Fiji Activities🤿

This blog will go into more detail on the different activities we did on the four islands that we visited. Each resort provides paid and free activities that you can choose from. They differ each day, but if there was an activity that you really wanted to do, you can ask the staff at the resort to see if they would be able to do it on your preferred day as well. Paid activities will be added to your bill, which you pay at the end of your stay when you check out.

BLUE LAGOON

Caves Trip ($99 FJD each)

The Cave trip was a 30 minute boat ride to another island and included visiting two different caves called Sawa-i-Lau Caves. If you are afraid of tight spaces and the dark, this activity might not be for you. You first go down some tight stairs, which leads into the first cave (right picture). This cave is the bigger one and has a huge plunge pool that you can swim and jump into (middle picture).

From this pool you are led into the second cave (left picture). Depending on high tide, you might need to swim under water for four seconds through tight spaces into the smaller cave. As we went at 10am, we did not have to swim under water as the tide was not as high then. Both caves were pretty cool, we learnt about the history of them, as well being told that it was the cave used in the Blue Lagoon movie, a movie we have still yet to watch but have been told is a good one.

On the beach where the cave is, there are a few stalls that you can buy souvenirs and jewellery from. If you don’t have any cash on you, you can ask the staff to make a note of it and then pay it back when you are at the resort, they only take cash.

Blue Lagoon Summit Hike (free)

This hike is roughly a 45 minute walk to the highest point of the island. However, it took us a lot longer because we kept stopping at different points to take in the views and photos. We also wanted to try out our new drone, which we spontaneously bought at the airport in Melbourne, however the higher we go the windier it was, so we couldn’t use it at the top.

It took us roughly two hours to return back to the resort but we saw an amazing sunset, which made the hike ten times better. We also chose to hike in our crocs, which was not a smart idea because we had no grip whatsoever.

Other free activities which we did included Snorkelling round the Reef, Yoga, Pool Volleyball and a Movie Night - all of which are advertised at the Dive Shop. The snorkels are free to use, but if you do not return the masks before 5pm every day, you will be charged $25 FJD, which is added to your bill.

BAREFOOT MANTA

Snorkelling with Manta Rays ($99 FJD each)

At Barefoot Manta, we got the opportunity to swim with Manta Rays. They offer snorkelling sessions twice a day depending on the tide. Manta Rays live in the channel between the two islands, where the current is quite strong. If you are not a strong swimmer, definitely take a life jacket, which is what I did. We have both seen Mantas before in Indonesia, but it wasn’t very ethical here as they feed the Mantas, which disrupts their natural life cycle. However, in Fiji, during peak season you can see many Mantas naturally in this channel, however our trip fell at the end of the high season, so we were not guaranteed to see any. Despite this we were lucky and saw one Manta, which the marine biologists had previously named flappachino! The groups after us didn’t see any Mantas for the next three days, so also take this into account when booking. If you don’t see Mantas you will not be refunded, but the amazing marine life in the channel is worth the price, regardless of any Manta Ray activity!

Marine Biology Tour ($109 FJD each)

The Marine Biology tour was pretty interesting and we learnt a lot about the coral and how to save the reef. We spent 30 minutes talking to a marine biologist before going into the sea and she educated us on the marine life found on the reef as well as the conservation efforts being made at Barefoot Manta. When we got in the water (directly from the beach), we identified pieces of living and healthy coral that had been broken off by the tides, which we then placed onto dead parts of the coral. Doing this will allow the coral to fuse to the dead coral and start to regrow. We also learnt about Crown of Thorns, which are a species of starfish, that eat and destroy the coral. To get rid of them, we would find them on the coral, use a sharp aluminium stick and ply them off the coral, the staff would then bury the starfishes as they are almost impossible to kill due to their regenerative properties. Sadly, when we did the tour, we were unable to do this particular activity because the school trip that were on the island at the time, were taken on it instead. Therefore, we personally thought the Marine Biology tour was not worth the $109. Ned did say that if we were able to do Crown of Thorn removal, then he would have thought it was worth it as he really wanted to do it.

Viewpoint walk (free)

The viewpoint walk takes around 25 minutes to get to the top and there are three different viewpoints that you can stop at. Pretty easy to do but the perfect way to start the day! Can do it either at sunrise/sunset or both if you want.

OCTOPUS RESORT

Morning Hike ($50 FJD each)

We were told that the Octopus Hike was a must do activity so we singed up to it as soon as we got to the resort. They do the guided hike three times a week and it is an early riser activity due to the increased temperatures in the afternoon. We didn’t realise at the time that it was going to be 3 hours and also involve scaling rocks and using a rope to get to the top. If you look closely enough in the picture on the left, you can see the two yellow ropes that we had to use to pull ourselves up to get to the summit. So definitely wear proper shoes, no crocs this time! We had to meet at 7am in order to finish the hike before it got too hot, but it was still very humid throughout the hike. There was ten of us and two guides and it took an hour and a half each way. At the top, we spent roughly 20 minutes taking in the views and learning about the history of the islands. You can see a 360 view of the island as well as the islands of Manta, Kuata and Nadi in the distance. The guides also carried up some fresh oranges and apples as a treat for us at the top.

Hand-line Fishing ($50 FJD each)

We also did hand-line fishing one afternoon. We got taken out to three different fishing spots, were provided with a fishing line and taught how to catch fish. I started off strong catching a nice snapper but then Ned of course had to one up me and caught a huge cod. The staff let us give it to the kitchen so that we could have it for lunch the next day. However, when lunch came around they had mixed up the fishes and couldn’t give us the one Ned caught. They did however, give us an even bigger fish and all the sides as well as a glass of champagne to apologise for their mistake.

BAREFOOT KUATA

Scuba Diving with Bull Sharks ($369 certified, $429 uncertified)

You can’t go to Fiji and not dive with Bull Sharks! After we sorted our itinerary with Travel Playground, we contacted Barefoot Kuata to book in our session. Uncertified divers cost more as we have to have a guide to take us down to the shark spot. We also have to have an hour training session to sign a few forms and have a practice in the pool getting use to breathing underwater. You have to understand how to clear your mask under water and how to equalise properly.

This experience was incredible but also very nerve wracking, especially for me! However, you do feel completely safe. This activity has been done twice a day, every day for the last ten or so years, so they know what they are doing. The staff here are so kind and friendly and talk you through everything. Once you get all your equipment, mask, fins etc, we get taken out on the boat around 15 minutes to the diving spot. Once everyone is suited up you get into the water one by one, and make your way down to a rock wall on the seabed, where the sharks are already waiting.

You then all line up on your knees and just sit there and watch the amazing bull sharks in their natural habitat. The sharks are fed here, which may at first seem unethical but the sharks do not migrate and are found naturally here all year round, and so are very happy for the occasional feeding sessions. Watching them chomp down on a huge fish head is really amazing to see, so don’t miss it! You are down for approximately 30 minutes before returning to the surface, seeing the beautiful coral along the way.

Snorkelling with Reef Sharks ($119 FJD each)

The other popular activity is snorkelling with Reef Sharks, it normally costs $119 but Ned got a mask, snorkel and fins and went out on his own, which we don’t recommend to do. You definitely need a guide as the snorkelling spot is in the boat channel, so anyone who goes has to notify the resort as any boats/ferries which come by know that there are people in the water. However, you can go to Back Beach behind the resort and see the reef sharks from the shore if you don’t want to snorkel with them.

Summit Hike (free)

We did the Summit Hike on the day we left Kuata. The walk was 45 minute return, was steep at some points but the view at the top was pretty good, perfect way to end out island hopping trip!