Beyond fly-and-flop: How Fiji is evolving for modern travellers

Once synonymous with easy fly-and-flop escapes, Fiji is now drawing solo travellers, slow-stay devotees and experience-driven visitors seeking connection, flexibility and depth alongside the islands’ signature warmth

Crystalline waters and soft white sand, framed by swaying palms. A visit to Fiji is like stepping into a postcard, which is just one (aesthetically pleasing) reason why the Pacific paradise has long been a hit with Australian travellers.

Australia consistently delivers around half of Fiji’s international visitors annually. Traditionally, it is couples and families who drift towards the idyllic islands, famed for providing warm, genuine hospitality. Now, visitor numbers are on the rise as a wider variety of travellers – those who prioritise connection, ease and experiences that feel grounded in place – increasingly gravitate towards the nation’s pristine shores.

From serene wellness retreats and boutique resorts to immersive cultural encounters and active pursuits, the breadth of experiences is helping redefine Fiji as a destination not just for traditional holidays, but for a next generation of travellers who value flexibility, choice and meaning.

Go slow, go solo

Slow travel continues to gain traction as holidaymakers step back from the urgency of overstuffed itineraries. Shaped by intention, this trend allows travellers to experience a destination more deeply, inviting them to relax, reset and relish.

With its easy rhythm and gentle hospitality, and a landscape so naturally serene, Fiji is just the place to support those craving a gentler version of travel. Linger in the Yasawa islands, where nature’s spoils truly inspire; take unhurried walks through the ‘garden island’ of Taveuni, with its lush rainforest trails and sparkling waterfalls; or self-drive along the Coral Coast, stopping as you please at local markets and quiet beaches.

Wellness stays also provide quality moments of reflection and restoration. Take Six Senses, for example, where visiting practitioners such as Ayurvedic doctors, sound healers, yoga teachers, holistic health coaches, reiki masters, and acupuncturists, deliver utterly recuperative stays.

Solo travellers, too, are finding solace at Fiji’s smaller, boutique resorts. This fast-rising travel demographic, which is dominated by women, is drawn to the balance of intimacy, independence and safety.

Boutique resorts, many of them available to adults only, give solo guests space to explore independently while also offering curated activities and opportunities for social connection. Surfing expeditions, diving lessons, cultural workshops, fly-and-flop – whatever style of solo travel suits, it all unfolds in an unfailingly welcoming environment.

Experiences with meaning

As the desire for meaningful travel grows, so too does Fiji’s suite of philanthropic and community-engaged experiences, allowing visitors to connect with and support the environment and local cultures.

At Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, for example, guests can join village visits led by long-time community partners, learning traditional weaving, cooking and storytelling practices directly from local custodians.

Resorts such as Kokomo Private Island invite guests to participate in coral gardening, manta-ray monitoring and reef-restoration initiatives alongside marine biologists, while community organisations along the Coral Coast run volunteer beach clean-ups and nature-based education programs that travellers can join at a low-pressure pace, adding a layer of purpose to their visit.

Even many of Fiji’s premium kid’s club are designed around sustainable and educational experiences, teaching younger travellers about conservation, local culture and the natural world.

We fall asleep and wake to the sounds of the forest, including some of Sri Lanka’s more than 30 endemic birds.

Explore more, do more

Fiji is synonymous with the beloved fly-and-flop, and for good reason. The classic – and swift – transition from drink on arrival to drink by the pool is hard to fault and staying put it a gold-star choice.

Yet, with so many premium resorts and experiences to choose from, more and more travellers are embracing multi-stay itineraries that uncover Fiji’s many layers, from private-island resorts and rainforest retreats to eco-stays and dive-focused hideaways.

For adventure seekers, this approach opens a veritable playground of activities: surf world-class waves along the Coral Coast or Mamanucas; freedive in coral-rich lagoons, snorkel hidden reefs teeming with tropical fish; explore unspoiled waterways via kayak, paddleboard or sailboat.

Be it an island-hopping adventure or self-drive journey, a multi-stop visit offers flexibility and depth, and a more holistic approach to enjoying the richness of Fiji.

Hotel Notes

Rates at Santani Wellness Kandy start from US$443 (about AU$715) per night for a Mountain View Chalet on a full-board basis for two adults, including breakfast, lunch and dinner. Santani’s wellness rates start at US$763 (about AU$1,235) per night for a Mountain View Chalet on a full-board basis for two adults, including an Ayurvedic doctor consultation and a daily 90-minute treatment. abercrombiekent.com.au santani.com