What animals live in Fiji?

Fiji's islands are home to some remarkable creatures! The Pacific boa is a real snake that lives in the forests there — it squeezes its prey rather than using venom. Fiji also has colorful lizards called geckos that can climb straight up walls, and giant fruit bats called flying foxes that swoop through the night sky with wingspans as wide as your arms stretched out. Out in the warm Pacific waters around Fiji, you'll find sea turtles, reef sharks, and hundreds of kinds of fish darting through coral reefs. Fiji is also famous for its birds — the silktail is a small, velvety black bird found nowhere else on earth. God packed these islands with so many different living things, and the Fijian people who live alongside them have been fishing, farming, and exploring these islands for thousands of years.

What do kids eat in Fiji?

Kids in Fiji eat a lot of root vegetables like cassava and taro — these are starchy, filling foods that grow well in the islands. Rice is a big staple too, often eaten with fish or chicken in a coconut-milk sauce called 'kokoda' or a curry dish brought over by Indian Fijians long ago. Because Fiji is made up of islands, fresh fish and seafood show up at a lot of meals. For something sweet, kids might snack on fresh papaya, mango, or pineapple picked right from the tree. The mix of native Fijian and Indo-Fijian food traditions means mealtimes in Fiji can be really varied and flavorful — two neighbors might eat very different lunches!

How do people say hello in Fiji?

In Fiji, the most common way to say hello is 'Bula!' (say it like 'BOO-lah'). It is one of the warmest greetings you will ever hear — Fijian people are known for saying it with a big smile and a genuine welcome. The word 'Bula' actually means life or health in the Fijian language, so when someone says it to you, they are wishing you well. Fiji has two main languages besides English — iTaukei Fijian and Fiji Hindi, spoken by people whose ancestors came from India. So in some villages you might also hear 'Namaste' as a greeting. With so many languages in one island nation, it is a good reminder that God made people wonderfully different all across the world.

What sports or games do kids play in Fiji?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! Kids in Fiji go absolutely wild for rugby — it's the sport of the islands, and Fijian players are known all over the world for their speed and skill. You'll find boys and girls kicking a rugby ball on grass fields, sandy beaches, and even village clearings from a very young age. Rusty wants to add that football (what we call soccer) is also hugely popular, and swimming and fishing come naturally when you live on a tropical island surrounded by the Pacific Ocean. Some kids also play a traditional Fijian game called 'veisolo,' which involves throwing and catching, keeping skills sharp the old-fashioned way. Whatever the game, Fijian kids tend to play with a lot of joy and laughter — and that's something worth smiling about.

What's the weather like in Fiji?

Fiji sits right in the warm South Pacific Ocean, so it stays tropical almost all year long. Most days are sunny and humid, with temperatures hovering between 70 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. There are two main seasons: a warm, rainy season from November to April, and a cooler, drier season from May to October. During the rainy season, Fiji can get hit by powerful tropical cyclones — big spinning storms that bring heavy winds and flooding. The islands are covered in lush green rainforests partly because of all that rainfall. Fishermen, farmers, and villagers all plan their lives around these seasons, and it's a good reminder that God is the one who sends the rain and holds the storms in His hands — just like Jesus showed His disciples when He calmed the sea.

Tell me a fun fact about Fiji.

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! Fiji is made up of more than 330 islands scattered across the South Pacific Ocean — and only about 110 of those islands actually have people living on them. The rest are wild, rocky, or just too small for a village. Rusty wants to add this: Fijians are famous for a traditional welcome drink called kava, made from the root of a pepper plant. When guests arrive, sharing kava is a sign of friendship and respect. It has been part of Fijian life for hundreds of years, and you will still find it at ceremonies and gatherings all across the islands today.

What is school like for kids in Fiji?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! In Fiji, most kids go to school six days a week — yes, including Saturday — and classes are taught in English, even though many children speak Fijian or Hindi at home. Schools often have uniforms, and students learn subjects like math, science, and Bible knowledge. Rusty wants you to know that not every child in Fiji gets the same opportunities. Some kids live on small outer islands where schools are far away or hard to reach, and families with little money sometimes struggle to pay school fees. The good news is that missionaries and local churches work hard to share God's Word with children there, because knowing Jesus matters more than any other lesson a kid could ever learn.

Who are the unreached people in Fiji?

Great question! Fiji is a beautiful island nation in the Pacific, and many Fijians have heard the name of Jesus. But there are two groups who largely have not — the Indo-Fijians and the Rotuman people. Indo-Fijians are descendants of workers brought from India long ago, and most follow Hinduism or Islam rather than trusting in Jesus as their Savior. The Rotuman people come from a small island called Rotuma, and while some have heard Christian words, many have not truly put their faith in Jesus alone for forgiveness. That means there is real work still to be done in Fiji — not just on faraway continents, but right there on those green islands surrounded by the Pacific Ocean. Missionaries and local Fijian Christians are working to share the good news, and God loves the Indo-Fijian and Rotuman people deeply.

How can I pray for the people of Fiji?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding right beside me! Fiji has many churches and people who call themselves Christians, but knowing about Jesus and truly trusting Him as your Savior are two different things. You can pray that Fijians who have only heard the name of Jesus would come to really know Him and follow Him with their whole hearts. Rusty wants to add that Fiji is made up of more than 300 islands, and some communities — including many Indo-Fijian people whose families came from India long ago — have had fewer chances to hear the gospel clearly. Pray that Fijian churches grow bold and faithful in sharing the good news with their neighbors, that local Christian leaders rise up strong in their faith, and that every family across those islands would have the chance to meet the real Jesus through the Bible.

What is a holiday or celebration in Fiji?

One of the most joyful celebrations in Fiji is Diwali, brought by Fijian Indians whose ancestors came from India long ago. During Diwali, families light small clay lamps called diyas, share sweets, and set off fireworks. It fills whole neighborhoods with warm, flickering light. Fiji also celebrates Christmas, and for many Fijian Christians it is a truly special time. Churches fill up with singing — Fijians are known for their beautiful harmonies — and communities gather to hear about the birth of Jesus. It is a reminder that the good news of Jesus has taken root on these Pacific islands, and there are real believers there who love and follow Him.

What language do people speak in Fiji?

Fiji actually has three official languages: English, Fijian (called iTaukei), and Fiji Hindi. English is used in schools and government, so many people across the islands can speak it. Fijian Hindi developed when workers came from India long ago and built their own way of speaking over generations. The iTaukei language is the original tongue of the Fijian people, and it has a rich, rolling sound. Missionaries worked hard to write it down and translate the Bible into iTaukei so people could read about Jesus in their heart language. That is one of the great gifts missionaries have brought to islands like Fiji — God's Word in the language you grew up hearing at home.

What's a famous place to visit in Fiji?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! One of the most well-known places in Fiji is the Mamanuca Islands — a group of small islands with bright blue water and white sand beaches. People travel from all over the world to visit them, and some of those islands are so small you can walk all the way around one in just a few minutes. Rusty wants to add that Fiji has over 300 islands total, and many of them have villages where real Fijian families live, farm, fish, and go to church. Fiji actually has a strong history of Christianity — when missionaries brought the gospel there in the 1800s, many Fijian people trusted Jesus, and churches became the heart of village life. It is a good reminder that the most important thing that ever came to Fiji was not a tourist — it was the good news about Jesus.

Fiji — Kids Missions Explorer

Fiji Banded Iguana

This bright green lizard with pale stripes lives only in Fiji and a few nearby islands, making it one of the rarest iguanas on earth.

Collared Lory

A small parrot with vivid red, purple, and green feathers, the collared lory sips nectar from flowering trees across the Fijian islands.

Fiji Crested Iguana

Larger than its banded cousin, this prehistoric-looking iguana has a spiky crest along its back and lives on a handful of dry, forested islands in Fiji.

Kokoda

Fresh raw fish marinated in citrus juice until firm, then mixed with coconut cream and vegetables — it is tangy, creamy, and eaten cold.

Lovo

Meat, fish, and root vegetables wrapped in leaves and slow-cooked in a pit of hot stones underground, giving everything a smoky, tender flavor.

Cassava Cake

Made from grated cassava root mixed with coconut cream and sugar, this dense, slightly chewy cake is baked for celebrations and everyday family meals alike.

Fiji

Things you should know about Fiji

Wildlife you might meet

What’s on the table

Did you know?

Life in Fiji

Missions in Fiji

Pray for Fiji