REGION
You’ll find more palm trees than people on Fiji’s second-largest island, Vanua Levu. And that’s what makes this tropical northern getaway so irresistible. Picturesque Savusavu – a quaint coastal town built on the backs of the copra, beche-de-mer and sandalwood trades – is the island’s tourism hub. It is what many travelers dream of as the perfect South Sea harbor: it is nestled in a safe large natural bay teeming with fish and usually dotted with small yachts calling in for a visit., framed by pristine lush green mountains with gently swaying palm trees and old coconut plantations and adorned with hibiscus – flowering bushes. Fantastic resorts line the coast while holiday rentals hug steep hilltops overlooking the bay. Yachties use this little pocket of paradise to restock and mingle with the friendly locals before cruising Fiji’s remote Lau islands. Quite often they stay longer than originally planned.
Before you book the tickets for your clients, a word of warning: once in Savusavu, there is a very good chance they will never want to leave. Postcard-perfect picturesque and pleasant beyond all expectations, Savusavu feels a little bit like a throwback to the days of high-seas adventure and explorers. The wide-angle Savusavu Bay was once a gigantic volcano, and boiling springs still bubble up across town, perhaps accounting – at least in part – for the palpable energy that surrounds this enchanted outpost. Savusavu is not a purpose-built tourist-town, but a small working town with a mile long promenade filled with a local market, shops and restaurants – nothing fancy, but everything you might need.
Spectacular reefs can be found minutes from the mainland so it’s no surprise that diving’s also huge here. Discover painted seascapes at the Namena Marine Reserve or admire the colourful coral on a snorkel at Split Rock. There’s plenty to tempt you into the rainforest and rivers too. Like a leisurely kayak around the Salt Lake, cool dips under a raging waterfall or a trek into the Waisali Rainforest reserve. On the island’s opposite coast there’s the lure of Labasa’s mysterious Snake rock temple and the chance to fill your bellies with some of Fiji’s tastiest Indo-Fijian cuisine. If you like your paradise laid back with a side of adventure, then you might be tempted to linger here a little longer.
WHERE?
Located north of the main island of Viti Levu, Vanua Levu is Fiji's 2nd largest island and home to Savusavu in the South and Labasa in the North.
HOW?
- Domestic scheduled flights
- Domestic charter flights
- Public passenger ferry
- Sailing boat
- Cruise ship
Savusavu is accessible via air (1 hour 15 minutes). or sea (4 hours). Fiji Link operates direct flights from Nadi and Suva to Savusavu (. The luggage limit for checked baggage is 15kg on all Fiji Link domestic routes unless the domestic flight is included into a longhaul ticket of Fiji Airways). Flights are also provided by Northern Air from Nadi and Suva. Pacific Island Air and Island Hoppers offer charter flights.
The journey by passenger ferry takes about 4 hours from Ellington Wharf in the North of Viti Levu to Nabouwalu Jetty on Vanua LeuvLevu. Ferry companies include Goundar Shipping and Patterson Brothers. Ferries take longer than flights and are more used by locals.
Captain Cook Cruises offers monthly itineraries that include a visit at Savusavu.
WHO?
- Explorers
- Dive
- Romance
- Sea Sports & Adventure
WHAT?
Top 5 things to Do
- Discover the pristine marine life:
The reefs in the North are some of the bests in Fiji – especially just off Savusavu. No matter if you are a s Serious diver, a beginner or a snorkeler – there is something for everyone. Namena Marine Reserve offers some world-class dive sites. But dozens of reefs can be found just off the shores of Savusavu where you can find a variety of colourful corals and tropical fish. This close to a big fish migratory path, there is a chance to see dolphins and all types of whales as well.
Fiji’s newest paradise for divers is the sheltered Natewa Bay. One of the best kept secrets is – the Great Sea Reef that hugs the northern coast of Vanua Levu. At close to 200km long, it’s one of the largest reefs in the world and unexplored. You can find out more on the dive sites in Vanua Levu in the “Diving in Fiji” course.
- Pearl Farm:
Located right in the middle of town, 10 minutes from Savusavu Airport, is J. Hunter Pearls. At just 2500 pearls per harvest, they are the rarest pearls in the world and coveted by top European jewelers. Peek behind the curtains and see how they’re made at the J Hunter pearl farm in Savusavu Bay. On the tour you’ll learn how they load and clean the lines and even watch them seeding or harvesting during the season. Bring your own snorkels if you want to swim over the shell beds as well.
- Indulge in Fijian chocolate:
Kokomana Chocolate Tour - Savusavu’s tantalising ‘chocolate’ tour is tucked away in a little agroforest behind Daku Resort. From the cocoa tree groves to the onsite factory, Kokomana’s ‘tree to bar’ tour demonstrates the entire chocolate making process. Depending on when you visit, you’ll see the fermenting beans, drying racks in the sun or the chocolate maker crafting on the factory floor. The tour ends with a delicious tasting session and the chance to buy some bars to take with you. (3 times a week between 10am – 4pm.
- Adventure:
Whether you want to kayak in the open sea, stand-up-paddle offshore or snorkel in front of your beach bure there are numerous adventures in and around the beautiful Savusavu bay. Take a tubing trip down the enchanting Sekawa river, plunge under a waterfall’s pounding cascade or relax in a hot mud spa in the middle of the jungle. There are mountains to hike, rustic trails to bike and reefs to snorkel as well.
- Game fishing:
Hire a private fishing charter from Savusavu Bay to fish Fiji’s Koro Sea.
DID YOU KNOW
- Did you know that Vanua Levu means “Little Rock”? As it is the 2nd largest island in Fiji and Viti Levu meaning “Big Rock”.
- Did you know that there is a “Bottle tree” at Lesiaseva Road? The road leads from Savusavu to Jean-Michel Cousteau resort and is particularly scenic: one side of the road is a steep incline dotted with little cottages overlooking Savusavu Bay. On the other side of the road lies a narrow beach, over hung with giant mangrove trees, where locals often come to picnic and swim. At one point along the road someone has hung dozens and dozens of colored bottles from the tree branches, creating an enchanted haven in this magical place!
- Did you know that Savusavu is planning to become a leading environmentally sustainable ‘Blue Model Town’.
Agent tip: About a dozen times a year, Savusavu is visited by a good crowd of tourists disembarking from cruise ships visiting town. Often, these visitors visit villages and buy handicrafts from locals – using US, Euro or Australian currency. The problem is, Fijians struggle to exchange currency at banks, so they get stuck with large amounts of cash they can’t use. Tip: Always remind your clients to exchange into Fiji Dollars and to take smaller bills when visiting villages and market so that they are truly helping the locals!!
WHY?
What are Savusavu’s Top 43 selling points?
- Uncrowded, but with all the needed creature-comforts. Get the local-living feel while on holiday!
- Great range of activities and some good local eateries.
- Intimate boutique accommodation with high international standards.
- Pristine marine life and world-class dive spots.