BY THE TRAVELLING MINER

With school holidays upon us and the weather starting to warm up, many families are looking for cheap flights to chase the sunshine and sand.

One of the main obstacles for families when investigating the Australian tourist market in the tropics is the price hikes in fairs and accommodation that accompany school breaks. Not to mention that at this time of year, many of the aquatic ‘nasties’ start coming back into season, forcing swimmers into those oh-so-flattering ‘stinger suits’.

Bali is a well-priced alternative, though for some the fast-paced tourist mecca can be a bit overwhelming, especially if you’re looking for something a little more secluded.

Fiji is fast becoming the new destination of choice.

Tropical blue green water and white sand, amazing reefs full of every species of fish featured in ‘Finding Nemo’, choice diving, and of course premium fishing have made Fiji a bucket list destination for many.

However, without a little inside knowledge, even Fiji can still be hit-and-miss so here’s my three top tips:

Be careful of brand names.

I’ve been to Fiji more than a dozen times with some amazing experiences and also some big disappointments. None more so than at some of the brand name hotels. Just because a resort has a well-known name on its signage doesn’t mean it won’t have overcrowded pools, poor restaurant service and not enough lounge chairs or pool towels for every guest. 

My advice – do your research. Out of all the recommendations I’ve had over the years, Outrigger is probably the brand name resort that is able to live up to its reputation. Many of the others can be disappointing relative to their global brand.

Check out some of the privately owned family islands.

There’s a number of non-branded privately owned resorts that offer all the fun and sun for families, with relatively affordable rates. The best thing about these larger privately owned resorts is that they don’t have their brand name to fall back on. They have to fight for your attention and that means making sure their service and facilities stand out. 

From that perspective it’s hard to go past Beqa Lagoon Resort. Beqa is renowned for its beauty, it’s amazing activities (including shark diving) all with not being overcrowded.

However, if you need more options for a larger family getaway or if your trip includes more than one family, try Plantation Island Resort. While my experience was a bit below par, that was before the fairly extensive makeover the resort recently underwent. Since then, I’ve heard good things about the resort and it’s worth checking out. 

Look for the hidden gems. 

There are some amazing smaller privately owned islands that are breathtaking not only for their aesthetics and general beauty, but for their amazing value for money. My favourite is by far Toberua Island Resort.  Located just off the coast of Suva, Toberua Island features just 16 rooms (bures) all in the original Fijian style, all open to a beautiful ocean view. 

The island is a true tropical paradise, featuring nice ‘house reefs’ for snorkelling and a stone’s throw from some of the most amazing snorkelling in the entire tropical Pacific. Five-star food and home-style hospitality make Toberua feel like ‘your island home’. There is no kid’s club (however there is babysitting), with children encouraged to make their own fun in the warm shallow waters in front of each room or in the pool. There’s also kayaking, paddle boarding, handline fishing and much more.

Some of the more additional activities include qualified PADI diving instructors who can take you on your very first dive – or your 100th! There’s a fantastic day trip to a Robinson Caruso style island for a picnic and snorkel, and some awesome game fishing for true monsters of the tropics like GT, spanish mackerel and wahoo.

While it’s an international flight, followed by a super short puddle jumper across the main island, Toberua Island Resort is well worth the extra effort.