10 BEST Fiji Island Tours for a Day in Paradise

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It’s no secret that Fiji is an incredible island paradise. And while the mainland is home to plenty of awesome things to do, the best way to find those postcard-perfect beaches that Fiji is famous for is to take an island tour!

Island-hopping is a must when you come to Fiji. There are over 330 islands in the country, so you can’t do them all, but lots of them are accessible enough to visit on a day tour! In fact, we’ve been to Fiji so many times now that we have ticked off almost all of the accessible small islands. 

We absolutely love Fiji and we want you to experience just how magical this country really is. We even got married and spent our honeymoon in Fiji! So we’ve rounded up the top 10 Fiji island tours so you can spend a perfect day in paradise. After all, not much beats chilling out on a remote and beautiful island, does it? 

Don’t have time to read the full article? No trip to Fiji is complete without heading out on a boat and exploring some of the beautiful islands offshore. Our favorite island tour is this full-day trip to Malamala Beach Club. It includes a quick 30-minute boat ride and once you’re on the island, you can relax on the beach with a cocktail in hand, swim in the idyllic infinity pool, or even snorkel around the reef!

Best Fiji Island Tours (Day Trips!)

1. Malamala Beach Club

Malamala Beach Club is a sleek, modern beach club on a private island, and visiting here is one of our favorite tours in Fiji! We came here with some of our wedding guests and had such a fun day. 

On this full-day tour, you get to spend almost 7 glorious hours enjoying Malamala’s beautiful scenery and awesome infinity pool, as well as have free use of their snorkeling, kayaking, and SUPing equipment. If you’re looking for more of a resort-style experience than a rustic beach club, then you’ll LOVE Malamala. 

The water is crystal clear and boasts an impressive reef out front – we even saw a turtle! When you’re not in the water you can relax on the beach while listening to great music and sipping a cocktail. Or visit the infinity pool for some great tropical vacation vibes!

We also really liked the fact that Malamala Beach Club is only a 30-minute boat ride from Port Denarau, so you spend less time traveling and more time enjoying yourself. Plus, the tour includes complimentary coach transfers from Nadi, Denarau, the Coral Coast, Momi Bay, and Wailoaloa, so you don’t need to worry about getting to and from the port by yourself, either. 

A full-day pass to Malamala Beach Club costs around $85 USD. There are free sunbeds on the island, but do try to claim one as soon as you get there. Or, you can contact the tour company through Viator after booking your pass to book a daybed or cabana for an additional fee. Personally, we were glad we didn’t do this as we snagged free sunbeds and then spent most of our time in the pool or eating and drinking at the restaurant!

All in all, we LOVED our day at Malamala. So if you’re ready for a day in paradise, book your trip here!

2. South Sea Sailing Full-Day Cruise

You can go island-hopping in style with this catamaran cruise around the glamorous Mamanuca islands. 

We just loved our experience on this cruise. The second we were welcomed on board with complimentary mimosas, we had a feeling that it was going to be a good day – and we were right! 

Sailing through Fiji’s stunning turquoise water is always a special experience, but this cruise really takes things to the next level. The catamaran itself is fantastic, with canopies, tables, day beds, and beanbags to lounge on, and a slide right into the ocean. Pair that with a gourmet lunch, followed by complimentary beer and wine, and you’re already looking at a pretty good day, but all of the exploring makes it even better.

When we did this cruise, our captain chose our route according to the weather conditions, so it’s different every time. Regardless of the route you take, there are plenty of opportunities to go snorkeling and explore sand cays, which are small, sandy islands surrounded by a reef.  

This cruise costs $120 USD per person, which we think is a great deal considering that includes lunch, a two-hour open bar (wine and beer only), use of snorkeling equipment, and return transfers from hotels in Denarau, the Coral Coast, Natadola, Sonaisali, and Momi Bay. The cruise itself lasts for 7 hours.

If you’re ready to set sail on this 5-star adventure, book here!

3. Nadi Tivua Island Day Cruise

This Tivua Island day cruise takes you to a beach club but offers a totally different experience from Malamala, which we mentioned earlier. It’s a super rustic beach club with thatched huts, plenty of Fijian cultural activities, and better snorkeling than most competitors. Plus, it’s all-inclusive, so it’s a fantastic budget option! 

