|
Kadavu Travel Guide
Fiji Islands
back to fiji travel guide
|
southern fiji pictures map |
Waisalima Beach Resort
Albert's Resort
Matana Beach Resort
Papageno Eco Resort
Nagigia Surf Resort
With a rugged coastline littered with deep bays, Kadavu is the fourth largest island in
Fiji
, snaking 57 kilometres from east to west. The island is divided into three podgy portions, each connected by a narrow isthmus. The interior is so undulating that the only expanse of flat land is taken up by the small airstrip at the government administration centre of Vunisea. The portion of
West Kadavu
is laced with stunning scenery and the domineering volcanic cone of Nabukelevu makes a show from most places along the coast, with consistent reef surfing off its western tip.
Central Kadavu
, east of Vunisea, has the island’s best beaches as well as the fantastic Namalata Reef which are both along the north coast.
East Kadavu
overlooks part of the immense Astrolabe Reef with a handful of dive resorts backed by steep tropical rainforest with a sprinkling of waterfalls.
There are 75 villages dotted around Kadavu, mostly on the coast and primarily engaged in subsistence farming and fishing, making it one of the best places to experience genuine Fijian culture.
The enviable location of Matana Beach Resort fronts a long cove beaches and is just fifteen- minutes boat ride from
Vunisea
Airport
. With the varied and usually protected Namalata Reef offshore, Matana is primarily a dive resort and the owners dive business, Dive Kadavu, is often used as the resort name. Heading east from Matana, along the beach and past the village, a ten- minute walk around the rocky point leads to
One
Mile
Beach
, a secluded beauty with deep sand and massive coconut palms leaning out over the lagoon. Beyond is Papageno Resort set in 346 acres of serene tropical forests. The large endemic Shinning Parrott, with its red breast and vivid green and blue wings can usually be seen feeding in the cassava plantation behind the bures. Higher up in the forests are fantails, honey- eaters and fruit doves as well as a sweeping lookout over
Daku
Bay
and, forty- minutes walk inland, a small waterfall with swimming pool. Diving enthusiasts have the option of either the Astrolabe or Namalata reefs and there are regular snorkelling trips to visit the mantarays at
Vuro
Island
or game fishing off Nabukelevu.
East Kadavu
Beyond
Daku
Bay
is the heavily indented coastline of
East Kadavu
.
Kavala
Bay
, on the north coast and
Korolevu
Bay
on the south coast form great basins surrounded by steep mountains. Foremost though, it’s the underwater spectacle of the Great Astrolabe Reef that attracts visitors here, hugging the south east side of Kadavu all the way to
Galoa
Harbour
and extending forty kilometres north in open sea. Matava Beach Resort on the south coast, tucked into a small beachless bay enclosed by rocky
Waya
Island
, is fantastically well organized yet its village style atmosphere enhances its sense of remoteness. Apart from its own dive operation, there’s some of the finest snorkelling in
Fiji
just 10- minutes away by boat at Vesi Passage with soft coral gardens and thousands of exotic reef fish. The snorkelling trip is usually combined with a picnic to one of several secluded beaches around Mataikadavu Point.
Getting around
Daily flights from both Nadi and Nausori (
Suva
) arrive at
Vunisea
Airport
. With few roads, getting around the island usually involves a journey on the water, mostly within the reef. Although there are no official water taxis, every resort has its own fleet of boats and all meet pre- booked guests at Vunisea airport or one of the two ferry jetties. It takes 45 minutes to reach the west point of Cape Washington from Vunisea and an hour and a half a to reach the Astrolabe Reef on the east side of the island where most resorts are located.
It’s possible to kayak around Kadavu in nine days or
Ono
Island
in seven days, camping on beaches, staying in villages or bedding down at a budget resort along the way.
New Zealand
outfit, Tamarillo Tropical Expeditions has well organized itineraries and great contacts with the local villages, with guided two- man sea kayaks and support boats. It can be hard work though, with a minimum of five hours of paddling in sometimes choppy seas working muscles you never knew existed but it’s a great way to experience the island’s remote coastlines and villages. Less strenuous overnight packages and day trips exploring the mangrove estuaries can be tailor- made and run on demand from the base camp at
Korolevu
Bay
on the south eastern corner of Kadavu.
Dedicated game fishing charters are available from Matava Beach Resort which boasts top of the range gear, with casting in the surrounding reefs for Giant Trevalleys or trawling between one- and three thousand metres of water for Marlin, Tuna and Sailfish - for the casual fisherman, hand line fishing or trawling from small boats can be organized from all resorts.
Accommodation in Kadavu
Southern Fiji Resort Listings
Fiji Tour Companies
Local Airlines / Ferries
Readers may also be interested in the following destinations:
Cook Islands Travel Guide
Samoa Travel Guide
Tonga Travel Guide
Tahiti Travel Guide
Hawaii Travel Guide
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
