Natural Beauty On Screen: Meet The Real Movie Stars Of Fiji

Natural Beauty On Screen: Meet The Real Movie Stars Of Fiji

By fijivillage
Wednesday 22/11/2023

Fiji’s islands have attracted the attention of movie makers since the 1940s, and celebrities ranging from Jean Simmons and Burt Lancaster to Brooke Shields and Tom Hanks have passed through on their way to stardom. But the real stars of the screen have been the movie locations, upstaging the actors with their natural beauty and dramatic landscapes.

We think they deserve an Oscar of their own. See for yourself – here are some Fijian stars of the screen and where you can stay to feel just like an award-winner.

Yasawa Islands

Escape civilisation in the Yasawa Island Group, which consists of about 20 volcanic islands in Fiji’s west. It worked for Brooke Shields in 1980’s Blue Lagoon (and Jean Simmons in the original 1949 film), as well as Richard Thomas, who starred in The Adventures of Swiss Family Robinson TV series of the 1990s. The Brooke Shields film was shot around the islands of Nanuya Levu and Nanuya Lailai (where Swiss Family Robinson was also filmed). The stunning Sawa-i-Lau limestone caves have also been used in the films.

fiji-lagoon

Gaze at the lagoon from Nanuya Lailai. Picture: Getty Images

There are no roads, cars, banks or shops but endless divine beaches, and stereotypically turquoise waters. The islands can be reached by the Yasawa Flyer ferry, as well as cruise ships, yachts and seaplane.

Stay like a star: Stay at Yasawa Island Resort & Spa on Yasawa Island, which features 18 luxury bungalows mere steps from white sand, clear water and colourful coral, not to mention its beachfront spa.

Viti Levu

Viti Levu is the main island of Fiji, and incorporates the tourist hub of Nadi, as well as the capital, Suva, and Pacific Harbour. The 1954 Burt Lancaster film His Majesty O’Keefe was shot at the marvellous – and recently resurrected – Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva, as well as at Pacific Harbour, which is now Fiji’s adventure capital, where you can try surfing, shark feeding, four-wheel-driving or jet-skiing.

fiji-suva

Sunset in Suva. Picture: Getty Images

The 1974 film The Dove (produced by Gregory Peck) was also shot in Suva, as was the 1983 Tommy Lee Jones flick Savage Islands. Here you can look for local crafts at the Suva craft markets, or discover life more than 3,700 years ago at the Fiji Museum, within the Thurston Gardens.

Taveuni

Milla Jovovich came to rugged Taveuni – otherwise known as the Garden Island – to film Return to the Blue Lagoon in 1991. Think steaming rainforest and teeming reefs, world-class birdwatching, waterfalls and a 200-year-old fortified village.

Try horse-trekking, diving, or hiking to the top of a dormant volcano. The island is accessible by boat, plane or ferry.

fiji-taveuni

Taveuni is not called the Garden Island for nothing. Picture: Getty Images

Mamanuca Islands

The Mamanucas have the honour of hosting film shoots for the 2000 movie Cast Away, which earned star Tom Hanks an Oscar nod. They also have the rather more dubious honour of hosting the 2013 flick Bula Quo – a crime caper starring Status Quo and Jon Lovitz.

fiji-malolo

Malolo Island in the Mamanucas. Picture: Getty Images

The chain of 20 islands near Nadi offers parasailing, windsurfing, dolphin-watching, famous dives and top surf breaks (Kelly Slater named ‘Cloudbreak’ off Tavarua as one of the most perfect waves he’d ever surfed). If you want to live out your Wilson moment, visit the uninhabited Monuriki island (everybody and their dog offer day trips), where you can also try your hand at snorkelling and iguana spotting.


Vanua Levu

Vanua Levu, Fiji’s second-largest island after Viti Levu, is rural Fiji at its best, with few roads, one street of shops, sugarcane plantations and little villages set amid forest and never far from the sea. Visit Savusavu town in a protected bay popular with yachties, hike through the rainforest of Wasali Nature Reserve, tour the Snake Temple near Labasa, or dive into the blue. The village of Vunivutu played host to the Survivor: Fiji crew in 2006.

fiji-savusavu

Savusavu's bay is popular with yachties. Picture: Getty Images


Source: Flight Center.AU

FEATURE NEWS
Rabuka says some senior officials at Dept of Immigration suspended, no word on Tikoduadua stepping aside
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says there has been some suspension of senior officials in relation to the Department of Immigration's possible unautho...
7 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Hilton Special School hosts walk-a-thon to raise $13,000 for safer walkways
In a collective effort to enhance safety and accessibility, Hilton Special School’s 13 classes organized a walk-a-thon fundraiser with the goal of ...
5 hours ago

Consumer Council warns food establishments after hair found in food
The Consumer Council of Fiji has reminded food establishments to adhere to proper hygiene practices after a consumer found hair in a meal purchased ...
6 hours ago

Passport was issued legally - Grace Road
Grace Road Group says the passport issued to their member’s son was done legally as he is born in Fiji. This comes as an investigation is ...
7 hours ago

Police seek assistance in locating 34-year-old Senikarawa Vakarua
Police are seeking assistance in locating 34-year-old Senikarawa Vakarua who was reported missing at the Nasinu Police Station. Vakarua was last ...
8 hours ago

US to provide US$4.9M in foreign military financing to Fiji
The United States of America will be providing US$4.9 million in foreign military financing to Fiji after Congressional approval. US Secretary of ...
10 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
yb
IN DEPTH
Doctor Alipate Vakamocea on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Fiji Medical Association President, Doctor Alipate Vakamocea will appear on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan The show will focus on ...
9 days ago

Mangal and Akauola on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
Adult Teen Challenge Fiji Executive Director, Hemraj Mangal and Director, Matai Akauola appear on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan The ...
9 days ago

Sporting federations demand answers from FASANOC
National sporting federations who are part of Fiji Association of Sport and National Olympic Committee or FASANOC, are still calling for answers and ...
15 days ago

TOP