Two spectacular weeks in Fiji — a perfect finale to our year of adventure.
Arriving in Paradise
We flew from Auckland to Nadi on June 4th, ready to soak up the sun and slow down for a couple of weeks before returning home. It’s hard to believe that eleven and a half months have already passed since we first left our house. Fiji felt like the perfect final chapter — relaxed, beautiful, and full of friendly people.
For this part of our trip, we booked a complete package with Awesome Adventures Fiji. It’s geared mostly toward backpackers, but it offered just what we wanted — twelve days exploring six different islands, with transportation, meals, and excursions included. We went for the “one coconut” option, which meant budget accommodation but private rooms. The whole package, including meals, transport, and activities, came to about $2,100 for both of us.
Island Hopping and Adventures
Our first stop was Bounty Island, a small circle of sand and palms that you can walk around in half an hour. We snorkeled right off the beach, spotting colorful coral and schools of fish beneath the warm turquoise water. Our next day brought a sailing trip aboard the Seaspray — complete with barbecue lunch, open bar, and a visit to the island where the movie Castaway was filmed. We even joined a kava ceremony at a local village, where I was chosen as co-chief. The drink tastes like muddy water and numbs your tongue, but it’s an important part of Fijian culture.
From there, we continued on to Naqalia Lodge on Wailaili Island — one of our favorite stops. The smaller, family-style resort was incredibly welcoming. Every afternoon ended with a beach volleyball game and laughter. Our first excursion there was snorkeling with reef sharks — and what an experience that was. The guides lured them in, and we swam right beside them, even touching their fins. It was so good we used our second excursion voucher to do it again the next day.
Swimming with Manta Rays
Next came White Sandy Beach Resort, known more for fun than for food. The portions were small and the flavors bland, but the staff made up for it with music and games around the fire pit. The highlight of this stop was swimming with manta rays — graceful, enormous creatures gliding through a fast-moving channel between islands. The current was strong, but once I found my rhythm, I was able to swim alongside them, completely awestruck.
Our following destination, Long Beach, brought more underwater wonder. We explored the famous Blue Lagoon area, feeding fish from donuts and admiring coral gardens more vibrant than any we’d seen before. The caves at Sawila were impressive too, with eerie limestone chambers where we swam through tunnels in the dark.
The Final Islands
Our next stop was Barefoot Island, one of the larger resorts. The snorkeling here was some of the best of our entire trip — drifting effortlessly along a reef teeming with life. Unfortunately, this was also where I discovered that my GPS watch and Egyptian ring were missing. Whether they were lost or stolen, it left a shadow on an otherwise perfect memory. Still, I tried to remind myself that small losses can’t outweigh the richness of such a year.
Our final stop was Beachcomber Island, known as the “party island.” It turned out to be quieter than expected, which suited us just fine. We took advantage of free snorkeling trips several times that day, captivated by the vibrant fish and calm blue sea.
Returning Home
Back on the mainland, we spent our last night at Smugglers Cove in Nadi — the same place where we had started. We watched traditional Fijian dances and fire performances while enjoying our final dinner of fish and chips. The next day, a relaxing massage capped off our Fiji experience before we headed to the airport.
Travel rarely goes perfectly, and this was no exception — our Fiji Airways flight was delayed long enough to make us miss our connection in Los Angeles. But American Airlines came through, rebooking us on the next direct flight to Toronto at no cost. After nearly a year abroad, we were finally back in Canada, ready to spend time with family before returning home to Fort Smith.
Reflection
Fiji was the perfect way to end an incredible year — vibrant, relaxing, and full of meaning. Looking back, it feels like this journey taught me to slow down, to appreciate how vast and beautiful the world truly is, and to realize how little we actually need to feel content. From the snowy peaks of New Zealand to the warm Fijian waters, each experience added something unforgettable. Coming home feels bittersweet, but my heart is full — and I know I’ll carry these memories with me for the rest of my life.
