🖐 In this travel guide we’ll share all our experience travelling to Fiji's Coral Coast. If this is your first time on Dronemade, we're a community of drone pilots around the world and thus like to share our travel experiences and how we see things from up there. Give a 👍 at the end of this post & feel free to share your experience or any updates you might have in the Fiji Discussion Group. Keep in mind that the content below is updated to the best of our knowledge & does not replace official sources & your research.
Fiji's Coral Coast is located on the South Coast of Viti Levu, Fiji's largest island and the one you're most likely to land upon if travelling from overseas. Stretching between the cities of Nadi and Pacific Harbour, it is the ultimate Fijian road-trip crossing through local villages and driving along the coast most of your way. You can complete it within 5 h without stopping or spend a week to enjoy it all and not miss a thing.
But before digging into the Fiji's Coral Coast wonders and places to be, we've put together a little video of Fiji for you to enjoy and picture yourself there.. "🎬🍿 It's movie time! "
Where is it exactly & how to get to Fiji's Coral Coast?
The only way to reach it is by road or boat. You can start your trip from either Suva or Nadi and complete it in as much time as you need to. We would recommend you between 5 days and a week to do it properly but you can skip some of the stops to go quicker if wanted.
🚙🚌🛵 By road: You can rent a car or a motorcycle at either end of the road trip, and drop it at the other for an extra one way fee. Another option is to catch one of the local buses driving along the coast. They pass almost every hour except between lunch time, if done at once, the entire trip from Nadi to Suva cost about US$10, expect a little more if you're hopping on and off over a few days.
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💡 If choosing the road, we recommend you do a complete circle around Viti Levu island as the North is really different being more remote. Allow between 1 weeks and 10 days to complete this road trip.
⛵ By boat: there are a coupe of tour operators that will go along the Coral Coast, usually as part of a longer cruise to Kadavu or Taveuni Islands. You can also rent your own sailboat and crew (if needed) to sail along the coast. We do not necessarily recommend this option as frankly renting a boat is best when you can't reach this place by road..
What to do on Fiji's Coral Coast?
There is a lot to do on your way and a stopover almost every hour so make sure you pack your sunscreen and beach towel last to easily retrieve it during your day in paradise. There is little doubt you will adventure yourself for a swim or two but the Coast has so much more to offer. Many historical parts of Fiji can be visited and understood here so if the weather doesn't look too good, there is still plenty to do. We've done our trip from Suva to Nadi so will explain things to do in this order but you can reverse it if starting from Nadi.
Surfing
Surfing Fiji's Coral Coast is one of these things you just have to do. Most the coast is protected by a large lagoon so you will have to swim a fair bit to reach these waves and be careful to hop off before they crush into the coral. We recommend a little experience before adventuring yourself on these waves and take a medium to small size surfboard as you will have to carry it for a few days.
💡 You can rent one onsite but if you really want to take yours, check your airline's policy before booking it. Fiji Airways charges a flat US$45 per surfboard (one way) for e.g.
Go Swimming
We mean, you're on an island in the tropics.. what else would you do! The waters are safe and generally calm with plenty of beach space for you and your loved ones to enjoy. Coral reefs are only a few meters away so don't forget your snorkel gear. Another great option for you to go and swim is to head to Biausevu Falls next to Fiji Beachouse. The falls are a little off the main road (Queens Road) and its best to get there with a car or motorcycle.
Sigatoka
No matter how much time or in which direction you will do your road-trip, you will have to pass by Sigatoka. This town is buzzing with life, and organised around the central bus station and market. Every morning until 12 pm, you will find locals selling fresh produces or home made snacks. This is your place to fill up with stocks, dress up or fix something if you needed so. The historic town is home to interesting colonial architecture such as the Shri Radha Krishna Temple.
Spend some time walking along the East side of Sigatoka river where you will meet locals fishing in the river and share their feelings with you should you have a bit of time for them. About 30 mins on your way, you will reach Naroro, entrance to Tavuni Hill Fort, a place of dark history for Fiji but offering an outstanding 360° view on the river bed.
Nakabuta - Lapita Pottery Village
An hour work island from Sigatoka or 10 mins ride, this is a must do on your trip. This little village found a way to express themselves and raise funds for their community by creating local potteries and artwork. The village is tiny, about 25 houses and a church but their inhabitants' hospitality is unequalled. Make sure to get a souvenir for you or a loved one there as this will help them directly, no intermediary. We recommend you also bring along a gift for the village such as a ball or a hat for the kids, alternatively, you can also donate a little something in the local church's donation box.
Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park
This impressive natural site is worth half a day of your life. To explore this unique site, you will need to go through a little forest track and then make your way up the 60 m sand dune to admire and enjoy the landscape. Extending over 2.5 kms, it is one of the largest sand dunes in the Pacific but also an important place for Fijian history.
The dunes of Sigatoka are one of the oldest and largest burial sites in the Pacific with evidence of this past clearly visible throughout the dune system as pottery scatters, stone tools, human remains and other archaeological relics that continue to be uncovered by natural processes
💡 On your way up from the entrance (open from 8 am to 5 pm), make sure to stop exactly here ! From the little shed, you will be able to observe Fiji's largest bat colony.. If you come around sunset, you will be spectator of a beautiful ballet of bats taking off to find their food overnight. The entrance to the park cost about US$5, you can also buy water or ice creams at the kiosk but no hot food available.
Namuka Bay
Probably the most remote part of your trip, Namuka Bay will require you to have your own transportation as no buses will lead you there. We've been extremely lucky in our hitch hiking as a local wanted to see this place he never took time to visit before.
Another adventure way to get there is to walk above the now closed railway passing through the mangrove and a few local village, straight to Sigatoka Sand Dunes. Onsite, you will feel completely remote (no internet or phone reach) and alone facing the reef, the only place to stay overnight is the Namuka Bay Lagoon Resort so make sure to book ahead.
Where to stay & eat on Fiji's Coral Coast?
🚪 There are several options for all budgets. Only real recommendation is to find a place on the coast side of the road (not inland) as you want to make sure to have this lagoon view when waking up for your morning swim.
If budget isn't a concern during your stay, then Ultiqa Fiji Palms Beach Resort is the place to be. With an almost perfect guest score, you will be treated like a king in this luxurious and scenic palace. On the other end, Fiji Beachhouse offers a more affordable alternative by being the only dorm available to book online for the island. This last one is a real gem for backpackers with beach volleyball, a pool, a bar, outdoor showers and an outstanding view of the turquoise lagoon.
If none of these suit you or are available, don't be too sad, there are a myriad of other accommodation offers just next to these and most seem quite decent too. We found them using our hotel price comparative tool to make sure we booked at the best price.
🍴 There are plenty of options for you on the island but best products and dishes are in town centres. You will find a lot of Indian food thanks to the island's colonisation history. Bigger towns will even display sushi rolls.. We unfortunately do not have a particular place to recommend as mostly ate at our accommodations but street food is delicious no matter where so make sure to pack up on that. For budget travellers, kitchens are not a thing in backpackers so bring easy meals or get ready to buy onsite.
Can I fly my drone o, Fiji's Coral Coast?
🚨 Be aware of the airline you purchase to travel as some main ones will only accept your drone on-board if its batteries are detached & placed in a firecase during travel time. Most airlines will have a battery voltage limit based on the recommendation of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). You can find more info about a specific airline here.
✅ Fiji's Coral Coast is safe for you to fly your drone with no airports nearby but make sure to stay under clouds and 122 m altitude. If you wish to shoot for commercial purposes, Fiji drone rules require you to register your drone ahead of arriving in the country. Finally, not an official rule but consider locals and other visitors; the Coral Coast is a luxurious destination which some couples might choose for their honeymoon or private time aside. Please respect others' and their privacy and avoid flying near hotels and villages.
✅ If you wish to learn all about Fijian drone laws, check out our Fiji drone rules and laws guide anytime. Note that these can evolve within months and its always a good thing to double check upon departure.
What to think of Fiji's Coral Coast?
Well we don't like to write this part of the story so we've put together some of our coolest pics. If you don't feel like seeing them before heading there, we get it and won't be sad.
✅ Please leave a comment or update the Fiji Discussion Group when you receive news and/or gain experience on Fiji's Coral Coast! Have fun over there and make a lot of good memories! #coral #coast #fiji #travel #experience #outdoor #adventure
Disclaimer: Although great care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information researched, we take no responsibility for any loss, harm or damage caused as a direct or indirect consequence of relying on this information. It is your responsibility to seek advice from qualified local & relevant authorities for needed information about local drone rules and regulations.
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