Fiji: Sigatoka River Jet Boat Safari & Village Lunch

Summary

Jet boat up the Sigatoka, meet villagers, share Fijian food

You’ll speed up Fiji’s Sigatoka River by jet boat with a local guide, visit a riverside village for a traditional welcome ceremony, and share home-cooked Fijian food with your hosts. Expect laughter, real conversations, and sensory moments you’ll remember long after you’ve rinsed off the river spray.

What’s the experience like?

“You ever tried kava before?” our guide asked, grinning as he handed me a little coconut shell cup. I’d barely caught my breath from the jet boat — honestly, I was still wiping river spray off my face — but there we were, sitting cross-legged in a Fijian village, with everyone watching to see if I’d make the classic first-timer face. The ride up the Sigatoka River was fast and loud, wind whipping at my ears and that sweet muddy smell you get near riverbanks. I didn’t expect to laugh so much every time we hit a turn; our guide kept calling out local names for birds darting overhead, though I probably misheard half of them.

The whole thing starts in town — they hand you water and women get these bright sulus to tie around their waists (I had no idea how to wear mine until one of the aunties fixed it for me). The drive out is bumpy in places but nothing wild. Once you’re on the river, it’s just green everywhere: banana trees, kids waving from the banks, someone burning something that smelled like coconut husk. We stopped at this village where everyone seemed to know our driver by name. There was a welcome ceremony — singing that made my arms go prickly — and then lunch: fish cooked over coals, cassava that stuck to my fingers. I tried saying “vinaka” properly; Li laughed at me but showed me again.

I think what surprised me most wasn’t the jet boat (though yeah, it’s fun) but just sitting with people who live along the Sigatoka River and hearing them talk about floods or school or rugby. It felt like being let in on something private for an afternoon. On the way back, sunburned and tired in a good way, I caught myself thinking about how quiet it got when we switched off the engine mid-river for a minute — just birds and water slapping against the hull. Still think about that silence sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Jet Boat Safari and Village Visit

• Arrive and sign in
• Receive water and sulu
• Take short respite break
• Depart town to begin safari

Top questions

How long is the Sigatoka River jet boat safari?

The tour lasts about 4.5 hours from start to finish.

Is hotel pickup included for this tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included in your booking.

What do you do during the village visit?

You’ll join a welcoming ceremony and have time to interact with locals over lunch.

Are meals provided on this safari?

Yes, lunch is included as part of your visit to the village.

Is this Sigatoka River tour suitable for children?

Yes—children can join but must be accompanied by an adult.

Are vegetarian options available for lunch?

Vegetarian meals are available if requested at booking.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes—the transport and most areas are wheelchair accessible.

Do women need to wear anything special during the tour?

A sulu (sarong) is provided for all women upon arrival.

What’s included

Your day includes air-conditioned coach transport with hotel pickup and drop-off, bottled water on arrival, all taxes and entry fees covered, plus a traditional Fijian lunch shared with villagers along the Sigatoka River before heading back in comfort.