Top 5 Coral Coast Cultural Tours: A Traveler’s Review
If you’re dreaming of sun-kissed beaches and crystal-clear waters, then the Coral Coast in Fiji is probably already on your radar. It’s very much more than just a beautiful spot. You can soak up so much local culture on trips around here, too. From historical sites to meeting real local people, it seems like there’s something for almost everyone. I figured I’d gather together my top 5 trips around the Coral Coast, hopefully to give you guys some inspiration to get planning! Read our full review: Coral Coast Fiji Tours Full Review and Details
1. Viti Levu Cultural Day Tour
So, kicking things off with a bang, the Viti Levu Cultural Day Tour really gives you a proper taste of local life on the island. We started bright and early, I mean it felt a little early when the bus collected us from our hotel. Actually it’s not just a quick sightseeing run, you know. We traveled through tons of different villages. It felt so amazing watching local life unfold as we trundled past. Plus, stopping at the Biausevu Waterfall? That was definitely an absolute highlight, too! It was more or less a real experience standing under this stunning, completely natural wonder. We spent time looking at the crafts made nearby as well.
Anyway, the cultural shows, which showcased traditional Fijian dances and music, are typically quite a sight. Also, let me say, it’s an extremely good chance to get your fill of local food – with a ‘Lovo’ feast! Food cooked underground using heated stones. Talk about some proper authentic cooking, I mean it was just delicious. What they actually cook in the ‘Lovo’ tends to be meats and vegetables – the tastes from them are gorgeous and smoky. What makes it such a big attraction I would say, is that is such a full day, you come away basically feeling as though you have a much better handle on how life works here. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Viti Levu Cultural Tour)
2. Sigatoka River Safari
I think that for something with just a little bit of adventure, and really special scenery too it’s the Sigatoka River Safari! This one wasn’t a quiet, you know, gentle trip; we jumped on board these jet boats and basically sped into the core of Fiji, which took us along the Sigatoka River. I didn’t think that I could love anything more. Anyway it’s kind of interesting learning a fair amount about the river’s history, that is to say what part it had to play for the Fijians down the decades. You are almost there when you visit traditional villages deep inland. It was great actually chatting to some locals. We took kava with the village chief, that’s when you really start to feel you’re soaking things up. It’s actually considered good to do the Kava Ceremony when visiting Fiji so if the opportunity ever crops up, well, take it!
So, if you get a buzz from something just slightly different, or if you actually quite enjoy learning stuff from the local folks and getting proper stunning scenery, well then you have definitely gotta put the Sigatoka River Safari on the list. I do think it’s more or less one of those that just kind of stick with you afterwards. Read our full review: Sigatoka River Safari Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Sigatoka River Safari)
3. Kula WILD Adventure Park
It’s almost the park offers a fun way to get more up close with Fijian wildlife, very useful and fun if you’re after a slightly calmer day trip. So, think like, parrots with gorgeous colours, heaps of cool lizards and loads of bats hanging about, all running free inside large enclosures. It was a truly awesome experience being surrounded by it all, by the way.
Yet, it isn’t totally just for chilling out looking at stuff. If you happen to love heights, there’s also an absolutely fab canopy walk right over the place. So, for that slightly extra touch, what with water slides plus a cool splash pool, what happens then, the little ones especially tend to get to enjoy running about in. I feel it probably might be worth half a day of anyone’s time, I mean who would guess so much gorgeous nature would be waiting there! Read our full review: Kula WILD Adventure Park Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Kula WILD Adventure Park)
4. Hot Glass Fiji
Now, if you love art that comes from the local scene and just really cool, different activities, so then make sure you check out Hot Glass Fiji. That, really, really, is a cool attraction! Anyway it’s this place where talented artists tend to create awesome stuff from molten glass. As a matter of fact you get to have a go, you see how glassblowers do all of their tricks. They are the absolute masters of the trade. Anyway the most popular one tends to be to learn making bits out of glass from those pros at glassblowing. By the way, if I was to recommend a thing, well that must be seeing that.
Apparently they’re inspired when the blowers knock out pieces inspired by Fiji’s natural world. To see glass transformed it has an ethereal and ephemeral air about it, honestly you get memories just lasting with you, you know. When you’ve seen the art side of things that’s not the end. Maybe have a peep around the shop, grab what is on sale there made that day. Really unique things it might well be good for a special birthday present too I have to say! Read our full review: Hot Glass Fiji Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Hot Glass Fiji)
5. Local Village Visit & School Tour
So, for a bit more of a meaningful interaction then seriously consider some trips that can get you around local villages and schools too, because sometimes the true Fijian vibe can be found off the beaten trail! Actually I’d say, what beats popping around and having some time with people and kids? A fair amount of excursions tend to start off with the villages opening up and the locals show a slice of village life to you. Maybe even they show the way traditional stuff gets made!
But just possibly my favourite part of trips such as these is to stop into a nearby school! Yet maybe get some things sorted for the trip, such as notepads or stationery or something, when visiting places of learning to kind of put a little happiness into people’s lives and perhaps assist local folk with their schools at the same time! It may happen that that experience turns out as that bit that you remember over all those many years afterwards! It very well shows how real this gorgeous location happens to be; those are the best bits, if you want my honest thoughts. Read our full review: Fiji Village School Tour Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Fiji Village School Tour)