When you get to the island, you’re welcomed with a traditional Fijian kava ceremony. Kava is a local drink that’s known for its relaxing properties. It’s a popular alternative to alcohol, but don’t worry, you’d have to drink a lot for it to affect you. It tastes a lot like muddy water to me, but participating in this traditional ceremony is a great way to experience Fijian culture, and the one at Tivua is beautifully done. 

I recommend snorkeling soon after you arrive, as we had to wait for the equipment. However, it was worth it because we saw tons of tropical fish and even reef sharks! The area is known for them, and don’t be afraid, they’re just little! 

You can also head out on a glass-bottomed boat with the island’s resident marine biologist, go stand-up paddleboarding, or just chill on the beach with the all-inclusive drinks. The tour includes lunch, too, which is a delicious barbecue buffet – yum! 

The Nadi Tivua island day cruise includes hotel transfers, although the price varies depending on location. It’s $115 USD if you’re taking a day trip from Denarau or Nadi, or $131 USD if you’re coming from the Coral Coast, Lautoka, Vuda, and Momi Bay. We think it’s a good deal because the only thing extra you might need to pay for are drinks on the boat, which is helpful if you’re visiting Fiji on a budget.

This is the best tour for people looking for time on a tropical island as well as cultural experiences. This tour sells out quickly, so be sure to secure your spot here!

Related Read: Fiji is a great stopover point on the way to Australia. There are so many amazing things to do in Sydney, who wouldn’t want to visit there next?

4. Cruisin Fiji – Authentic Fijian Day Cruise

The Cruisin Fiji day tour isn’t just one of the best island tours in Fiji, it’s one of the best overall! It visits some of the top swimming and snorkeling spots in the Mamanuca islands so it’s perfect for people wanting to spend a lot of time in the water.

For one thing, you get to explore a bunch of the beautiful Mamanuca Islands, including Monuriki Island, where Castaway was filmed! But instead of an old volleyball for company, you’ll be with an incredibly fun crew who are all from the Mamanuca Islands.

You also get to enjoy some fantastic snorkeling on the private Mana Island, where there will be no other tour groups around to disturb you. You also get to explore a deep sea cove on Monu Island and have an authentic lunch on Modriki Island which is cooked in a lovo (aka an underground oven). Plus, wine, beer, water, and soft drinks are all complimentary – such a nice bonus! 

It costs $146 USD per person and lasts for 8 hours. Complimentary pickup from Denarau is included or you can arrange pickup elsewhere for an extra fee.

This island tour really has it all – awesome snorkeling, beautiful scenery, authentic culture, and an awesome crew. It’s a one-of-a-kind tour and it’s pretty well-known so make sure that you secure your spot in advance.

5. Full-Day South Sea Island Day Cruise

We loved our South Sea Island tour. There’s a ton to do on this tiny island, so it’s perfect for families or those looking for an adventurous day of island exploration. 

Like the Nadi Tivua island cruise, this island gives off rustic Robinson Crusoe vibes. However, it’s part of the Mamanuca Islands, which are only half an hour from Port Denarau by boat, which means you get more time to spend on the island.

You can go swimming in the saltwater pool, explore the nearby lagoons in a kayak, go snorkeling, or check out what’s going on underwater by taking a ride in a semi-submersible vessel. And if you have little ones, there is a complimentary kids club! So you can relax while the kids play!

This full-day tour costs $115 USD and you can upgrade to include an introductory or certified scuba dive on the island. If you’re certified, you’ll even get to explore a nearby shipwreck!

There’s also a yummy barbecue lunch and complimentary beer, wine, and soft drinks. Hotel transfers from Nadi, Denarau, and the Coral Coast are also included, so everything is taken care of. We know you’ll have a great time here like we did, so make your reservation online to access free cancellation 24 hours in advance.

6. Fijian Islands and Snorkel Full-Day Whale’s Tale Cruise

Featuring a champagne breakfast and a private Mamanuca island, this full-day cruise is the perfect way to pamper yourself in Fiji. 

You’ll set sail at 10 am and enjoy breakfast and bubbles on board as you cruise past lagoons and scenic islands on a magnificent 100-foot schooner! Then, when you reach Snorkel Island, your group will have the place to yourselves, since it’s private! 

What we love about this island tour is that it’s super relaxed. If you’re looking for the kind of laid-back experience that’s just about being on the beach, enjoying the scenery, and a bit of snorkeling here and there, then the Whale’s Tales cruise is absolutely perfect for you. It has a true vacation vibe! 

