The 13 Best Island Hopping Cruises in the Pacific

1.Cruisin Fiji: Authentic Fijian Day Cruise – Best Day in Fiji

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,409 reviews · from $145Our pick

Spend about eight hours cruising from Denarau to Mana Sand Bar, Monu Cove, and Monuriki Island. Swim, snorkel, enjoy a Fijian buffet, and visit the Cast Away film location. The family-run crew, including Mose, Ben, and Sam, keeps the day friendly and well organized, with drinks, snacks, equipment, and Denarau pickup included.

“Cruising Fiji was an amazing time! Getting to island hop between the beautiful islands of Fiji is definitely one of my highlights on my trip. The Cruisin Fiji team were hospitable and always made sure we were safe and had a full glass in our hand! I wish I got the names of all the men working the boat, because they were truly fantastic. Lunch on Manamuca Island was delicious and the hike to the top had breathtaking views that my camera simply could not capture. It was worth the barefoot hike though I would recommend wearing shoes or taking Bully up on his offer to carry you down haha!…”

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2.Captain Cook Cruises Fiji – Island and Reef Day Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 752 reviews · from $124

Sail from Port Denarau to Kadavu Lailai in the Mamanuca Islands for a kava welcome, coral viewing with a marine biologist, snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding, and a tropical barbecue lunch with drinks. Pickup from many Denarau and Nadi resorts is included. The vessel may be a catamaran rather than a traditional sailing ship.

“There is nothing else to say except PERFECT. This was such a fantastic tour from start to finish. Pickup and dropoff at the airport was on time, food was delicious, island was beautiful. We did this because we had a 12 hour layover. You can pay to store any luggage at the airport to jump on this tour with a daypack. I would do this tour over and over again!”

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3.Full Day South Sea Island with Lunch & Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 538 reviews · from $98

Cruise 30 minutes from Port Denarau to small South Sea Island in Fiji’s Mamanuca archipelago. Snorkel, kayak, use the saltwater pool, ride a semi-submersible coral viewer, enjoy a barbecue buffet and unlimited beer, wine, soft drinks, and watch a Meke performance, except Sundays. Hotel transfers are available.

“Well organised; on time; welcoming and fun filled day with many activities throughout the day! The Fijian culture was wonderful to experience on the island!”

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4.Captain Cook Cruises – Island & Reef Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 411 reviews · 1 day · from $126

Spend about seven hours sailing from Denarau to a private island beach with Captain Cook Cruises. Expect guided snorkeling, glass-bottom boat trips, marine biologist talks, lunch, drinks, Fijian singing, kava, kayaks, and paddleboards. Crew members such as Captain Pete, Jo, Bale, and Vale have been praised for warm, hands-on service, though the vessel may change.

“A very good days outing. Good crew. Plenty of activities both on sailing boat and beach.”

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5.Authentic Fijian Day Cruise by Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 342 reviews · 8 hours · from $143

Spend eight hours with Cruisin Fiji exploring the Mamanuca Islands from Port Denarau. Swim and snorkel at a sand island, visit Monu’s deep sea cove, then eat a Fijian lovo lunch on Mondriki, the filming site for *Cast Away*. The English-speaking crew, including guides such as Paul and Ben, keeps the day friendly and relaxed.

“Really enjoyed it! Was worried about snorkelling as I’m not a strong swimmer, but wish I’d done it. The staff were very patient and supportive with those that like me were a bit worried. Will return and would certainly recommend.”

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6.Captain Cook Cruises Fiji – Sunset Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 314 reviews · from $87

Sail from Port Denarau on the twin-deck SV Fiji One for about three hours. You’ll receive a welcome drink, watch the sunset over the Mamanuca Islands, enjoy a tropical barbecue buffet, and see Fijian music and dancing. Hotel pickup is offered from Nadi and Denarau, with lobster available as an upgrade.

“Its a great experience as for a 3 hour activity, everything was perfect the team had a great customer service. The host had such a sense of humour.”

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7.Major Tom -Sailing Day Cruise, with Snorkeling, Lunch & More!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 182 reviews · from $164

Spend about five hours aboard Major Tom with Captain Ben and crew, sailing protected Havannah waters, snorkeling two sites, eating a fresh BBQ lunch, visiting a beach market, and enjoying kayaks or paddleboards. Hotel transfers from Port Vila, gear, water, and onboard toilets are included.

