Suva to Vanua Levu

Hi, we're going to be spending about 5 weeks in Fiji in October time, and are looking at spending a week or 10 days on Vanua Levu.

Was just wondering if people had recommendations on whether it's best to fly from Suva to Savusavu or Suva to Labasa? The prices seem identical, and we'll hire a car when we land. Any recommendations?

Alternatively, has anyone tried going over via the ferry/boat from the main island to Vanua Levu? If so how was it?

Feedback would be great, cheers!! Matt

I flew to Savusavu from Nadi, although I expect you can do so from Suva, stayed in Savusavu for a few days and explored Savurekareka while there, then took a local bus to Labasa. Got back to Viti Levu by ferry from Nabouwalu (local bus from Labasa to Nabouwalu), where there were local buses waiting to pick up passengers. Mind you, this was back in 1992 so things might have changed, but it was an easy trip to do back then. The ferry was fun even though a storm hit us and the crossing was extremely rough, and I do mean extremely. Passengers said it was a good thing we were going to Nabouwalu and not Suva, which was an open water crossing and would have been a more frightening, considering the swells we had to plow through on the calmer 'inside' water route.

I much preferred flying into Savausavu , the airport is just over the hill from town and Savusavu is nice. The airport at Labasa was hot and a long way from town, I had to wait ages for a taxi- in saying that quite often while I was there the flights to Savusavu were re routed to Labasa so passengers had no choice.
I explored the Labasa area by hire car later in my trip ( and stayed at Palmlea , which I highly recommend , it was of the road on the way into Labasa, great spot, great pool, good hosts...)
Labasa is a working agricultural centre , inland,with a very large indian population and Savusavu is an expat/ yacht haven (over the winter months anyway) and they both have very different atmospheres. There is a newish ferry travelling to Savusavu now and is reportedly much more comfortable than the one that was there in 2011 when I visited, but it will still be a long trip ( overnight probably) so it depends if time or money is of more importance- the ferry is a lot cheaper.

Savusavu is far better than Labasa.

I agree that Savusavu has more appeal than Labasa.

As for the ferry or flying issue, it is your choice.
I went by ferry both ways, on the 2 different routes, and found it perfectly fine.
Of course these ferries cater mostly to locals so you can not expect cruise ship standards and I imagine some tourists might find them too basic or dirty.

Thanks everyone, all very helpful! Think we'll go for the flights from Suva to Savusavu as it seems the recommended choice and flights seem pretty cheap but will bear in mind the other options, cheers!