Fiji Travel Vision
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Northern Fiji Travel Guide
Eco-tourist resorts amongst rainforests and beaches
Savusavu Bay and Natewa Bay - Vanua Levu
The Garden Island of Taveuni
Diving the Rainbow Reef - off Taveuni
Tuvaluan and Banaban settlements on Kioa and Rabi islands
Rare Tagimaucia flower
Introduction
Vanua Levu, the second largest island in Fiji, is split into two distinct halves. Sugar plantations and small Indian communities dominate the dry north-western side. The south-eastern side, with the increasingly popular eco-tourist region of Savusavu, is clothed in rainforest and old colonial coconut plantations. Vanua Levu is known as the friendly north and its people are warm and villages hospitable. The Bays of Savusavu and Natewa are great places to explore and several tour companies offer guided walks through the mountains and kayaking expeditions along the coastline. Most of the north and eastern parts of the island are rarely visited - accommodation is only available in Labasa and on a few of the offshore island resorts - although some great hiking can be found in the mountains south of Labasa. The southern coast of Vanua Levu from Savusavu to Buca Bay (where boats connect with Taveuni) is outstandingly beautiful and several small resorts and private villas for all budgets have opened along the coast.
Accommodation on Vanua Levu
Between Vanua Levu and Taveuni are the islands of Kioa and Rabi. Although neither have official accommodation, it is possible to visit these islands by contacting the respective Island Council of Chiefs. Both islands are culturally unique - Rabi was settled by Banaban Islanders from Kiribati when they lost their own island to phosphate mining in the 1940's and Kioa was bought by the Tuvaluan government in 1946 to resettle their growing population. Kioa and Rabi offer a lifestyle and culture quite different to their Fijian counterparts.
Taveuni, the Garden Island of Fiji, is the most popular destination for eco-tourism. It is the third largest island in Fiji being 26 miles long and about 7 miles in width. Taveuni has a number of traditional Fijian villages along its coast. The volcanic island is covered in tropical rainforest which is rich in colour, full of sound and scattered with waterfalls. High up in the mountains is a large lake where the rare Tagimaucia flower blooms in November. In the south of Taveuni there are several large working copra (coconut) plantations. Unfortunately the beaches on Taveuni are not that good although Prince Charles Beach and Lavena are exceptions. Taveuni has a well developed tourist infrastructure making it easy to get around yet retaining the feel of being off the beaten track. Tavoro Forest Park and Reserve has several excellent walks along stunning coastline and past refreshing waterfalls. The island is particularly geared towards independently minded travellers of all budgets and there are several dive specialists to lead expeditions to see the incredible soft corals and walls of Rainbow Reef.
Accommodation on Taveuni
Laucala, Matangi and Qamea islands off the north-western coast of Taveuni are well known for their informal and luxurious resorts. Qamea is the largest of these islands and has good exploring and an abundance of wildlife, particularly nesting birds. Tiny Namena island off Vanua Levu is a protected nature reserve and has a number of rare species as well as nesting boobies. There is a small luxury eco-resort on the island.
Accommodation in Northern Islands
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Getting There
Both Sunflower and Air Fiji fly to Savusavu, Labasa and Taveuni several times each day. There are also flight connections between Savusavu and Taveuni. Passenger ferries depart for Savusavu and Taveuni from Suva Harbour twice a week. There is also a fast daily ferry service between Rakiraki on Viti Levu's north coast and the south eastern point of Vanua Levu. There is another small ferry service throughout the day from Buca Bay in Vanua Levu and Taveuni.
Airlines / Travel Operators
Once there, regular buses, rental cars and hitching get most people to where they want to go.
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