The South Pacific has always held a strong appeal for honeymooners and for good reason. It’s a beautiful locale that’s not overly touristy. Plus, the Fijians offer a warm and friendly culture.

Distance wise, it’s not too far either. There are direct flights on Fiji Airways from both LAX and San Francisco. If you splurge and fly business, you get a completely flat-bed seat (you’ll be well rested when you land) and the yummy food is curated by Fijian celebrity chef, Lance Seeto.

Once in Fiji, there are many beautiful resorts that cater to honeymooners – each with their own appeal. This destination is perfect for couples who want to relax and de-stress, but also desire adventure options at the ready.

“We chose Fiji because it was so remote and I wanted that exotic, honeymoon-on-the-beach experience,” says Gianna Lombardi, from Texas, who honeymooned in Fiji in 2016. “I am more of a ‘relax on the beach’ kind of girl and my husband is definitely more on the adventurous side, so we each got what we wanted out of the experience. I am so glad that we chose Fiji. It is one of the most beautiful places I’ve traveled to.”

At Nanuku Auberge Resort, the rooms are simply amazing. Villas come with private outdoor plunge pools and Jacuzzis and the inside includes an oversized bathtub, full kitchen, living room and a separate media room (in case it rains and you want to snuggle up with a movie). The food is also some of the best in the country. The bread and pastries are all made fresh daily and you could just fill up on those, but it would be a shame because the freshly-caught snapper, rock crab and amazing desserts should not be missed. Each guest gets their own bicycle during their stay, so you’ll bike off all the calories while riding to the beach, town or exploring the Cultural Center. Daily excursions at the resort include kayaking (this is one of the best places to kayak as it’s along the mangroves in a calm river, protected from the wind), snorkeling, hiking to waterfalls, shark diving (some of the best in the world) and village tours. Nanuku Auberge Resort is the place to go if you’re looking for upscale luxury with a variety of activities at your fingertips (it’s known as the adventure capital of Fiji).

If you want to stay somewhere a little more rustic, head to Qamea Resort And Spa Fiji, the only resort on Qamea Island. You arrive via boat and seeing the resort from the water is stunning. Here, the resort blends in beautifully with its island surroundings, with individual thatch bures (villas) set amidst the palm trees. The resort prides itself on barefoot luxury: beachfront tiki-lit dinners, jungle massages where you hear the soft songs of birds while you’re getting pampered and long walks on the beach. The staff is also extremely hospitable and warm.

If you want an upscale resort feel, but on a private island, head to Yasawa Island Resort & Spa. Here, the 18 traditionally thatched, beachfront bures come with a spacious living room, outdoor shower and the rooms are quite large. Due to the island’s location, the sunrises and sunsets are simply stunning. One of the most popular excursions – especially for honeymooners – is the island picnic lunch. A boat drops you and your hubby off on a gorgeous island beach with lobster, Champagne, a plethora of culinary treats and then schedules a pick-up time. It’s an intimate, romantic afternoon in a gorgeous locale. What could be better?

Yes, there are plenty of places to go on your honeymoon, but Fiji really stands in a class of its own.

Photos courtesy of (in order of appearance): Qamea Resort and Spa Fiji (1st, 2nd, 3rd), Yasawa Island Resort & Spa (4th, 5th, 6th, 7th), Nanuku Auberge Resorts (8th, 9th, 10th).

This article first appeared in Destination I Do’s Spring/Summer 2017 issue. You can order a copy here.