Taveuni

A 20-minute flight from Savusavu brings you across the Somosomo Strait to Taveuni (Tav-you-nee). You will land at Matei, at the northern tip of the island, and it is a short drive to most of the resorts.

Taveuni is the third largest island but drastically smaller than either Viti Levu or Vanua Levu. However, its’ diverse flora and fauna have earned Taveuni the moniker of Fiji’s “Garden Island”. Divers are drawn from all over the world to Taveuni for its amazing underwater habitant including the 19 mile long “Rainbow Reef.”

The national flower, the striking red Tagimaucia (tang-ee-maw-thia) blooms here (Sept. to Jan.) on the slopes of Des Voeux Peak. You can hire a driver through the Garden Island Resort (down toward the center of the island) to take you to the peak. Best time is prior to sunset (or sunrise) for panoramic views of the strait and Vanua Levu.

Taveuni Island’s only salt water black pearl farm is in the Naselesele Lagoon. Tours are available Monday –- Friday from 10:00 am. that take you around the pearl farm in an open outboard powered skiff. Snorkeling is also offered in the lagoon and coral reserve where the black pearls are grown. Loose black pearls as well as black pearl jewelry are available for sale from the pearl farm.

Just a few minutes ride from the airport is the Taveuni Island Resort, Winner of the Top 10 Best Luxury Resort in The South Pacific by TripAdvisor.

Enroute down the western side of the island, the recently paved road passes through the town of Somosomo home to the paramount chief of the region. A bit further is the administrative center at Waiyevo and a few kilometers from there is Wairiki with its impressive 19th century hilltop Catholic Church.

But most people venture to this village to stand at the international dateline marker. For practical reasons, mapmakers have put all of Fiji on the western side of the dateline. But the true 180th meridian bisects the island on the rugby field by the church. There is a large sign marking the spot and you can get the requisite photo of “half in one day, half in the other”. Be creative.

About a 30-minute drive down the eastern side of the island is a black sand beach where speedboats transfer you and your luggage to the sumptuous off-shore island resorts of Matangi and Qamea.

Further on is one of the island’s must see attractions – the Bouma National Heritage Park. Set up as an ecotourism site with assistance from the New Zealand Government, “Bouma” covers almost the whole eastern side of Taveuni. It is a short walk along an open, landscaped trail from the reception bure to the base of Tavoro Falls. Bring swimming apparel as there are changing facilities and picnic tables. The initial stage of the falls plummets 82 ft. into a large pool. If you have the time and inclination, you can hike up to the two other falls approximately each 40 minutes apart.

Fiji’s northern region also includes the smaller, noteworthy islands of Laucala and Kaimbu.