The name Coral Coast sums up this beautiful stretch of coastline. Don a face mask, grab a snorkel, step off the beach and drift across a coral paradise.
The Coral Coast is less than a two-hour drive south from Fiji’s international airport in Nadi. It’s usually a pit stop where travellers can stretch their legs on the drive between Nadi and Suva, but the area has a lot to offer with 80 kilometres of beautiful beaches, pretty bays, lush forests and spectacular rocky outcrops.
The Coral Coast is dotted with small towns and luxury resorts, but its main draw is the fringing reef that virtually hugs the sandy shoreline. This shallow shelf is the perfect spot for a bit of relaxed snorkelling and there are no boats or dive tanks to have to watch out for. You can just float and enjoy. The coral runs all the way from Sigatoka to Pacific Harbour. The drop off into the South Pacific really takes your breath away. Korolevu is the first choice for snorkelling with many visitors.
There are also plenty of perfect destinations for scuba divers. Dive deep at the Bega Lagoon on one the exhilarating shark dives on offer. Get up close to 8 varieties of shark as well as eagle rays and other magnificent marine mammals.
The Coral Coast has plenty of land-based adventure too. Visit the Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park. Naturally created by fluvial erosion, the area covers 6.5 square kilometres and consists of towering dunes formed over millions of years. Visit before 11 a.m. and after 3 p.m. when the dunes are at their most photogenic, and to avoid the stifling mid-day heat.
Take a tour of the Sigatoka River, or see rare and endangered animals at the Kula Eco Park.
Sigatoka is the perfect place to visit if the weather isn’t so good or if you want some time away from the beach. This town is predominantly Indian and this is reflected in the delicious cuisine on offer and the presence of a Hare Krishna temple. Try a tasty Fijian-style curry or super-sweet Indian desserts. The bustling market place has stalls selling traditional crafts, ethnic jewellery and jewel-bright clothing.
Take a mix of perfect snorkelling, beautiful coral, pretty bays and stylish resorts and add a pinch of Indian spice and you have the perfect ingredients to create the ultimate Fiji experience.
