10 Archipelagos of Fiji

Map of Fijian Archipelagos

Kadavu Group

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 deeply indented bays. On the southwest 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 plays host to a variety of indigenous bird species.

Lau Group

Spread out over 400 km, the Lau islands are often quite small and are either volcanic in nature or have been formed from pure limestone. Because of its close proximity to Tonga, the people who live here are greatly influenced by Tongan values and Polynesian culture. Life is traditional here, with most Lauans renowned throughout Fiji for their woodcarving and masi craft skills.

Lomaiviti Group

Laidback and tranquil, the Lomaiviti Group of islands sits just off the eastern coast of Viti Levu in Fiji. Rustic and idyllic, this island group is made up of 9 main islands as well as a number of smaller isles. Covering a total area of 411 sq km, the Lomaiviti archipelago is known for its rich history, excellent diving, and picturesque indigenous villages.

Mamanuca Group

A volcanic archipelago of 20 or so small islands in a lagoon, the Mamanuca Group in Fiji is the perfect playground for those who are looking for sun-kissed beaches to have some fun. You can enjoy a whole range of water-based activities here, from paddle boating and windsurfing to snorkeling, diving, sailing, banana boating, kayaking, waterskiing, jet skiing, fishing, and parasailing.

Located west of Nadi and the main island of Viti Levu, the Mamanuca Group has a plethora of gorgeous white sand beaches and numerous resorts on hand for a utopian vacation.

Moala Group

A subgroup of the Lau Archipelago, the Moala Group sits midway between the Southern Lau Group and the Kadavu Group. Located southeast of the Lomaiviti Group, the Moala Group consists of three islands, Moala, Totoya, and Matuku, all of which are administered by the Eastern Division. Having a total land area of just 119 sq km, these islands are more or less inaccessible to visitors, and you need to be invited by a villager to come here.

Ringgold Group

The Ringgold Isles is 218 hectares in size and mostly uninhabited, an area that supports globally and regionally significant populations of marine turtles, humpback whales, seabirds, and semi-nomadic reef fish.

Rotuma Group

Stunning but very remote, Rotuma is a tiny isolated island that sits some 450 km north of Fiji. The landscape here is very beautiful with some superb beaches and intriguing archaeological sites that are definitely worth seeing if you are up for an adventure. A volcanic island of roughly 30 sq km, Rotuma has been a Fijian province since 1881. However, what makes Rotuma unique from the rest of Fiji is that the culture and people here are more Polynesian than Melanesian.

Vanua Levu Group

Vanua Levu is Fiji’s second-largest island and is an independent traveler’s dream. Often referred to as one of the best-kept secrets in Fiji, this island is now fast becoming a tourist haven. Easily accessible from Viti Levu, Vanua Levu still retains much of its remoteness and isolation making it a popular destination for tourists who are looking to travel off the beaten path. Life is more traditional here and the surrounding landscape is filled with stunning views, lush rainforests, and a plethora of coconut plantations.

Similar to Viti Levu in that it has two distinct climate zones, Vanua Levu is dry and dusty on its northern and western sides, while its southern and eastern zones are wet with lush forests and several rivers. Volcanic in origin, there are not many beaches on Vanua Levu, however, the stunning Rainbow Reef can be found off the coast here. The Rainbow Reef is home to some of the best snorkeling and diving, not only in Fiji but on the entire planet. There are several bays and rivers as well on Vanua Levu, where you can go kayaking, while the island’s interior is excellent for bird watching with the dense forestation found here. There are two main towns in Vanua Levu, Savusavu, and Labasa.

Viti Levu Group

Covering an area of 10,400 sq km, Viti Levu, or Great Fiji is the largest of the Fijian islands. Home of the national capital Suva, Viti Levu is also the administrative, political, and industrial hub of the country. The fifth-largest island in Oceania, around 75% of Fiji’s population can be found living here. Roughly circular in shape with a mountainous interior, Viti Levu is thought to be the oldest of Fiji’s 300-plus islands. While many tourists use Viti Levu as a base camp when exploring the rest of Fiji, what they don’t realize is that this island has its own unique charms and sights. What Viti Levu lacks in idyllic beaches, it more than makes up for with its many interesting places to see and tons of activities to enjoy.

Yasawa Group

The Yasawa Group is a chain of 20 volcanic islands famed for its rugged hilly landscapes, dazzling beaches, and striking blue lagoons. A favorite destination for those touring Fiji, these pristine islands stretch from north to south for some 90 km, forming a roughly straight line. Located north of the Mamanuca Group and 40 km northwest of Viti Levu, the Yasawa Group is sparsely populated, giving it a secluded and tranquil ambiance.

Made famous when the romantic movie The Blue Lagoon was filmed here in the 1980s on Turtle Island, the Yasawas today is a tourist hotspot