The majority of Kadavu, a 50-minute flight from the city of Nadi on Viti Levu, is blanketed in lush rainforest that’s best explored via one of many scenic hiking trails. Bordering the island to the south is the Great Astrolabe Reef – one of the world’s largest barrier reefs – where snorkellers will spot vibrant tropical fish and even manta rays.

One of 20 isles in the Mamanuca chain, Mana is just an hour by boat from Viti Levu’s Nadi International Airport. With only five 100 square metre thatched villas, Tadrai Island Resort takes secluded escape to a new level. Spend your days diving or snorkelling off Tadrai’s four beaches or island hop to nearby Monuriki Island for a private picnic. The resort’s mobile Wai Siliva Spa offers treatments anywhere you’d like on the property, so why not unwind with a massage in one of the oceanside bures while the sound of gently lapping waves lulls you into total relaxation?

Snorkelling tours head for Beqa Island, just south of Viti Levu, where the reef delivers the big guns: turtles, giant clams, sharks and a dizzying array of coral formations. It’s also a popular destination for divers, with over 100 sites in close proximity to the island. 

Just 10 minutes by boat from Tavarua Island and you’ll be at Cloudbreak, one of the world’s premier surf spots. At this famous open-ocean reef break, waves can be almost two metres tall. If you’re not up for the world’s best, the island has seven other breaks to choose from – enough to keep even the most serious of surfers entertained.

With 11 private beaches, this pristine paradise has no shortage of sandy stretches for long walks as the sun sets. The island’s only luxury all-inclusive resort, which is just a 25-minute flight from Nadi International Airport, guarantees loved-up couples a peaceful stay. No day trippers, no televisions and no traffic – just palm trees swaying and the ocean waves mere steps from your private thatched villa.

Qalito, or Castaway Island, in Fiji’s west, has just one resort on its shores. Castaway Island Fiji has won a host of awards for its family-friendly approach to accommodation, including a comprehensive kids’ club and an expansive list of activities (including beach volleyball and paddleboarding) that will keep every member of the family busy. 

The Unesco World Heritage listed town of Levuka on Ovalau was once the capital of Fiji and today it's one of the only towns in the South Pacific that has preserved the architecture brought to the islands by European traders in the early 19th Century. One of the best ways to get a glimpse of Levuka’s fascinating history is to visit Fiji’s first private members club, the Ovalau Club – the oldest social organisation in the South Pacific and  a living embodiment of the settlement’s colonial past.  Beyond Levuka, the island has forested mountains crisscrossed with hiking trails that lead to traditional coastal villages. If you’d rather explore by bike or rental car, Ovalau’s only road hugs the coastline and offers stunning ocean panoramas.

Largely untouched by tourism, these islands are home to some of Fiji’s most authentic experiences. Flights and boat services are limited to certain parts of this chain – you can charter your own transit from one of the more populated islands such as Viti Levu or sail over with Captain Cook Cruises. For those in search of an unplugged escape, these friendly isles dotted with traditional villages are worth the effort. With its azure lagoon ringed by hundreds of limestone islets and coral reefs, Fulaga’s alabaster beaches are a must-visit, where the only footprints you’re likely to find are your own – or those of the coconut crabs that thrive here. On Kabara, one of the larger islands of the Lau archipelago, wander through villages that are renowned for their craftsmanship of intricate wood carvings. After a day of exploring, return to Vatuvara Private Islands, where three all-inclusive luxury villas with private deck and pool, a dedicated in-villa spa and massage room await.

The country’s second-largest island sees far fewer visitors than its sister island, Viti Levu, but there’s plenty to love on ‘Big Island’. Coconut plantations, hot springs and reserves filled with tropical flora and fauna are just the beginning —and you won’t have to fight your way through crowds, either.