Dive Kadavu Island

Kadavu is situated 100km south of Viti Levu and is the fourth largest island in Fiji. Kadavu has the Great Astrolabe Reef, very well regarded for diving.

Although tourism opportunities in Kadavu have been steadily growing over the past decade or so, it is still a remote and beautiful destination that is definitely not over-developed! As of 2006 there were only a total of around 80 rooms provided by just 11 properties, mostly in the budget to medium-range of accommodation. The main focus of tourism in Kadavu is diving and almost all visitors to most of the resorts visit because they wish to scuba dive. A couple of exceptions are Naigigia Island Resort, which focuses on surfing, and Papageno Eco Resort, which enjoys a mix of divers and those interested in relaxation and health, such as Yoga groups.

Kadavu's dive resorts include Dive Kadavu (closest to Vunisea and part of Matana Resort) which visits dive sites on the Nabukelevu-i-Ra and Namalata reefs, Matava Resort (on the southern coastline of Kadavu near the Great Astrolabe reef), Waisalima Beach Resort (one of the closest to the Great Astrolabe), and Papageno Eco Resort (on the northern coastline of the eastern end of Kadavu). At Waisalima, the dive operation is run by Viti Water Sports. Nagigia Island Resort is at the other end of Kadavu on the very western tip and although it focuses on surfing, it also offers diving to its guests visiting local reefs around the island.

Getting to Kadavu

Kadavu is Fiji's 4th largest island and found in the southern island group. View a map of Fiji. The main linkage is Vunisea airport which serves about 20 or so return flights per week from Nadi and Suva. There is also a government jetty in Vunisea can accommodate vessels of up to 50 metres. Visitors can arrive by ferry from Suva, however ferry services are sporadic and few travel to Kadavu by sea. On arrival at Vunisea, your resort will meet you with a boat to transfer you round the coastline to your final destination. Nagigia Island can be accessed by helicopter direct from the mainland.

Kadavu is an isolated getaway offering spectacular diving and local and genuine culture in a spectacular rainforest and reef setting.

Photo Credit: Papageno Eco Resort