Kadavu Province: Great Astrolabe Reef and Island World

Kadavu Province is an archipelago whose islands are protected by the Great Astrolabe Reef. The reef and island world give the destination a distinctive landscape. At the same time, different interests coexist: some resorts offer their guests the opportunity to dive and snorkel with large, gentle manta rays; the uninhabited island of Yabu is locally known as “Birdland” because of its breeding seabirds. If you are looking for a holiday rental or holiday home, you can combine these interests with the right travel arrangements.

Island Group and Reef

Kadavu is an archipelago comprising the islands of Ono, Buliya, Yaukuve and others; many of them are uninhabited. The Great Astrolabe Reef protects the islands. Kadavu Province thus refers to an island region, not a single island. Specific names are useful for orientation: Ono is one of the islands; Yabu lies north of Ono Island. These details distinguish the broader context of the archipelago from individual named islands. This helps you first understand the regional unit and then focus on a particular natural feature.

Manta Rays and Birdland

Some resorts offer their guests the opportunity to dive and snorkel with large, gentle manta rays. This activity is therefore limited to guests of these resorts.

North of Ono Island lies Yabu, an uninhabited island locally called “Birdland” because of the many seabird species that breed there. In contrast to the resort-based activity with manta rays, the focus here is on the island and its breeding seabirds. This distinguishes two nature-based interests: the opportunity for guests of some resorts to dive or snorkel with manta rays, and the birdlife of an uninhabited island.

Plan Your Flight and Ferry

Flights and ferries are available for the journey, with different departure points. Fiji Airways offers direct flights between Nadi International Airport and Kadavu Island on most days; the flight takes 50 minutes. Check the flight schedule before travelling. The “Lomaiviti Princess” ferry connects Suva with Kadavu Island once a week, stopping at Vunisea and Kavala Bay. The journey takes four to eight hours, depending on the embarkation and disembarkation points. Also check the sailing days and the duration applicable to your stop before departure. The 50-minute flight time and the four-to-eight-hour ferry journey are not two durations for the same route: the flight departs from Nadi, the ferry from Suva, and the ferry duration depends on the embarkation and disembarkation points. Vunisea and Kavala Bay are the stated stops. The flight time refers only to the flight between Nadi and Kadavu Island, not the entire journey.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Kadavu, Lau.

Back to the main travel overview: Eastern Division.