Top tips for visiting Fiji with children

Planning a family holiday to Fiji but don't know where to start? Fiji is an ideal destination for families with children, with a huge range of family-friendly accommodation and activities, friendly locals and many great kids' clubs where adults can enjoy a child-free holiday.

Here are some helpful tips for a family holiday in Fiji.

School holidays are the most popular time to travel, so if you're planning to visit Fiji while the kids are on holiday, you'll need to book early to ensure you can lock in your first choice of flights and accommodation at a decent price.

Fiji's busiest months are usually between June and August, when Aussies and Kiwis escape winter for a taste of the tropics. Between December and January there is a smaller travel peak during Christmas, New Year and summer. If your trip to Fiji falls during these months, try to book your flights, resort and activities as soon as you confirm your travel dates.

Keep in mind that other states/surrounding countries may have different holiday dates to yours, so if you're thinking of taking a week off to take advantage of lower prices and fewer people, just double check other school holidays in Australia/ New Zealand to make sure you don't cross paths with them.

Fiji has an incredible selection of family resorts that are designed to keep kids entertained and parents relaxed; an ideal situation for any family holiday. There are also often fantastic deals for families, with some resorts offering "kids eat free" or "kids stay free" deals when sharing a room with adults.

Many resorts offer free, fully supervised kids' clubs throughout the day, while parents can use their newfound free time to enjoy the spa, swim on the reef, or simply enjoy some peace and quiet with a piña colada in hand. Children can also make lots of new friends, as well as learn about Fijian culture through arts, crafts and friendships with staff. This often becomes the most memorable part of their vacation!

The age range for children's clubs varies by resort, but is typically 3 to 10 years old. Some resorts also have options for younger children, as well as activity programs for teens. Many resorts also offer babysitting or childcare services.

If you're holidaying in Fiji with a large family or group of friends, a private villa or self-contained apartment may be cheaper and less stressful. With your own kitchen, you can prepare meals for your group without the hassle of booking multiple tables for each meal at the resort.

Options range from cheap and cheerful AirBnB apartments in the city centers of Nadi, Denarau or Suva to multi-room private villas or self-contained rooms at one of the iconic beach resorts, where you get the best of both worlds. No matter your group size, budget or travel style, there is an off-grid option for you.

If you're staying in one of Fiji's major cities, get out and explore the local food scene. Fiji's cuisine is fresh and varied, with plenty of options for travelers of all ages and dietary preferences. They are also usually cheaper than what you would spend at a resort.

Dishes you can expect from local eateries include freshly caught seafood, hearty vegetarian or meat curries, Asian stir-fries and tropical treats such as exotic fruit salad or cassava cake for dessert. Some local restaurants also have children's menus with cheaper and smaller portions of more classic dishes to keep the kids happy while you enjoy divine Fijian cuisine.

Nothing can ruin a family holiday faster than an injured or upset child, so pack a small first aid kit when heading to Fiji. While all resorts will have their own emergency kits and there are many on-site doctors who can help with serious cases, it's always a good idea to be prepared for issues such as sunburn, abrasions, insect bites, dehydration and food poisoning. You can purchase most of your medications from the pharmacies in Nadi before heading to your hotel.

Pack items from home such as your own medications (with some extra in case of any delays or disruptions along the way), reef-safe sunscreen and after-sun lotion, thermometer, mosquito repellent, and insect bite cream such as lotion calamine, general pain relievers and flavored electrolytes to help children with rehydration.

Coral scrapes and cuts can be very unpleasant and do not heal as well as a normal abrasion. If you or your children have an accident with coral while snorkeling, notify the resort staff immediately, they will have the correct sanitizer and antiseptic cream you will need to get it sorted out.

If you're heading to a remote resort, it's a good idea to shop at the supermarket to stock up on healthy snacks and bottled water before checking into your hotel. You'll find supermarkets in Denarau, Nadi, Sigatoka (on the Coral Coast) and other major towns in Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, but not on many of the smaller islands or outlying areas.

On that note, bring your own water bottle from home or buy one when you arrive to take with you on day trips around or outside of your resort. Spending all that time in the sun, playing in the ocean and island hopping can all make anyone dehydrated and cranky.

Let your kids sip throughout the day using an insulated water bottle that keeps the water cool and refreshing, or bring a small cooler bag to keep the sun from heating up the bottles.

You don't want to lug around huge suitcases when traveling with kids who can't pull their own weight (literally!), so keep your luggage to a minimum to make your time in Fiji easy and stress-free.

If you're flying to your hotel in Fiji on a domestic flight, book domestic and international flights with Fiji Airways to include international baggage allowance on both flights. If you book a domestic flight separately, you may have to pay extra for luggage.

The same goes for helicopters or seaplanes when you arrive in Fiji; Double-check your baggage allowance before writing your packing list, as these modes of transport often have much lower baggage allowances than international flights.

Packing is generally not that difficult when visiting Fiji because the country is blessed with wonderful warm weather all year round. You can expect temperatures of 17-33°C, so loose, lightweight, quick-drying clothing is best.

Your packing list for Fiji should include swimsuits, a good sun hat, reef shoes, flip-flops, light clothing, a light sweater and light sweatpants for cooler nights, and a rain jacket. You can also bring your own floats and/or snorkel gear if you prefer, but at most resorts you can rent them or buy them from the resort store. The selection is probably better and cheaper at home if you have room in your luggage.

The standard voltage in Fiji is 240V, the standard frequency is 50Hz and the power plug is Type I, the same as in New Zealand, Australia, China and the South Pacific.

If the standard voltage in your country is between 220-240V (including New Zealand, Australia, UK, Europe and most of Asia) and the frequency is the same, your electrical appliances will work, otherwise you will need a travel adapter. When in doubt, bring a travel adapter!

This is a great item to have in your luggage for all your trips just in case. It's also a good idea to take a power bank with you and charge it every night so you're never left without charging your phone. Taking photos and videos all day can quickly drain your phone's battery, so having a power bank on hand to top up your battery throughout the day might just save you from being left without your phone during a beautiful sunset. Crisis averted!