Suva has more for children than most visitors expect: rainforest swimming holes at Colo-i-Suva, the Fiji Museum, waterfront parks, cinemas and a busy market, all within a short drive of each other. If your family is home for the school holidays, this guide covers what to do, what it costs, and how to plan around rain and traffic.
Fiji's end-of-year school holidays run from 7 December 2026 to 22 January 2027, according to the Fijian Government's school terms page. That's seven weeks, which overlaps with Christmas, New Year and the busiest season for family visits home.
Colo-i-Suva Forest Park. Photo: Tucoxn, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Outdoor things to do in Suva with kids
The best outdoor spots are free or cost a few dollars. Go in the morning, before the midday heat and the afternoon showers.
Colo-i-Suva Forest Park
Colo-i-Suva is a rainforest park on Princes Road above Suva, with swimming holes, rope swings and walking trails. Tourism Fiji says it is open from 8 am to 4 pm daily and about 20 minutes' drive from the city.
Best for kids: the lower pools are shallower. The upper pools are colder and deeper.
Trails: some sections are steep and slippery, so bring proper shoes and hold small hands.
Bring: food, water and cash for the small entry fee. There are no shops on site and nowhere secure to leave valuables.
The Fiji Times reports free parking, changing rooms, new shelters and renovated trails.
My Suva Park
My Suva Park is a waterfront park on Queen Elizabeth Drive, run by Suva City Council. It has a children's playground, bures for picnics, walking paths and mangroves, according to the Fiji Sun. Pack a picnic and go in the late afternoon when the sea breeze picks up.
Thurston Gardens
Thurston Gardens are the old botanical gardens in central Suva, between Albert Park and Government House (Wikipedia). They're shady, flat and easy with a pram, and the Fiji Museum sits inside them.
The Fiji Museum, Thurston Gardens. Photo: Matthias Süßen, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Rainy-day and indoor options
December and January are hot and wet, so have a plan for rainy afternoons.
The Fiji Museum
The Fiji Museum in Thurston Gardens holds Fijian artefacts, some about 3,700 years old. Its website lists opening hours of 9 am to 4:30 pm every day, including public holidays. It is closed on Christmas Day, New Year's Day, Easter Sunday and Diwali.
Fiji residents: FJD 10 adults (16+), FJD 5 children (2–15).
Overseas visitors: FJD 20 adults, FJD 10 children.
Prices are from the museum's published price list. Check the website before you go, as prices can change.
Cinemas
Suva has two cinemas: Damodar City on Grantham Road and Village 6 on Scott Street. Check their Facebook pages for session times and school holiday films.
Suva Municipal Market
The Suva market is open daily and busiest on Friday and Saturday, according to the Fiji Sun. Kids love the piles of fruit, the seafood and the cooked food stalls. Go early on Saturday for the best produce, then bring it home to cook.
A note on swimming pools
The Suva Olympic Pool on Victoria Parade has been closed for upgrades, and its reopening date has slipped more than once (Fiji Times). Check before you plan a pool day.
Day trips from Suva with children
For a bigger day out, head west along the Queens Road to Navua and Pacific Harbour.
River tubing near Navua: River Tubing Fiji runs a half-day trip of about five hours. On its booking page, prices are FJD 200 for adults and FJD 100 for children aged 5 to 15, and children 4 and under go free.
Arts Village, Pacific Harbour: it reopened in November 2025 with a Fijian village, meke, storytelling and firewalking shows (Fiji Journal).
Tips for a family holiday in Suva
Beat the heat: plan outdoor trips for the morning and keep afternoons for rest, cinemas or the museum.
Beat the traffic: Kings Road gets busy at peak times, so head into Suva mid-morning and come home before about 5 pm.
Carry cash: small parks, markets and entry fees are usually cash only.
Plan for the rain: afternoon downpours are common in December and January.
Cook at home: eating out three times a day adds up fast with children. A kitchen makes a long stay easier.
Coming home for a longer visit? See our guide to coming home to Fiji with family, and our Christmas and New Year in Fiji guide.
A family base in Nakasi, Nausori
The Garden Flat at SPACES Fiji is a self-contained 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom apartment in Nakasi, Nausori, about 13 km from central Suva. It has its own entrance, a garden and a rear terrace overlooking a natural creek.
Three air-conditioned bedrooms, including a master with en-suite
Sleeps 6 at our listed rate, or up to 10 with an extra charge per person per night
Full kitchen, dining table, washing machine and dryer
65" smart TV and free Wi-Fi for rainy afternoons
Off-street parking for up to 5 vehicles
Please bring your own cot or high chair, as we don't provide them
Book direct for our best rate, or book the Garden Flat on Airbnb. Questions? WhatsApp us on +679 970 9310.
Frequently asked questions
When are the Fiji school holidays in 2026?
The end-of-year holidays run from 7 December 2026 to 22 January 2027, according to the Fijian Government's school terms page.
Is Colo-i-Suva safe for young children?
The lower pools are shallower and better for children, but there are no lifeguards, and the trails can be steep and slippery. Keep children close at all times.
What can kids do in Suva when it rains?
Try the Fiji Museum, a movie at Damodar City or Village 6, or a cooking afternoon at home with produce from the market.
Photo credits
Fiji Museum, Suva: Matthias Süßen, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Colo-i-Suva waterfall: Tucoxn, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Garden Flat photos: SPACES Fiji.
Information checked November 2026.
