Get a comprehensive travel insurance that covers you for any natural disasters or what is often termed ‘Acts of God’.

If you can, pay extra for insurance that covers repatriation flights or for any changes to your flights from Fiji to your home country.

November to April is the wet season in Fiji

We, locals, know it as our ‘cyclone season’ because historically, it’s when tropical depressions form, which sometimes turn into full-blown cyclones.

A sure sign of a tropical depression is seemingly never-ending rain. High humidity heralds heavy rain. Lethargy and dehydration are common, so do stay out of the sun and drink a lot of water. Also, flash flooding, so ask your hotel for help and information if you’re not sure.

You’ll experience this especially if you’re travelling through the western side of Viti Levu, either on the mainland or in the beautiful Mamanuca and Yasawa group of islands.

Travel insurance is a must. That should be an obvious one, but some people act as if they’ve never heard of tropical islands getting cyclones, or that the world will remain exactly as it was when they left home, that is, no geopolitical rumblings or war. I’ve seen this first-hand because I work in the leisure and travel industry, and you’ll be surprised to know how unprepared some visitors are. It’s like they’ve never done their homework. And, sadly, some expect hotel staff and tour operators to drop everything and prioritise their needs.

What to expect

You will be safe enough if you’re staying at a hotel. If you cannot go to the airport for your flight out because the roads are flooded, be sure to extend your stay at your current hotel. Hotel management and staff will do what they can to ensure that you are still looked after. But please remember, they are people too and have their own families and homes to worry about.

If you’re staying in the outer islands

Expect that boat services will be cancelled. Be sure to stay in touch with your agency to get you back to the mainland before that, and book you a room closer to the airport.

If you’re in the Nadi area, try to get a room at the Fiji Gateway Hotel and a free shuttle to the airport. Or a room at Denarau if you can afford it.

Your health and safety are important, even when on holiday

Maybe especially on holiday. You’re far from home, and there’s a tendency to be a little uninhibited, but please, take care of yourself when you’re in a foreign country, even one as warm and welcoming as my home country, the Fiji Islands.

Enjoy your holidays!