Fiji Islands Travel Guide | Discover the Islands

Taveuni – As 'green' as you’ve ever seen

Taveuni is a priceless gem in Fiji’s crown. A tribute to Mother Nature and her unique skill of creating perfection in the form of an island that is aptly named “The Garden Island of Fiji.”

Taveuni is the fourth largest island in Fiji stretching for 42 kilometres in length and is 15 kilometres wide. The island is smothered in prolific tropical rainforest and girthed by beautiful and bountiful tropical reefs harboring some of the world’s best dive sites.

Taveuni has an abundance of indigenous flora and fauna which flourishes due to the absence of the mongoose, a non-indigenous animal imported from India that has no natural predators.

The birdlife is prolific from your average wild chickens to the more exotic kula lorikeets, red breasted musk parrots, honeyeaters, silktails goshawks, ferntails and orange-breasted doves, making the island a bird-watchers paradise.

Due to its 1000 metre high volcanic ridge the prevailing trade winds ensure that rainfall is prevalent and often torrential, in turn ensuring that this Garden Island receives the rainfall required to maintain her cloak of vivid green.

Taveuni has a volcano called Vuna which is dormant however after erupting around 350 years ago it is considered the island’s most active volcano.

The south west coast of Taveuni is typical of the extensive 'green feeling' you get when travelling its shores

The island is blessed with flora that is both exotic and indigenous. The rare Tagimaucia grows only around Taveuni’s 900-metre high crater lake. It cannot be transplanted and blooms only in October – January.

Due to the abundance of rich flora and fauna and nature reserves, eco-tourism is in full flight and naturalists will find themselves in an environmental paradise unsurpassed anywhere.

A Natural Wonderland

Fabulous dive sites such as Eel Reef, Cabbage Patch, Jack’s Place, Blue Ribbon plus the limited exposure to tourism make Taveuni waters a great place to explore without the hustle and bustle of large geoups of divers. The Great White Wall has an awesome drop-off which is covered in white soft coral. There are numerous dive operators with game fishing and kayaking also catered for. Snorkeling is also popular with soft coral easily reached in not so deep water.

Bouma National Heritage Park is a nature reserve between Bouma and Lavena in northeastern Taveuni with various walks available such as the Rainforest Hike, Waitabu Marine Park Walk, the Lavena Coastal Walk and Vindawas Rainforest Hike.

You can set your camp at Bouma with toilets and showers provided or stay at Lavena Lodge.

Waitabu Marine Park has been declared a “no fishing” sanctuary for fish and snorkelers. This will assist in ensuring that the marine life continues to thrive and reproduce in its natural, unspoilt environment. Savulevu Yavonu Falls can only be reached by boat.

The Lavena Coastal Walk is around five kilometres in length and leads down to the Ravilevo Coast to Wainibau Falls. This is the area where the descendants of the blackbirded Solomon Islanders still live. Blackbirders is another word for slave traders.

There are three waterfalls where you can swim with change rooms, toilets, picnic tables and barbeque available. The second waterfall is a little less accessible so a rope is provided for balance. The third waterfall is reached via a less than easy trail and has two river crossings.

In terms of accommodation there are medium standard resorts, backpackers, camping facilities and budget hotels.

There are also numerous good places to eat catering for all tastes and most nationalities. Lovos, curries, vegetarian, pizzas and afternoon teas are available for those who want to have a break in the day’s activities.

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