To celebrate our anniversary last May, we scored some great flights on Fiji Airways out of San Francisco using One World miles. While I wasn’t aware of much Fiji had to offer aside from the famous bottled water, I heard the islands made for a stunning holiday destination. Situated in the southern pacific, Fiji is very accessible from the west coast of the United States with something to offer for everybody including famous bars, scuba diving in the soft coral capital of the world, and world-class resorts. Here are 6 Fiji essentials to consider packing for an upcoming trip during the spring and summer months.
- A nice cover-up.
One of the biggest sights to see for tourists traveling to Fiji is the Cloud 9 Floating Bar. This platform sits in the middle of the pacific and is about an hour boat ride from Fiji’s main island, Nadi. The bar serves up delicious cocktails, pizza fresh from a pizza oven, and music from a live DJ. The best part? You can jump right into the ocean and go for a swim. While visiting Cloud 9, I was thankful I packed a stylish coverup. I did not necessarily want to walk around all day in my swimsuit, but I did not feel right walking around in an entire outfit either considering how much we kept jumping into the ocean. Even if your trip to Fiji does not entail a trip to Cloud 9, you will still want to pack a nice cover-up for similar situations. I packed this one to pair with a black swimsuit; I also think this is a nice option that pairs well with a lot of different swimsuits. When thrown over a swimsuit and paired with some nice sandals and a sunhat, you have a chic look for days when you plan to sit by the pool or lounge at the beach.
2. Stylish sunglasses.
A fun way to level-up an outfit is accessories. However, I find accessorizing on a beach vacation to be especially challenging. It is not like you are going to want to have several layers in the heat or wear jewelry if you plan to spend your days in the water. Instead, opt to accessorize with stylish sunglasses! I find sunglasses to be a fun (and practical) addition to any beach outfit. A bolder choice can also add more personality to an otherwise simple swimsuit or outfit. I find sunglasses to be very dependent on your individual face shape. Therefore, I recommend reading this article to find what style works best for you and going from there.
3. A one-piece swimsuit.
While I love a classic two-piece swimsuit, consider packing a one piece as well. A trip to Fiji wouldn’t be complete without some snorkeling and/or diving, and a one-piece is more practical for these activities. I prefer something stylish that still offers full coverage, such as this. I packed my favorite swimsuit (pictured below). I love this suit as it is so classy. Bonus, I get compliments all the time.
4. Versatile sandals.
While a lot of your time will likely be spent barefoot, ensure you pack some versatile sandals. I’m big fan of packing light to reduce the amount of luggage I have to haul around, so I would recommend packing some sandals that can be used during the day by the pool and at night for a nice dinner. These are a popular choice that many swear by. They can be worn with a longer dress at dinner, but can also be worn with some shorts and a swimsuit during the day.
5. A fun beach tote.
A trip to Fiji (if done correctly) consists of some beach days! Make sure to pack a nice tote that can hold all of your essentials for the day such as towels, sunscreen, and water. When looking for a tote, select something made from a durable material. One thing to consider is the tote it likely to get sand inside and may get wet. As a result, I prefer to opt for a more durable material. I really love this colorful Kate Spade tote I was gifted a few years ago. This option looks fun too.
6. Breathable active wear.
Unlike many tropical vacations we’ve taken such as the Maldives, Fiji offers a lot of trails and hiking, including treks to some stunning waterfalls. One mistake I made on our trip was not packing light active attire. About 80% of our trip consisted of time by the water, but there was one day my husband wanted to go for a hike. While I made the hike work in long leggings, it was not the most ideal attire. Fiji is very warm and humid. Additionally, it gets a reasonable amount of rain which results in a lot of slippery areas on hiking trails. Looking back, I wish I would have packed active shorts, breathable t-shirts, and light baseball hat for this very purpose. Shoes with some solid grip on the bottom are also a wise choice.
I hope this list provides a nice base to start packing for an upcoming trip to Fiji filled with delicious cocktails and sunshine!