fiji travel hotel guide

Taveuni Island Travel Guide

Taveuni Island is undoubtedly the most popular island for eco-travellers. Affectionately known as The Garden Island, Taveuni is the third largest island in Fiji, about 30 miles long and 6 miles wide. The island is volcanic is nature, with a clearly distinguishable volcanic ridge rising to over 1000 metres. Much of the coastline is rocky with the entire east flank being inaccessable. Public transport is limited and the only stretch of tar sealed road extends from Matei Airport in the north to the chiefly Somosomo village, about mid way down the west coast.

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Taveuni was one of the major coconut plantation regions and was settled in the 1800s by European planters. These coconut plantations can still be seen along the west and southern coasts of the island.


Bouma National Park
 The east coast is wild and mostly inaccessible due to steep cliffs and much of the land is protected by Bouma National Heritage Park. Access to the park is from the north-east coast, with the main attraction being the Tavoro Falls (three lovely waterfalls between 10 minutes and an hour walk from the main road). The first waterfall is only a five minute flat stroll from the road and has excellent swimming and an indent behind the falls from which you can jump through the waterfall into the pool beneth. The second waterfall is a steep climb through tropical rainforest along a well maintained trail, taking about 20-minutes. This is the highest of the three falls at about 100 feet. The third fall requires wading through a river assisted by a rope and is another 30 minutes higher up the valley. Beyond, it is possable to follow the stream further into the rain forest and venture past a series of smaller falls. Also within the Bouma Park is Waitabu Marine Park, set alongside a picturesque beachfront. The village of Waitabu has set aside its lagoon as a marine conversation area and funds its project by offering guided snorkelling trips (excellent marine life and corals) and bilibili bamboo raft excursions.


At the end of the road about 20 minutes from Bouma Falls is the attractive village of Lavena, departure point for the 3 mile Lavena Coastal Walk along the forest edge, passing cove beaches and waterfalls. There is an excellent trail that hugs the coastline and a swing bridge forging several rivers. The trail takes just over 1 hour in one direction and is realatively flat. Thisn is a good place to spot endemic birds including the orange dove. This coast can also be explored by kayak from Lavena. The village has a small basic lodge with private rooms and shared bathroom and kitchen.


Most of the accommodation on Taveuni is in and around the small settlement of Matei on the north end of the island where the domestic airport is located. The beach here is OK, with two small islands just off the coast and a couple of shops and a restaurant. A mile to the south of Matei is the lovely Prince Charles Beach with a cluster of resorts, including the upmarket Maravu Plantation Resort and the excellent budget guesthouse, Bibi's Hideaway.


About half way down the west coast of Taveuni are the small settlements of Somosomo and Waiyevo where Garden Island Dive Resort has long established itself as the scuba divers choice accommodation. There is no beach here, but this is the closest point to the world famous Rainbow Reef with its soft corals and impressive White Wall. A rough trail inland from Waiyevo leads to Lake Tagimaucia, home of the rare Tagimaucia flower that comes out in abundance between October and December.


Beyond Waiyevo, the road becomes rough and passes several fine waterfalls. Near the southern tip at South Cape are the Matamaiqi blowholes and coastal pandanus forests.


Qamea, Matangi & Laucala (islands off Taveuni)

 Off the north coast of Taveuni are three lovely islands all within 20 minutes boat ride. Qamea is the largest of these and is the twelfth largest in Fiji. It has lovely bays, lush rainforest and excellent bird life.


Across from Qamea is the spectacular horseshoe shaped collapsed volcanic crater of Matangi Island. There's a beautiful beach in the horseshoe, and on the other side of the island is Matangi Island Resort. This small intimate resort has excellent diving around the reefs as well as great fishing.


The other island is the private Laucala Island. Once a cattle plantation owned by Malcolm Forbes, the island has recently been sold and being developed into an upmarket resort.


Getting There & Around

Taveuni is easy to get to with several daily flights from Nadi, although its distance makes it a very expensive to visit for a short stay. A popular route for those with at least a week to spare is to take the ferry from Suva to Taveuni. It is also possible to take a ferry from Taveuni to Savusavu or a smaller boat across Buca Bay to the east tip of Vanua Levu.

 Flights to Taveuni
 Pacific Sun from Nadi / Suva to:
Taveuni - 4 flights a day - (Nadi 1 hour 30 mins)
Flights connect via Savusavu.
Local Flights

 Passenger and Car Ferry to Northern Islands
 Departs almost daily from Suva to Taveuni via Savusavu. Takes about 12 hours.

 Buses in Taveuni
Infrequent service around the island. Best to rely on carrier vans which are cheap if there are 2 or more people.