Fijis National Parks and Marine Sanctuaries

Fiji’s Commitment to Conservation

Fiji is an active voice for small island developing states at global climate and oceans conferences, has pledged to protect 30% of its waters by 2030, and already supports nearly 400 community-led marine areas across the islands. 

Here, the combination of traditional knowledge and modern conservation monitoring is common practice. Local villages (who still own much of the land and fishing rights) play a central role in managing and protecting their reefs, forests and wildlife, ensuring that Fiji's natural environment remains intact for the communities who depend on it, and for visitors to experience. 

Why Visit Fiji's Protected Areas? 

Fiji's protected areas safeguard landscapes and seascapes which help protect native wildlife, preserve traditional knowledge and heritage, support local communities and strengthen climate resilience. 

For adventurous travellers, they’re places where off the beaten track adventures live. Where you can hike through tropical rainforest and cloud forest, swim beneath raging waterfalls, snorkel over thriving coral reefs, discover native birds and unique plant life or visit community-led conservation projects and learn how traditional stewardship helps protect land and sea. 

Many protected areas remain relatively uncrowded, making them ideal for eco-tourists, nature lovers and anyone seeking authentic experiences beyond the resorts. 



Fiji's National Parks  

There are only a handful of national parks, each with their own character, but all offer a genuine chance to slow down and immerse yourself in nature.  Popular national parks include: 
 

PARK	REGION	BEST FOR
Colo-i-Suva Forest Park	Suva	Rainforest trails, freshwater swimming pools, birdwatching hotspot
Bouma National Park	Taveuni	Includes Bouma Falls, Lavena Coastal Walk and Vidawa Rainforest Hike - rainforest trails, waterfalls, birdwatching hotspot
Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park	Coral Coast	Fiji's first national park, extensive sand dunes, archeological site and epic coastal views
Koroyanitu Heritage Park	Nadi	Serious hikers to Mt. Batilamu, waterfall trails, birdwatching hotspot, Fijian village life

Fiji's Marine Parks and Marine Reserves 

With 300+ islands and thousands of square kilometres of ocean, you’ll find that some of Fiji’s most extraordinary protected areas are underwater.  Great snorkelling and diving can be found all over Fiji, but marine protected areas (where fishing is banned) tend to have the healthiest reefs. So if you want pristine, these are your go-to spots. 

A handful of dive operators offer shark dives in the Beqa Lagoon and Yasawa Islands, but the Shark Reef Marine Reserve (with Beqa Adventure Divers) near Pacific Harbour is widely regarded as one of the best and most responsibly run shark dive experiences in the world. 



Many of Fiji's marine reserves are community-managed, meaning local villages are directly involved in protecting them and directly benefit from their health. Many resorts also preserve the reef areas around them for guests to enjoy and some go further, running coral restoration and sea turtle protection programs. Some activity operators have partnered with communities to preserve swathes of natural ecosystems as a sustainable alternative to mining or deforestation. Below are some of marine reserves you can visit.
 

PARK	REGION	BEST FOR
Waitabu Marine Park	Taveuni	Community run marine protected area – excellent snorkelling site
Namena Marine Reserve	Bligh Water	Community run marine protected area with some of Fiji’s best dive sites.
Shark Reef Marine Reserve	Pacific Harbour /Beqa Lagoon	Fiji's famous shark dives - see bull, tiger and lemon sharks up close with Beqa Adventure Divers

Fiji's Protected Areas 

Fiji's national parks protect some of the country's most significant natural and cultural landscapes. Popular parks include: 
 

PARK	REGION	BEST FOR
Upper Navua Conservation Area	Namosi / Pacific Harbour	Scenic river canyon, waterfalls, native rainforest and endemic sago palm — best experienced on a whitewater rafting trip with Rivers Fiji

Fiji’s Protected Species 

In addition to natural ecosystems, there are a number of protected native species.   Below are areas where they are protected or you can visit them with activity or resort providers. 
 

SPECIES	REGION	DESCRIPTION
Iguana	Mamanuca Island	Yadua Taba Island (private sanctuary); Kula Wild Adventure Park (Coral Coast); Likuliku Lagoon Resort and Six Senses Fiji (Mamanuca Islands)
Turtles	Mamanuca Island	Treasure Island, Serenity Island, Namotu, Vomo Fiji

Practical and Responsible Tips for Eco-Travellers 

Here’s how you can help protect Fiji's natural places with a few small choices.

• Hire a local guide. It’s always a good idea to do so in remote places, but a knowledgeable local guide can also be your window to local culture, flora and fauna and the fee helps support community livelihoods. 

• Pay entry fees. Govt. funded parks and community run areas generally have lower entry fees while some can only be accessed by a tourism activity that leases the land and pays fees to the landowners for their protection. They fund trails, rangers and conservation programs and much of it goes back to the local community. 

• Respect village protocols. Many protected areas are on traditional (iTaukei) land.  If you must seek permission from the village for i-sevusevu ceremony, dress modestly, remove your hat on entry and follow your guide's lead. Read more about village etiquette. 

• Time your hiking trip for May to October when the climate is drier, cooler and better for trails. The wet season brings lush forests and fuller waterfalls, but tracks can get slippery and some areas flood. 

• Book dive trips early. The best operators fill quickly in peak season. Read reviews carefully and choose licensed operators who are safety-certified. 

• Leave no trace. Stick to marked trails, leave shells and coral where you find them, and carry your rubbish out. 

Exploring Fiji's protected areas is a chance to experience the landscapes, wildlife and communities that make the islands unique, and discover a side of Fiji many visitors never see.