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| Fiji
Sports |
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Water
Sports
The mangrove lined tidal corridors can be explored on jet
boat trips, which depart every 15 minutes from Port Denauru,
7 kilometres (4 miles) from Nadi Town.
Bamboo
rafting (referred to locally as a bilibili ride) is possible
along the streams and rivers.
Predominantly well known for their soft coral reefs, Fiji’s
islands offer excellent scuba diving and snorkelling.
On Viti Levu, the best dive sites are found on the Coral Coast and
Pacific Harbour (both on the western side), where the famous Beqa
Lagoon, the crater of an extinct volcano that measures 16 kilometres
(10 miles) across, is often frequented by groups. About 12 kilometres
(7 miles) off the Viti Levu coast, Vatulele is known for its red
prawns, regarded as sacred by local people.
Northwest of Viti Levu, divers head to the Yasawa and Mamanuca island
groups, to the south lies Kadavua, where the Astrolabe, Namalata,
Solo and Tavuki reefs are situated. Vanua Levua and Taveuni are
especially good for land based diving, and ecologically
minded operators have buoyed dozens of sites to prevent damage from
anchors.
The best sites around these islands include the Somosomo Straits
(home to the Great White Wall, 1 of Fiji’s most famous dive
sites) and the Rainbow Reef (where over 20 dive sites can be found).
Live aboard dive tours are available to the more
remote islands, such as Ngau, which has no resorts and where the
local chief has to allow permission to dive in the waters.
Several hotels and resorts also
offer opportunities to go windsurfing, sailing, water skiing, canoeing,
kayaking, parasailing and game fishing.
Surfing
is a well known activity and surfers with a huge choice of locations.
The famous ‘Cloud Breaker’ (6 metres / 18 feet wave)
was found offshore at Tavarua, attracting surfers from around the
world. Fiji’s waves classically break on coral reefs. Most
of the famous spots are off Viti Levu and can often only be reached
by boat. There are many surf camps, notably on Beqa and Yanuca islands.
Visitors should note that there are hazardous rip tides along the
reefs.
Walking
Hiking in the mountains with stunning views of
the islands is another option, in addition to Fiji’s network
of marked nature trails, which are brilliant, either
individually or on organised guided walks. Activities such as bird
watching (perhaps in the Colo-i-Suva Forest Park just 11
kilometres (7 miles) from Suva), ecotourism activities (in the Taveuni
Island Reserve) and swimming at the waterfalls are often combined
with hiking tours.
Visitors are reminded to respect local customs
whilst passing through villages. The Lavena Coastal Walk starts
at Lavena and trails the southeastern coastline of Taveuni, ending
at the Wainabau Waterfalls, the Vidawa Forest Walk is a guided trip
through the Bouma Forest Park. Marked trails (including wooden walkways
and bridges) also exist in the Kula Eco Park, an area of coastal
rainforest rich in wildlife (including parrots, fruit bats and marine
turtles).
Other natural attractions include the Sigatoka Sand Dunes off the
main Queens Highway on Viti Levu, and the acres of orchids and flowering
plants in the Garden of the Sleeping Giant at the foot of the Sabeto
Mountains.
Performance
Meke, a popular thing to watch in Fiji, is
the performance of the Fijian dancing involving
locals dressed entirely in national costume of flower leis, grass
skirts and tapa cloth, beaten from the bark of the Paper Mulberry
tree and hand painted using brown paints made from mangroves, bark
and nuts. Tapa cloths plays an important role in rituals and celebrations.
It can be used for chiefly sashes, waistbands, and streamers to
decorate weapons. The women sing while the men perform warrior dances. |
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