Fiji Solo Travel Guide
Are you wondering about Fiji solo travel? Tropical paradise has long been associated with couples and honeymoons, but I’m single and LOVE the tropics! I think solo travel is on the rise, and my recent solo trip to Fiji has me wondering what other tropical islands I can add to my list of places to visit!
So is a solo tropical getaway to Fiji awkward? Mostly it was awesome, but there was an upsetting ending. Read on to hear about the best way to travel in Fiji solo and how to avoid the awkward moments I encountered!
In this article:
Is Fiji a Good Destination for Solo Travel?
Is Fiji Safe for Solo Travel?
Awkward Part of My Fiji Solo Travel
Why Fiji is Good for Solo Travel
Where to Stay in Fiji for Solo Travellers
Fiji Solo Island Hopping Made Easy
Where to Stay in Fiji for Solo Traveller
How to Get Around Fiji
Before you dive in, I want to be transparent: this article includes affiliate links. This simply means that if you click on the link and make a purchase, I may earn a commission. Rest assured, the article includes my genuine advice and it won’t cost you anything extra. Your support is greatly appreciated. Happy reading!
You may also like:
The Ultimate Guide to Fiji Island Hopping Tours: Explore Paradise One Island at a Time
Is Fiji Safe for Solo Female Travellers?
Bull Shark Dive Fiji | Is It Worth It?
Is Fiji a Good Destination for Solo Travel?
Perhaps, misguided and assumptive, there are many tropical destinations that I think I’d need a man to enjoy without it feeling awkward. I suppose French Polynesia is one that still holds that impression. However, when I saw a flight sale to Fiji, it had me wondering if Fiji solo travel would be awkward.
After some google searches, I saw backpackers in Fiji’s Yasawa Islands were enjoying their solo travel. Realizing this would be more affordable and possibly less awkward, I moved forward with my solo trip to Fiji.
Is Fiji Safe for Solo Travel?
I elaborate on whether Fiji is safe for solo female travel in another post, but overall the answer is yes! Throughout my trip, I felt safe during my Fiji solo travel. There are a couple things to keep in mind.
Cultural Curiosity
From my very first taxi ride in Fiji, I noticed the Fijians ask a lot of questions. How long are you here? Where are you staying? Are you alone? While I did feel skeptical at first with this mild interrogation, I gave general answers and enjoyed the conversation.
Did he need to ask me all those questions? No! Eventually though, I realized it was some cultural curiosity coupled with wanting my business. Perhaps being born on a island and understanding general island culture, I sensed that curiosity and focused on that rather than having some worst case scenario roaming through my mind.
If you are not used to being asked a ton of questions that might seem too personal for a taxi driver moments after entering a new country, have a polite response handy. Otherwise, general answers or even stepping ahead of the questions, and asking for the taxi driver’s contact information in case you need a ride could also work!
Viti Levu | Main Island Accommodations
In the Yasawa Islands, there are dorms in the resorts! I loved this fact and will elaborate more later in this post. However, on the main island, you have resorts and hostels and from what I can tell, the two do not mix.
I decided for my four nights on the main island, I’d stay in a resort. One of the best beaches for beginner surfing is Natadola Beach, which also happens to be one of the prettiest beaches on the main island! On this beach, there are only two resorts. A more expensive and newer resort, and the dated but more affordable resort.
Further down on the Coral Coast is a hostel I had considered booking. They also offer surf lessons but when I contacted the surf instructor out of there, he wasn’t sure he’d even be around in October when I’d be there. That’s when I changed course and booked at Natadola Beach.
It was the main island where I felt the most exposed, single and awkward!
This is important to note, because it was the main island where I felt the most exposed, single and awkward! Had I booked at a hostel, I probably could have avoided this feeling, but resorts on the main island of Fiji are not as solo travel friendly.
Awkward Part of My Fiji Solo Travel
The awkward moments I faced during my Fiji solo travel was only on the main island! Had I stayed in a hostel, this could probably have been avoided, but I chose an old resort. I figured since it was an older resort, being a solo traveller wouldn’t be an issue, but it seemed as though they handle families and couples only!
During my stay, the cultural curiosity of Fijians had them asking me if I was travelling solo and the like. None of that bothered me in the least, though I could tell they were surprised and not used to seeing a solo traveller at their resort. However, at the end of my stay is when I really felt exposed and frustrated.
