FIJI IN 11 PHOTOS

11 Photos That Will Make You Want to Visit Fiji As the days get increasingly colder, you may find yourself fantasizing about a warm-weather getaway. Instead of your go-to beach destination, consider flying for a few extra hours this year to reach the South Pacific—specifically Fiji. This archipelago of more than 300 islands is a true tropical paradise, with perfect beaches, colorful marine life, and resorts fit for royalty. Here are 11 photos to inspire your wanderlust.

Surrounded by coral reef, the uninhabited Monuriki Island is part of the Mamanuca Islands, a volcanic archipelago known for its beaches and marine life. Incidentally, it was also featured in the 2000 film, Cast Away.

An ocean view along the Lavena Coastal Walk on Taveuni, the third-largest island in Fiji. This 3-mile walk is a popular tourist activity, winding past villages and a waterfall with a lagoon perfect for kayaking.

The traditional houses of Navala on Viti Levu, Fiji's largest island. This 200-year-old village is known for its traditional thatched bure (huts) and scenic location near the Ba River.

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Fiji is famous for its pristine beaches, and Natadola Beach on Viti Levu is one of the best. Travelers flock here to enjoy horseback riding, surfing, snorkeling, and simply relaxing on the gorgeous white sand.

A group of scissortail sergeant swim near Beqa Island, located just south of Viti Levu. Beqa Lagoon, off the northwestern coast of the island, is one of Fiji's most popular scuba diving destinations, encompassing over 100 square miles of clear water filled with colorful fish, soft corals, and sharks.

Found in Taveuni's lush Bouma National Heritage Park, the Tavoro Waterfalls (or Bouma Falls) are some of the most striking features in the country—but you'll have to work to reach them. While the first waterfall is an easy walk from the Bouma visitors center, you have to climb hills and cross rivers for 30 minutes to reach the second waterfall, and climb even steeper (and more slippery) hills for another 20 minutes to reach the third waterfall (pictured).

As is usually the case with volcanic islands, including tiny Waya Island (pictured), Fiji's landscapes are as dramatic as they come. With rugged coastlines and mountains covered with greenery, you might even be tempted to look away from the ocean every once in a while.

Located about a mile and a half away from Tavarua, Fiji's tiny, heart-shaped island, "Cloudbreak" is a wave known by surfers around the world. It is generally regarded as one of the best left hand barrels on the planet, breaking anywhere from two to 20 feet.

Courtesy Laucala Island Laucala Island Resort is just one of Fiji's many luxury properties to choose from—although it is the only one to be featured on Traveler's 2017 Gold List. As contributor Peter Jon Lindberg writes, “Yes, it’s crazy-expensive. But you’ll get access to an entire private island—including Fijian horses to explore it, acres of tropical orchards, a staff-to-guest ratio of six-to-one, and rides on a $1.85 million Super Falcon submarine.”

The Sigatoka Sand Dunes are a unique example of Fiji's impressive nature, stretching three miles long, about one mile wide, and an average of 65 feet high (but rising nearly 200 feet in some places). The grey-brown dunes were declared Fiji's first-ever national park in 1989.

Culture lovers should head straight for the Sri Siva Subramaniya Temple in Nadi, Viti Levu. This colorful, 20th-century Hindu temple consists of three main sections, and is one of the few places outside of India where you can see traditional Dravidian architecture (pyramid-shaped temples typically made from stone).