Is Fiji Safe for Solo Female Travellers?

Fiji Solo Female Travel Safety Tips and Advice

Since Fiji is a safe destination, my tips are really pertaining to the culture through a western lens. I was born in Barbados, but raised in Florida, so I could understand some of the Fijian culture through an island life view.

Additionally, there are just general safety guidelines you should observe when traveling solo in any destination!

Fijian Culture

The Fijian culture is quite modest! In fact, if you plan on visiting a village in Fiji, it’s requested that women cover their shoulders and knees. When I visited a village, I wore a shirt with short sleeves and the sarong I had purchased in Nadi.

While a lot of Fijians work on the resorts and see how Westerners dress, out of respect it’s important to honor their culture if you do visit a village.

This was very different to where I was born and where I was raised. However, I really appreciate the more modest approach to dress the Fijians embrace.

Checkout my post on How to Respect Fijian Culture as a Tourist

Solo Female Travellers Should Not Walk Around Alone?

I remember reading a while back that it was advised women should not walk around alone in Fiji. Was this from crime? Was this an assumption made from their modest dress?

I don’t know where this idea of Fiji being dangerous for solo female travellers came from, but aside from the brief moment at Sigatoka, I never felt unsafe. And other than the village visit, my shoulders and knees were visible.

Perhaps the modesty of Fijians and the more traditional views they hold could suggest this mentality as a valid one. I didn’t experience an issue traveling solo in Fiji. Of course, no matter where I travel, I don’t tend to walk around alone at night.

Fijians Love to Ask Questions

Fresh off the plane, I headed to my hotel so I can rest my first day in Fiji and recover from the long flight before getting on a ferry. I hopped in a taxi, and the friendly driver started the questions. How long are you in Fiji? Where are you staying? Are you here alone? Eventually as a solo female traveller you start to wonder why you are being asked such specific questions and if you should answer.

I gave general answers to where I was going and staying and eventually the taxi driver gave me his card if I needed rides. At this point, I knew he was just trying to get some business, though he didn’t need to ask the questions to give me his business card.

I quickly learned most Fijians are curious and will ask questions. Of course, when you are in a new place alone, this can seem alarming. Of course, this fits with a lot of island cultures. Curious, neighborly, nosey, or however you want to frame it is more the norm!

While I still recommend only giving general information or no response at all, the Fijians I encountered are kind, curious and I actually felt more looked after than in danger once I accounted for cultural differences.

General Female Travel Safety

I’ve made a few trips solo and have never had any issues. However, I’m not into partying or drinking. I don’t really go out at night whether I travel alone or not, and I do think this is helpful when it comes to safety.

This is not to say that others who party will be taken advantage of as I know people who do and are completely fine! Just as a general safety measure, it’s best to stay sober.

Consider Travel Insurance

Fiji was the first trip I purchased travel insurance. I had broken a couple bones in recent years and I was planning to do some scuba diving in the ocean for the first time (with bull sharks) so I decided maybe some travel insurance would be a good idea.

SafetyWing offers a very easy to use website! Just be sure to add sports coverage if you plan to do things like scuba diving. It’s worth considering if you’re traveling far like I did, especially if you’re going solo.

Safety tips:

• Fijians ask lots of questions, but it’s usually cultural curiosity, not a threat
• Cover shoulders/knees when visiting villages (out of respect for local culture)
• Use normal travel precautions (don’t walk alone at night)
• Consider travel insurance

My Experiences on the Main Island

Nadi

When I arrived in Fiji, I got a taxi to Nadi’s downtown area to buy a sulu (sarong), some sunscreen and bug spray. When the taxi driver was dropping me off, he made sure to emphasize I avoid certain areas and to not let people pull me into various stores. He said they wouldn’t let me leave if I didn’t buy anything. I mentioned that to another tourist and was told that was not an issue.

Either way, I stayed more on guard in Nadi, but I still enjoyed walking around a bit. Sometimes locals are more critical, but that shows me there are people who care for the safety of others.

Overall, I didn’t think Nadi was worth visiting anyway. And I think the best of Fiji is NOT on the main island. While I went to Nadi for needed items, I wouldn’t have missed out on anything from a tourist sense by not going.

Natadola Beach and Sigatoka

The last four days of my two weeks in Fiji was spent on the main island because I wanted to take surfing lessons. While Natadola Beach is beautiful and great for beginner surfing lessons, I didn’t get to surf until my last day.

Though I didn’t have any issues in Fiji, all the mild concerns or moments were on the main island. And it’s the main island (Viti Levu) I recommend skipping anyway.

Overall, I am not as fond of my time on the main island as my experience island hopping in the Yasawa Islands! Though I didn’t have any issues in Fiji, all the mild concerns or moments were on the main island. And it’s the main island I recommend skipping anyway.