Plus, you get complimentary alcoholic and soft drinks throughout the day, as well as a barbecue lunch on the beach. The crew is really fun and they even sing traditional songs on the boat on the way back to Port Denarau, which is a nice way to finish the day. 

This tour costs $117-$137 USD with hotel transport included. It’s also worth noting that this tour is really popular and they need time to organize the boat, so you only get instant booking confirmation if you book more than 5 days in advance. So basically, reserve your place well in advance to make sure that you don’t miss out! 

7. Whale’s Tale Day Cruise from Port Denarau

It doesn’t get much better than cruising around the Mamanuca Islands in Fiji. If you’re looking for a relaxing day filled with boats, beaches, and beers (or wines), then this cruise is just the ticket.

This cruise takes you sailing around 4 different islands before going to your own private island for lunch. You’ll be in a group of around 50 people, and you’ll have the island all to yourselves, which is pretty amazing! 

This tour is all about soaking up the best of Fiji’s beachy scenery and admiring marine life since you’ll be able to use snorkeling equipment for no extra cost. Since it’s a private island, you won’t be competing with scores of other tourists for the best views of the corals and fish.

The tour costs $102 USD including hotel transfers from Denarau and Nadi, or $118 USD if your hotel is in Vuda, Lautoka, or the Coral Coast. We think it’s pretty good value since the tour is all-inclusive. So if you’re ready for a day in the sun book here!

Related Read: If you’re looking for another fun experience while in Fiji, we loved our visit to the Fiji Culture Village!

8. Castaway Island Day Cruise

Castaway Island is a private island resort, and it’s part of the Mamanuca Islands. It’s possible to stay overnight here, but it’s pricey and rooms book up months in advance, so a popular alternative is to do this day cruise. It’s what we did on our last trip, so you can read our review of Castaway Island here!

This island cruise is for you if you like that rustic island resort vibe. However, we do want to make it clear that, despite its name, this is not the island where the film Castaway was shot – that’s Monuriki. Still, given that it’s a remote and private island, you do feel a million miles away from civilization, but you don’t need Tom Hanks’ survival skills around here! Instead, you can enjoy snorkeling, a complimentary lunch in the restaurant, and use of the resort pool. 

This cruise leaves Denarau around 9 am and returns at 6 pm giving you around 5 hours on Castaway Island itself. It’s a fairly long day, so this tour only offers transfers from Denarau, Nadi, and Wailoaloa which are quite close to the Denarau Marina.

This tour costs $141 USD including return transport, lunch, and snorkeling equipment. You’ll have to budget extra for drinks, using any water sports equipment, and accessing the kids’ club. If you want to experience what a tropical paradise is all about, then book this experience here!

9. Cloud 9 

Exploring the islands is, of course, a must while you’re in Fiji, but we also highly recommend visiting one of the floating beach clubs. You should do one of each and see what you prefer! 

Cloud 9 is one of Fiji’s best-known pontoon beach clubs. Well, it’s not really a beach club, since there’s no sand in sight here. It’s more like a mini resort floating right in the middle of the ocean!

Cloud 9 is about 45 minutes from Port Denarau by speedboat, and this half-day tour includes both your transport and entry fee, plus a bar tab worth $60 FJD ($27 USD), which you should be able to get a few drinks out of. And if you get hungry, you can treat yourself to one of their wood-fired pizzas! 

This tour costs $105 USD and includes complimentary pickup in Nadi or Denarau. If you’re staying in the Coral Coast, just contact the tour company to get hotel pickup for an additional fee of $20 FJD ($9 USD). Cloud 9 only accepts card payments, and you’ll need to bring your own towels. Also, note that no children under 10 are allowed due to safety reasons.

We think this is a great activity to do with a group of friends! It’s popular, so make sure to book in advance here!

10. Seventh Heaven Floating Platform

Seventh Heaven is a floating bar and we’d go as far as to say it’s the best bar in Fiji, so we truly have saved the best tour for last. We even wrote a whole blog on visiting Seventh Heaven!

We really can’t fault this place. Not only is it beautiful, but the staff is incredible and we got table service the entire time, so we never even had to get up and go to the bar! 

The cocktails were tasty and they looked great – they were some of the best drinks we’ve had in Fiji, and we’ve done our fair share of island hopping. The food was delicious too – way better than you would expect on a floating platform! I really don’t know how they do it. 

You’re probably sitting there thinking that eating and drinking here will cost you a ton, but again, we were pleasantly surprised by how affordable the food and drinks were (only around $8 USD for a beer). 

