Humans are explorers. It is embedded in our very nature. The first humans originated on the African continent and quickly started exploring. We ventured out into the middle east, the far east and Europe. eventually we made it to north and south America. As we became better equipped with sailing the oceans, we started exploring all the islands of the oceans.
Over 2,500 years ago, the first explorers arrived in the south pacific island paradise that we call Fiji. These early explorers settled the islands and created a vibrant civilization.
European explorers first found the Fiji islands in 1643, although European settlement didn’t begin on the islands until 1822. When the European explorers began to arrive on the Fiji islands, they found a highly sophisticated culture of proud indigenous people. Today, in many parts of Fiji, these people still live in much the same way they were living when the first Europeans first stepped foot on this island paradise.
The Fijian government restricted land based tourism to parts of Fiji, like the Yasawa island chain, until the 1980’s. As a result, these parts of Fiji are truly a natural paradise like no place else on earth. When you visit these islands today, they look just like they did when the first Fijians showed up here thousands of years ago.
If you are looking to follow in the footsteps of your explorer forefathers and see what the world looked like when it was still an untouched natural wonderland, take a trip to Fiji and visit the Yasawa island chain. The awe inspiring volcanic peaks, lush rainforests, and breathtaking soft coral reefs of the Yasawa island chain can only be appreciated by visiting them. And once you do, it is something you will never forget.
The beauty of Yasawa is something that has to be seen to be truly appreciated. And if you are headed in that direction, you are in luck. The Yasawa island chain is dotted with several small boutique resorts that are designed to fit the needs of every type of travel with every type of budget. These resorts, being locally owned and operated, are eco friendly, and designed to make as small of an impact on the surrounding landscape as possible. Traveling to these resorts is like stepping back in time to an easier world… but don’t worry, we still have Wi-Fi.
As the Yasawa islands are about 50 miles off the coast of Fiji’s largest island Viti Levu, it is recommended to find air travel to the islands to make your visit easier. Turtle Airways offers several flights per day from Nadi to the Yasawa islands, and their fleet of seaplanes can, in many cases, land you right on the beach of your resort.
Turtle Airways also offers scenic flights and day trip packages around both the Yasawa and Mamanuca island chains. You can truly experience all Fiji has to offer with the help of Turtle Airways.