Is Fiji Boring? (Vs Hamilton / Hayman Island)

Saul Goodman on 04/05/2023 - 21:11
Last edited 08/05/2023 - 08:37

I'm planning a week trip end of Oct early Nov and it's probably going to be Fiji or Hamilton Island. We're from Adelaide. Never been to Fiji before but have been to Ham before which we really enjoyed. If we do Hamilton Island we will probably split it up and do 3N on Hayman where we have not been before though. I'm getting really different answers from the only 2 people I know that have been to Fiji - one recommends it and the other says it was boring, and neither have been to Hamilton Island. I'm reading Fiji is mostly just the resorts and nothing else, but I guess so is Hayman and kind of Hamilton Island. Any chance anyone has been to both and can compare them?

UPDATE

Not doing the trip anymore but instead likely doing Thailand in late January when the weather is better.

Travel Fiji Oceania

Comments

  • Pelicannn on 04/05/2023 - 21:29
    +4

    but have been to Ham before

    Ahh, I see you too are a man of culture

  • Pelicannn on 04/05/2023 - 21:31
    +2

    Fiji can be boring if you don't want a relaxing holiday and are too lazy to book anything yourself. I have been twice. One I spent most of it lounging around an all inclusive, the other I spent it doing activities like jet boat tours, island hikes and waterfall tours, snorkelling the reef, etc.

    • boomramada on 04/05/2023 - 22:10

      For people who think Fiji is boring, Maldives can be boring too?

      • Pelicannn on 04/05/2023 - 23:00
        +6

        I’ve been to the Maldives. Definitely nicer than Fiji but I’d actually argue, less to do.

        • boomramada on 05/05/2023 - 00:20
          +1

          Well look like resort holidays aren't your thing then.

          • Pelicannn on 05/05/2023 - 00:51
            +6

            @boomramada: I think you’ve misread my comment. I’ve done both, I enjoyed both.

      • kyle on 05/05/2023 - 06:54

        It's all a matter of what you want to achieve. Before i went to Maldives, i thought it would be boring too over 10 days. But it turned out i didn't need or want to do much and it's super chilled to be barefoot 24/7 and even in restaurants and time passed so quickly.

  • dtc on 04/05/2023 - 21:57
    +2

    Fiji has big (and small) resorts and you can sit there and do nothing just the same as any other place. Although the service levels are pretty good

    But it also has other activities, mostly water related. These generally cost a fair bit but still cheaper than Australia.

    I actually hired a car and drove around the main island over 10 days. There were some nice places, Raki Raki was relaxing and a few villages were enjoyable. But there definitely aren’t very many tourist sites as such and Suva isn’t worth the effort

    So, as a sight seeing destination Fiji isn’t up there; but when you are comparing it to Hamilton Island it certainly offers just as much if not more. Up to you whether you want to avail yourself of all that it offers or sit around

    • PropertyPig on 09/10/2023 - 09:14

      Where did you hire your card and would you recommend them?

  • afoveht on 04/05/2023 - 22:58

    There's something just so easy about Hammo. An hour on the plane and the next thing you know you're riding around on the buggy without a care.

    • kyle on 05/05/2023 - 06:55
      -1

      That's only if you're already up north!

      • afoveht on 05/05/2023 - 07:55

        I'm in Syd. A bit longer than an hour, not much. Adelaide 2ish - still pretty quick.

  • OpenHand on 04/05/2023 - 23:31
    +1

    Fiji is great but I don't like resort holidays at all, so it depends what you're into.

    I think the cities are really interesting and worth exploring, villages are worth visiting in the right context, and there's lots to do on the other islands. Even the easy to reach ones like the Yasawas.

  • Benoffie on 04/05/2023 - 23:41
    +1

    Id say it's over priced. Try Vanuatu.

  • Sinnerator on 05/05/2023 - 08:29
    +1

    15 years ago Fiji was boring except when you stuck your head underwater. Right on the beach on the islands you stick your head underwater and there were pretty fish everywhere.
    Also it was expensive for what you got.

  • Saul Goodman on 05/05/2023 - 08:58

    Thanks champs.

    I think I've been talked out of Fiji for the whole trip now. I might look into if we can do half half between Vanuatu, New Calendonia or Fiji since they're quite easy to go between. Doing Vanuatu and New Calendonia seems the easiest.

    • GG57 on 05/05/2023 - 09:54

      You have opened a totally new can of worms there. You haven't asked anyone for inputs on Vanuatu and/or New Caledonia, in comparison to your benchmark (Hamilton Island).
      To get valuable feedback, I'd suggest you outline the type of holiday you like and your interests.

      • Saul Goodman on 05/05/2023 - 10:39

        I looked at pictures and they all kind of looked the same - especially the resorts. Thought doing Vanuatu and New Caledonia would just bring more variety. Want a mix of just chilling, swimming, hikes / look outs, culture.

        • dtc on 05/05/2023 - 10:55
          +1

          eh, tbh, most of the pacific islands are much the same from a tourist perspective. Resorts, water sports (at different quality/different type eg Fiji is probably best for surfing; others are better for diving wrecks or game fishing) and thats about it. The islands themselves, outside of the resorts, are not really that interesting - yes you can do hikes and visit villages (which is worth doing), but small fairly run down towns on the whole. Obviously the cultures are different and each place has something different, but its not like moving between Italy and Greece and Spain, for example.

          Unless you are into diving, I would be surprised if Vanuatu gave you a significantly different trip than Fiji. Its not identical, the resorts are different, its much less touristy overall. Its a fine destination that I encourage people to try an alternative to Fiji. But its not going to be that much different to Fiji

          In other words - by all means go to a Pacific island that isnt Fiji, but dont expect it to be all that different to Fiji. If you just want a resort with a bit of extra activities and dont mind it being a little rough around the edges, absolutely go for it

          • GG57 on 05/05/2023 - 11:06

            @dtc: I agree with most of your comments, but we shouldn't forget that OP's benchmark is Hamilton Island. Most places in the Pacific will provide a different experience to that.

            The countries in the western Pacific share the Melanesian culture, but each with different influences (e.g Fiji is influenced by the British and Indian cultures; Vanuatu by the British and French; New Caledonia by the French).

            All will satisfy OP's checklist (chilling, swimming, hikes / look outs, culture) - except that New Caledonia has banned swimming in some areas https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-02/shark-attacks-new-cal…

    • Blokeinhisundies on 05/05/2023 - 10:32
      -1

      New Caledonia is more expensive and not as geared towards tourists.

  • [Deactivated] on 05/05/2023 - 10:47
    +1

    How is your nakey cat going after the broken leg?

    • Saul Goodman on 05/05/2023 - 11:13
      +2

      He is back to 100% except for some small scars :)

  • NocteRegem on 05/05/2023 - 11:27

    I found Fiji had plenty to do e.g. Nadi shopping trips, Cannibal cave tour, Jet boating, Malamala beach club, Cloud 9 etc. A lot does rely on choosing a good quality resort on the beach though as you will spend a lot of time there.

  • Sweet3st on 05/05/2023 - 19:53
    +1

    I went to the Whitsundays last year, but stayed in a rainforest retreat just out of Airlie Beach. Going to New Caledonia (Noumea/Isle of Pines) later this month and looking forward to it. I find resorts boring.

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