Fiji vs Hawaii

As someone born on an island, there is just something about these small land masses in the middle of an ocean that intrigue and draw me. While my birthplace of Barbados sits in the Atlantic, there is that extra exotic draw the vast Pacific Ocean offers. From island hopping in Fiji to exploring Oahu and the Big Island of Hawaii, I have loved exploring these Pacific Islands!

Of course, I really love exploring any island, but we’re here to discuss Fiji vs Hawaii! These islands have so many similarities, but also have beautiful differences as well! In this post we’ll compare them in various categories so you can decide which set of islands is right for your next trip!

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Geography and Influence | Fiji vs Hawaii

Both Fiji’s main islands and the Hawaiian islands have volcanic origins! So both offer rugged mountain ranges, tropical forests, and an extensive network of rivers and waterfalls. However, only Hawaii has active volcanoes!

Fiji has over 330 islands spread out in the South Pacific and it lies about 1,300 miles North of New Zealand. Hawaii has eight main islands and sits more isolated in the Pacific Ocean about 3,000 miles from Fiji!

Both Fiji and Hawaii enjoy tropical weather, but Fiji experiences a more pronounced wet and dry season due to its location near the Tropic of Capricorn. Overall Hawaii experiences more consistency in weather year round, but they have very defined microclimates from rainforests to deserts!

While both Fiji and Hawaii can experience tropical storms, Fiji is more prone to extreme weather. With Hawaii sitting in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, you wouldn’t think storms would miss it and there does seem to be various reporting numbers on this fact. However, most sources agree Hawaii is rarely hit directly by the eye of a storm.

Fijian vs Hawaiian Culture and Food

Historically, Fiji has a mix of Melanesian, Polynesian, and Indian cultural roots, while Hawaii is predominantly Polynesian. Though modern Hawaii has a lot of Asian and American influence.

Both Fiji and Hawaii have a slow-cooked in an earth oven tradition. In Fiji it is called “lovo” and is used to cook large portions of meat for community wide feasts. In Hawaii, the slow cooking tradition is typically the kalua pig and it’s cooked in the “imu.”

Kokoda, a Fijian version of ceviche made from raw fish marinated in lemon juice and coconut milk, is another popular dish and I can confirm it’s delicious! While Hawaii also has ceviche, the more famous raw fish meal is poke, which I also love! I like mine with spicy tuna, but you can get various types of marinade.

Both Fiji and Hawaii enjoy their native tropical fruits and starchy vegetables. In Hawaii, poi is a staple from the Native Hawaiian diet and is a starchy paste made from taro. Fijian culture has a long history with kava. It’s a drink made from the roots of a native Fijian plant and is said to help with relaxation and sleeping among other things. While poi is often part of traditional Hawaiian feasts, kava includes a ceremony in the Fijian culture.

Hawiian food also has a lot of Asian influence. Particularly Japanese, Chinese, and Filipino which introduced rice, soy, and noodles into the Hawaiian diet. Fiji has a lot of Indian culture in their food. Curry and roti bread are among the common dishes in Fiji.

Winner?

These two destinations have so many similarities and both offer wonderful cultural experiences, so I’m calling it a tie for that category!

The curry is good in Fiji, but Trinidad (where my mum is from) also has a lot of Indian influence and their Indian food is better in my opinion. While Fiji has decent food and wonderful cultural experiences, I’m giving the winner on the food front to Hawaii. While I enjoyed the food in Fiji, it didn’t wow me.

Hawaii will have a range and I’m sure some of their food won’t wow. However, Hawaii also offers more world class restaurants and they have better local holes in the wall as well!

Activities and Attractions | Fiji vs Hawaii

Surfing

Surfing actually originated in Polynesia, however, most of the documentation of surfing took place in Hawaii! While Fiji offers world class waves, surfing is not as ingrained in the culture.

Rugby is the most popular sport in Fiji, and it makes sense as it fits their body and fitness well! If you ask google what sport Hawaii is known for it will say surfing!

While you can take lessons in Fiji, which I did, and surf world class waves, which I’m not good enough for, Hawaii has a much stronger surfing scene.

Advanced Surfing

Both destinations have epic waves for advanced surfers! Hawaii’s top waves are easier to get to, which also means they are more crowded. However, you would have various accommodation options at different price points, which is good if you are on a budget.

Fiji’s top waves are in the Mamanuca Islands, which are not far from the main island of Viti Levu. You will need to book a place on one of the Mamanuca Islands that has a good break, or charter a boat. There was a company I contacted for beginner surf lessons and they offer charters from the main island to the better waves! So if you want to surf the best waves in Fiji, check out Fiji Surf Co.

Beginner Surf Lessons

I didn’t take surf lessons when I was in Hawaii, though I did try to surf once (emphasis on try). Lessons would have been better choice, especially when I was in Waikiki. Of course, there are beginner surf lesson options on any island!