What Upset Me in Fiji as a Solo Traveller
When I booked my stay, I emailed them and asked about transportation to the resort. They gave me the quote as per person, but I didn’t think anything of it at the time. Since this was before my trip, I had no reference point for prices, but decided to book with them to save myself the hassle.
Upon my return to Port Denarau, the resort would pick me up and take me to the resort on Natadola Beach. The taxi driver went to the airport instead of the Port, but the Awesome Adventures Ferry employee helped me call the resort.
They sorted the issue and he came to the port to get me and took me to the resort. Upon arrival, I made sure to ask if I was paying him or if the resort would be. He said pay the resort and I said thank you and went to check in to the resort.
It was leaving when I ran into the major issue. I had asked for transportation both from Port Denarau after my Yasawa Islands portion and to the airport on my last day. Remember how they quoted me per person? Well, all of a sudden, they couldn’t accommodate that per person price! I had the price quoted in an email, but I was basically told no one could take me to airport, especially for the price THEY quoted me.
The lady behind the desk said the quote was assuming two people even though it says per person. In reality, they should be quoting per vehicle and not per person, but I suppose being a solo traveller threw them off. Even though the man behind the desk said to just honor the price they quoted me, the lady refused. She made a big deal about it and said she’d “try to find me a ride to airport.”
When she finally found a ride, I suddenly had to have cash to pay the driver and would not be paying through the resort. It was a little more than what they quoted me but still less than double.
Then I got into the taxi driver’s car who took me to the airport and he elaborated on how expensive gas is in Fiji and honestly I just felt even worse. I have a personality where I feel bad very easily for situations like this even when I’m not the one at fault. So I rode to the airport on the brink of tears and my last day in Fiji felt ruined.
How to Avoid the Awkward Fiji Solo Travel
If the resort had just quoted a car price and not per person price, this would have been avoided. Or if I had organized my own rides without the help of the resort, this would have been avoided. And lastly, had I stayed in a hostel that is used to solo travellers, this could have been avoided.
To me, the real magic of Fiji is on the outer islands and it feels more adventurous there too!
Overall, it really upset me, put a huge damper on the last day of my trip and only solidified the fact that I think the main island should be skipped entirely! Especially for solo travel, but really in general! The Yasawa Islands were amazing! To me, the real magic of Fiji is on the outer islands and it feels more adventurous there too!
So I left Fiji feeling lonely and disregarded and it was really one resort worker who managed to do this single-handedly.
Now you might think my sentiment to skip the main island is unfair if this was the main issue and that is a valid point. However, I mainly stayed here to surf, but only was able to do so on my last day. And following my time in the Yasawa Islands, the main island just didn’t have the same magic. In hindsight, I’d keep island hopping for another island or two and maybe even add a Mamanuca Island!
While this upsetting ending isn’t the sole reason for my recommendation to skip the main island, it certainly left a bad taste in my mouth.
Why Fiji is Good for Solo Travel
Now that we’ve talked about my awkward and solo travel letdown, let’s get to the bulk of my trip that really showed me Fiji is a wonderful place for solo travel! Island hopping the Yasawa Islands is great for families, couples AND even solo travellers! It also felt more adventurous, relaxing, but with plenty to do! I really LOVED island hopping in Fiji!
The Ultimate Guide to Fiji Island Hopping Tours: Explore Paradise One Island at a Time
Where to Stay in Fiji for Solo Travellers
Not every resort in the Yasawa Islands offers dorms, but the ones that do allow for a feeling of inclusivity! It not only provided a space for all travellers from families to solo but also for various budgets. Could I afford to stay in a normal room, yes! However, I am not opposed to staying in a dorm to save money if that means I can travel again sooner!
One resort I stayed at, Blue Lagoon, asks any solo travellers if they want to sit with other solo travellers at dinner! I loved this option and had dinner with solo travellers who stayed in private rooms or even beachside villas. You don’t have to stay in a dorm as a solo traveller. However, the resorts where that is an option give solo travellers a place. As if they not only expect you but also want you to be there!
