Vanua Levu

Vanua Levu is the second largest and more northern island in Fiji.

Cities

• 1 Labasa — the most populous town on Vanua Levu. Like much of Fiji, sugar cane farming is the backbone of Labasa's economy.
• 2 Savusavu — a swashbuckling throwback to the days of high-seas adventure and tall tales told in rickety taverns
• 3 Nabouwalu

Other destinations

• 1 Vorovoro —
• 2 Rabi Island
• Qaratutu Resort & Spa

Understand

Vanua Levu was home to 160,000 people in 2022.

The island's main population centres are the towns of Labasa, in the north, and Savusavu, located at the foot of the peninsula. Labasa, with a population of almost 25,000 at the 1996 census, has a large Indian community, and is a major centre of Fiji's sugar industry. Savusavu is smaller, with a population of just under 5000, but is a popular centre for tourists owing to its diving and yachting facilities.

In 2012, the nation of Kiribati began negotiating to buy 5,000 acres (2,023 hectares) of the island to house its population, which is expected to need to move as their islands are inundated by rising sea levels.

Get in

It is 64 km (40 miles) north of the larger Viti Levu island.

By ferry

Ferry service by Patterson Brothers Shipping Company Ltd connects Vanua Levu to Viti Levu and Ovalau.

By plane

• 1 Labasa Airport (LBS  ^IATA). Flights from Nadi and Suva.  
• 2 Savusavu Airport (SVU  ^IATA). Flights from Nadi and Suva.  

Get around

• Buses are frequent on the Labasa - Savusavu route
• The last bus from Nabouwalu to Labasa is around 16:00. It's a 4-5 hour trip on the local bus, quicker on the shipping line bus. The buses from Labasa to Kiobo will pass Nabouwalu.
• To Taveuni. Bus waits at Labasa at 04:30, Savusavu at 05:30. Ferry returns at 13:30 from the Suncity jetty or in the morning.

See

• A 17,600-hectare (43,000 acres) area covering much of the interior of the Natewa/Tunuloa peninsula is the Natewa/Tunuloa Peninsula Important Bird Area. The Important Bird Area covers the largest tracts of remaining old-growth forest on the peninsula, which is on the south of Vanua Levu, and it supports a population of vulnerable shy ground doves.

Buy

• 1 J.Hunter Pearl Showroom, Savusavu. Offers educational tours of the pearl farm. 

Sleep

• The Remote Resort, Rainbow Reef, ☏ +61 444579887. Island-chic villas with spectacular ocean views for honeymoon, elopement or dive and snorkel vacations. A diver's and food-lover's paradise. (updated Nov 2020)