Snorkeling

Hawaii offers snorkeling to see sea turtles, but don’t have the reef system Fiji offers! While island hopping in Fiji, I snorkeled at every island I stayed in the Yasawa Islands. It was so easy since each island had their own fringing reef.

While I never saw sea turtles in Fiji, there is a manta ray season. Since I was there at the end of the season, I was blessed enough to see one in the three days I was staying at Mantaray Island Resort!

I also met a teacher from New Zealand on the ferry who was coming to the Yasawa Islands of Fiji specifically to snorkel! Overall, this is a popular activity in parts of Fiji!

Diving

Both destinations offer scuba diving! In Hawaii, there are sharks to manta rays, but it’s not a coral reef destination as much as Fiji!

In Fiji, I went scuba diving twice! One shallow, beginner dive around some reefs and the other was a bull shark dive!

From what I can tell, humpback whales tend to make an appearance in Hawaii most years between December-March so that is a great time to scuba dive there! Overall, Hawaii seems to offer more advanced ocean diving with wildlife being the main draw.

Fiji offers so much in the way of beautiful coral reefs and they also have amazing wildlife! In fact, they have some of the most extensive coral reefs in the Indo-Pacific. Fiji also has good spots for beginners and advanced diving experiences.

Winner?

I’d have to give this one to Fiji as they have beautiful coral reefs and epic scuba diving involving wildlife. That is not to say Hawaii isn’t a great destination for diving, but overall I have to give Fiji the edge for snorkeling and scuba diving!

Hiking

With over 330 islands that make up Fiji, it’s safe to say there are hiking opportunities! While at Blue Lagoon Island Resort I completed some of their hiking trail which offered some nice views, but overall wasn’t too difficult.

In Hawaii, there is a strong infrastructure for hiking! Hawaii’s hiking trails span all islands and offer views, waterfalls, and volcanoes! I remember walking up a mountain of stairs on Oahu and was rewarded with beautiful views! However, there are hiking trails through rainforests as well!

While Fiji would also offer forests and waterfalls, hiking isn’t as common there. However, Fiji’s hiking trails do look epic! So if hiking is your thing, Fiji is a great destination for that as well!

Winner?

I’m going to have to call this one a tie! However, hiking in Hawaii is more common than in Fiji. Both have great hiking options, so if you enjoy hiking both can be great!

It’s worth noting there is one trail in Suva (Colo I Suva Forest Park) that you should be careful on according to the US Travel Advisory. This is what it says at the time of writing this, so be sure to check the site for updated information.

With it being an isolated area, you would be fine on other trails. In fact, I walked the trail to the Sigatoka Sand Dunes solo and passed a Fijian with a machete and had no issues! You can read the full experience here: Is Fiji Safe for Solo Female Travellers?

Fiji and Hawaii have similar ancestry but very different histories.

One of the most significant spots in Fiji is the Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami Temple in Nadi, the largest Hindu temple in the Southern Hemisphere. Another important historical site is the Fiji Museum in Suva, which houses a vast collection of artifacts, including traditional Fijian weapons, ceremonial masks, and items from the colonial period.

Levuka, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on Ovalau Island, is a well-preserved colonial architecture and it’s significant as the first European settlement and Fiji’s original capital, showcasing the early days of Fiji’s colonial history and its transition to an independent nation.

While in the Yasawa Islands of Fiji, I visited the Sawa-i-Lau Caves which have historical signficance and while at Barefoot Kuata I went on a tour where the local villager told us the history of the cave. You can also do a Village Visit which offers insight into Fijian culture and way of life and join in for Kava Ceremonies.

On Hawaiian island of Oahu I got to visit Pearl Harbor, which has a more recent history for the USA, but it’s still a must visit. While there make sure to also visit the Arizona Memorial and Battleship Missouri Memorial.

For a deep dive into Hawaiian history, don’t miss Iolani Palace, a significant landmark that once served as the royal residence of Hawaii’s monarchy. Kealakekua Bay offers a blend of history and marine life and for those interested in archaeology, the Pu`u Loa Petroglyphs showcase ancient rock carvings that offer a glimpse into early Hawaiian culture. Another one to consider is the Historic Aloha Tower, which once served as the tallest building in Hawaii and is now a symbol of Honolulu’s maritime history.

Of course, a lot of historical offerings in Hawaii merge with national parks and Hawaii has plenty to choose from! I also recommend attending a Luau while in Hawaii for a traditional meal and Polynesian history.

Checkout this Luau: Mauka Warriors Luau Honoring Polynesia’s Forgotten History

Winner?

We’ve got another tie! Both destinations offer history and cultural experiences.

