Viti Levu

Introduction

Viti Levu is Fiji's largest and most developed island. The capital Suva and the hub city of Nadi are both located on the island. The island is home to about three quarters of Fiji's population (~580,000).

Geography

Viti Levu has a total area of just over 10,000 km², measuring 146 kilometres long and 106 kilometres wide. The island is divided by a rugged mountain range running from north to south. The country's highest peak, Mount Tomanivi, rises to to 1,324 metres.

Cities

• Suva - the capital and commercial hub of Fiji.
• Nadi - on the western coast, including the major international airport.
• Lautoka - second largest city in Fiji.
• Nausori - on the northeastern coast
• Navoti on the southeastern coast
• Rakiraki - on the northern coast
• Sigatoka - on the southwest coast

Events and Festivals

• Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna Day is celebrated every year on the last Monday of May. It commemorates Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna, a hero in the First World War, who was honored with France’s highest military award. He is considered the father of modern Fiji.
• Christmas in the tropics is an experience in itself. Visit one of the Christmas Eve carol services to enjoy some fine Fijian singing.
• Honoring the Founder of Modern Fiji Festival - The last Monday in May is a commemoration to the Father of Modern Fiji, Ratu Sir Lala Sakuna. The festivities last for an entire week, with many different towns and cities celebrating in their own way. The event concludes with a presidential speech relating to Fijian unity, and the statue of Ratu Sir Lala Sakuna is polished by locals.
• Diwali Festival - Due to Fiji’s large Indian population, the Diwali Festival is one of the main events held on the islands. Celebrated in the month of October, Diwali (which is also known as the Festival of Lights) is characterized by fantastic light shows, traditional firecracker displays, and plenty of night-time fun. It isn’t just the Indian population that gets into the swing of things, as all cultures love any excuse to party.
• One of several popular city festivals, the Hibiscus Festival is held in Suva each year around August. The event is held in several areas around Fiji in the month of August and has recently spread to other Pacific Islands nations. The Miss Hibiscus title is a coveted part of the event, drawing thousands of entrants from across the Fiji islands. In addition, local arts, crafts, sports, music, food, dance, and songs are exhibited throughout the festival.
• The Sugar Festival is Lautoka's festival, similar in principal to the Hibiscus Festival (September).
• Outrigger International Competition - Fiji is a sporting nation, and for its size, does particularly well on the global scale. The Outrigger International Competition is the main event in Nadi each year which draws hundreds of competitors and thousands of spectators. Other sporting events like the Fiji marathon are also held during this time.
• World Music Festival - Fiji is the heart of the Pacific music culture. Each year in June, the World Music Festival packs the city of Suva. Bands from across the world and some local come to the city to showcase their exciting musical talents. Reggae is popular during this time, as is traditional Fiji music. It only started in 2006, but has grown considerably since then.
• Bula Festival - Held across several days in mid-July, the Bula Fiji Festival is a fantastic celebration of the island nation’s heritage. Singing and dancing take center stage in the city of Nadi, and a parade is usually the spotlight of the event. At the end of the celebrations, a young woman is crowned Miss Bula for the year.
• Fiji International Jazz and Blues Festival - Port Denarau is host to the Fiji International Jazz and Blues Festival. It spans three days in May and welcomes many local and international jazz and blues musicians to perform. Australian, American, European, and New Zealand musicians make up most of the performers. The festival is a great time visit Port Denarau as the sights and sounds of the event are unmatched during the rest of the year.

Weather

Fiji enjoys a mild tropical climate with year-round temperatures around 25 °C with a generally high humidity. May to October is Fiji's dry season, also known as the "Fiji Winter". The weather is slightly cooler and less rainfall and humidity make it a good time of the year to visit. The eastern half of Viti Levu experiences heavy rainfall, while the western side is considerably drier. Hence, many of the island's resorts are located on the western half of the island, particularly along the stretch known as the Coral Coast.

Getting There

By Plane

International
The main international airport in Fiji is Nadi International Airport (NAN). It is the main hub of Fiji Airways, and also services Air New Zealand and Air Fiji flights, amongst others. There are connections to New Zealand, Australia, Los Angeles, South Korea and other Pacific destinations.

The second international airport is near Suva, Nausori International Airport (SUV). It services flights to Auckland, Sydney, Tonga and Tuvalu, as well as domestic flights.

The official website for both airports is Airports Fiji Limited.

Domestic
Sun Air and Air Fiji run a range of domestic routes. Air Fiji tends to revolve around Suva, while Sun Air travels mostly from Nadi. The planes operate at a low altitude, offering great views of the islands on a clear day.

Turtle Airways and Pacific Island Seaplanes offer seaplane services directly to your island resort.

Island Hoppers can transfer you to and from your island resort in style by helicopter.

By Boat

The MVs Nivaga II and Manu Folau, both government-owned cargo/passenger ships, travel to between Tuvalu and Suva, Fiji, every three months or so and the takes about four days. The cargo boat Nei Matagare makes trips roughly once a month between Tuvalu and Fiji and you might find a berth on this boat as well.

