Best things to do on Kadavu Island
Kadavu is Fiji’s fourth-largest island, located about 50 miles (80 km) south of Viti Levu. This volcanic archipelago is famous for the Great Astrolabe Reef, the world’s fourth-longest barrier reef. The island is also known as “bird land” due to the numerous rare birds that are endemic to the area. Kadavu Island is a paradise for water enthusiasts, offering excellent opportunities for scuba diving, surfing, kayaking, and snorkeling. The island boasts breathtaking views and surreal beauty both on land and underwater. The unspoiled natural environment is yours to explore and admire. Visit Kadavu Island to witness its beauty firsthand and to experience all that this stunning location has to offer.
How to Get to Kadavu Island
Traveling to the fourth-largest island in Fiji has been made easy for you. You can choose to fly effortlessly in no time with domestic flights operated by Fiji Airways from Nadi International Airport and Nausori Airport. You will arrive at Vunisea Airport in about 30 to 45 minutes. A more budget-friendly way to reach Kadavu Island is by ferry, departing from Walu Bay in Suva. Although this option is relatively cheaper and easier on your wallet, it is more time-consuming, with the journey taking approximately 6 to 7 hours. If your budget allows, you can also hire a charter flight directly from Nadi International Airport for a luxurious experience that offers surreal aerial views of the island.
Now that you know how to get to this beautiful island, let’s embark on a journey to explore the amazing experiences the island has in store for you.
Embrace Island Life
Escape to island life surrounded by tropical forests, pristine waters, a stunning underwater world, and friendly Fijian locals. The island offers a calming and enjoyable stay, allowing you to have the best island life experience with outstanding views.
Scuba Diving
Kadavu Island is blessed with calm and crystal-clear waters, and it is famously known for the Great Astrolabe Reef, which is the world’s longest barrier reef. The reef is the jewel in Kadavu’s diving crown and is renowned among divers worldwide. Named after the French explorer Dumont d’Urville’s boat, the Astrolabe Reef spans around 100 km (63 miles) in length, creating one of the world’s most biologically diverse marine areas. This amazing spot in Kadavu offers divers a mesmerizing experience. The dive sites here showcase a tremendous variety, featuring several passages, submerged pinnacles, and manta ray cleaning stations.
Find out the most popular scuba diving spots in Fiji.
Surfing
Given the beauty of the waters around Kadavu, it’s irresistible for serious surfers not to ride the waves. The island offers some of the best breaks that will surely challenge you to level up your game. The renowned break in Kadavu is known as “King Kong Left,” reaching heights of up to 8 ft/3 m. Other popular breaks you can enjoy on the island include Typhoon Alley, Venice Passage, SoSo Passage, and Naigoro Passage.
Snorkeling with Manta Rays
Photo Credit: Barefoot Manta Island Resort
One of the best experiences you can have on these remote islands is snorkeling. It’s considered a fantastic way to explore the unspoiled underwater world—a must-do activity while holidaying in Kadavu is snorkeling with the giant manta rays. This is a common water activity in Fiji, and between June and October, you can witness these impressive creatures. Don’t miss your chance to swim with the giant manta rays.
Indulge in Spa Treatments
Relax your body and mind with a spa treatment on the island. You deserve to pamper yourself with a relaxing Fijian-style massage to feel fresh and rejuvenated. The resorts on the island offer a wide range of massage options to suit your needs. Give your body the well-deserved break it needs and get some rest to make your journey super comfortable and relaxing.
Visit a Fijian Village
To truly connect with the locals and experience Fijian culture, you must visit a local Fijian village to fully understand their way of life. Take a day trip, which can be organized by most of the resorts in Kadavu, to visit a Fijian village such as Namuana Village. This village tour will allow you to meet friendly locals and gain insight into their daily island lifestyle. You can visit schools and interact with children, spending the day learning about Fijian ways of life, traditional cooking methods, songs, and traditional meke performances. Remember to follow Fijian village etiquette and bring kava roots as an offering for the village.
Bird Watching
Kadavu’s remote location and unspoiled natural environment make it ideal for birdwatching. Known as “bird land,” Kadavu is home to numerous rare birds that are endemic to the island. Hike into the jungles to witness a colorful array of island birds that are not found in other parts of Fiji, such as the Kadavu Shining (Musk) Parrots, Kadavu Honeyeaters, Kadavu Fantail, and Whistling Doves.
Relax on the Beach
There will be days when you’ll feel like doing nothing but soaking in the beauty of the island. The soft white sandy beaches, pristine waters, and palm trees offer the quintessential Fijian experience to see and admire. A day at the beach is all you need to unwind, soak in the sun, and let the Fiji Time work its magic on you. Grab a cocktail and simply relax by your resort.
