Visiting Fiji's Northern Islands

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.

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 in a dormant volcanic crater is a large lake where the rare Tagimaucia flower blooms from October to December.

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.

Fiji's Spectacular Diving

Fiji is renowned for some of the best scuba diving in the world. Spectacular corals, caves and grottos, and amazing marine life that includes large pelagic species such as shark, tuna and turtles. Scuba diving is available at, or nearby, most resorts, and most offer introductory lessons as well as dive boat excursions daily.

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