Orientation briefing in Fiji

Austronesians settled Fiji around 1000 B.C., followed by successive waves of Melanesians starting around the first century A.D. Fijians traded with Polynesian groups in Samoa and Tonga, and by about 900, much of Fiji was in the Tu’i Tongan Empire’s sphere of influence. The Tongan influence declined significantly by 1200, while Melanesian seafarers continued to periodically arrive in Fiji, further mixing Melanesian and Polynesian cultural traditions. The first European spotted Fiji in 1643 and by the 1800s, European merchants, missionaries, traders, and whalers frequented the islands. Rival kings and chiefs competed for power, at times aided by Europeans, and in 1865, Seru Epenisa CAKOBAU united many groups into the Confederacy of Independent Kingdoms of Viti. The arrangement proved weak, however, and in 1871 CAKOBAU formed the Kingdom of Fiji in an attempt to centralize power. Fearing a hostile takeover by a foreign power as the kingdom’s economy began to falter, CAKOBAU ceded Fiji to the UK in 1874.

The first British governor set up a plantation-style economy and brought in more than 60,000 Indians as indentured laborers, most of whom chose to stay in Fiji rather than return to India when their contracts expired. In the early 1900s, society was divided along ethnic lines, with iTaukei (indigenous Fijians), Europeans, and Indo-Fijians living in separate areas and maintaining their own languages and traditions. ITaukei fears of an Indo-Fijian takeover of government delayed independence through the 1960s; Fiji achieved independence in 1970 with agreements to allocate parliamentary seats by ethnic groups. After two coups in 1987, a new constitution in 1990 cemented iTaukei control of politics, leading thousands of Indo-Fijians to leave. A reformed constitution in 1997 was more equitable and led to the election of an Indo-Fijian prime minister in 1999, who was ousted in a coup the following year. In 2005, the new prime minister put forward a bill that would grant pardons to the coup perpetrators, leading Josaia Voreqe "Frank" BAINIMARAMA to launch a coup in 2006. BAINIMARAMA appointed himself prime minister in 2007 and retained the position after elections in 2014 and 2018 that international observers deemed credible. BAINIMARAMA's party lost control of the prime minister position after elections in 2022 with former opposition leader Sitiveni Ligamamada RABUKA winning the office by a narrow margin.

Global travel impacts due to escalation in the Middle East

Escalation in the Middle East has caused widespread travel disruption, including airspace closures, delayed and cancelled flights. 

Your travel plans may be affected, even if your destination is not in the Middle East. Before you travel:

• check travel advice for any countries or territories you are transiting through
• check for the latest updates from your airline or tour operator
• review your travel insurance policy for coverage
• monitor local and international media for the latest information and sign up for travel advice email alerts

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: 

• see general advice for women travellers
• read our guide on disability and travel abroad
• see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
• read about safety for solo and independent travel
• see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

About FCDO travel advice

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.

Help abroad  

See how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency. 

Help in the UK  

You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.  

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)  

Find out about call charges

Get travel advice updates  

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.  

Follow FCDO: 

• travel advice on X

• travel advice on Facebook

Terrorism

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.

UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.

Terrorism in Fiji

Although there’s no recent history of terrorism in Fiji, attacks cannot be ruled out.

Protests and demonstrations

Protests can occur with little warning. Avoid demonstrations, rallies or street gatherings. Avoid any areas of obvious military or police activity.

Crime

The risk of serious crime is generally low, but there are occasional incidents including sexual assault.

Protecting your belongings

Be careful of your belongings in cities and other popular tourist destinations. To reduce the risk:

• avoid carrying everything in one bag
• carry a copy of the photo page of your passport and leave the original in a secure place
• avoid leaving your belongings unattended
• be alert when withdrawing money from cash machines
• keep windows and doors locked when driving and belongings out of sight when parked

Sexual assault

Take additional care when walking at night in cities, towns and isolated areas, particularly if you are a woman travelling alone. There have been serious sexual assaults against foreign nationals in Fiji, including British women.

See advice for women travelling abroad.

Drink spiking and methanol poisoning

There has been an increase in cases of serious illness caused by alcoholic drinks containing methanol in popular travel destinations around the world.

Even small amounts of methanol can kill. It is not possible to identify methanol in alcoholic drinks by taste or smell. See Travel Aware Drink Spiking and Methanol Poisoning for information about how to reduce the risks.

Seek urgent medical attention if you or someone you are travelling with show the signs of methanol poisoning after drinking.

Scams

Be alert to the risk of credit card fraud. This may include credit card skimming devices or other types of data theft. Take care when paying with credit cards or withdrawing money from ATMs.