• South Sea Cruises operates daily ferry departures from Nadi to the Mamanuca Islands on board modern, comfortable vessels. They operate two fast catamarans from Denarau Marina to most of the Mamanuca islands, including Malolo, Walu Beach, Castaway Island, Mana, Treasure Island, Beachcomber Island, Bounty Island, South Sea Island, Matamanoa and Tokoriki.
• Awesome Adventures operates Fiji's Yasawa Flyer (the big yellow boat) from Nadi and is the main form of boat transport out to the remote Yasawa Islands. It services all the resorts in the Yasawa islands plus some of the Mamanuca resorts daily.
• From Suva, Consort Shipping travels three times a week to Savusavu ($80/50 for cabin/seat), departing Suva at 6:00pm on Monday and Friday and noon on Wednesday. It takes 12 hours to reach Savusavu. On Wednesday and Friday it continues (8 hours more) on to Taveuni ($90/55 from Suva for cabin/seat). On the way back it departs Taveuni around noon on Friday and Sunday, arriving in Savusavu at around 5:00pm.
• Beachcomber Cruises runs three times a week between Suva and Savusavu ($45/65 for economy/1st class). The journey takes 11 hours and departs Suva at 10:00am on Tuesday, noon on Thursday and 6:00pm on Saturday, returning from Savusavu at 8:00pm on Wednesday and Friday and 7:00pm on Sunday. The boat also travels between Savusavu and Taveuni ($25/45 for economy/1st class), departing Savusavu at 1:00am on Wednesday and Friday, returning from Taveuni at noon on Wednesday and Friday. This journey takes five hours.
• Patterson Brothers Shipping travels on the Lautoka - Ellington Wharf - Nabouwalu - Labasa route twice a week ($60). It starts with a bus ride (3.5 hours) from Lautoka, then a trip on the Ashika ferry (almost 4 hours) and a trip on another bus to Labasa (4 hours). Buses depart from outside the Lautoka office at 4:00am on Friday and Monday, and from Labasa at 6:00am on Sunday and Wednesday.
• On the Suva - Natovi - Nabouwalu - Labasa route, Patterson Brothers Shipping travels ($45 one way) on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday ($45 one way). It starts with a bus ride (1.5 hours) from Suva, a ferry trip (4.5 hours) and another bus to Labasa (4 hours). Buses depart the Suva office at 4.30am.
• On the Suva-Natovi-Buresala-Levuka, Patterson Brothers Shipping operates a daily service ($24 one way), which again includes first a bus ride (1.5 hours) from Suva to Natovi Landing, the a ferry to Buresala Landing (1 hour) and a bus to Levuka (1 hour). Buses depart Suva at 2:00pm and Labasa at 5:00am.
• There are ferries from Suva to Leleuvia via Bau Landing ($30 one way) and from Leleuvia to Levuka ($20 one way).
• From Suva to Kadavu, Kadavu Shipping has passenger services on the MV Bulou-ni-Ceva ($45 one way).
• From Suva to the Lau islands, Saliabasaga Shipping has trips once every two weeks aboard the MV Tunatuki to Lakeba, Nayau, Cicia, Tuvuca, Vanua Balavu and sometimes also to Moce and Oneata. The one way fare to Vanua Balavu is $90/120 for deck/cabin and this includes all meals.
• Kabua Development Corporation operates sailing every two weeks aboard the Taikabara to the southern Lau Group. It travels to Lakeba, Vanuavatu, Komo, Kabara, Moce, Fulaga, Namuka, Vatoa, Ogea Levu and Ono-i-Lau (deck/cabin including meals $75/85 one way). Vatoa and Ono-i-Lau in the far south are $10 more and be aware that it can take up to a week to get to the most distant outer islands.
• Khans Shipping travels to the southern Lau islands about once a month, taking about 10 hours and costing $80 each way.
• From Suva, Suva-Moala group Khans Shipping has trips once a month to Moala, Matuke and Totoya in the Moala group. The journey takes about eight hours and a one-way fare is $80.
• From Suva to Rotuma, Western Shipping operates the Cagi Mai Ba to Rotuma (deck/cabin $130/150) and the total trips takes 36 hours.

Getting Around

By Car

If you're looking to explore Viti Levu, hiring a car can be a good option. Remember to drive on the left in Fiji. There's a mostly sealed road in good enough condition that leads around the island. Otherwise, taxis are plentiful around the major centres.

Eat

• Bounty (Located in Nadi). Bounty has beautiful food at a reasonable price.
• The Ocean Terrace Restaurant, Bedarra Beach Inn, 77 Sunset Strip, Korotogo, ☎ +679 650 0476. The Ocean Terrace Restaurant offers seafood prepared daily. They also provide a selection of fine wines to go with your meal. If, however, you do not enjoy seafood or have shellfish allergies, The Ocean Terrace Restaurant offers more casual meals such as pizza and burgers.

Drink

• Ed's Bar. Located in Nadi is a great touristy bar playing all types of music from reggae to house.

Sleep

• The Beachouse, ☎ +(679) 6530 500, fax: +(679) 6450 400. A very popular hostel on the Coral Coast, The Beachouse Backpackers Resort is about halfway between Nadi and Suva. Set on the beautiful sand of the southern coast, this Fiji hostel offers access to Fiji's exciting activities like amazing snorkeling and jungle hikes.
• Tanoa Plaza Hotel, PO Box 112, Suva, Fiji Islands, ☎ +(679) 331 2300, fax: +(679) 330 1300. The Tanoa Plaza Hotel is considered Suva’s premiere airport and convention hotel and is conveniently located just three minutes away from Suva International Airport. Best rates on official website start at US$122.
• Tanoa Waterfront Hotel, PO Box 4653, Lautoka, Fiji Islands, ☎ +679 666 4777, fax: +679 666 5870, e-mail: [email protected]. This business hotel was designed to be a true corporate hotel, meeting the needs of business travelers. Best rates on official website start at US$75.

External Links