Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020 |

# Which Fijian Island to go to? Kadavu vs Taveuni Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Fiji
torichang 13:48 UTC 19 Jan 2013 | Hello! We trying to decide between Kadavu and Taveuni Island for a diving holiday in June this year. My partner and I are novice, recreational divers at best, and hope to get more out of the holiday than just purely diving. From what I can see, there are more things to do on Taveuni Island (namely the Lavena Coastal Walk and Bouma National Park Waterfall Treks), but it also comes with added expense (more expensive flights with Pacific Air, and more expensive accomodation for the same standard?) My other concern with Taveuni Island is that its 'Garden Island' reputation has come from frequent rainfall, which is necessary but could easily ruin a short 6 day break. I was wondering if there were any seasoned Fijian travellers out there who would be able to advise on which one to go to? Are there hidden forest treks on Kadavu that are just less publicised? |
bthdth 18:43 UTC 19 Jan 2013 | I haven't been to Kadavu. I chose Taveuni for reasons you mentioned. Rain was an issue but it didn't bother me. On the other hand, I was in Fiji for 2 months so an extra day or two swinging in a balcony hammock during a downpour wasn't inconvenient. To an extent, rain will 'ruin' a holiday only if you think it will. I went snorkelling during a downpour. That said, I did research Kadavu. My impression was that there's be more than enough to occupy myself there for a week or two. I was never anywhere where there wasn't a walk/hike to be found. | 1
kenko 04:10 UTC 22 Jan 2013 | I have had the the good fortune to visit both Kadavu and Taveuni. Both islands are exotic and beautiful with Kadavu being about 30 miles long and Taveuni about 25 miles. Kadavu is a more remote place, made up of more than 70 Fijian villages, the air strip at Vunisea, and a sprinkling of resorts spread out across the island. The Great Astrolabe Reef, which offers the island's best diving, is located off Kadavu's eastern shore. The island has a massive volcanoe which adds to its exotic ambiance.Taveuni- nicknamed "The Garden Island" -- has more people and is more developed than Kadavu. You've mentioned the Lavena Coastal Walk and Bouma National Heritage Park-- and I'd recommend them highly to anyone visiting Taveuni. Diving in the Somosomo Strait features the Rainbow Reef and the Great White Wall. Taveuni's air strip is in the town of Matei which has many of the island's accommodations and restaurants clustered at the island's north end. Because you said " we hope to get more out of the holiday than just purely diving" I would recommend Taveuni to you over Kadavu. Kadavu's resorts are widely separated from one another, making it impractical to visit resorts other than the one you've booked. This also means you will be limited to your resort's restaurant for meals. I'm not aware of any great difference in the airfares to reach either island from Viti Levu-- ferries go to both islands, but with six days for your holidays, flying is the better option. Fiji's wet season runs from November through April. Since you're going in June, I wouldn't be too concerned about the weather in Taveuni or Kadavu. Have a great trip! | 2
hardnosethehighway 02:56 UTC 23 Jan 2013 | "frequent rainfall, which is necessary but could easily ruin a short 6 day break." If you're so fragile that rain will spoil your trip plan something in the desert instead-it rains all the time in the South Pacific | 3
namavareza 19:01 UTC 05 Oct 2013 | I have been to both and prefer Taveuni. | 4