Denarau

There are cave swims, and then there's the Sawa-i-Lau plunge-think Indiana Jones meets Jacques Cousteau, with a splash of rum-infused bravado. Hidden within Fiji's endlessly photogenic Yasawa Islands, this labyrinthine limestone cave was sculpted enticingly by Mother Nature a few million raindrops ago, but feels suspiciously like it was dreamed up by a Hollywood set designer itching for a raise. Don't bother with daylight's high-noon crush; best to slip into the turquoise shadows early in the morning, before the selfie-stick battalion storms ashore. Plan a day or two ahead-though procrastinators won't exactly get kicked off the island, your spontaneous courage might just become local legend. Budget roughly $50-$80 FJD (about $25-$40 USD) for a guided boat tour, which includes that invaluable reassurance you're not swimming into eternity. Bring a waterproof flashlight or headlamp, as the dim cave interiors carry plenty of mystery and zero regard for your comfort zone. And if you're prone to existential dread in enclosed spaces, consider a steady morning shot of kava to soothe those nerves beforehand. Why bother? Because years from now, at some insufferable cocktail party, you'll casually mention your Fijian cave adventure and immediately silence Kevin, who never stops talking about his tedious luxury cruise in Cancun.

There are worse ways to spend a day than careening around the Mamanuca Islands on an overly cheerful boat bound for Malolo Island-far worse, actually, and most involve fluorescent lighting and microwave burritos. Malolo, a picturesque nugget in Fiji's glittering necklace of islands, is unapologetically lush, the ocean around it clear enough to see your own astonished expression mirrored in fish-filled waters. Sure, snorkeling might make you briefly reconsider humanity's decision to crawl from the sea, and kayaking around the coastline could leave your shoulders aching in that oddly satisfying way-but the real highlight is wandering through a local village, where you'll quickly realize your "authentic islander" attire bought online doesn't fool anyone. Aim for morning departures (expectant marine life and smaller crowds), book a few days ahead, budget at least a hundred bucks-more if you intend to upgrade your lunch past grilled mystery fish-and don't forget sunscreen, a hat, and humility. Trust me, paddling your kayak the wrong direction or fumbling with snorkel gear is infinitely more charming when you own it with good humor. Ultimately, the Malolo Island Day Tour is worth it-for the unbeatable scenery, yes, but mostly for the tale you'll smugly recount later, cocktail in hand, about how you "almost considered staying forever," as if your return ticket didn't come pre-booked.

Hopping aboard a seven-night Yasawa Islands cruise from Denarau Marina is roughly equivalent to running off with pirates-if pirates had gourmet buffets, nightly cocktail hours, and hammocks perfectly positioned for Instagram-envy sunsets. Long before Tom Hanks befriended a volleyball, these Fijian islands were home to fearsome warriors whose descendants now warmly welcome (instead of eat!) travelers onto pristine shores. Book this escapade at least three months ahead, and you'll secure a deal sweeter than a mango smoothie. Budget around $1,500 to $3,000 per person depending on your cabin's poshness, and pack more sunscreen than you think humanly necessary; the South Pacific sun takes sadistic pleasure in French-frying visitors by noon. Aim for excursions early in the morning for people-free postcard moments, then spend afternoons lazily snorkeling through reefs with kaleidoscope marine life or being coaxed into kava ceremonies where your tongue quietly goes numb-a cultural high that'll make your boring office tales suddenly irresistible. Sure, sand will invade places you didn't know sand could go, but the bragging rights of sailing unspoiled island paradises, spotting dolphins over breakfast, and exchanging mildly embarrassing island dances with locals are well worth any trivial inconveniences-or potential sunburn-induced shame.