Not even a week had elapsed to us tying the knot, and my husband and I were weary from the mega overdose of socializing and all the pent up stress from the wedding. The best thing we gave ourselves was a seven day honeymoon in Fiji. A week in this palm-fringed paradise with sapphire waters about 12,178 km away from India, and away from all our worries was all we needed.
We have covered our trip to Fiji in 3 Chapters from the lens of travelling to Fiji from India, experiences to include in your itinerary, availability of vegetarian food in Fiji and exploring the local Fijian culture.
You are reading Chapter 1.
Chapter 2: How to spend 24 hours in Nadi, Fiji
WeddingSutra Feature with Fiji Tourism: https://www.weddingsutra.com/real-weddings/honeymoon-stories/henna-and-yash-fiji/
Table of contents
Is there a direct flight from India to Fiji?
Have you ever wondered, where is Fiji? This speck on the map is in the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean between Oceania and the west coast of the US. However, it is closer to Oceania. We took a late evening flight from Mumbai with a half day layover in Singapore and fell in love with this tiny speck on the world map, the moment we caught the first aerial glimpse of the archipelago. Fiji Airways operates on a codeshare with Singapore Airlines with a Singapore Airlines flight from Mumbai to Singapore and then a 10 hour long Fiji Airways flight from Singapore to Nadi.
Do Indians need a visa for Fiji?
The biggest reason for us as Indians to travel to this island away from civilization is that the Fiji visa for Indians is free on arrival for a limited duration stay.
Which Fiji airport should you fly into?
If you’re wondering which Fiji airport to fly into, then we skipped the Fiji capital of Suva as flight connectivity was better to Nadi on our India to Fiji route. While the best place in Fiji for a honeymoon are the tinier islands of the archipelago, we need to enter the mainland through one of their two major airports. We landed in Nadi in broad daylight and were welcomed with some shell garlands by our local agent at the airport. Upon getting out of the airport, we drove past clean, palm fringed roads almost as if freshly washed by the morning rain that was followed by divine sunshine and clear blue skies.
INR to Fijian Dollar or USD to Fijian Dollar
We chose to get some currency (Fijian Dollar - in December 2022 Fiji dollar to INR conversion was FJD 1= INR 37) exchanged at the airport even though it worked out to be more expensive. You will get a better exchange rate if you carry USD with you and get that converted to FJD at the airport as against INR. I don't think we regret exchanging the currency at the airport as if you were to shop from a local village you need to have the local Fiji currency with you.
Fiji or Maldives as a honeymoon place?
If you are looking at a short break at an all inclusive resort with a relatively shorter flight from India, then Maldives is your best bet for an island honeymoon post your Indian wedding. Most likely you will spend around 4 to 5 nights at the same resort and indulge in a variety of water and beach activities.
If you are looking at a longer honeymoon which includes a long flight to access the more remote parts of the world and do some island hopping, some tropical sightseeing along with a relaxing resort honeymoon, then a honeymoon in Fiji from India is for you.
Is Fiji expensive for Indians?
Yes, Fiji is indeed expensive for Indians. Fiji flight tickets are the main killer and it is best to club your trip to Fiji with a trip to either Australia or New Zealand. The island resorts in Fiji are also expensive (though less expensive than the resorts by the same hospitality chain in the Maldives). The food also gets expensive and you do not have an option but to either go to the resort restaurant or carry your own ready to eat meals for at least one meal a day.
When to travel to Fiji and for how many days?
Fiji is one of those tropical destinations that is an all year round place. However, since it is in the southern hemisphere, the summer months from December to April are wetter and more prone to cyclones and the winter months from June to October may promise better weather conditions.
A minimum of 5 nights to a maximum of 10 nights with 1-2 days on the mainland and the remaining days spent on island resorts with island hopping day trips is good enough to explore Fiji.
Last word: Is a trip to Fiji worth it from India?
A trip to the Fiji islands is definitely worth it, however, it is best clubbed with a trip to either Australia or New Zealand to get the best value out of the airfares from India. It is surely a destination for couples from India across age groups looking for an island honeymoon or celebrating a milestone anniversary. It may be a good family holiday destination for a family with kids from either Australia or New Zealand who can simply hop on a short flight to this tropical paradise.
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