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When TID staffer Sally jetted off to the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa in March 2025 with her young family, she was chasing sunshine, adventure, and a little escape from routine. What she got? Exactly that, plus a week packed with unexpected lessons, a few surprises, and memories that already feel like family legend.
Here’s the trip recap – plus a few tips picked up along the way.
Resort life is the life
We quickly realised: resort life is our style. From the endless buffet breakfast to lazy beach days, mixing relaxation with island adventures gave us the best of both worlds.
Activities: Book early, plan flexibly
A few day trips mixed with resort days was the perfect balance. We chose South Sea Island (a kid favourite), a half-day to Malamala Beach Club, and the popular Ecotrax tour (Fiji’s #1 TripAdvisor activity). Heads-up: book Ecotrax early in your trip in case weather delays it. Ours was rained out, but we managed to squeeze it in on our final day.
Lesson? Lock in the must-dos early and leave wiggle room for the rest.
Island day trips: Weather-dependent wonders
South Sea Island was a trip highlight – snorkelling, kayaks, a “submarine” (glass-bottom boat), and souvenir shopping that totally blew our budget (and we didn’t even care). The best part? Ticking ‘swimming with a sea turtle’ off the Fiji bucket list.
Just remember: sometimes weather makes all the difference. Our friends did the same trip two days later and were begging to leave early thanks to the drizzle. The takeaway? You can’t control the weather, but try to be open to the fact the day may not go quite as planned.
Coconuts ❤️> Coconut water 👎
Fresh coconuts? Iconic. The taste? Still coconut water. The excitement of cracking a fresh coconut waned when we discovered fresh coconut tastes rather like bottled coconut water, which I’ve (unfortunately for my health) never been a fan of. Still, it is absolutely a must-try when in Fiji, and the pics? 10/10.
Resort waterslide: 10/10 would recommend (despite the swimmer damage)
Yes, the resort slide will wreck your swimmers and yes, it is totally worth it.
Forget the spa. The true luxury? Watching our 4-year-old go down the waterslide 47 times in a row. She still talks about it. Our swimmers? R.I.P.
Snorkels, sea lice and sudden hives
One unexpected souvenir? A full-body rash after snorkelling. Turns out sea lice are a thing. Cue a sleepless, itchy night and a mad dash to the local pharmacy for antihistamines. Moral of the story? Don't skimp on the travel first aid kit. You never know how your body might react in an unfamiliar environment.
Snacks are a holiday currency
Despite packing a carry-on full of snacks, we still ran out. The AU$14 resort chips sent us on a Bula Bus adventure to the Port Denarau general store. Top-up successful, snack crisis averted.
Yes to WiFi, no to work chat
The resort WiFi? Excellent. I sent one cheeky island selfie to the work chat, then turned off notifications. Holiday mode: ON.
The $200 pasta habit
Despite a solid kids' menu, we ended up ordering plain pasta every night - at AU$17 a serve. Times two kids. Every night. I hear you saying - that's travel with picky eaters for you. But these kids are generally pretty easy to please, so be prepared tastes may change when they're away from home.
Oh and yes, my kids did eat ice cream for breakfast... and I absolutely did too.
Kids club: resistance is futile
I had grand plans of quality family bonding away from our usual day-to-day. The kids had other ideas - namely, the kids club zipline and splash park. I didn't stand a chance.
Daily laundry = daily joy
We upgraded our room to include laundry and unlimited kids club. Was it cheaper than paying as we went? Maybe not. Was it worth not doing mental laundry-math or re-wearing sunscreen-stained shirts? Absolutely.
Dining out math: less scary than it sounds
Yes, the mains were eye-watering. But with some strategic ordering (hello, sharing plates), a few off-resort meals, and an unexpected $40 dining credit per day, the final bill wasn't as scary as we'd feared.
Bula braids: a holiday rite of passage
We learnt from our 4-year-old that there is no minimum amount of hair required for Fijian braids. Her tiny braids got the full island treatment and she wore them like a queen.
Our 7-year-old discovered that a full head of braids can take well over an hour (and feel like 3)... which, in holiday time, is equivalent to at least 15 missed waterslide runs. Still, the payoff when you strut back into school with the ultimate tropical hairstyle - totally worth it.
A taste of Fiji's culture (yes, even from the resort)
Fiji was a great destination to introduce our kids to a culture that felt different to home, even without leaving the resort. They got to watch fire dancing, see coconuts (or 'niu') being cracked open by hand, and try their own grass weaving under the guidance of staff who were more patient than I could ever be.
And then there's the Fijian spirit - "Bula!" echoing from every direction, every hour of the day. It wasn't just a greeting; it felt like a constant invitation to slow down, smile, and connect. Our kids now shout "Bula!" to strangers at the park, so I guess it stuck.
Our week wasn't a deep dive into Fijian culture, but it was enough for the kids to pick up on the vibe. Fiji gave them more than a holiday - it gave them their first glimpse into another way of life.
A final word from the kids:
- 7-year-old wisdom: Check the daily activities board! Highlights included bowling, aqua aerobics and bracelet making.
- 4-year-old wisdom: Water. Slide. Now.
TLDR:
Tips to help you focus on the fun: Pack antihistamines. Budget for plain pasta. Don't skip the waterslide. And embrace the chaos - it makes the best stories.
Travel Insurance
We all know the good times can take a slight detour when travelling. When the going gets tough, Travel Insurance Direct policies aim to do the heavy lifting and may assist with travel insurance cover for family adventures. TID’s cover for sports and activities, including water-based sports, may help keep your trip moving in the right direction, so you can refocus on the fun.
This is a summary only. Cover is subject to the terms, conditions, exclusions of the PDS. Consider the PDS and TMD and if this product is right for you.