as well as reef activities, including snorkelling and scuba diving.

For some time to yourself, send your kids to the Planet Trekkers Kids Club, knowing they will participate in meaningful and educational activities such as muffin decorating, coconut bowling, garland making or learning Fijian. 

Must do: Ensure you book well ahead for the Eco Trax Fiji experience, as tickets can book out a month in advance. It’s a fantastic and popular accessible attraction for all ages that takes you pedalling through an old sugarcane railway on a battery-assisted bike. Enjoy a gentle scenic ride through the Coral Coast of Fiji through villages, mangroves, rain forests, and pristine coastline to arrive at an unspoiled deserted beach. Once you arrive, you can swim and enjoy local fruits and fresh coconuts while learning about the history of the sugar cane industry in the area and the Fijian way of life. 

Take a 25-minute boat cruise from Port Denarau to visit Malamala Beach Club, the world's first beach club in the Mamanuca Islands. While away the hours surrounded by crystal clear waters, tasting Pacific flavours from the menu, enjoying the 'Fiji Five' cocktail deal, trying water activities such as paddleboarding and snorkelling, swimming in the infinity pool and laying on the beach soaking up the sunshine.