Suva Attractions: The Best Family Things To Do in Fiji’s Capital

Step into the real Fiji to meet the locals on their homeground in the country's capital, Suva; everybody say "Bula!" 

From rainwater-fed rockpools to Hindu temples, bright markets and the country’s fascinating national museum, there’s plenty to keep visiting families busy with Suva's attractions, all located in one of the world’s most welcoming, family-friendly destinations. 

Originally a trading post that became the capital of Fiji in 1874, more than 85,000 people live in this waterfront city. It’s also a port city, and just a reminder that it does get busy on the days that cruise ships pop in for a visit.  

These are the best family-friendly things to do in Suva. 

Wander back into the mists and myths of time and legend at the country’s most important historical museum. The collections at the Fiji Museum date back 3,700 years, when the islands were settled by the Lapita people, a sea-faring people from Taiwan and the Philippines. 

Visiting with kids? Take them to the exhibit of the cannibal forks, used until the mid-19th century, or the wasekaseka, necklaces made from the teeth of sperm whales. 

The museum is home to one of Fiji’s greatest icons, the Ratu Finau; the drua or double-hulled canoe. It is the last remaining drua, created by the ocean-going iTaukei people who travelled the watery highways of the Pacific Ocean. It also traces the path of the Girmitiyas (Fijian-Indians) who were settled in Fiji as labourers. 

Located in Thurston Gardens, combine your visit to the Fiji Museum with a walk in the botanical gardens. The museum is open seven days a week, and has a gift shop and a garden café for snacks and coffee, rounding it out to make the Fiji Museum one of the best of Suva's attractions. 

Swap city for wild, tropical rainforests in just 15 minutes - that’s the beauty of Suva. The city isn’t a beach town; instead, plan a dip in the freshwater rock pools fed by waterfalls in Suva's eco-park, just nine kilometres from the city centre. The park is lined with walking trails - they’re not suitable for prams, but young children will enjoy the walk through the rainforest; walking sandals are your best bet for footwear. 

Pack snacks and follow the map to its picnic spots for a dip after your walk. On the way, keep an eye out for the colourful parrots and doves amongst the trees; it’s reported that more than half Fiji’s birdlife has been spotted here amongst Suva's favourite waterfalls. 

Sweet mangoes and fresh pineapples, spices, and exotic vegetables; Suva’s markets always turn up the most delicious surprises. The Suva Municipal Market, near the port, hits its peak on Fridays and Saturdays when the crowds turn up and the produce is ramped up. Beyond the food sections, you’ll also find pottery and clothing, wood carvings and spices, which make genuinely authentic gifts to take home. 

Suva isn’t on the tourist trail, so you’ll snap up bright sarongs and woven bags here for much less than in the shops on the tourist islands or even in the tourism hub of Nadi, on the other side of the island. It’s just a five-minute walk from the Municipal Market to the Suva Handicraft Centre, where you can take a deep dive into the world of masi, the iconic painted tapa cloth made from mulberry wood. Don’t be afraid to get your haggle on, it’s all part of the experience. 

Suva’s markets are closed on Sundays, a day of rest for all. 

Take a walk through Fiji’s botanical gardens, the site of the original town of Suva, destroyed by fire in 1843. The peaceful gardens surround the Fiji Museum, so combine the two for a hit of nature and history. Thurston Gardens are free to enter, its walking trails between the greenhouses lined with great fig trees. 

Pack a picnic and some towels or a picnic blanket and let the kids burn off their high energy levels amongst the floral displays and palm trees; amidst the gardens, you'll also find the old Thurston Express, once a sugar-cane train, now a cute little curiosity parked in the gardens, begging for kids to crawl all over it. 

The best time of year to visit this riotously colourful Hindu temple is during the South Indian fire-walking festival, which takes place over 10 days around the full moon in July or August. Practised here for a century, watch as devotees walk over hot embers to demonstrate their faith and tradition - a warning for those with young kids, many firewalkers also pierce their cheeks and bodies with long skewers; their devotion means they don’t feel the pain, but it might scare little ones. 

If fire-walking isn’t for you, Sri Raj Maha Mariamma Temple welcomes visitors all year round, and do dress respectfully - a sarong wrapped around bare legs, and covered shoulders are always appreciated. 

You might be thinking, "Why would a government building get me the best selfie?" But it's not about the house, it's all about the guards. 

London’s got its guards at Buckingham Palace, Fiji has a guard at the State House, the official residence of the president of Fiji. You can’t get up close to the house, but you can get a photo with its guards. With their red, button-down jackets on top and white sulu (men’s skirt) below, it’s a mix of indigenous dress and colonial traditions. Like their London counterparts, they won't chat and they won't smile (very unusual for Fijians), but they do give great photos, a memento of a classic Suva attraction. 

Suva is a waterfront city, but it's not a beach city. For a day spent crafting empires in the sand, your best bet is a day trip to Pacific Harbour. This tourist town is located 47 kilometres west of Suva on the Queens Road, which continues on to Nadi, on the other side of the island of Viti Levu. Local buses and taxis run along the coastal route, which takes about an hour - yep, Fiji's roads are slow-going. 

Pacific Harbour Beach draws beach lovers to picnic, swim and spend the day soaking up the warm Fiji sun; some sections of the beach belong to local resorts, the public areas have showers and picnic benches. The region offers adventure experiences such as diving with sharks, white-water rafting, and ziplining through the rainforest, an adrenaline rush for those travelling with older kids.  

Otherwise, go one step further for an island escape to Beqa Island (local tip: say 'Benga'), a 45-minute boat trip from Pacific Harbour. It is renowned for its snorkelling and diving - oceanographer Jacques Cousteau named Beqa lagoon the "soft coral capital of the world," and the UNESCO biosphere reserve packed with marine life.   

The best family friendly attractions in Suva include taking a dip in pools fed by waterfalls and wandering the trails within the rainforests of Colo-i-Suva’s Forest Park, or catching a South Indian fire-walking festival at the colourful Mariamma Temple. Kids can burn off extra energy on a run in Suva's botanical gardens, the Thurston Gardens. 

The Fiji Museum is a fun look into the country’s history, and a good option in the heat of the day. To learn more about Suva’s way of life, visit the busy markets, always full of colour and energy. A snap with the silent guard at the President’s House is a great reminder of your family holiday in Suva.

The best time to visit Suva is in the dry season, from May to October. With less humidity and blue skies, it’s a great season to city explorations and day trips around the island. Its peak tourism season is during the Australian and New Zealand school holidays. 

Novotel Suva Lami Bay is a great place for families visiting Suva. Set on the waterfront, it’s 15 minutes to the centre of Suva. With 108 guest rooms, the hotel's facilities include an outdoor pool at the water’s edge and its restaurant serves international and local dishes, great for both fussy and adventurous eaters.

Suva gets hot, so pack the sunhats, sunglasses and rashies (long-sleeved swim vests) for everyone, as well as sunscreen and insect repellent. Light clothing made from nature fibres such as cotton or linen are best in the tropical heat, with long-sleeved shirts and light pants for sunset, when mosquitoes are most active. Don't forget an insect bite gel to sooth any stings.