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A Night Tour of Robinson Crusoe Island Fiji

Watching cultural shows and experiencing traditional activities are big part of our trips especially to exotic and interesting hot spots like the islands of Fiji. During our few days in Fiji last summer we wanted to experience a nighttime show with its well-known fire and knife dancers. Luckily, there was one that whisked us off to one of Fiji’s outer islands, Robinson Crusoe Island, which promised a unique cultural experience. Come along with us on this island night tour among the fire walkers and dancers.

Fiji Robinson Crusoe Island

We started off our trip by being picked up at our hotel and on to a long bus ride to the Robinson Crusoe Island jetty. But, it gave us a chance to see some of the residential side of the island. We boarded an aluminum boat with an attached motor and canopy, which was similar to how Fijians get around the water. They had life jackets on board so that made me feel a little better boarding this boat.

Robinson Crusoe jetty boat Fiji

The lagoon and river looked almost postcard perfect and was so serene.

Fiji Robinson Crusoe Jetty lagoon

I was looking forward to seeing the sunset along the ocean as we sailed towards the island but we were still in the lagoon area when it started to set.

Robinson Crusoe jetty lagoon Fiji

We were treated with the emergence of the full moon which came up pretty fast and dusk quickly set in.

Robinson crusoe lagoon Fiji

It seemed like a magical setting with the full moon and being surrounded by mangroves and the river bank lined with many tropical plants and trees. It was a scenic, peaceful 30-minute ride. Coming back here late at night was a different story; it was eerie and very dark with only the sound of the boat’s motor. The only light was the manually operated spotlight on top of the boat to look out for debris.

Robinson Crusoe lagoon fiji full moon

I kept expecting something to pop out of the bushes and trees. It was a very long 30-minute ride in the dark going home. My kids were too tired to notice since they both took naps. Luckily, the wonderful evening we had on the island earlier made up for that.

Robinson Crusoe Island Fiji moon

Robinson Crusoe Island is a small island located off Fiji’s largest island of Viti Levu. It was once known as Likuri Island and had inhabitants dating back to 1500 BC and was used for traditional ceremonies and gatherings. It was named after the story of an Englishman mariner and his adventures. Nowadays, it’s home to rustic accommodations that include wood and straw type cabins (bures), lodges and two dormitories for budget travellers.

It offers plenty of activities, a waterpark for those staying here and also welcomes day trippers and visitors, like us, who were only here for several hours at night. Judging from their pictures, their daytime offerings look almost similar to the other Fijian paradise of South Sea Island where we spent the day.

Robinson Crusoe Island activities

As we neared the island, we could hear the Fijian choir’s island music welcoming us. Once we reached the island we were greeted with the staff and some guests holding torches to light our way. We’ve certainly never been greeted like this before and just one of the ways the Fijian hospitality came alive.

Robinson crusoe Island greeters

We were ushered into a traditional kava ceremony by the beach. Kava or Yaqona (pronounced yangona) is Fiji’s national drink and the locals love it. The drink is made from the powdered root of a pepper family plant and mixed with water in the tanoa or bowl. It came out a little muddy looking and is believed to have medicinal qualities and relax you.

We had the privilege of attending two kava ceremonies in their downtown and in a village we visited and drank it too. Yes, even the kids. It’s an acquired taste and has a bitter and “earthy” taste. My kids aren’t as politically correct and said it tasted like “dirt”. There’s a ritual involved including sitting in a circle and some clapping. Guests were invited to go up and take part but we passed this time around.

Robinson Crusoe Fiji kava ceremony

We were then led to an open area for the digging of the Lovo – a Fijian feast cooked on an underground hole with wood and stones. We saw the staff unearth some vegetables covered in sacks from the pit. Food like cassava, sweet potato, yam and taro are usually cooked this way while the meats and fish are laid in the bottom. While I’d like to think they were really traditional and cooked our dinner this way, the hole wasn’t big enough to hold all the food we later saw in the buffet. But, it gave us a good idea of what a lovo entailed.

Robinson Crusoe lovo digging

The pile of stones and wood on the ground was clearly still hot but we also didn’t expect them to also use the pit for the traditional fire walking. It was fascinating to see three men walk across the blistering pit and made it look easy and painless. They stayed there for a few seconds too smiling as we all looked on in amazement.

Robinson Crusoe Island fire walking

We were treated to an island buffet feast of roast pork and beef and vegetables that were supposedly cooked in the lovo. It was delicious but it didn’t feel Fijian enough especially since we had lunch at a village earlier that day. I was expecting more local and traditional dishes other than cassava and sweet potato and also a bit more fruits and seafood. I’m guessing they had to have more Western foods to appeal to the tourists.

