The Coral Coast is 80 kilometres of white sand on the sunny southern shores of Fiji’s largest island, Viti Levu. It’s maybe best known for great value all-inclusive resorts, but the Coral Coast is also packed tight with gems to tempt you off your lounger. So put down that banana daiquiri! Here are 11 extraordinary ways to experience more in the Coral Coast.
1. Go wild at Kula WILD Adventure Park.
Looking for a bit of Fiji’s “wild side”? This is the spot! From its roots as a small wildlife park, Kula has grown to be Fiji’s only captive breeding facility for endangered indigenous species. Besides that, it’s a hands-on environmental centre and the family fun park, with a roller coaster zip rail and jungle waterslide. Make tracks on an easy elevated boardwalk through lush tropical foliage: It’s the perfect vantage point, with views of the forest floor and the heights of the canopy. Best yet, huge walk-through enclosures put you right in the habitats of resident feathered and scaly friends.
2. Splash out on a Sigatoka River Safari.
Consistently voted one of Australasia’s leading adventure tours, Sigatoka River Safari is a uniquely Fijian adventure. You’ll cruise up the stunning Sigatoka River to visit small villages and meet the ‘kaiviti’ (Fijians) who live there. A knowledgeable and hilarious jet boat driver really brings the journey to life, so you’re sure to come away having learned quite a bit about the history, customs and legends of the area. Part of your ticket price goes toward supporting community improvement initiatives in the villages you visit, so you can feel extra good about taking this trip.
3. Go out and do some good.
We often hear from customers who’ve loved their Fijian holiday — and the locals they’ve met — so much that they’re after a way to give back. Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort offers a way to do just that! Tuesdays and Thursdays each week, the resort gives guests a chance to join its engineering team for some short community work at the Sigatoka Hospital, followed by a town tour. The resort provides transfers and water; you provide sunscreen and a big heart.
4. Rock out on an off-road cave safari.
Hop in an all-terrain vehicle and head deep into the island’s interior. Your entertaining guide will be full of knowledge about local villages and culture, so expect to learn quite a bit along the way! You’ll call into small villages en route to a spectacular viewing point. The real highlight, though, is a fascinating look at Fiji’s largest cave system, the Naihehe Cave, and its dark history.
5. Get on track with Ecotrax.
Get out into the stunning rainforests and mangroves with…as much or as little effort as you like! EcoTrax pops you on an “electric assisted bicycle” and sends you down historic sugar cane railway toward some pretty spectacular scenery. You’ll stop by Malomalo village on the way toward remote and totally unspoiled Vunabua (Frangipani) Beach. Once there, jump in for a snorkel or just relax with snacks on comfy inflatable couches. Then back to your bicycle for a trip back to base. Use electric power of the bike or your own legs…or, you know, a bit of both. Thanks to child seat attachments and accessible bench seats, this is an adventure perfect for nearly everyone.
6. Hit the green at Natadola Bay Golf Course.
With views like this, you can’t really call anything “in the rough.” Excuse the name drop, but Fiji golf legend Vijay Singh helped this 18-hole championship course in its recent refresh. The holes offer world-class challenges but the real standout is the dramatic landscape, from rolling hills to absolute beachfront. With a Pacific Ocean backdrop on 15 of the holes, keeping your focus might be a challenge! And if you look forward to the 19th hole as much as we do, rest assured the South Pacific-style clubhouse has got breath-taking views and a delicious menu.
7. Test your wings Flyboarding.
Look like something out of a Marvel movie when you test out jet-propelled flight out over the water. Strap your feet into a Flyboard (or rocket boots, as some call them) and shoot atop the ocean. You’ll literally walk on water — if you can stay upright. But the stakes are low, and splashing back into the ocean is half the fun. Sessions include training, so it’s perfect for beginners.
8. Head to Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park.
Most people say “erosion” like it’s a bad thing, but it’s exactly what we have to thank for Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park — which is the product of eroding coast land. These natural processes have scattered sandy bumps between 20 and 60 metres tall across nearly 650 hectares! These dunes have been forming over millions of years…In fact, archaeologists have found pottery dating back more than 2600 years! (If you’re keen to see the artefacts, head to the Fiji Museum in Suva.) As you explore, keep your eyes peeled for pieces of the past. We should also mention that the Gold Medal-winning Flying Fiji sevens team trains here, so you might get lucky and spot some athletes.
9. Check out the Biausevu Waterfall.
A gorgeous rush of water falling toward a sparkling turquoise swimming hole surrounded by lush jungle, this spot makes a perfect day trip. There are plenty of local guides available to keep you informed and entertained on the walk to the falls. It’s about an hour easy walking from Biausevu village: In other words, an excellent way to earn that ice cream!
10. Tackle the surf at Natadola.
In a country where competition is fierce, Natadola is consistently one of Fiji’s top-rated beaches. With sugary soft white sand and gleaming turquoise waters but don’t be lulled: This is a fantastic place for surfing. The shore break here is perfect for bodyboarders and beginners, while the inside reef break keeps longboarders of all levels happy.
11. Chill out with a spa visit.
Massages have been part of Fijian culture for centuries. Spas here offer an array of treatments based on traditional techniques and local ingredients. One of our favourites has to be Bebe Spa and its dreamy Bebe Vakaviti Signature Massage, which employs classic Fijian massage techniques to ease the stress out of even the most tightly wound visitor. Almost as delicious as the treatment list is the setting: This gorgeous spa floats over Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort on a plateau known to locals as Vakalomalagi Hill — “Heavenly Hill” — and is surrounded by sweeping views of the Coral Coast. You definitely won’t want to leave, but you’ll be saying that a lot in Fiji.
