Fiji Holidays from the UK: Best Islands, Time to Visit & Getting There

E By Emma · Updated 20 October 2026 · 4 min read

Airports

Nadi International (NAN), Nausori (SUV) for Suva

Flight time

about 26-30h with one or two stops from London to Nadi

Best time to go

May-October (dry season)

Currency

Fijian dollar (FJ$)

Fiji is the South Pacific of the postcards: more than 300 islands, coral reefs, overwater bures and some of the warmest welcomes anywhere. "Bula!" follows you from the airport to the beach, and the pace of "Fiji time" is the whole point. It is also far easier to reach than most Pacific islands, with a big international airport and plenty of resorts at different budgets.

From the UK it is a very long journey, so Fiji makes most sense as the relaxing end to an Australia or New Zealand trip, or as a stop on a round-the-world ticket. This is one of our Oceania guides and covers where to stay, when to go, how to get there and what it costs in 2026.

Where to go in Fiji

Most visitors base themselves on one or two island groups, and the right one depends on your budget and how much you want to move around.

Nadi and Denarau

Nadi is where you land. Most people move on quickly, but Denarau Island, a short drive from the airport, has large international resorts, a marina and golf, and is the departure point for boats to the islands. It is handy for a first or last night.

Mamanuca Islands

The closest island group to Nadi, reached in 30 minutes to two hours by boat. Resorts range from family-friendly to adults-only and luxury private islands, with clear water, snorkelling and day trips to sandbanks such as Cloud 9, a floating bar on the reef.

Yasawa Islands

Further north-west, the Yasawas are wilder and more rugged, with lovely beaches, simpler eco-resorts and backpacker lodges, as well as some upmarket hideaways. The Yasawa Flyer catamaran runs the length of the chain, and island-hopping passes make it easy to combine several stops.

Coral Coast and Pacific Harbour

The south coast of the main island, Viti Levu, has resorts on a long fringing reef, village visits, the Sigatoka Sand Dunes and, at Pacific Harbour, river rafting and shark diving at Beqa Lagoon.

Taveuni, Kadavu and Savusavu

For divers and those who want to escape the crowds, Taveuni (the "Garden Island") has rainforest, waterfalls and the Rainbow Reef. Kadavu and Savusavu on Vanua Levu are quiet and unspoilt, with excellent diving and few visitors.

Best time to visit Fiji

May, June, September and October are a good balance of weather and price. Visiting in the wet season can still work well, but buy travel insurance with good cover and keep an eye on forecasts.

Getting to Fiji from the UK

There are no direct flights from the UK. The quickest routes are usually via Australia or New Zealand (about four hours from Sydney and around three from Auckland), via Hong Kong or Singapore, both served by Fiji Airways, or across North America via Los Angeles or San Francisco. Allow around 26-30 hours' total travel time. Fiji Airways and Qantas or Air New Zealand partners make it easy to add Fiji to a longer trip, and some round-the-world fares include it. Fiji is 11-13 hours ahead of the UK.

Entry requirements

British passport holders do not normally need a visa in advance for a holiday. A visitor permit is usually issued on arrival for up to four months, provided your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your stay and you hold an onward or return ticket. Rules change, so check GOV.UK foreign travel advice and the Fiji Immigration Department before booking.

Getting around

Transfers to the islands are by fast catamaran (South Sea Cruises and the Yasawa Flyer from Port Denarau), by seaplane or helicopter, or by smaller resort boats. On Viti Levu, the Queens Road links Nadi with the Coral Coast and Suva by express bus, taxi or hire car. Fiji Link operates domestic flights to Taveuni, Savusavu and Kadavu.

Money and costs

Fiji uses the Fijian dollar. Island resorts are where most of the money goes: food and drink are often only available at your resort, and meal plans can cost as much as the room, so check what is included. As a rough guide, backpackers can manage on about FJ$150-250 per person per day in the Yasawas, while a mid-range resort holiday is more like FJ$500-800 per person per day including meals and transfers. Cards are taken in resorts and towns but carry cash for villages and markets. Tipping is not expected; many resorts have a staff Christmas fund instead.

We research every guide carefully, but prices, opening times and timetables change. Check them shortly before you travel. Links to our booking partners are affiliate links.