Vanua Levu & Taveuni

Savusavu is located on the sheltered south coast of Vanua Levu and is considered Fiji's best-kept secret. The sleepy town on the deep blue Savusavu Harbour is the opposite of Nadi: no resort strips, no mass tourism — instead, a charming harbor town surrounded by lush hills, copra plantations, and hot springs.

Hot Springs

Right on the harbor shore — in the middle of town! — the hot springs of Savusavu steam. Locals actually cook eggs here and wrap food in banana leaves to steam. A surreal sight and a sign of volcanic activity beneath the surface. The springs are freely accessible.

Copra Shed Marina

The heart of Savusavu is the Copra Shed Marina — a former copra factory (coconut drying), converted into a charming dock with restaurants, cafes, dive centers, and boutiques. Sailboats from all over the world dock here — Savusavu is a popular port for circumnavigators. The Surf & Turf Restaurant in the marina serves the best seafood in the region.

J. Hunter Pearls

Savusavu is home to Fiji's only pearl farm. J. Hunter Pearls cultivates the rare Fiji pearls in the nutrient-rich waters of Savusavu Bay. A tour of the farm shows the cultivation process, and in the showroom, you can purchase loose pearls and jewelry — directly from the producer, at prices well below international market value.

Waisali Rainforest Reserve

About 30 minutes south of Savusavu lies the Waisali Rainforest Reserve — a protected piece of Vanua Levu's last untouched lowland rainforest. Trails lead through the forest to a waterfall, past mighty tree ferns, orchids, and the Fiji Crested Iguana (one of the rarest lizards in the world). Entry: approx. 20 FJD.

Taveuni is Fiji's third largest island and rightly earns its nickname "Garden Island": The island is a lush garden of rainforests, waterfalls, exotic flowers, and biodiversity unmatched in Fiji. The Tagimoucia flower — Fiji's national flower — grows exclusively on Taveuni and nowhere else in the world.

Bouma National Heritage Park

Taveuni's main attraction: The Bouma National Park protects 80% of the island's remaining rainforest and is home to the famous Tavoro Waterfalls — three cascades plunging through dense tropical forest:

• First Waterfall (Lower Falls) — 24 meters high, accessible via an easy, well-maintained path (10 minutes). At the base, a natural pool for swimming — ice-cold and fantastically refreshing.
• Second Waterfall (Middle Falls) — More challenging path (30–45 minutes), through river crossings and over roots. Reward: An even more secluded waterfall with a deep pool.
• Third Waterfall (Upper Falls) — Another 30-minute hike. The most remote and quietest of the three. You're usually alone here.

Entry to Bouma National Park: approx. 15 FJD. The money goes directly to the local community.

Lavena Coastal Walk

The Lavena Coastal Walk in the eastern part of Bouma Park is one of the most beautiful coastal hikes in the South Pacific: 5 km along the coast, past black volcanic beaches, coconut palms, and through a village, to the Lavena Waterfall in a rocky gorge. At the end: a natural pool for swimming under the waterfall. Duration: 3–4 hours round trip.

International Date Line

The 180th meridian — the international date line — runs through Taveuni. At a marker in Waiyevo, you can stand with one foot in "Today" and the other in "Yesterday." A nice photo opportunity, even though the actual date line is now routed east around Fiji (so the country is not split into two time zones).

Des Voeux Peak

Taveuni's highest accessible viewpoint: A challenging rainforest hike (3–4 hours round trip) leads to an elevation of 1,195 meters. From the top: breathtaking views of Taveuni, the Somosomo Strait, and the sea to Vanua Levu. With luck, you'll see the Tagimoucia flower — Fiji's red national flower, which only grows above 600 meters on Taveuni.

The Rainbow Reef in the Somosomo Strait between Taveuni and Vanua Levu is among the top 10 dive sites in the world. The strait channels nutrient-rich water from the open Pacific, resulting in an incredible concentration of soft corals — in colors you wouldn't believe possible.

Great White Wall

The dive to the Great White Wall begins with a descent through a tunnel in the reef wall at about 12 meters. At the other end, a view opens onto a vertical coral wall, completely covered with bright white soft corals — an underwater snow slope in a tropical paradise. In the current, the corals float like snowflakes. One of the most breathtaking dives in the world. Depth: 15–40 m. Experience: Advanced Open Water recommended.

Other Top Spots

• Annie's Bommie — An isolated coral tower, covered with soft corals in all rainbow colors. Anemones with clownfish, nudibranchs, turtles. Depth: 8–25 m. Also suitable for beginners.
• Zoo — As the name suggests: a reef full of life. Sharks, barracudas, Napoleon wrasse, schools of snappers and fusiliers. Depth: 10–30 m.
• Cabbage Patch — Named after the giant leather corals that look like cabbage heads. Shallow reef, perfect for snorkeling and beginner divers. Depth: 5–15 m.
• Jack's Place — Drift dive with large pelagic fish: tuna, barracudas, and with luck, even hammerhead sharks. Only for experienced divers.

Dive Centers on Taveuni

• Taveuni Dive — The island's most renowned dive center with over 30 years of experience. PADI 5-Star Center. 2-tank dive: from 300 FJD.
• Taveuni Ocean Sports — Smaller, more personal operation. Also snorkeling trips to Rainbow Reef.

Best diving season: April–October (best visibility, less rain). The currents in the Somosomo Strait can be strong — drift dive experience is advantageous.

Getting to Vanua Levu & Taveuni

Both Vanua Levu and Taveuni have small airports with daily connections:

• Flight Nadi → Savusavu (SVU): Fiji Airways, approx. 1 hour, from 200 FJD one-way.
• Flight Nadi → Taveuni (TVU): Fiji Airways, approx. 1.5 hours (with possible stop in Suva), from 250 FJD one-way.
• Flight Suva → Taveuni: Approx. 1 hour, from 200 FJD.
• Ferry Suva → Savusavu: Patterson Brothers Shipping, approx. 12 hours (night ferry). From 50 FJD deck class. Adventurous, but not for the faint-hearted.
• Ferry Savusavu → Taveuni: Approx. 4–5 hours with the "Spirit of Harmony". Spectacular journey through the Somosomo Strait.

Important: Domestic flights in Fiji are often overbooked or delayed. Book early, confirm your flights 24 hours in advance, and plan buffer days — especially if you have an international connecting flight.

Accommodations in Savusavu

• Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort — Fiji's most famous eco-resort, named after the son of the legendary Jacques Cousteau. Luxurious bures in a tropical garden, own dive center, world-class spa. From 1,200 FJD/night all-inclusive.
• Koro Sun Resort — Family and couple-friendly resort with bures on the reef, Edgewater bures over the water, and its own rainforest spa. From 500 FJD/night.
• Savusavu Hot Springs Hotel — Budget-friendly hotel right in town. Simple, clean, central. From 120 FJD/night.

Accommodations on Taveuni

• Paradise Taveuni — Elegant resort above the Somosomo Strait with excellent dive center. Panoramic views of the Rainbow Reef. From 700 FJD/night.
• Garden Island Resort — Right by the sea, dive center, friendly staff. Solid mid-range resort. From 300 FJD/night.
• Bibi's Hideaway — Budget-friendly bures, family-run, warm atmosphere. From 80 FJD/night.