Fiji

Fiji's greatest luxury is not only its scenery, but its sense of welcome. Remote islands, coral reefs, village traditions and an unmistakable generosity of spirit create one of the South Pacific's most human and heartfelt island experiences.

Fiji is an archipelago of some 330 islands, about a third of them inhabited, lying north of New Zealand. Most visitors arrive at Nadi on Viti Levu, the largest island; from there boats and seaplanes fan out to the Mamanuca and Yasawa groups to the west. Vanua Levu and Taveuni lie to the north-east, Kadavu to the south, and the Lau group stretches towards Tonga.

Village life remains the backbone of the country. Much of the land is held by indigenous Fijian clans, chiefs still matter, and a visit to a village begins with a sevusevu, the presentation of yaqona, or kava, to the headman. Indo-Fijian communities, descended from indentured labourers of the colonial era, add temples, curries and festivals of their own. The reefs around Taveuni and Kadavu are celebrated for soft coral.

The dry season runs from May to October, with trade winds, lower humidity and temperatures around 25°C — the classic period for diving, sailing and island-hopping, and the busiest during Australian and New Zealand school holidays. November to April is hotter and wetter, the cyclone season, though many weeks pass in bright weather between showers.

Underwater visibility is at its best in the drier months, and humpback whales pass through Fijian waters from about July to October. Diwali, celebrated by the Indo-Fijian community in October or November, lights up towns across Viti Levu. The shoulder months, May and late October, often combine settled weather with quieter islands.

Fiji’s finest addresses are island resorts with a small number of villas. COMO Laucala Island occupies an entire island in northern Fiji; Kokomo Private Island Fiji lies on the Great Astrolabe Reef off Kadavu; Vomo Island Fiji and Six Senses Fiji, on Malolo Island, are both in the Mamanuca group, within easy reach of Nadi by boat, seaplane or helicopter.

Most travellers combine two islands, pairing the accessible Mamanucas with the remoter reefs of Kadavu or the north. LVXVRY books Six Senses Fiji through IHG Destined — at the official hotel rate, with the privileges the programme attaches to the stay. For COMO Laucala Island, Kokomo and Vomo, LVXVRY advises on and arranges the stay and the transfers.