Fiji gets a lot of attention for its beaches, and rightfully so. The island nation was immortalized on screen 25 years ago by Tom Hanks and his trusty volleyball in “Cast Away,” and it’s been a popular destination among honeymooners and scuba divers for decades.
American travelers have no shortage of beaches to choose from when planning a vacation, including lots that are closer to home, like Hawaii and Mexico. But it’s hard to beat Fiji’s adventurous spirit. The island is well suited for intrepid travelers who want to explore its many islands, dive or snorkel its gorgeous reefs, hike and bike through its verdant mountains, and chase its rushing waterfalls.
With a new flight providing direct access for Texans, and Fiji Airlines recently joining the AAdvantage program, it's now easier than ever to go. Here’s what to know before planning your trip.
How to get to Fiji
Fiji Airways recently launched a direct flight from DFW to Fiji’s Nadi International Airport (NAN), so that’s the best bet for Texas travelers. Non-stop service operates three times per week— Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. It’s about 13 hours each way, so wear something comfortable, download the latest season of your favorite series and settle in.
Travelers not departing from DFW can also fly direct from LAX, SFO and HNL in the U.S., or connect through one of these airports to reach the destination.
Fiji Airways recently joined the AAdvantage program, so DFW-based travelers—or anyone who typically flies American Airlines or other Oneworld members like Alaska Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Qantas or Qatar Airways—can earn points and miles toward status.
What’s it like to fly Fiji Airways?
The DFW to NAN flight operates aboard the Airbus A350-900 XWB aircraft. The plane has 301 economy class seats and 33 business class seats. The latter are lie-flat and obviously the most comfortable option, but Fiji Airways did win Best Economy Class in Australia and Pacific at the SKYTRAX World Airline Awards in 2024, so you’re in good hands either way.
I was invited to fly in business class as part of the route’s rollout. The cabin has a standard 1-2-1 configuration, so solo travelers can secure a window seat, while couples may prefer to occupy adjoining seats in the middle. Whichever you choose, the seats are spacious, featuring storage cubbies, large TVs and touchscreen controls that allow you to adjust from an upright position to a fully flat bed, or anywhere in between.
Upon boarding, guests are given a bottle of Fiji water, a hot towel and the choice of champagne or orange juice. Dinner was a three-course meal, with a selection of starters—pea watercress soup, grilled prawns with pineapple salad—mains including barbecue chicken and seared halibut salad, and desserts. Breakfast features a smaller menu, but there’s still room to customize your meal.
Service on board was warm and friendly, and the flight attendants regularly checked on me to refill drinks and ensure I had everything I needed. Once dinner service was over and the lights were dimmed, a flight attendant offered to make my bed with the provided linens, so I could relax during the overnight portion of the flight. I’m not particularly adept at sleeping on planes, even when fully stretched out, but I managed to catch a few hours of sleep and arrived at NAN airport relatively refreshed considering the 18-hour time change and 5am landing.
Where to stay in Fiji
The Fiji archipelago is composed of more than 300 islands. About 100 are inhabited and far fewer are frequented by tourists. Many visitors land at NAN and stay on Viti Levu, the largest island. There you’ll find major hotels like Westin and Sheraton close to the airport, as well as other properties like InterContinental about an hour down the coast. Each has multiple restaurants, pools and access to golf. Viti Levu is also stocked with budget options and high-end boutique properties, so there’s something for every traveler.
The crystal-clear waters and white sand beaches of the Mamanuca islands are another popular choice. Just an hour boat ride away from Viti Levu, this string of islands is a reasonable day trip, but if you’re sticking around, there are hotels geared toward backpackers and couples, iconic surf spots, gorgeous reefs and opportunities to check out Modriki, the island setting of “Cast Away.”
Taveuni is Fiji’s third-largest island and is perfect for outdoor adventures. It’s known as the “Garden Island” due to its lush foliage, reefs, waterfalls and other natural wonders. If you’re adding Taveuni to your itinerary, check out Tides Reach Resort. The small, family-run resort sits right on the beach and caters to your every need, with custom meals and guided outings to visit waterfalls, scuba dive, snorkel, hike, bike or otherwise explore all this island has to offer. The staff sings a song to greet you upon arrival and wish you well upon departure, a nice touch that expresses Fijians’ famously warm hospitality.
There are several more options for where to base your trip, including Vanua Levu island and the more remote Kadavu, so it’s helpful to decide what type of trip you want to take before booking.
What to do in Fiji
Fiji is a choose-your-own-adventure destination, where visitors can do as much (scuba diving), or as little (umbrella drinks on the beach) as they want. If your primary goal is relaxation, you could post up somewhere luxurious and rotate between the spa, the beach, restaurants and your room. But again, you can do that in Mexico, or somewhere else that doesn't require a long flight. So take advantage of Fiji’s multi-island setting and go exploring.
Since water-based activities are easy to come by, spend some time on the ocean and dive, snorkel, surf or kayak. If you prefer land adventures, you can hike up mountains to find hidden waterfalls, e-bike along coastal roads or go four-wheeling through muddy tracks.
One cultural highlight of my trip was visiting a village on Viti Levu. We booked a spot on the Sigatoka River Safari and speeded down the river in a jet boat, stopping at a village to meet locals, eat a traditional feast and participate in a kava ceremony. The half-day experience is an accessible peek behind the curtains into daily life in Fiji. And while drinking kava is associated with mild euphoria, the combination of kind people and a beautiful setting still produces the best natural high you can get.
