helloworld Travel Lower Hutt - Recent staff trips

I joined Air New Zealand and Tourism Fiji on a famil trip exploring the Coral Coast and Mamanuca Islands, travelling between resorts, experiencing different styles of accommodation and, most importantly, getting out and experiencing Fiji itself.

What I came away with was a much better understanding of just how different a Fiji holiday can be.

Getting to Fiji with Air New Zealand

Our journey started in Wellington, connecting through Auckland before flying to Nadi on an Air New Zealand Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.

The aircraft felt spacious and modern, and I was pleasantly surprised by the generous legroom in Economy. The electronic window shades were another nice touch, while the inflight entertainment had a great selection of movies and programmes.

And I have to mention the warm garlic roll. Definitely one of my favourite parts of the meal service!

Arriving into Nadi was straightforward, with bags coming through fairly quickly before the final customs screening.

For anyone needing an overnight stay near the airport, Fiji Gateway Hotel is directly across the road from the terminal, while Tokatoka Resort Hotel is right next door. Both are incredibly convenient options.

Discovering Fiji's Coral Coast

From Nadi, we made our way along the Coral Coast, and this quickly became one of my favourite parts of the trip.

The Coral Coast gives you that classic tropical Fiji experience, but with the added opportunity to explore the landscapes, villages and culture of Viti Levu.

What really stood out was how different the resorts along the coast are.

Naviti Resort

Naviti Resort has that classic Fijian resort feel, with a beachfront location, pools, a swim-up bar and a strong all-inclusive offering. It's a great option for families and couples who want an easy, relaxed holiday where everything is taken care of.

Warwick Fiji

Warwick Fiji is another great all-rounder, with multiple pools, swim-up bars, tennis and squash courts, an adults-only beach area and a Kids' Club. There's plenty to keep you occupied without needing to leave the resort.

Tambua Sands Beach Resort

Then there is Tambua Sands, which is almost the complete opposite. With only around 25 rooms, it's small, quiet and adults-focused.

There isn't an endless list of activities, and that's exactly the point. This is somewhere to slow down, swim from the beach and properly switch off.

Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort

For families wanting more activity, Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort offers a much larger village-style resort experience, with extensive kids' programming, multiple pools, sports and even an Adventure Park.

Natadola Beach: Fiji at Its Most Beautiful

One of the areas that really stood out to me was Natadola Beach.

The beach itself is spectacular, with soft sand, clear water and that picture-perfect setting you imagine when you think of Fiji.

InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa

The InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa offers a luxurious take on the destination. The beachfront setting is beautiful, and the level of service and attention to detail really stood out.

One of my favourite concepts was Club InterContinental, which feels almost like a resort within a resort, with its own dedicated pool and restaurant and a much more private atmosphere.

Yatule Resort & Spa

Next door, Yatule Resort & Spa offers something much smaller and more intimate.

Recently refurbished, it has just 35 bures plus a three-bedroom villa. It feels relaxed and boutique, making it particularly appealing for couples and weddings.

The Fiji Experience I Wouldn't Skip: Sigatoka River Safari

One of the absolute highlights of the entire trip was the Sigatoka River Safari.

I don't often recommend sightseeing tours in Fiji because most people come here to relax by the pool or beach. But this is one experience I would genuinely recommend adding to a Fiji holiday.

The day starts in Sigatoka before heading inland through the spectacular Sigatoka Valley. Once we reached the river, we climbed aboard jet boats and headed upriver.

The ride itself was incredible, combining beautiful scenery and fascinating commentary with plenty of high-energy moments, including the famous 360-degree Sigatoka Spins.

But the best part came when we reached the village.

We were welcomed through a traditional kava ceremony, met the chief and elders, toured the village and learned about everyday Fijian life, customs and traditions.

We then shared a locally prepared Fijian lunch and enjoyed cultural entertainment with the community.

What made the experience even more meaningful was learning about the responsible tourism behind the safari. Village visits are rotated between communities so the benefits of tourism are shared, with a significant portion of profits returned directly to the villages involved.

It was one of those experiences that stayed with me long after we left.

Heading Out to the Mamanuca Islands

After exploring the Coral Coast, we headed out towards the Mamanuca Islands, and the scenery changes completely.

Suddenly you're surrounded by tiny tropical islands, turquoise water, palm-fringed beaches and that unmistakable feeling of being completely removed from everyday life.

What surprised me most was how different each island resort felt.

There really is no single "Fiji island experience".

Beachcomber Island: Barefoot, Social and Fun

Our stay at Beachcomber Island Resort gave us a very different side of Fiji.

This is a casual, social island resort with a distinctly barefoot atmosphere. The pathways are sandy, the accommodation is simple, and the whole place feels relaxed and communal.

It's not trying to be luxury, and that's exactly why it works.

Guests come here to swim, snorkel, meet people and enjoy the island. There's even a turtle conservation programme, adding an environmental element to the experience.

