Suva and Pacific Harbour, Fiji: things to do, when to go and how to get there

Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

Suva is the capital of Fiji and the largest city in the South Pacific outside Australia and New Zealand, located on a peninsula in southeast Viti Levu. It is a port and government city, with colonial buildings, a university, embassies and a busy downtown where Fijians, Indo-Fijians, Chinese and people from other Pacific islands mix in trade and at the market. The island’s east side is wetter than the west, and forest covers the hills surrounding the city.

The downtown is walkable: the Fiji Museum, in Thurston Gardens, holds war canoes, pottery and objects from the islands’ history; the municipal market gathers the country’s produce; and Victoria Parade runs past government buildings from 1939 and the Sacred Heart Cathedral. About 20 minutes away, Colo-i-Suva Forest Park has trails and natural pools in the rainforest.

About 50 km to the west is Pacific Harbour, which markets itself as Fiji’s adventure capital. From there depart dives to Shark Reef, a marine reserve created with local villages, where bull sharks and other species often appear, and trips along the Navua River, through inland canyons and waterfalls.

Opposite Pacific Harbour lies Beqa Island, home of the Sawau people, known for the tradition of walking on hot stones, the vilavilairevo.

This destination brings together 3 cities: Suva, Pacific Harbour, Beqa.

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One destination, many paths

The cities on this trip

Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.

Where Suva and Pacific Harbour is

Limites: Pacific Data Hub / geoBoundaries (CC BY 4.0). Adaptação do Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: Suva and Pacific Harbour

✈ Aeroporto de Nausori (SUV), in Nausori · 23 km to Suva

✈ Aeroporto Internacional de Nadi (NAN), in Namaka · 200 km to Suva

Confirm before booking. Nausori Airport (SUV), about 23 km from Suva, handles domestic and some regional flights. From Nadi it’s about 200 km via Queens Road, a 4–5 hour bus or car journey, passing Pacific Harbour.

Suggested arrival point: Suva

Rewa · Suva and Pacific Harbour Capital Suggested arrival point

Suva

Suva is the capital of Fiji, a port city on a peninsula in southeast Viti Levu. It has colonial buildings, a university and a busy center, where you can visit the Fiji Museum in Thurston Gardens, the municipal market, the government buildings and the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. About 20 minutes away, Colo-i-Suva Forest has trails and natural pools.

Serua · Suva and Pacific Harbour

Pacific Harbour

Pacific Harbour is on the south coast of Viti Levu, about 50 km west of Suva, and presents itself as Fiji’s adventure capital. From here you can do dives at Shark Reef, the marine reserve where bull sharks often appear, take boat trips on the Navua River, and crossings to Beqa Island.

Rewa · Suva and Pacific Harbour

Beqa

Beqa is a volcanic island about 10 km off the south coast of Viti Levu, opposite Pacific Harbour, surrounded by one of Fiji’s largest reef lagoons. It is the land of the Sawau people, known for the tradition of walking barefoot over hot stones, the vilavilairevo, and a diving destination with soft corals and sharks.

The local experience

Things to do in Suva and Pacific Harbour

Beqa · Rewa · Cultural tradition

Caminhada sobre pedras de Beqa (Vilavilairevo)

The Sawau people of Beqa’s tradition of walking barefoot over stones heated by fire, linked to the legend of chief Tui Qalita and showcased in performances on the island and at hotels in Viti Levu.

Suva · Rewa · Museum

Museu de Fiji (Fiji Museum)

The national museum, in Thurston Gardens, with war canoes, Lapita pottery, weapons, ritual objects and colonial-era pieces, telling about 3,500 years of the islands' history.

Pacific Harbour · Serua · Marine life

Reserva Marinha do Shark Reef (Shark Reef Marine Reserve)

A marine reserve off Pacific Harbour, created with local villages, where you can dive with bull sharks and other species that commonly appear on guided dives.

Suva · Rewa · Market

Mercado Municipal de Suva (Suva Municipal Market)

The largest market in Fiji, near Suva's port, with fruit, vegetables, kava roots, fish and spices, and food stalls on the upper floor.

See 4 more places in Suva and Pacific Harbour

Pacific Harbour · Serua · River

Rio Navua (Navua River)

River that flows down from the Namosi mountains to the south coast, with canyons whose walls are covered in forest and waterfalls, traveled by motorboat and rafting dinghies from Pacific Harbour and Navua.

Suva · Rewa · Historic building

Prédios do Governo (Government Buildings)

Art deco complex from 1939 on Victoria Parade, the historic seat of government and the colonial parliament, with a stone façade, clock tower and the Ratu Sukuna Garden in front.

Suva · Rewa · Church

Catedral do Sagrado Coração (Sacred Heart Cathedral)

Suva’s Catholic cathedral, dating from 1902, built from sandstone brought from Sydney, with tall towers overlooking the city centre and sung masses in Fijian.

Suva · Rewa · Park

Parque Florestal de Colo-i-Suva (Colo-i-Suva Forest Park)

Tropical forest about 20 minutes from Suva, with 6.5 km of trails, small waterfalls and natural pools for swimming, and native birds in the forest.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

From May to October days are usually cooler and drier, although Suva gets rain year-round. From November to April it is hotter, rains are heavier and it is cyclone season. Diving in Beqa and at Shark Reef is done year-round.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

Two days in Suva for downtown, the museum, the market and Colo-i-Suva. One or two more days in Pacific Harbour for diving at Shark Reef, the Navua River or a trip to Beqa. Many travelers cross from Nadi to Suva via the Coral Coast.

Which city to stay in

Suva’s downtown, near Victoria Parade and the port, is convenient for walking to the museum, market and restaurants. Pacific Harbour has riverside and beachfront accommodation near dive operators and Navua tours. Beqa has few lodging options, focused on diving.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about Suva and Pacific Harbour

Is Suva worth visiting?

It’s worth one or two days for those who want to see the capital, the Fiji Museum, the market and the Colo-i-Suva forest. Suva shows Fiji’s urban life, different from the resort islands.

How to get from Nadi to Suva?

Via Queens Road by bus, car or transfer in 4–5 hours, passing the Coral Coast and Pacific Harbour. There are also domestic flights between Nadi and Nausori.

Where do you dive with sharks in Fiji?

At Shark Reef, a marine reserve off Pacific Harbour where bull sharks and other species commonly appear on guided dives.

What is Beqa’s firewalk?

It is the vilavilairevo, a tradition of the Sawau people of Beqa Island in which men walk barefoot over stones heated by fire. Performances take place on the island and at hotels in the region.

Does it rain a lot in Suva?

Yes, Suva is on Viti Levu’s wet side and receives rain year-round. From May to October rains are usually lighter.

Suva and Pacific Harbour

A region to enjoyat your own pace.