Bula!! from one of the friendliest places on earth! The islands of Fiji are known for their pristine beaches, turquoise waters, but it’s the smiling, welcoming people that has visitors coming back again and again! Fiji consists of more than 300 islands, about 100 of which are inhabited. Fiji was settled by ancestors of the Polynesians over 3000 years ago and in the 1800s European settlers arrived to this island paradise. For a time, it was a British colony, but it gained its independence in 1970. Today, Fiji is known throughout the world for its amazing vistas (think “Castaway” movie) and “Bula” spirit. And Fijians love kids, so this island paradise is amazing family-friendly!

More information on Fiji with Kids: http://www.travelwithkids.tv/fiji-with- kids/

Dates of your choosing
Explore the remote islands of Fiji immersing in culture at a lavo and meke (BBQ and dance) in a local village, exploring nature on hikes to waterfalls nestled in the jungle and steaming in hot springs, visiting a school, strolling deserted beaches, exploring below the waves on snorkel outings and more! The combination of a small ship cruise to Fiji’s remote islands with a small island stay in the Mamanucas puts together the best Fiji has to offer families. Start your journey at a small island ringed with white sand and turquoise waters (think Castaway movie with Tom Hanks). Spend your days kayaking and snorkeling exploring Fiji’s underwater world. Then, board a small ship for your cruise to Fiji’s remote islands. Hike to waterfalls and attend a local lovo (traditional feast) on the Garden Island, learn about Fiji’s colonial past and visit a school in Levuka and much more!

Day 1:
Arrive in Fiji and transfer to by boat (25 – 40 minutes) to Treasure Island (or similar) to start your days in Paradise!

Overnight Oceanview Bungalow on small island.

Days 2 and 3:
After breakfast, spend your day exploring the island and its surround. Choose to take out a kayak and paddle around the island or don snorkel gear to explore the underwater life…colorful fish darting in and out of the even more colorful coral. In the afternoon perhaps visit the turtle pond to learn about turtles and conservation and help feed them or send the kids to the Kid’s Club while you relax by the pool or on the beach or have a massage (not included). In the evening, you may enjoy participating in the crab races or dancing the night away to the famous house band.

Overnight Oceanview Bungalow on small island. (B)

Day 4:
After breakfast, enjoy your last few hours on this special island before boarding your small ship cruise, and home for the next seven nights. Set sail to Captain Cook Cruises’ private island, Tivua Island where you can enjoy an afternoon snorkel and beautiful sunsets. Then, join the Captain and his crew for the Gala Captain’s Dinner.

Overnight Captain Cook Cruises or similar. (D)

Day 5:
Explore Levuka on the island of Ovalau, one of the original settlements of the British Colonists. Stroll the waterfront promenade meeting locals selling all sorts of fruits and vegetables. In the afternoon, visit Marist Convent Primary School where you will meet local school kids and witness many Fijian dances.

Overnight Captain Cook Cruises or similar. (B, L, D)

Day 6:
After breakfast, participate in a traditional Fijian ceremony before touring a giant clam and turtle nursery.

Overnight Captain Cook Cruises or similar. (B, L, D)

Day 7:
In the morning we arrive in Savusavu where guests can choose to tour a pearl farm and peruse the markets or hike to a river and go tubing…stopping to jump from cliffs and soak in hot springs – where the kids will love to take a mud bath – along the way! In the afternoon, relax on the beaches of Savusavu Bay.

Overnight Captain Cook Cruises or similar. (B, L, D)

Day 8:
This morning we arrive on Taveuni Island – the “Garden Island” of Fiji where we hop a bus and pass villages with lots of shouts of “Bula!” until we reach the trailhead for Bouma Waterfalls. After a short hike through amazing jungle scenery, cool off with a swim at the base of this spectacular waterfall! Enjoy a picnic lunch along the river before perusing the markets of Naselesele Village. In the evening, we return to the village for a traditional “lovo” – earth oven feast. After a kava ceremony – as outsiders we are not allowed to enter the village without the ceremony – we dine with the locals and then join them in a meke – dance.

Overnight Captain Cook Cruises or similar. (B, L, D)

Day 9:
In general Fijians are very musical and this morning you will hear their voices in action at a special choral church service at Wairiki on the western side of Taveuni. The island lies on the 180th Meridian, the International Date Line. After the service, our crew will take you to the famous Dateline Meridian where you can literally stand with one foot in the past and one foot in the future on the international dateline. In the afternoon we visit Whispering Tide, a beautiful crescent of remote beach for swimming and snorkeling.

Overnight Captain Cook Cruises or similar. (B, L, D)

Day 10:
Cruising southwest from Vanua Levu we arrive at Nananu-i- ra on the northern coast of Viti Levu for our customary swim, snorkel and beachcombing. A lazy morning to enjoy our beach visit or an energetic hike about the mountain. After lunch there is our last opportunity ashore before we begin our homeward journey. This evening don your sulu (sarong) and join all the celebrations of our Pacific Island Night Finale. Pre-dinner cocktails and appetizers are served in the Ra Marama Lounge before our gala farewell dinner featuring the music and dance of the South Pacific.

Overnight Captain Cook Cruises or similar. (B, L, D)

Day 11:
After breakfast, disembark at Nadi for your onward journey home.

Water Activities: Treasure Island & Remote Islands
Learn to kayak or stand up paddle to skim over the surface of the vibrant turquoise waters of the South Pacific seas or opt to dive in deeper for a snorkel to explore life below the waves. Fiji has some of the best coral growth in the world and you will be amazed by the giant forms and unique shapes of these delicate living reefs! Kayaking, Stand-Up Paddle Board and Snorkel Gear are all included both on the island and on the ship.

Self-Guided Walking Tour of Levuka
The captain will give you an overview of the colonial past in Levuka (it was the capital of Fiji for some time) and then give you a map and guide and set you free to explore the sites at your leisure. Visit the soaring church steeple, the Masonic Temple (which was burnt down due to locals believing it possessed black magic), the oldest pub in the Pacific and more!

School Visit
Visit one of the local schools to learn about how Fijian families live, what school is like on a small island, see some traditional dances and hear the beautiful voices of the Fijian kids, and interact with the local kids.

Guided Visit to Bouma Waterfalls 
Light hike (walk) through the lush green jungle spotting birds and frogs along the way, to the base of Bouma Waterfalls. Choose to stop and frolic in the froth of the first waterfall or continue on to an overlook and possibly the second waterfall (moderate hike).

Lovo and Meke 
Participate in the very traditional kava ceremony of a small village on this remote island, which rarely sees tourists. After being welcomed to the village to the chief, a feat they still take very seriously today, you will meet some of the local families and enjoy a feast and learn to meke (dance) with them as they celebrate your arrival.

Choral Church Service
Tender to shore for a traditional church service where locals sing like angels. Participate or just watch. Even if you are not religious, this service provides excellent in sight into local life and shows off Fijian musical talents at their best.

180th Meridian Visit
Visit one of the only places in the world where you can straddle the International Dateline, literally standing with one foot in today and one foot in tomorrow.

Coming Soon!