Robinson Crusoe Island Fiji food

The highlight of the evening and the main reason we came to this island was the South Pacific Island and Polynesian cultural dance, fire and knife dance show. This one-hour show was very energetic and entertaining. We saw some of the traditional Fijian dances as well as some of the other South Pacific island dances like Samoa and Tonga.

Robinson Crusoe Island Fiji dancers

The fire and knife dancers were amazing to see and even did some acrobatic moves while doing some fancy tricks with those torches. The cast was very talented and really captured our attention throughout the show. There were some audience participation too which made for some good laughs.

Robinson Crusoe Island Fire dancers

I’ve attended enough cultural shows to see the same almost artificial smile on many of the female performers. It was refreshing to see performers with genuine smiles and who were really having fun sharing their culture and entertaining the audience.

Fiji fire dancers

Robinson Crusoe Island was a tropical retreat that gives visitors a taste of Fiji whether staying there, visiting for a day or for a night show. While there’s some room for improvement on the food, the main event and primary reason to come to this island is the show. The ambience and talent was worth the bus and boat ride alone and is a great overall value. It was a wonderful experience and lovely evening of cultural festivities with the locals.

Robinson Crusoe Island with kids Fiji

Visiting Robinson Crusoe Island Tips and Basics

  • Check their website for various price options for day tours or the dinner show. Kids (6-14 years old are half price and those under 5 are free). Prices for the night tour start at 169 Fijian dollar ($86 US) for adults; Combo prices started at
  • Coach bus pick-up from various Nadi, Denarau and Coral Coast hotels begin at 4 PM and guests are driven to the Robinson Crusoe Island jetty, which leave at 5:30 PM.
  • The boat returns to Robinson Crusoe Jetty at about 10PM and the coach buses drop visitors back to hotels.
  • Night Shows are on Wednesday and Saturday only. Day tours are on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.
  • All cruises incur a FJ$10 ($5US) Fuel Surcharge per adult, pay at the Robinson Crusoe Island Jetty. Double check if you book online since this may be included with your ticket.
  • Drinks available for purchase on the boat and on the island. It’s not included in the dinner price.

Have you been to Robinson Crusoe Island? Would you visit for the show?

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33 thoughts on “A Night Tour of Robinson Crusoe Island Fiji”

  1. I know the night part of the cruise might have been a bit creepy to you but I would have loved that with a full moon! Watching those fire walkers would be so much fun. I saw the itinerary board and of course focused on 7:00 Dinner! You said, ” it didn’t feel Fijian enough…” regarding the meal. What would have been more traditional, Mary? Because that is what I would have wanted too! :)

  2. Wow! Now this is the sort of cultural experience I would like when I eventually get round to travelling to various places around the world. The colours are so vibrant, and I’m glad the dancers actually enjoyed themselves :-)

  3. Stunning photos Mary, you really are a great photographer. I can just picture how earie that return boat ride must have been, I think I’d have been quite spooked! But peaceful too. Oh how I’d love to visit the south Pacific one day. Thanks for taking me there with you!

    1. Thanks Phoebe! Some of the photos were taken by my husband so I have to give him credit :) It was spooky and relaxing which was probably why my kids fell asleep :) I hope your South Pacific dreams come true soon.

  4. Wow! What a tour you must have had! And I agree with you, that boat ride on a full moon day at night must have been a bit scary! But what a lovely treat you had at the island, look at all those performers!! Thanks for sharing these pictures from Fiji :)

  5. Even the name Robinson Crusoe Island intrigues me! And I think that boat ride across to the island sounds like a lot of fun–I love being out on the water. What a cool experience!

  6. Looks great. Is it “The” Robinson Crusoe Island? I wouldn’t like to watch them walking on the coals though – scary. I don’t think I would like the Kava either. But I love the water and islands and this is so atmospheric.

  7. It reminds me of the cultural shows/luau in Hawaii. We didn’t attend any because we were afraid the food would be bland and touristy (even though some said they cooked it in the underground oven too) and that the shows would be cheesy. I still think things like this may just be a tourist trap but it still looks like something fun and enjoyable all the same! I’m sure the kids loved it! I would have been amazed to see people walking on hot coals too!

  8. Interesting ceremonies and cultural events, but why did the island change name to Robinson Crusoe Island? Does it have a link to Daniel Defoe or other Robinsonades?

  9. What a spectacular! I have seen the men walking across the stones, and I agree they make it look so easy and painless. I was cringing and fascinated by it!

  10. I don’t think I would have enjoyed going back home on the boat in the pitch darkness either! Otherwise it sounds like it was a great opportunity to see something Fijian. In many ways it sounds like luaus that you can attend in Hawaii. Too bad about the food though.

  11. This looks like such an incredible experience!I think the dancing would have been my favourite part. We saw a number of beautiful dancing demonstrations from the Pacific islands at the Polynesian Cultural Center on Oahu that made me add several islands to my travel wish list. Riding the boat back in the dark would have completely freaked me out though!

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