The InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa offers easy access to these three activities that reveal the heart of Fiji.
The Day Trips
- Hot Glass Fiji: Fiji’s only glassblowing studio, where you can create (or buy) a beautiful, locally inspired souvenir made by hand
- Sigatoka River Safari: A thrilling jet-boat ride upriver paired with an authentic village visit, kava ceremony, and shared meal that supports multiple local communities
- Rise Beyond the Reef: Purpose-driven shopping that directly empowers rural Fijian women while preserving traditional crafts
The writer was hosted.
I love a luxe stay, but I also want to feel like I’ve actually been somewhere. From the InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa, that meant carving out time to meet local artists, visit a village and try my hand at glass blowing. These three day-trips from Natadola Beach gave me that deeper connection to Fiji.
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1. Sigatoka River Safari: Village Life by High-Speed Boat
Sigatoka River Safari seems a bit touristy but it’s a huge recommendation for me. I would do it again. About 30 minutes from the InterContinental, this adventure mixes adrenaline, culture and genuine connection.
We climbed aboard a custom-built 250-horsepower jet boat that can glide through water only four or five inches deep. Our guide steered us along the Sigatoka River, passing locals fishing, tending crops or hanging out. Kids shouted and waved back as we passed.
After about an hour upriver, we arrived at Natawatangee Village, where we were warmly welcomed and given a tour of the village.
Our hosts greeted us with a traditional kava ceremony, a meaningful ritual that welcomed us as family. The village chiefs prepared the bowl of kava – a traditional Fijian drink made from the ground root of the kava plant – and shared it with us, symbolizing respect and friendship.
Kava is mixed with water and has a mild numbing effect on the mouth. Kava is not my favorite; it really doesn’t taste like anything. But my mouth was a little numb.
We were also “painted” with baby powder, a sign of joy and celebration. The women in the village prepared a lunch with home-cooked Fijian dishes, made with local ingredients, served family-style. We were joined by men, women, and children who told us about their daily routines.
A Cultural Experience
This wasn’t a polished “tourist experience.” It was Fijian, the kind of day that reminds you why you travel in the first place. I don’t want a resort visit to be the whole story. If I’m visiting a country, I want to step outside the curated version and connect with locals.
The Sigatoka River Safari program rotates its visits among different villages so that the tourism and income are shared equally, helping each community maintain its traditions and benefit from visitors.
SheBuysTravel Tip: A sarong or long skirt is required for village visits, bring sunscreen for the boat ride, and a sense of humor. There is dancing involved.
2. Rise Beyond the Reef: Empowering Women, Preserving Culture
Just a short drive from the resort, Rise Beyond the Reef is more than a shopping stop; it’s a nonprofit that supports Fijian women in remote communities by teaching them to create and sell traditional crafts. The result is remarkable: hand-woven mats, printed bags, and home goods made from sustainable materials.
What makes it worth the visit:
- Meaningful shopping: 100% of profits go back to village women and children.
- Meet the makers: Depending on the day, you can watch artisans at work or chat with staff about how each piece is made.
- Learn about impact: The organization’s workshops are building long-term economic independence for rural women — something you can feel proud to support.
- Shop tip: Bring USD, Fijian cash or a credit card and extra space in your suitcase. I left with gifts for everyone on my holiday list. You can shop here.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Pair this stop with a quick detour to a nearby village or school if your driver can arrange it. We spent time at the Nawatangee Village. The Rise Beyond the Reef foundation has community ties all along Fiji’s Coral Coast.
3. Hot Glass Fiji: Create Your Own Souvenir
Hot Glass Fiji is a creative experience, about a 25-minute drive from the resort and Fiji’s only glassblowing studio.
Run by artist Alice Hill, the studio sits on a hillside overlooking the Coral Coast, and the setting alone is worth the trip. Inside, it’s warm, bright, and full of color — think Italy’s Murano glass meets South Pacific charm.
What to expect:
- Hands-on workshops: I helped shape and blow a piece of glass into a dish. Bowls, ornaments and tumblers are also available.
- No experience needed: The team is fantastic and walked me through every step. I felt safe and relaxed.
- Locally inspired art: Designs feature Fijian colors, shells, and sea motifs.
- Great souvenirs: If you’d rather not make your own, the gallery sells everything from jewelry to large decorative bowls.
SheBuysTravel Tip: The workshop is on a hill and catches a breeze but it still gets warm; wear breathable clothing and closed-toe shoes. Pieces need to cool overnight, so plan to pick up your creation the next day or have it shipped.
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