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Vanua Levu Travel Guide
Fiji Islands
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Vanua Levu is the second largest island in Fiji and is similar in nature to the main island of Viti Levu. However, the friendly island is far less populated and developed than its larger sister. The main area for tourism is around the southern town of Savusavu and the finger that protrudes pointing towards Taveuni. North of the finger, across Natewa Bay (the largest bay in the South Pacific), is the undeveloped region of Udu Point where small fishing villages line the coast.
The islands main town is Labasa on the dry north coast, surrounded by sugar cane fields. Labasa has little tourist appeal and only a couple of hotels aimed at travelling business people. The west coast is hilly with the rice growing region of Dreketi on the north coast and the hilly region around Nabouwalu where there's a government station and ferry connecting to Viti Levu. The coast here was stripped of its Sandalwood in the 1800s by European traders, particularly Bua Bay which has many stories to tell of greed and treachery. This region along the south coast is excellent for exploring, with the remote Wainunu Bay an excellent place for kayaking and nature walks. However, there is little tourist infrastructure and public transport serves only part of the coast.
Savusavu Town, the centre for tourism on Vanua levu, sits alongside a natural deep water harbour within a large bay and enclosed by Nawi island. So protected are the waters here that pearl farming is a thriving industry in the bay. Savusavu is best known as an excellent harbour for yachties, and the town is alive with boats and yachties between May and October, the winter season. Most boats depart by November which marks the beginning of the hurricane season and Savusavu becomes somewhat of a tourist ghost town. However, when its the sailing season, the town is a lively hub with some of Fiji's best restaurants and waterside bars.
One of the attractions of Savusavu for non yachties is the excellent game fishing and diving offshore. There are several charter boats around the harbour offering day trips. For those staying in Savusavu, the most convenient base is the Savusavu Hotsprings Hotel, perched on top of a hill overlooking the town, harbour and distant hills of eastern Vanua levu. The top floor rooms (there's three stories in all), offer spectacular views. The name of the hotel derives from the natural hotsprings that are scattered around town, particularly the shorefront which is often steaming mist in the early morning and at the bottom of the hill beneath the hotel where locals can be seen each night cooking their dalo on the bubbling pools of water. Along the southern spit of Savusavu, about 15 minutes drive from town, is the exclusive Cousteau Fiji Resort which focuses on diving and Eco-tourism holidays for couples and families.
40km inland from Savusavu is the beautiful Waisele Nature Reserve. This area has been set aside to halt the progress of development and subsistence plantations in order to preserve the natural rain forest. There are several walks through the reserve to waterfalls or for the spectacular summit view.
East of Savusavu, travelling along the southern coast and the Hibiscus Highway, are extensive plantations of coconut palms. This area was popular in the 1800s amongst European planters bought up huge areas of land and settled with their families to develop the copra trade (copra is a product of coconuts once used as a cosmetic soap). A few copra plantations still exist through most threw the towel in the 1940s when the demand for copra declined. This tranquil coast is scattered with coconut plantations, picturesque beaches and small fishing villages all backed by tropical forest. Much of the freehold land has recently been bought by a new influx of Europeans, particularly wealthy Americans seeking an alternative relaxed lifestyle.
At the far end of the road is Buca Bay, a popular spot amongst yachties with its winding coastline and many inlets. Buca Bay is also the closest spot to the colourful corals of world famous Rainbow Reef, but as yet there is no tourist accommodation here.
Off the coast from Buca Bay are two fascinating islands: Kioa and Rabi. Kioa was purchased in 1946 by the Tuvaluan Government to help the resettlement of its Polynesian population. Tuvalu is recognised worldwide as the first nation to disappear with the rising waters of global warming - its highest point is just 5 metres above sea level! There are now over 300 Tuvaluans living permanently on Kioa Island. To the north of Kioa is the larger Rabi island which is inhabited by Micronesians from Bananba Island. Banaba was stripped for its phosphate in the early 1900s and left mostly uninhabitable. In return for its mining exploits, the British Government purchased the Fijian island in 1942 for the Banaban people to continue their lives and here they remain. Both Rabi and Kioa remain traditional islands with in tact cultures offer an excellent insight into two very different South Pacific lifestyles. Neither have tourist accommodation but guests can contact the respective island councils and stay at the government guesthouses.
on to Taveuni Island...
Accommodation on Vanua Levu
Flights to Northern Islands
Air Fiji and Sun Air from Nadi to:
Savusavu / Taveuni - 4 flights a day - (1hr / 1hr 30mins)
Labasa - 6 flights a day - (1hr 15 mins)
Local Flights
Passenger and Car Ferry to Northern Islands
Departs almost daily from Suva to Savusavu and Taveuni. Takes about 12 hours.
Local Cruises / Ferries
Buses in Northern Islands
Run frequently from Savusavu to Labasa and Buca Bay where there's a connecting ferry to Taveuni. Some daily services from Savusavu along the south coast of Vanua Levu and from Labasa along the north coast of Vanua Levu.
Northern Fiji Resort Listings
Fiji Tour Companies
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
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