For younger travellers or anyone looking for a fun, informal island escape, Beachcomber is a completely different proposition to Fiji's luxury resorts.

Plantation Island: The Family Favourite

If I were planning a Fiji holiday for a family, Plantation Island Resort would definitely be on my list.

Located on Malolo Lailai Island, Plantation has everything you'd want from a classic family island holiday, including multiple pools, a waterpark-style feature, a beautiful lagoon beach and complimentary kayaking and snorkelling.

The Coconut Kids Club caters for children aged four and above, while accommodation ranges from hotel rooms and beachfront options through to spacious two-bedroom bures.

What really stood out to me was how practical the resort is for families. The room configurations, facilities, activities and dining are all designed around making a family holiday easy.

Even the arrival experience is simple, with a proper jetty meaning you don't need to wade through the water with your luggage.

Lomani: Your Quiet Escape for Two

Right next door is Lomani Island Resort, an adults-only boutique resort for guests aged 16 and over.

This creates one of my favourite combinations for multi-generational travel.

Imagine grandparents staying at Lomani while the children and grandchildren stay at Plantation Island. Everyone is on the same island, but each generation gets the holiday experience they actually want.

Lomani has just 30 rooms, creating an intimate and peaceful atmosphere. The Beachfront Plunge Pool Bures are particularly beautiful, sitting right on the sand with private plunge pools and uninterrupted ocean views.

It's romantic, quiet and completely different from the family-focused atmosphere next door.

Musket Cove: A More Independent Island Experience

Musket Cove Island Resort & Marina was another standout because it feels different from the traditional large resort model.

There's a strong sailing and yacht-club atmosphere, a marina, a provisioning store and a real sense that this is somewhere people come back to again and again.

The Island Villas are particularly appealing, offering plenty of space and access to their own dedicated pool.

Musket Cove is relaxed and slightly more rustic, making it a great option for travellers who want a little more freedom and a less commercial island experience.

It feels like somewhere you can settle into rather than somewhere you need to constantly be entertained.

Malolo Island Resort: Boutique Island Meets Family Holiday

Malolo Island Resort offers a really nice balance between a boutique island escape and a family-friendly resort.

With just 46 ocean-facing rooms, it feels intimate while still having plenty of facilities.

There's a Kids' Club, teenage lounge, adults-only pool and multiple dining options, including an adults-only restaurant.

And one of the details I loved? The resort has its own ice cream parlour making fresh ice cream.

Because let's be honest, that's going to be a pretty big selling point for the kids!

The overall feeling is refined but relaxed, with enough going on to keep families entertained without making the resort feel huge or overwhelming.

Castaway Island: The Classic Fiji Dream

If someone asked me to describe the quintessential Fiji island holiday, Castaway Island Resort would be pretty close to the picture in my head.

The resort occupies its own private island, so there are no neighbouring resorts, just tropical gardens, beaches and ocean surrounding you.

With around 65 bures and suites, it offers a more intimate island experience while still being incredibly family-friendly.

Many of the bures can accommodate up to five guests, making it a great option for families, while the larger Grand Bure offers two master bedrooms.

There are complimentary water sports, a Kids' Club, multiple restaurants and flexible meal plans, including the option to add all-inclusive.

One thing I particularly liked was the opportunity to genuinely disconnect. There are no televisions in the rooms and Wi-Fi is limited to public areas.

Sometimes that's exactly what a Fiji holiday should be about.

What This Trip Taught Me About Choosing a Fiji Resort

Probably my biggest takeaway from this trip was that choosing a Fiji resort is about much more than simply finding a beautiful beach.

The right resort depends on who you're travelling with and what you actually want from your holiday.

For families, I'd be looking closely at Plantation Island, Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort and Castaway Island, where kids' facilities, accommodation and activities are a big part of the experience.

For couples, Lomani Island Resort, Tambua Sands Beach Resort and Yatule Resort & Spa offer much quieter and more intimate stays, while Club InterContinental adds a more luxurious feel.

For travellers wanting a more independent island lifestyle, Musket Cove really stood out.

And for younger travellers wanting something social and casual, Beachcomber offers a completely different experience again.

Why Fiji Is a Destination I Love Recommending

After this trip, I came away with an even better understanding of why Fiji is such a favourite for New Zealand travellers.

It's easy to get to, the resorts are incredibly diverse, the people are warm and welcoming, and you can make your holiday as relaxing or adventurous as you want.

You can spend seven days doing absolutely nothing but swimming and relaxing, or fill your holiday with cultural experiences, water activities, island-hopping and adventure.

And you can find a Fiji holiday to suit families, couples, groups, honeymooners, multi-generational families and solo travellers.

For me, the biggest lesson was simple:

Don't just choose Fiji. Choose the Fiji experience that's right for you.

Whether that's a beachfront bure on a tiny island, a family resort packed with activities, a quiet adults-only retreat or a luxury stay on Natadola Beach, there is a version of Fiji waiting for you.