There were also plenty of fun activities to keep us occupied. You can take the “Leap of Faith” and take a running jump from the upper level of the bar, go snorkeling, or go for a paddle in a kayak. 

This tour costs $73 USD, and includes the boat ride there and back and hotel transport from Denarau. When you book on Viator, you can choose a 9 am or 11 am departure. They both cost the same but the earlier slot will give you an extra hour at Seventh Heaven, so we recommend opting for that!

To book your trip to “heaven” click here!

Where to Stay in Fiji

There are so many great areas to stay around Fiji. You can choose to stay on the main island of Viti Levu or venture out to the smaller surrounding islands. With so many choices, it can be hard to narrow it down. To help, these are my top picks for each area in Fiji that fit a range of budgets.

Nadi – The Ramada

Located right on Wailoaloa Beach, the Ramada Suites by Wyndham is the most luxurious hotel in this area. It features an exclusive pool and restaurant for guest use only. It is the tallest building in the area offering incredible views of the coastline and sunsets!

Because of its close proximity to the airport (only a 15-minute drive), many people stay here for a night before or after their flight. It’s a good place to spend some time before catching a ferry out to an island. A King Studio Room with a sea view goes for around $200 USD. Check availability and book a stay at the Ramada here!

Port Denarau – Radisson Blu Fiji Resort

The Radisson Blu Resort is just stunning, and for what you get, the price is very reasonable too. This resort is huge offering tons of activities for both families as well as couples. There is an adults-only pool as well as an area specifically for kids. It is beachfront and offers spa services as well.

Rooms here start from around $400 USD per night and range from standard hotel-style rooms with king beds or two queens, up to two-bedroom suites. Some rooms feature courtyard views while others have a view of the lagoon. All rooms have a balcony and minibar. Check availability and prices at the Radisson Blue Resort here!

Yasawa Islands – Barefoot Manta Island Resort

Barefoot Manta Island Resort is perfect for those wanting a real island getaway experience without paying huge amounts of money. Surrounded by a vibrant protected coral reef, this is the best place to go for ocean lovers. You can even swim with manta rays just off the shore from May-October!

You can easily get to Barefoot Manta Island Resort on the Yasawa Flyer ferry that departs Port Denarau regularly. The ride should take about 3 hours.

They offer dorm beds for only $29 USD a night. There are also private beachfront bungalows available starting at around $200 USD per night. Check prices and availability for Barefoot Manta Island Resort here!

Mamanuca Islands – Beachcomber Island Resort

Beachcomber Island Resort is one of the most popular island resorts to stay in Fiji. Its affordable pricing mixed with its close proximity to Viti Levu make it one of the best places to stay in Fiji. You can reach the Beachcomber Resort from Port Denarau by riding the Yasawa Flyer ferry. The ride should take about 2 hours.

There are many different rooms and bungalows to choose from – something for every budget! Remember all these prices also include ALL your meals. Dorm beds go for as little as $60 USD per night, whereas you can get a standard twin room for $225 USD. Check prices and availability at Beachcomber Island Resort here!

Coral Coast – Maui Palms

Mixing beach life and luxury, the Maui Palms is perfect for those wanting a bit of pampering on their holiday. There are lots of on-site activities and the snorkeling right in front of the resort is great. Expect an infinity pool, games room, bar, restaurant, and beautiful ocean-view villas with private balconies!

The location on the Coral Coast means you don’t need a boat to get there but can still experience some of the tranquility and beautiful beaches you might find on the smaller islands. There are also a few restaurants nearby, so you won’t be confined to the hotel.

Rooms and villas here start at around $250 USD and up. Check prices and availability for the Maui Palms here!

If you’re looking for more info about where to stay in Fiji, be sure to read our blog. It includes detailed info on each area, the best things to do nearby, prices, getting to hotels, and so much more.

Thanks for reading!

There you have it, a low-down on all the best island tours in Fiji! I hope you found the perfect tour for you, and if you’re struggling to choose don’t worry because you can’t go wrong – they’re all amazing!

If you found this guide helpful, then take a peek at our other Fiji blogs, including some favorites below:

15 BEST Places to Visit in Fiji

5 BEST Yasawa Islands Resorts in Fiji (for all Travelers and Budgets!)

10 Things to Know BEFORE Booking a Shark Dive in Fiji

8 Things to Know BEFORE Visiting Robinson Crusoe Island, Fiji