Further Reading and Updates
| Date | Title | Format | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 10 Great Reasons to Visit Kadavu | Further Reading | Link |
About Kadavu Island
The Kadavu Group, Fiji’s fourth-largest island lies about 100 kilometres south of Viti Levu. Divers are particularly fascinated by the 50km-long Astrolabe Reef which encloses a lagoon containing a number of islands. Kadavu has a population of 10,000 and an area of 411 square kilometres, located approximately 45 miles south of the capital city of Suva. Widely acknowledged as one of Fiji’s most unspoilt islands, its lush rainforests and exotic wildlife have earned Kadavu a reputation as one of Fiji’s most beautiful islands. Kadavu still has 75% of its original rainforest cover and rich bird diversity, including four species endemic to the island. Kadavu is one of the least developed areas of Fiji with few roads, and a local economy largely dependent on subsistence farming.
Kadavu enjoys some of the world’s best diving with the Great Astrolabe Reef stretching its mighty coral formations along the entire eastern side of the island. Beneath the surface, the island’s pristine waters offer excellent visibility, with gardens of hard and soft corals, vertical walls, caves and brilliant tropical fish of every species.
On land, the lush rainforest, mountain ranges, bush trails and waterfalls are a delight for hikers, and local guides can show you the rare birdlife unique to the island, including the Kadavu parrot.
There are daily flights to Kadavu, one from Nadi as well as seaplanes and a ferry service from Suva. Kadavu resorts offer a variety of quality accommodations from backpacker and family budget resorts to eco-resorts and more lavishly appointed resorts, all supremely suitable for enthusiastic divers.
Description – A secluded tropical island paradise, the Kadavu Group makes for an amazing getaway. With lush rainforests to hike through, incredible reefs to dive in, excellent surfing and a whole host of water based activities to enjoy; this island group is an idyllic retreat. Situated some 100 km south of Viti Levu in the Great Astrolabe Reef, the Kadavu Group comprises of Kadavu, Fiji’s fourth largest island, Ono, Galoa and a number of small isles.
The main island of Kadavu is mountainous, rough and rugged with high peaks, rolling hills and deep indented bays. On the south west of Kadavu, you will find the imposing Mt. Washington or Nabukelevu, which stands 838 meters high. Lush dense rainforests are also found across the island, especially on the eastern end, which play host to a variety of indigenous bird species like the vivid Kadavu musk parrot, the Kadavu fantail, the Kadavu honeyeater and the velvet fruit dove.
Discovered by Captain William Bligh in 1792, aboard the HMS Providence on his second voyage to Fiji, Kadavu and Galoa Harbor were once even considered as a site for the colonial capital. Largely underdeveloped today, life on this island is very traditional still with most of the people here living in small villages around the coast and earn their living either farming or fishing. There are 72 settlements on Kadavu.
Vunisea is the main town on the island and is where you can find the hospital, police station, post office, school, wharf and the Namalata Airstrip. Most people use water taxis to get around the island, as the interior terrain is often quite steep and rocky, making tis difficult to get around.
The Great Astrolabe Reef sits off the northeastern coast of Kadavu and extends past the island of Ono as well. The diving here is truly world class with many beautiful corals and vertical drop offs found here, along with a diverse array of marine life. Reef sharks are commonly seen swimming in this area amidst brightly colored tropical fish. Another great dive spot is the Namalata Reef with its fantastic corals and a wide variety of marine life. The Soso Passage and the Naiqoro Passage near the Matava Resort are also good dive spots.
For some great surfing head to Cape Washington and the tiny island of Nagigia off the western tip of Kadavu. With some excellent surfing conditions year round, there are five surf breaks found here, perfect for both novices and experts alike.
Information from – Site Map – Go Visit Fiji
An unspoiled corner of Fiji, Kadavu is a beautiful mountainous island with waterfalls, rounded hilltops, outstanding beaches and high rocky cliffs. It offers interesting bush walks, charming rockpools, luxuriant native trees and fascinating birdlife, particularly the famous red and green Kadavu parrots.
Kadavu (pronounced Kahn-da-voo), has a population of approximately 8700 and lies only 88 kilometers south of Suva. Kadavu is approximately 48 kilometers in length and varies in width from 365 meters to 13 kilometers. Its area is 411 square kilometers, just a bit less than Taveuni. Kadavu has several high mountains and numerous precipitous cliffs. In short it is a rugged island with few roads, which makes water taxis the prime mode of transportation. The airport, a government station and a new hospital are located at the eastern end of the island in the village of Vunisea.
