Denarau Island: Tropical Experiences and Island Excursions

Landscaped tropical gardens across 850 acres provide the setting for a stay on Denarau Island. There are also sports activities, a water park and excursions departing from Port Denarau Marina. This raises a practical question as you plan your holiday: should the focus be on experiences on the island, or would you also like to include day trips and journeys to other islands?

Sports and Water Fun on Denarau Island

The Denarau Golf & Racquet Club brings together a range of activities amid the island’s tropical landscape. Its championship course has 18 holes, and there are also ten tennis courts: six with natural grass and four with synthetic surfaces. Mini golf and a bungee trampoline add to the facilities. If you like to fill your holiday with sporting activities, you’ll find different options here than at the water park. The range of activities can also help make shared holiday days more varied.

At Big Bula Waterpark, the attractions include large water slides, surfing with big waves and obstacle courses. You can also climb 10-metre-high palm trees. There is a separate area for younger children. The park also includes Fijian Falls, next to the world’s largest inflatable water park. This mix of major attractions and a separate area for younger children is a tangible difference for families planning activities on Denarau Island.

Port Denarau as a Starting Point for Excursions

Port Denarau brings tour operators, car rental companies, spa services, banks, currency exchange offices, retail shops and restaurants together in one place. Port Denarau Marina is also a starting point for exploring the Fijian island groups of Mamanuca and Yasawa. Ferry, water taxi and cruise operators organise day trips and transfers to island resorts from there. When choosing a holiday rental, you can therefore consider whether such excursions should also feature prominently in your itinerary, alongside activities on Denarau.

One specific example is the day trip to South Sea Island, which operates from Port Denarau by high-speed catamaran. The Fiji Island Cultural Experience also departs from and returns to Port Denarau. If you’re looking for an excursion that combines water activities with insights into local traditions, the Tivua Island Day Cruise is another option. It includes guided snorkelling, guided glass-bottom boat trips, canoes and stand-up paddleboards. The return journey includes a traditional kava ceremony and a handicraft demonstration.

Dining and Cultural Cruises

The Sunset Dinner Cruise departs from Port Denarau Marina. A tropical buffet made with fresh local ingredients is served on board, and the cruise also features traditional Fijian cultural entertainment with singing and dancing. This experience combines a meal with a cultural performance. The programme at Port at Denarau also included free entertainment featuring fire dancing and Polynesian or Melanesian dances.

The open-sided Bula Bus runs daily between the resorts on Denarau Island and Port Denarau Marina. It operates every 10 to 15 minutes. This is useful when planning your day if you want to balance activities on the island with options at the marina departure point. When choosing your holiday rental, you can first decide whether you mainly want to enjoy sports and the water park or set off more often on organised excursions.

Other destinations: Nalauwaki, Vomo, Viwa, Wayasewa Island, Korolevu, Bukama, Matacawalevu and Vunaniu.

For the broader travel overview: Western Division.