Lautoka With Kids: Beaches, Mud and Zipline

Family Plans Around Lautoka

Families will find fewer playgrounds in Lautoka than outings in the surrounding countryside. Costs are in Fijian dollars (FJ$). Rip currents form near reefs and river mouths, so only paddle where lifeguards are on duty.

Free Stops in Town

  • Botanical Gardens on Thomson Crescent Road: about 15 acres of labelled plants and a walk of under half an hour.
  • The park opposite the gardens: play areas and toilets, handy before a long drive.

Mud, Zip Lines and Orchids in Sabeto

  • Sabeto mud pools: Children paint on warm mud and rinse in thermal pools. About FJ$30 each in cash. Allow 40 to 45 minutes by road from central Lautoka.
  • Sleeping Giant Zipline: Seven lines of 80 to 160 m with waterfall views, daily 10:00 to 17:00. The package is around FJ$199 for adults and FJ$149 for children. Contact the operator for age and weight limits (ziplinefiji.com ).
  • Garden of the Sleeping Giant: Orchids, a jungle walk and a lily pond. Children pay about half the adult price, and 2021 press mentions a cold fruit drink at the end.

The Beach

Saweni Beach, 8 to 9 km toward Nadi, has a gentle slope into the water that works for small children at high tide. There is no lifeguard, no toilets and no changing rooms, so stay within arm’s reach and bring shade.

Boat Days From Port Denarau

  • Tivua Island: The Captain Cook day cruise has a glass-bottom boat, snorkelling talks with a marine biologist and a Captain’s Kids Club for around ages 3 to 9. Child fares cover ages 3 to 15, and children must swim without help. The boat leaves Port Denarau at 10:00 (Captain Cook Cruises ).
  • Malamala Beach Club: Flotation devices can be borrowed, and an adults-only zone sits apart from the main beach. A full-day pass starts at FJ$215.

Water Safety

Jellyfish occur in Fijian waters, and rip tides run along reefs and river estuaries. Choose beaches and boat operators with lifeguards or trained crew, and keep children within reach in any water. Fiji has a single hyperbaric chamber, in Suva, and it is not always working, so choose licensed operators if you dive.

Tips for Parents

Take water, hats and sun cream on every outing. Confirm departure points before you leave, because every Mamanuca boat trip starts in Nadi rather than Lautoka, and the early sailing times make for long mornings with young children.

Read more: day trips from Lautoka for transfer times and prices.

Look at family tours on GetYourGuide .