The island of Fiji is known for its rich cultural heritage, sandy beaches and pristine waters but did you know it is also an excellent destination for kids? The country offers a range of family-friendly activities and accommodations, ranging from resorts which have kids clubs that provide engaging programs focused on Fijian culture to plenty of cruises, amusement parks, hiking trails and water sports (like snorkelling, scuba diving, river tubing, etc.) that will keep the young ones busy.
Here are five of the top experiences for families with kids in Fiji.
Situated in the coastal town of Savusavu on Vanua Levu Island is KokoMana, a unique old-growth cocoa farm that houses a variety of other tropical food trees and native plants. The harmonious mix attracts a bevy of diverse insects and birds that help pollinate the cocoa and keep insects in check. There is also a “cat patrol” made up of three felines who safeguard the ripe cocoa pods from rats. Get a front-row seat to KokoMana's chocolate-making process with an immersive 90-minute-to-two-hour “Tree to Bar Chocolate Tour.” The tour begins in the agroforest, where colourful yellow and red pods adorn the almost 500 old-growth cocoa trees. From there, visitors will be guided through the entire chocolate-making process, from fermentation, washing, drying and storing to roasting, winnowing and grinding. Wrap up the tour back at the factory with a sampling session of KokoMana’s delicious chocolates. Their dairy-free dark (70-85 per cent) chocolate bars feature exotic flavours like chilli, masala chai and sea salt and are the perfect gifts to take home with you.
The Sigatoka River on the island of Viti Levu flows for 120 kilometres to the coast between the central and western ranges of Mount Victoria. The river was historically the only means of transport from the Fijian coast to the island's lush interior. The Sigatoka River Safari is a half-day tour that combines cultural exploration with a heart-pumping jet boat experience upriver into the heartland of Viti Levu. Besides the beautiful scenery, the trip allows visitors to experience Fijian culture by visiting one of the local villages along the waterway. Kids will love the 360° jet boat spins and learn about the everyday happenings of a Fijian village. Guests will be invited to drink kava, Fiji’s ceremonial drink, during their village visit.
Fiji's only wildlife conservation park is along the Coral Coast on Viti Levu Island. The Kula Wild Adventure Park prides itself on being the country's only captive breeding facility for endangered Fijian indigenous species such as turtles, colourful parrots and iguanas. A trip here is the perfect way to learn about the islands' unique wildlife and get close to them. For instance, kids can hand feed young hawksbill turtles when it's time for their afternoon meal. For kids who want to splash around and play, there are thrilling water slides, a pool and a 200-metre canopy zipline for them to take advantage of.
One of the top experiences for families on the Coral Coast is the Ecotrax experience. Established in 2016, EcoTrax runs along an old sugarcane railway track with modified electric bicycles mounted on them. This allows guests an immersive experience to learn the history of the sugarcane industry, once Fiji’s biggest export, and understand the Fijian way of life as one meanders through the countryside. The tour lasts two hours and winds through mangroves, rainforests, rock cuttings and villages as visitors make their way to Vunabua (also known as Frangipani Beach), where they’ll be able to enjoy a dip in the ocean while replenishing themselves with fresh fruits and coconuts. Remember to take plenty of family photos as the tour features stunning views.
Allow your kids to tap into their inner artist at Sigavou Studios' “Colours of Fiji” tour in the capital of Nadi. The experience allows families to tour the art gallery, purchase authentic Fiji-made art, learn about the country's traditional masi (bark cloth) craft and let their creativity run wild with an art project they can take home. Kids can create a Fijian-inspired art piece of their own, such as a masi painting, a brightly-designed tote bag or a sculpted dish.