Imagine a lush forest where you can take a break from the beach on a tropical island to enjoy waterfalls and natural pools. Well, imagine no more as that’s exactly what you can do at Colo-i-Suva Forest Park on Viti Levu, Fiji’s largest island. Located just a 15-minute drive from the capital city of Suva, the park is home to the crystal clear Waisila Creek, which travels throughout the dense forest to meet the Waimanu River leaving picturesque pools and waterfalls in its wake.
As the forest is at a higher altitude than the beach, it’s a delightful place to cool down and take in the views of this gorgeous South Pacific gem. Fiji’s beautiful islands should also be on the bucket list of any reality TV lover, as “Survivor,” “Celebrity Love Island,” and “The Bachelorette” have all been filmed here. But before you check out those locations, head to Colo-i-Suva Forest Park for your fix of forests and falls, clear waters, and wildlife.
Things to do at Colo-i-Suva Forest Park
When you get to the park, head to the visitor information center if you would like a guide for your trek. Be careful and wear decent boots as the rocks on the trails can get very slippery. One of the most popular hikes in the reserve leads to the Colo-i-Suva Waterfalls, which is a 3.3-mile trek out and back, and takes a bit more than one hour to complete.
From the car park off Pool Road, follow the nature trail to the lower pools as these are the biggest in the park and there is a rope swing for those who want to jump in. The park is an excellent place to spot birds so don’t forget to bring your binoculars. Look out for scarlet robins, spotted fantails, sulfur-breasted musk parrots, Fiji warblers, golden doves, barking pigeons and Fiji goshawks. If you can’t get enough of waterfalls, you can also visit Korolailai Waterfall which is near the village of Tamavua, between the forest park and Suva.
Where to stay near Colo-i-Suva Forest Park
If you want to stay close to the park in Suva’s forest, then the Rainforest Eco Lodge may be the place for you. It’s just 15 minutes away from the city of Suva, but its lush and green location means that you can see and hear wildlife from your room. The lodge is in the design of a traditional wooden Bure (Fijian house) and you can eat on a terrace overlooking a small lake.
For those with a bigger budget, The Grand Pacific Hotel is the ideal place to stay. This historic hotel is loved by travelers, with 4.3 stars out of 5 on Google Reviews. It is also situated in a prime location, close to the Fiji Museum, the Thurston Garden, and Albert Park. Another top-rated option in the capital is the Quest Suva, which is a 4-star apartment hotel in the city center. Some of the rooms look out onto the harbor and these clean studio flats have everything you could need for your time in Fiji, as well as being close to plenty of restaurants, shops, and local markets. Wherever you choose to stay on the island, your time spent here is sure to persuade you that this once-popular island vacation destination deserves a comeback.