From every corner your eye is met with spectacular views overlooking extensive coral reefs located just ten minutes off shore.
Northeast of the main island is the smaller Ono Island and the fabulous Great Astrolabe Reef stretching halfway to Suva. It was named after Dumont d’Urville’s ship Astrolabe which sailed past in 1827.
The longest sandy beach on the island is at Ndru, an hour’s walk north from Vunisea the largest of the island’s 60 Fijian villages, situated on a narrow hilly isthmus where Ngalao Harbour and Namalata Bay almost cut Kadavu in half.
Legend says that the women of Namuana village west of the airstrip could summon giant turtles up from the sea by singing traditional chants from a bluff 60 metres above the sea.
The waters around Kadavu are one of Fiji’s richest fishing grounds and home of the Pacific Blue Marlin, the Sailfish and Wahoo, Trevally and Coral Trout.
You can hire a boat and dive from the offshore reefs of Malawai, visit the hard and soft corals in the Coral Gardens, or snorkel amongst the abundant tropical fish life inside Great Astrolobe Reef.
Kadavu is the fourth largest island in the Fijian group, 100km south of Suva, reached by Air Fiji from Suva five times a week, or by Sunflower Airlines which flies Nadi-Kadavu daily. Boats arrive at Vunisea from Suva twice a week calling at villages along the north coast.
Diving is first class on this island and all the resorts have dive operations. Trekking to some degree, is also possible and overnight stays in villages can be negotiated through some of the resorts. Surfing, as mentioned above is can also be quite good but rather inconsistent compared to Tavarua and Na Motu. Bird life is rich and no doubt you’ll spot a Kadavu Parrot while you’re on the island. You’ll also be offered kava, which is exceptionally strong on Kadavu. Finally, kayaking has become a big deal on Kadavu.
A kayaking holiday combines the best elements of Fiji — the natural beauty of the land and seascape plus the hospitality of the inhabitants. Though the scene is constantly changing to the best of my knowledge kayaking trips are available in Taveuni, Vanua Levu, Kadavu and the Yasawa Group. For a first person account of what it’s like to go on a kayak trip check out Paddling Fiji’s Kadavu Island.
Kayak Kadavu, not surprisingly is based in Kadavu, Fiji’s fourth largest island. Extremely remote, Kadavu is one of the least developed islands and has a spectacular array of bird life, including an indigenous parrot. Led by Michael and Melissa McCoy of Maui, Hawaii, they stress that the most important part of the experience is the cross-cultural dialogue with the Fijians. Travelers have the opportunity to visit villages, sip kava, watch a meke (traditional dance) and partake in a feast prepared in a lovo or underground oven. The tell me that they have a new route that starts at the top of Kadavu and follows the west shore. There are reportedly miles of perfect white sand beach, awesome calm waters, incredible sea shell collecting and a couple waterfalls. The kayak trip begins and ends at Dive Kadavu, a mid-range property located on a gorgeous beach. Guests may choose to cool their heels at the resort before or after the kayaking adventure.
Where to Stay
Accommodation includes plantation style hideaways, exclusive resorts, spacious traditional Fijian bures and dormitory share facilities. There are no restaurants at Vunisea, only a coffee shop at the airstrip which opens mornings only and there are two general stores selling canned goods.
There are no banks so change enough money before coming. Visitors normally book package holidays which include accommodation and meals.
Information from – https://web.archive.org/web/20051031224309/http://pacificislandtravel.com/fiji/about_destin/kadavu.asp
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Geography: The Kadavu island group is 45 nautical miles south of Viti-Levu, Fiji’s main island. It is comprised of Kadavu, the fourth largest of Fiji’s islands, and 7 smaller islands: Ono, Dravuni, Vurolevu, Namara, Buliya, Yaukuvelevu, and Vanuakula. Ono is the largest of the seven, at 30 square kilometres. The reef surrounding these islands was named the Great Astrolabe Reef by French explorer Dumont d’Urville after he nearly lost his ship, the Astrolabe, to this reef in 1827. In the 1870s Kadavu was almost selected as the site for the capital of Fiji, due to the once-thriving whaling business. Today the island group is home to 12,000 native Fijians living in 72 traditional village communities. There is one airstrip. The primary means of support for the population is subsistence agriculture and fishing. Local produce, non-native pine and seafood are also exported to mainland Viti-Levu and beyond to meet increasing demands for cash money.
Source ~ http://www.pcrf.org/science/Astrolabe/reefreport.html