Story of Solo Hike on the Main Island

This story is probably the only moment I felt unsafe for a brief second, but overall I just laugh about it. As women, I think we just get too much negative messaging which is supposed to help keep us safe, but sometimes leads us to the worst case scenario too fast.

As a back story, I will go on nature walks in Florida alone. I will paddle board in the ocean alone. Bike riding, alone. Basically, I’m not afraid to do things alone, though people will always know where I am!

I’ve gone on walks with a friend and when a man is approaching, she’ll freak out. Now, I know there are bad men in the world! But I also know there are good men! When I’m out and about, it’s rare for me to go straight to the worst case scenario.

Solo Hike Sigatoka Sand Dunes

So I’m walking on a trail to the Sigatoka Sand Dunes alone. As I’m walking, I see a man in the distance weed whacking in the field. He’s far away, so it’s just something I observe. I continue walking and admiring the views. Taking time to look at the unique butterfly and its wings. Just enjoying myself.

Eventually, I pass a man on the trail I’m walking who is fixing the weed whacker so he can continue with the work he was doing. We exchanged pleasantries and I kept going. Now you might think passing a man with a broken weed whacker is cause for alarm. This didn’t really phase me.

I kept walking, and looking ahead I see a man walking my direction on the trail and in one of his hands is a machete.

While I don’t usually go to worst case scenarios in my mind, this was a moment I did! I remember thinking serial killer, buried in the field out here thoughts, but then I kind of laughed at myself a bit.

As we walked closer to each other, I stayed alert, but I had pushed the worst case out of my brain to stay in the moment. When we were close enough to hear one another, he said hello and confirmed that I was on the right path for the sand dunes.

I said thank you as we walked by each other and I turned my head to ensure he had kept walking. As I said, I remained alert. There was nothing to worry about in reality, but if there was a time for my brain to think of a worst case, this was it.

So is Fiji safe for solo female travellers? Well, I survived a solo hike with no one around, except a man with a machete and lived to tell the tale.

Thankfully, this experience happened at the end of my trip, so I was already aware of the Fijian culture and just how gentle and genuine Fijians tend to be.

So is Fiji safe for solo female travellers? Well, I survived a solo hike with no one around, except a man with a machete and lived to tell the tale. All jokes aside, Fiji is a safe destination for solo female travellers!

How to Get Around Fiji as Solo Female

On the main island, I just organized taxis or transport through the resort. I definitely encountered some frustrations which only added to my “don’t bother with the main island” sentiment.

Public transport is probably an option, but I think you are better off hiring a taxi on your own to save time. My frustration was working with the resort on transport, and just negotiating with a taxi driver myself would have saved me from that annoyance.

The resort quoted me a per person price in an email, but I found out at the resort they assumed a couple at minimum. They should be quoting per vehicle, so in my opinion, this is their mistake. It’s something to be aware of if working with a resort, especially a smaller, cheaper “resort.”

For island hopping, you can do so with a plane, helicopter or most commonly a ferry. The Yasawa Islands ferry is a well oiled machine and makes it easy to island hop. You can buy a Bula Pass for a various number of days to island hop.

Island hopping in Fiji was by far my favorite part. Check out The Ultimate Guide to Fiji Island Hopping Tours: Yasawa Islands

Where to Stay in Fiji for Solo Travellers

There are plenty of options for solo female travellers in Fiji! I was very surprised to learn just how affordable it could be to visit as a solo traveller. A lot of resorts in the Yasawa Islands have dorms, which makes it easy if you’re on a budget or if you want to meet other solo travellers.

For the cheapest option you can do homestays. These will be in the villages, so be sure pack modest clothing for these stays and prepare for basic Fijian etiquette.

It’s worth noting that regardless of the room you choose at these resorts, you have to pay for a food package. I appreciate that Expedia gives you the final price.

In the above screenshot from Expedia, you see the dorm price and then the total price is significantly higher. This is because Expedia gives you the final price by including the “resort fee” which I know is the food package. This makes it easy for you to budget accordingly! You will pay for the food package on arrival to the resort, so to reserve, you are only paying for the dorm bed or room.

Final Thoughts: Is Fiji Safe for Solo Female Travellers?

So is Fiji safe for solo female travellers? I certainly think so after spending two weeks exploring the beautiful islands of Fiji! As with any destination, it’s good to keep your wits about you, use common sense and be respectful of local culture. I found the Fijians to be warm and caring, gentle and strong.

When I first booked my flight, I wasn’t sure if I’d regret the long travel to Fiji. Well, I LOVED my time island hopping in the Yasawa Islands of Fiji and I’m so glad I didn’t let going solo or the long journey to get there stop me.

So if you are a solo female traveller who loves adventures and relaxation in paradise, then Fiji is a great destination for you!