Mobile phone coverage

Phone coverage in rural areas and outlying islands can be limited or non-existent. Many UK mobile phones do not work, as your provider may not have an international roaming agreement in Fiji.

You can buy a Fiji SIM card at Nadi International Airport and at convenience stores and supermarkets. You must register your SIM card if you buy it locally.

Laws and cultural differences

Illegal drugs and prison sentences

Possession of even small quantities of illegal drugs can lead to imprisonment and a large fine. Possession of any amount of marijuana carries a 3-month prison sentence.

Kava-drinking ceremonies

Kava is a traditional drink in Fiji used in kava ceremonies. If you’re invited to take part in a kava-drinking ceremony, be aware of the potential risks of liver toxicity.

Nudity

Topless bathing and nudity in public is illegal. Cover your shoulders and knees in rural villages and during kava ceremonies.

LGBT+ travellers

Homosexuality was decriminalised in February 2010, but there can be local sensitivities, particularly when visiting rural communities.

Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.

Outdoor activities and adventure tourism

Water-based activities

There are dangerous rip tides along reefs and river estuaries. Unless you have reliable local knowledge, swim from beaches that have lifeguards on duty and follow the flag warning system. 

See water safety on holiday from the Royal Life Saving Society.  

If you take part in any water activities, make sure you use a reputable, fully licensed company with up-to-date equipment and necessary safety features. 

See ⁠watersports safety advice from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA).

Scuba diving 

Diving schools may have limited resources and do not always observe safety and maintenance standards. Always:  

• ask to see a dive operator’s credentials  and use schools with appropriate qualifications and credentials

• check the conditions on your insurance policy – some policies require dive instructors to have certain qualifications  

• make sure safety equipment is in good condition  

• make sure oxygen is available on the boat  

Make sure you know what to do if something goes wrong, including how to call for help while at sea.

There’s only one hyperbaric (recompression) chamber in Fiji, at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital in Suva. It is not always working. Check its status before scuba diving and get advice from your dive instructor or dive team. Make sure your insurance covers diving and medical evacuation costs.

Be aware of jellyfish and follow local advice.

Transport risks

Road travel

If you are planning to drive in Fiji, see information on driving abroad.

You can use a UK driving licence to drive in Fiji.

Many roads in Fiji are in poor condition and can be dangerous. Roads are particularly hazardous at night due to a lack of street lighting and the chance of pedestrians or stray animals on the road. Avoid road travel outside of urban areas at night. Vehicle safety regulations are rarely enforced and driving standards are poor.

Severe weather can lead to roads becoming damaged, blocked or washed away. Seek local advice before you set out.

Taxis and minibuses

Only use licensed taxis that have a yellow registration plate.

Not all minibuses are licensed. Only use those with yellow number plates. Unlicensed minibuses are frequently not insured.

Sea travel

Check the boat operator’s credentials and safety equipment before boarding boats or vessels travelling between islands.  Avoid any vessels that are overloaded as they are in danger of capsizing or sinking, particularly in poor weather conditions. Check to make sure there is adequate life-saving equipment for everyone on board in case of emergencies.

Extreme weather and natural disasters

Find out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards.

Earthquakes

Fiji is in an earthquake zone. There can be occasional tremors, which could trigger tsunami alerts. Make sure you understand the local safety procedures for earthquakes and tsunamis.

The US Federal Emergency Management Agency has advice about what to do before, during and after an earthquake or tsunami.

Tropical cyclones

Tropical cyclone season normally runs from November to April, but cyclones occur throughout the year. During the cyclone season there is a greater risk of strong winds and heavy rain. Cyclones can cause flooding and landslides, often damaging or blocking roads and resulting in road closures.

Follow weather updates from Fiji Meteorological Service, local newspapers and Radio Fiji GOLD. The National Disaster Management Office has information on how to prepare.

Before you travel check that:

• your destination can provide the healthcare you may need
• you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation

This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.

Emergency medical number

Dial 911 and ask for an ambulance.

Contact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.

Vaccine recommendations and health risks

At least 8 weeks before your trip:

• check the latest vaccine recommendations for Fiji
• see where to get vaccines and whether you have to pay on the NHS travel vaccinations page

See what health risks you’ll face in Fiji including:

• dengue
• Zika virus
• chikungunya
• HIV/AIDS, and other sexually transmitted infections. For more information, see TravelHealthPro

Medication

The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.

Read best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.

Healthcare in Fiji

FCDO has a list of medical providers in Fiji where some staff will speak English.

Healthcare facilities are limited in range and availability. In serious medical emergencies, people are often evacuated to another country for treatment.

There is no reciprocal healthcare agreement between the UK and Fiji. Hospitals usually ask for immediate cash payment for health services.

Travel and mental health

Read FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro.