Summit Sunsets in Fiji

As the sun sets over Fiji, Matt finds the perfect view

Taking in a sunset is one of the most spectacular views of nature available anywhere around the world. This is great if you bother to ever check one out where you live, but most people don't. That's probably why many holiday snaps manage to sneak a sunset pic in somewhere, as it's one of those rare situations when we put in the effort to explore the local area and head out for an evening stroll. If you're looking for the perfect image to round off a jealousy-inducing holiday, then the possibility to combine a few pictures of the suns last hurrah to the day with a South Pacific island paradise backdrop is too good to miss, so here's what it's like.

Location

If you're lucky enough to be from Australia or New Zealand then this is a paradise on your doorstep, if you're not then enjoy the isolated feeling having ventured half way round the world to a tiny island in the middle of the planets biggest ocean. Right on the cusp of the International Date Line, you can also revel in the fact that as you see the day out, many others are only just seeing it in.

The Summit is usually reached by meandering
paths through some pretty dense jungle

The Islands

As an archipelago of 333 islands, you're also not going to struggle to find your own hill or viewpoint to take it all in. Many of the tiny islands have no roads and the largest constructions are the many straw roofed huts (or Bures) making up the villages and resorts. Worry not about the sun disappearing behind a concrete monstrosity, or a vantage point overcrowded with parked cars and the annoying sort of tourist who doesn't seem to notice he's just strolled right in front of your carefully orchestrated picture.

Aside from the 2 main islands of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, the many other islands dotted around the nearby shores or island chains such as the Yasawa group are tiny and therefore you're never lost for views out to sea. This means that there is an overabundance of horizon, so you will not have to venture far to ensure that you see the sun disappear in the distance.

There's plenty of opportunity beforehand to
take in the view of any nearby islands

Island life in Fiji is incredibly laid back, and it won't take you long to learn of the phrase 'Fiji time.' This essentially means that something will be done as and when it happens, but make sure in the mean time you don't worry about it. The only thing that works to a timed schedule is the setting of the sun, and as dinner is always served after this in the resorts there is little need to keep track of the time if you're wondering about eating.

The Summit Walk

There's never a summit trail far from you in Fiji, simply ask a native and they will happily point you in the direction of the nearest path disappearing up the hill. Many islands have a volcanic origin, and therefore unlike island paradises like the Maldives there is no shortage of hills or summits to climb to get the best view. These paths take you through jungle terrain that may remind you of the TV series 'Lost' or the film 'Castaway' which was filmed on several Fijian islands. The walk offers the opportunity to drag you away from the temptation of spending your entire holiday on the beach or in a hammock.

You're virtually guaranteed a clear sky and
unimpeded view of the sun dipping below the horizon

Once at the top, Fiji never fails to deliver. With an enviable climate and record of sunshine hours, it's virtually guaranteed you'll have the chance to wave goodbye to a bright hot day. If you're looking to capture the sun setting, then make sure you don't head up there at the last minute as you're likely going to want to enjoy the view offered by the last moments of daylight. With a generous smattering of islands, wherever you are in Fiji another island is likely to be in viewing range, and standing at the top of a hill can help you appreciate the isolated, tiny plots of land surrounding your own island.

As the sun sets, seeing the rays shooting into the sky and across the vast ocean is pretty impressive. What's more, you can also see how the light hits the surrounding islands and sends shadows across the sea. You might want to remember that you can't spend all night up here if you're hoping to make it down the hill before complete darkness and back in time for dinner, just in case Fiji time happens to be running early that day.