Check Out Blue Lagoon Beach Resort
Naturally, you can elect to stay at more exclusive resorts where dorms are not an option, but it might increase the likelihood that you are the only solo traveller. However, if you book at a resort with all types of room options, including dorms, you will not be the only solo traveller!
Conversely, staying in dorms doesn’t mean you’ll only be around solo travellers. A lot of friends travelling together opted for the dorms because they are more budget friendly. While I met some solo travellers like me in the dorms, I also met individuals travelling in groups.
In the Yasawa Islands, I never felt exposed, awkward or shamed for being there solo!
Regardless, it seems in the Yasawa Islands, they welcome solo travellers and I never felt exposed, awkward or shamed for being there solo! My advice for Fiji solo travel is to looks for resorts with dorms as an option, regardless of the room type you choose for yourself.
Fiji Solo Island Hopping Made Easy
If you want to make your Fiji solo travel planning easier, book the Yasawa Wanderer! It includes resort options that I stayed at, the Ferry rides, and you can choose your room type from dorms to private rooms!
Book the Yasawa Wanderer Package 8 Days| 7 Nights – All Activities Included
Where to Stay in Fiji for Solo Travellers
The beauty of Fiji is how easy it is to travel solo without feeling out of place! I think the best spots in Fiji for solo travel are the Yasawa or Mamanuca Islands and any resort that offers dorms! Yes, there’s Fiji for backpackers, but you can enjoy the same resort without roughing it! Of course, you can stay anywhere and with any room type, but as a solo traveller, if you are wanting to avoid being surrounded by only (or mostly) couples, then resorts with dorms is your best option!
The below options have various room types, including dorms, so even if you stayed in a beachside villa, you won’t likely be the only solo traveller around! If you are wanting to do more than simply relax, I recommend researching the activities offered at each resort to help you decide which is right for you! For example, I did a Bull Shark Dive at Barefoot Kuata!
Weather in Fiji
When it comes to timing your Fiji solo travel, you’ve got options. The peak season runs from July to September – it’s dry, sunny, and perfect for beach days, but expect more crowds and higher prices. If you’re looking to save some cash and don’t mind a bit of rain, consider the shoulder seasons of May-June or October-November. You’ll still get plenty of sunshine, and the islands will be less crowded. Just a heads up: avoid the wet season from December to April unless you’re cool with sudden downpours and the occasional cyclone risk. That said, if you’re a surfer, the wet season brings the best waves!
Personally, I’m a fan of May or October as it’s shoulder season and you know I love shoulder seasons! You get that sweet spot of good weather, fewer tourists, and some great deals. I went end of September and beginning of October! It was great, but I didn’t account for Australian School Holidays which happened to be the end of September so there were plenty of Aussies on my Fiji holiday!
How to Get Around Fiji
If you read my story on when travel in Fiji wasn’t the best for me as I travelled solo, then you know transportation on the main island left me a bit salty. There are buses in Fiji, however, I usually stick to easier transportation especially with my carry-on luggage. So I used taxis on the main island and had no issues until my last day when the resort changed the price on me.
Island hopping in Fiji was super easy and since this is what I recommend most, I’ll focus here. For the Yasawa and Mamanuca Islands, there is a Awesome Adventures Yasawa Flyer! I booked the Bula Pass for eight days and my accommodation separately.
If you don’t want the hassle of planning then Yasawa Wanderer Package 8 Days| 7 Nights – All Activities Included is worth checking out! The package includes the ferry and all three of the resorts I stayed at are options. Additionally, you can choose your room type whether that is a dorm or a private room!
Once you are on an outer island, there’s no need for transportation. If you book a tour, the boat ride will be included. There is usually a hiking trail and the resort offers plenty of chances to do activities or relax!
It’s worth noting this is not really considered among the group tours. While you will have plenty of people around or at the resort, you are traveling solo in Fiji and can fill in your trip however you want. For more details on Island Hopping in Fiji, check out The Ultimate Guide to Fiji Island Hopping Tours: Explore Paradise One Island at a Time.
I hope this was helpful in deciding whether traveling to Fiji alone is right for you! You don’t have to be a Fiji backpacker to enjoy a solo vacation in Fiji! There are hundreds of islands in this paradise! So however you decide to go about your solo travel to Fiji, I think the magic of these islands will make their way into your heart!
Hope you have the best trip! Bula!