“Great staff, extremely helpful. Amazing day out! Beautiful snorkel spot! Great lunch options (for kids) totally worth it!”

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8.South Sea Island Half Day with Lunch & Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 181 reviews · from $85

Sail from Port Denarau to South Sea Island in the Mamanucas for a relaxed half-day of swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, pool time, and a semi-submersible coral viewer. A BBQ lunch, local beer, wine, soft drinks, WiFi, and a Fijian meke performance are included. Hotel transfers may be available.

“The inclusives were all great, food and drink, snorkelling! This is a great place if you want to experience a small part of Fijian culture, the staff showcased a beautiful meke. The snorkelling was one of the best parts, as there is such a wide variety of fish, but to watch young children as the waves are best for experienced swimmers when windy! The bar was open the whole time, the staff were very friendly. This was our last cruise of the week, it was a half day and we were tired, but it was still worth it. I would recommend this to families and friends travelling, as they cater…”

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9.South Sea Island Full Day Trip with Lunch & Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 179 reviews · 1 day · from $124

Travel from Denarau to South Sea Island in 30 minutes by high-speed catamaran, then choose between snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding, a semi-submersible reef ride, swimming, or beach time. Your day includes a BBQ buffet, local beer, house wine, soft drinks, and a Fijian meke performance. An English-speaking Fijian crew helps keep the day moving.

“It was a nice relaxing day you can do many activities. Locals on south sea island were so friendly. It’s a long day though so be prepared, my advice is bring some of your own snacks and drinks too.”

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10.Captain Cook Cruises Sunset Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 111 reviews · 3 hours · from $89

Sail from Denarau Island aboard the twin-deck catamaran Fini One for a three-hour Pacific sunset cruise. You’ll receive a welcome cocktail, enjoy a BBQ buffet with salads, and watch local singers, musicians, and dancers perform. Hotel pickup is available from selected Nadi and Denarau hotels. A lobster upgrade and bar drinks cost extra.

“We absolutely loved our Sunset Dinner Cruise..It was so well organised from pickup to dropoff.. It was so entertaining and plenty of yummy food and even though we didn't get to see the sunset because of the weather it really didn't matter..Would certainly recommend this cruise”

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11.Finding Nemo – Half Day Cruise to South Sea Island

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 94 reviews · from $52Best value

Take a high-speed catamaran from Denarau to South Sea Island for snorkeling, kayaking, swimming, and a semi-submersible reef ride. Hotel transfers, gear, WiFi, drinks, and a kids club are included. The island time is short, so choose your main activity before you arrive.

“Crystal clear waters to swim and snorkel in. The trip in the glass bottom boat is a highlight and should not be missed”

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12.South Sea Island Half-Day Trip with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 80 reviews · 5 hours · from $108

Take a high-speed catamaran from Denarau to South Sea Island for five hours of swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, a BBQ buffet, local drinks, and a Fijian meke performance. You can also use the pool, join the subsea coral-viewing trip, and enjoy return coach transfers from Denarau, Wailoaloa, or Nadi.

“We had a fantastic time. The island is beautiful. Everything well organised. Paradise on Earth. Definitely reccomend 👍”

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13.Castaway Island Resort Day Cruise with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 50 reviews · 1 day · from $156

Cruise from Denarau to Castaway Island Resort on a small-group catamaran, then enjoy five hours of beach time, snorkeling, two pools, bars, and a two-course lunch or buffet. Bring swimwear, a towel, and $35 for the refundable snorkel-gear deposit. Coach pickup is available from Nadi, Denarau, and Coral Coast hotels.

“Castaway Island is starting to look a little worn down, so no longer the luxury day trip it used to be. The lunch used to be a la carte for day guests, but is now buffet. Whilst a la carte would be preferable, the buffet was a good one, and the Mongolian style bbq worked well. However really disappointingly the Adult pool, whilst billed as such, was full of loud children and families. Nobody seemed to control this from the resort. Timely hotel pick ups, well organised ticketing and catamaran boarding. Comfortable, well air conditioned and friendly staff”

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