The most beautiful natural sites to discover Viti Levu

It is a very nice little botanical garden with many rare species of orchids. It is the botanical garden of the late actor Raymond Burr(Perry Mason), who opened it to the public. The tour takes 45 minutes, but the assistance of a guide is often disappointing - he reduces his help to listing the names of the flowers. One should not miss the beautiful collection of orchids, numbering 2,000 on a surface of 20 hectares, which makes it the largest collection in the world.

It was here that Australian aviator Charles Kingsford Smith landed in 1928. Kingsford was the forerunner of commercial aviation, with his plane, the Southern Cross, in which, on May 31, 1928, he made the first flight across the Pacific. This flight took him from California to Brisbane, Australia, via Hawaii and Fiji, and lasted 8 days! For the record, this public garden is named after Prince Albert of Saxe-Boburg-Gotha, husband of Queen Victoria, and continues to host many cultural and sporting events.

Spinning on the water amid dense, verdant vegetation, lulled into silence (!) by the lapping of the water and amazed by waterfalls gushing from all sides - that's what the Navua River descent promises! The Navua River is located about 8 km from Pacific Harbour. Its source is on the southeastern slopes of Mount Gordon, and the Navua River flows for 65 kilometers.

Organized by a number of tour operators, the excursion is easy to set up according to your wishes. We particularly recommend the Rivers Fiji tour.

The 45-minute tour is more than enough time to enjoy this magnificent site. It takes us to a height of 30 m for a lovely view of the coast: big waves, the sound of foam crashing against the sand... Before arriving at the dunes, you'll also pass through the forest.

Sand Dunes National Park stretches along the Coral Coast from the mouth of the Sigatoka River to Naqarai Bay, a distance of around 5 km. The dunes stretch for almost 2.5 km and vary in height from 20 to 60 metres. They are much more than just sand dunes: they cover a large part of Fiji's history. Research carried out since the ^mid-19th century, and even more recently, has provided important information on the periods of occupation of the Fiji Islands. The first archaeological digs in the late 1980s unearthed pottery dating back over 2,500 years, as well as one of the largest burial sites in the Pacific. Following this discovery, experts hypothesized that the first inhabitants of this region were of Lapita origin, a nomadic people who colonized many Pacific islands over 3,000 years ago. "Lapita" takes its name from an archaeological site in New Caledonia where similar pottery has been discovered. Whatever the case, this research plays an essential role in establishing a chronology of local and regional history.

Inside, everything is dark, only the torch of the guides illuminates us. Extremely deep, the cave is impressive and the myths that accompany it give you shivers down your spine. It is the last stronghold of the cannibal tribes of Fiji, hundreds of people lived there comfortably: we can observe in particular an altar which hosted the rituals and an oven. The highlight of the show is the thousands of small birds' nests hanging on the wall that we discover when we leave. A pretty and atypical stroll in the time!

Just as wild as paradise, the beach is one of the nicest in Fiji and one of the longest. Dark sand, palm trees, shades of blue on water… We dream.

There are stretches of grassland on a very chaotic path. A beautiful expanse of golden sand awaits us, where it is very pleasant to enjoy. Think of taking water and everything you need, because around there is nothing. We are a long way from the tourist promiscuity of private beaches and that is all the better!

Get into any bus to Nadi, ask to stop in Lapenoni Village to get to Laloma Beach, the most beautiful beach in the area.

Along the way, you can hear insects screeching at the top of their voices, while the vegetation seems to grow before your very eyes. Signs mark the paths and explain the flora. Of the many paths available, take the Kaladu Road, then the Pool Road, where you'll find all the natural pools. The Lower Pool is the most spacious (and it's where you'll find the Tarzan creeper!). The Dakua Big Loop Trail is wilder and, in the morning, there's a better chance of spotting beautiful birds.

The opportunity to enjoy a beautiful walk in the tropical forest and to inform themselves on the local flora and various spices, their origins and virtues as much culinary than therapeutic. To call ahead to book.

Mount Batilamu is also poetically known as "the sleeping giant". Mount Batilamu stands 1,100 metres high in the Koroyanitu National Heritage Park. You'll need around 5 hours to climb it, so plan a day trip. In our opinion, this wilderness option is a more judicious choice than visiting Lautoka: despite the considerable effort involved in the climb, you're rewarded by the end result, an absolutely sumptuous panorama of forest and ocean. We can even see the Mamanucas and Yasawas archipelagos.

The Beqa lagoon has acquired an undisputed reputation for diving, with around 100 sites accessible in the vicinity of Beqa Island. As sharks are particularly fond of the area, Beqa lagoon is now mostly known for its organized dives to see sharks up close, but always in compliance with basic safety instructions. There are two options for discovering this lagoon: either stay on the island in one of the resorts , or take a boat from Pacific Harbour to the dive sites.

The hinterland is worth a visit. Although Namosi is the smallest of Fiji's provinces, it offers a spectacular array of colors and landforms of canyons, rushing rivers, waterfalls, rugged mountains and lush forests. The Namosi highlands overlook the Wainikoroiluva River, which is ideal for rafting, and you can also travel on a bilibili (bamboo raft). Don't forget to bring some kava to the villagers! For a stay on site, Namosi Eco Retreat is a good option.