Beaches

Fiji vs Hawaii in beaches, how can either paradise really lose! Both will have calm, clear beaches. Both have beaches with waves! Fiji has fringing reefs so you can snorkel right off the beach and Hawaii has black sand and white sand beaches.

The Coral Coast on the main island of Fiji is known for beautiful beaches, especially Natadola Beach! In the Yasawa Islands, Blue Lagoon Beach Resort had an incredibly beautiful beach!

Just be sure to check the beach you choose to stay on is the right type for you! Hawaii has some beaches that are better for swimming and beaches that are better for just admiring! Fiji’s beaches can also vary greatly, but I really recommend island hopping in Fiji.

Winner?

Both destinations have beaches that are beautiful! Pick your paradise!

Island Hopping

Hawaii is made up a numerous islands and inter-island travel is easy by plane! Of course, for people who like cruising, there are plenty of options to cruise around the Hawaiian Islands, but there isn’t an extensive ferry system (though that could change).

In Fiji, a few of their over 330 islands are accessible by plane! Other islands are easy to get to by ferry, helicopter or sea plane and still other islands are very difficult to visit! The Yasawa and Mamanuca Islands are easy to visit as tourism is well structured for these chain of islands not far from the main island!

I absolutely loved my solo trip to Fiji and the highlight for me was island hopping in the Yasawa Islands! I wouldn’t call the ferry to the Yasawa Islands cheap, but comparing it to other destinations I’ve been, I didn’t think it was outlandish. The ferry offers daily service in the Yasawa Islands and the whole process is a well oiled machine.

Winner?

Fiji is better setup for island hopping overall. With offerings from plane or ferry that are reasonably priced to chartering a boat, sea plane or helicopter. Of course, if you can sail, then you have hundreds of islands you can explore!

Bull Sharks or Volcanoes

I’ve been to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island! While I never saw lava, the park is amazing to see and very large! My cousin and I did not do a tour as she was living there for college and had a vehicle. However, even with a tour, you may not see lava, so be sure to ask and research if that is even possible!

Holiday Types | Fiji vs Hawaii

Solo Travel

While I only spent one day in Hawaii travelling solo, I am confident it’s a good option for solo travel! In Fiji, I spent two weeks solo and I absolutely loved it!

Both destinations are great for solo travel, so it’s just a matter of which will fit your budget and what you want to see and do!

Family Holidays

Both destinations can make great family holidays! Generally, I saw Australian families in Fiji and American families in Hawaii which makes sense based on proximity!

Hawaii and Fiji have all types of resort options, so you can easily find the right accommodation to have a great family holiday!

Honeymoon

Both destinations have luxury accommodations that would make an amazing honeymoon! From affordable luxury to super exclusive, you can find a honeymoon resort option that will be perfect!

Ultimately it will just come down to preferences, budget, how long you want to fly, or flight prices. Either way, you can’t really go wrong!

Safety | Fiji vs Hawaii

Both of these destinations are relatively safe! As with any location, you should exercise normal precautions, but overall both destinations are considered safe and I’ve felt secure in both places.

On Fiji’s main island you will want to be more alert, but the US Travel Advisory site only mentions caution in one area. The majority of my trip was island hopping and I felt completely safe in the Yasawa Islands! On the main island I was a lot more alert, but overall I felt safe as a solo female traveler in Fiji!

In Hawaii, I felt safe though I do remember some hostility from locals while on a tour bus in Oahu. From the little I understand it comes from a frustration that they can’t afford to live in their homeland and I can sympathize as any American could move there and increase the cost of living. However, it can put a damper on tourism.

This was an isolated experience, and the only negative moment I had in Hawaii, which again I can sympathize with why. When you do travel to Hawaii support local, small businesses as much as possible during your trip!

How to Get to Fiji or Hawaii

Flights are the most common and much faster way to get to either Fiji or Hawaii! While there are many cities you can fly from, I’ll focus on Los Angeles as it’s a very common departure or layover city.

Both destinations can be reached with direct flights from Los Angeles. To Honolulu, Hawaii a flight from L.A. will take about 6 hours and to Fiji it will take about 10 hours!

Fiji is a bit longer on the plane and depending on where you flying from might not seem worth it. However, I loved my trip to Fiji so much more than I expected! So don’t be afraid of those extra four hours!

Entry Requirements | Fiji vs Hawaii

Hawaii is a state, so US citizens will just need a valid identification, but not a passport.

Fiji does require US citizens to have a valid passport, but no visa is required for stays less than four months.

If you have a passport, both destinations are very easy for US citizens to visit!

Fiji vs Hawaii | Which is Better?

Both Fiji and Hawaii are full of natural beauty and would make a great island getaway! I hope this guide helped you decide which is right for you and your next trip!

There are adventures to have in both places, incredible beaches, memorable eco-tourism, and relaxing tropical vibes! Whichever you choose, I hope you have the best time!