Cruise or resort? Here's the best way to see Fiji

Island hopping or fly-and-flopping? Here's how to see the island nation of Fiji.

Before you book your Fijian getaway... here's what consider. 

Cruise

As I jump off the back of our catamaran and swim ashore to our private beach on Nanuya Lailai, aka the island from the Blue Lagoon movie, it feels like I’ve been whisked away to paradise. “Fiji has become a premier cruise destination in the Pacific thanks to its modern port facilities and variety of island destinations,” says mycruises.com.au

On a four-night Wanderer Cruise with Blue Lagoon Cruises this is evident when I transfer to the 55m (179ft) M.V. Fiji Princess in the Sacred Islands before travelling up to the Yasawa Islands. Here our island hopping highlights include swimming in the bright blue waters of the sacred Sawa-i-Lau caves, snorkelling over colourful coral reefs, visiting local villages and pampering with beach massages.

Blue Lagoon Cruises.Escape 16 May 2025Sat MagPhoto - bluelagooncruises.com

Blue Lagoon Cruises celebrates its 75th anniversary this year and offers three, four and seven night cruises where all activities, except diving, are included. The ship carries a maximum of 64 passengers with up to 30 all-Fijian crew. The comfortable cabins are all air-conditioned and above the waterline, and come with welcome gifts including Blue Lagoon drink bottles, bags, sarongs and amenities. There’s a splash pool that’s filled with ocean water where you can cool off with a drink when the ship is anchored. There’s an unlimited free laundry service plus free, fast and reliable Wi-Fi. Just don’t tell work before you go.

Aerial view of the Sawa-i-Lau Caves in the Yasawa Islands, Fiji

Resort

Looking out over a long, green lawn to the blue water beyond from my balcony at the Hilton Fiji Beach Resort & Spa I have a big decision to make. Should I start my day in my plunge pool or in one of the nine other swimming pools around the resort? While the beach on Denarau Island isn’t the best for swimming, this Hilton resort’s pools come in big, small, kid- friendly and adults-only varieties.

Just 25 minutes’ drive from Nadi Airport, and with its own Fiji Airways check-in and bag drop at reception for an easy departure, this is a five-star fly and flop resort where there are lots of nearby activities the onsite tour desk can arrange if you can only manage to tear yourself away from just relaxing right where you are. The resort has 141 standard guestrooms, 181 self-contained villas, 22 penthouses plus two- and three-bedroom private residences, all stretched along the beachfront with a complimentary Bula Express bus to help you around.

Hilton Fiji Beach Resort & Spa

There’s a free Kids Club that’s a welcome distance from the main pool area and lantern lit dining for the whole family at Nuku. The adults-only Koro complex features two pools, a restaurant and a beachfront bar with live entertainment every night. And be sure to book at least one night at Maravu where those sunset views come with flavour packed South-East Asian dishes and the Signature Fried Rice is a must.

Originally published as Cruise or resort? Here's the best way to see Fiji