Activities On & Around Vanua Levu
Savusavu and Natewa Bays
Savusavu is a rapidly developing town that serves as the port of call for the Northern Islands. Its bay is spectacularly beautiful and crowds gather to watch the ships pull in over the shimmering water.
Wai Tui Marina
Savusavu’s new marina, known as ‘the mall’, is filled with the yacht crowd, families and people thronging to the local eateries.
Labasa
The largest city on Vanua Levu, this town is dominated by the sugar trade. It is made up primarily of Fijians of Indian descent and is an excellent place to pick up Indian imports.
Sugar Cane Plantation
Vanua Levu is dominated by sugar cane plantations. Ask to see how sugar is grown and processed.
Hiking
South of Labasa is Vanua Levu’s best hiking, in the mountains.
Activities On & Around Taveuni
Rainbow Reef
This reef is almost twenty miles long and provides Taveuni with the underwater flora and fauna known to divers around the world. Although the views are spectacular, introductory dives here are not recommended due to the stronger currents.
Bouma National Park
There are three stunning hikes in Bouma, Fiji’s largest national park. Visitors can view waterfalls on all of the hikes. The Lavena Coastal Walk is ideal for those looking for a stroll along the coast. For those looking for a more strenuous workout, arrange for a guide to take you to Lake Tagimaucia to view the Tagimaucia flower.
Lake Tagimaucia & the Tagimaucia Flower
The rare Tagimaucia flower blooms from October through December, peaking in October. It only blooms around the large lake of the same name, and is deep red with a small white center.
Warrior Burial Cave
Warriors were buried here in secret to preserve their remains and keep them safe from enemies. It was discovered in the 1950s, and most of the bones were moved elsewhere.
International Dateline
The 180th meridian lies south of the Garden Island Resort on Taveuni. Travel less than one mile and you will find where the international dateline once passed. Later, it was changed so the people on Taveuni all lived in the same timezone.
Wairiki Mission
Also called the Taveuni Catholic mission, it provides a glimpse into British colonial architecture.
Activities On Viti Levu
More than 70% of Fiji’s population resides on Viti Levu which is home to its three largest cities. The cultural, economic and governmental powerhouse of the country, most visitors spend a few hours here, even if they’re on their way to a smaller island.
Still, Viti Levu has plenty of attractions of its own, including the country’s first area developed for tourism, the Coral Coast, plus interesting scenery and well-preserved historical attractions.
Nadi, where most international travelers arrive, and Suva, the capital, are a four-hour bus ride apart. Most travelers do not visit Suva, instead preferring to spend their time on the beach.
Activities On & Around Nadi
Nadi
Although it’s home to Fiji’s largest international airport, this city is actually Fiji’s third-largest. Visit Nadi to shop, eat, or visit The Garden of the Sleeping Giant which has orchids and hiking trails to take advantage of.
Lautoka
North of Nadi, and the second largest city in the country, Lautoka is also the second-largest point of entry, with many passenger ships departing from here to elsewhere in Fiji.
Sri Siva Subramaniya Temple
This is the largest place of worship for the Hindus in Fiji and is supposedly the largest temple south of the equator. Taking pictures and wearing shoes inside are forbidden.
Shopping
Nadi and Suva offer the country’s most compact, easy-to-shop areas for souvenirs. Large and small stores clamoring for tourists line the main drags.
Activities Elsewhere on Viti Levu
Nausori Highlands
A remote area with plenty of mountain hikes, this area is best explored with a guide…or 4×4.
Suva
The nation’s capital offers a wide array of shopping, dining and cultural attractions.
Fiji Museum
In Suva, this museum hosts the largest collection of Fijian artifacts in world (which, considering it’s in Fiji, is a good thing). History buffs can also view some remains of the H.M.S. Bounty.
Activities Around the Coral Coast
Sigatoka Valley
This fertile growing region produces much of the country’s natural vegetable supply and provides excellent exploring opportunities.
Sigatoka Sand Dunes
For drier hikes just off the beach, scale the heights at Sigatoka Sand Dunes.
Naihehe Sacred Caves
Near Sigatoka, these should be toured with a local guide for religious and practical reasons.
Natadola Beach
Viti Levu’s stunning beach is home to several up and coming resorts, with strong breaks that encourage bodyboarders.
Tavuni Hill Fortification
These ruins are a national protected site. A guide can explain the fascinating history – including how human bones were found in the oven – for a small fee.
Momi Guns
During WWII, Viti Levu housed a defensive base, which has been spectacularly preserved with a museum inside an old bunker and an expansive view of the water and land below. The cannons were never fired as an act of war.
Yasawa Islands
Lounging around the sandy beaches, snorkeling and looking at the wonders below and visiting with the friendly village locals are the dominating activities around these relaxed and happy islands.
Manta Ray Spotting
The small islands around Naviti boast a number of lagoons, home to plentiful manta rays from May to October.
Snorkeling and SCUBA Diving
Multiple opportunities to immerse yourself in the underwater world exist in the Yasawas. SCUBA diving around the Astrolabe Reef near Kadavu is world-renowned. The fourth-largest reef in the world, expect to see plentiful soft coral, hawkfish, sea snakes, triggerfish, turtles, angelfish.
Water Sports
Fly fishing, deep-sea fishing and kayaking are available at a number of places throughout the Yasawas.
Explore
The underwater coral caves around the Yasawa Islands.
Local Villages
The most populated island in the Yasawas, there are six or so fishing communities scattered around Naviti Island. Put on your best behavior and introduce yourself to some locals!
Original Tourism
Scope out the budget Tavewa Island backpackers, first opened in the 1980s, or the exclusive couples-only resort on nearby Turtle Island. These were the first claims to tourism in the Yasawas.
Walk Between Islands
Amuse yourself by wading between Kuata and Waya islands at low tide.
Six Month Beach
So named for the time it takes to get rid of all its fine sand once you depart, the Six Month Beach is found on Yasawa Island.
Sawa-i-Lau Cave
Before you travel to Fiji, watch the Blue Lagoon so you can squeal with delightful recognition when you spot Sawa-i-Lau, which the lovers made famous. Nanuya Lailai is another Blue Lagoon filming spot.
Active Sports
Depending on the location, tennis, hiking and trekking through jaw-dropping scenery are available.
Scenic Flights
Charters from Viti Levu on sea-planes provide stunning photographs of your visual memories.
Activities On and Around Other Islands
Namena Island
Bird watching is a popular pastime here, with the highlight being the red-footed boobies.
Rabi and Kioa
Indigenous Polynesians from Tuvalu and Kiribati live on these remote islands. The settlements of the Tuvaluan and Banaban provide interesting cultural insights into the people. There is no formal accommodation. However, the villages will arrange a homestay in advance if needed.
