Colo-i-Suva Forest Park

Colo-i-Suva packs a proper rainforest experience into a small reserve just outside the capital: a network of trails through tall mahogany and native forest, dropping to the Waisila creek where a series of clear pools sit beneath small waterfalls, one with the rope swing that generations of Suva residents have used. Bird calls carry constantly - this is one of the more accessible places to see Fiji's endemic species, including parrots and the barking pigeon - and the whole loop takes a couple of gentle hours, which makes it the standard escape for anyone based in Suva or waiting out a wet afternoon on the humid side of the island.

What you actually see

• The swimming pools - clear creek pools with a small waterfall and rope swing.
• The forest trails - looping paths through mahogany and native rainforest.
• Endemic birds - parrots, doves and the barking pigeon.
• The upper viewpoints - glimpses over the forested valley.

When to go

The drier season from May to October gives firmer trails and clearer water. Suva is the wet side of Fiji, so rain is common year round and the forest is at its greenest for it. Mornings are best for birds; weekends bring local families to the pools.

Honest expectations

Trails get muddy and slick quickly after rain - proper shoes rather than flip-flops make the difference. Petty theft from parked cars and unattended bags has been reported over the years, so take valuables with you into the water. The pools are refreshing rather than tropical-warm. It is a park close to a city, not remote wilderness, and is best judged on that basis.

Nearby

Suva's museum and market, the Pacific Harbour coast and the Rewa delta.