Northern Division: Reefs, Rainforest and Nature Experiences

For a trip to Northern Division, it helps to distinguish between interests in marine life and nature on land. Reefs and protected areas offer a different focus from rainforest and plant diversity; a chocolate tour adds another specific experience. If you’re looking for hotels, it helps to decide first which of these themes you want your trip to revolve around.

Reefs, Protected Areas and Underwater Life

Established in 1997, Namena Marine Reserve is Fiji’s largest no-take protected area. Its reef has exceptionally high species diversity and is home to more than 1,000 fish species. Anyone who swims or dives in the Marine Reserve can purchase the voluntary Namena Reserve Dive Tag. Check the terms of the voluntary tag before your trip, as contribution arrangements like these can change.

Waitabu Marine Park covers 27 hectares and provides habitat for a wide variety of wildlife. The Waitabu Marine Reserve on Taveuni is a reef dedicated to snorkelling tourism and environmental education. Comparing the marine areas, Namena focuses on reef biodiversity, while Waitabu combines reefs, snorkelling tourism and environmental education.

Between Taveuni and Vanua Levu, the Somosomo Strait is home to Rainbow Reef, with its brightly coloured soft corals.

Natewa Bay and Coastal Landforms

Natewa Bay is the largest bay in the South Pacific. Its shallow reefs feature vibrant coral gardens with numerous hard corals, large, colourful sea fans and thousands of Christmas tree worms. Two large groups of spinner dolphins live in the bay. Guided boat tours can follow them; however, encounters depend on conditions and the animals’ behaviour and are not guaranteed.

At the Vuna Blowholes, seawater shoots through lava rock and high into the air as the tide comes in. The intensity of this natural spectacle depends on the tide and the swell. If you’re planning to visit this coastal spot, take both conditions into account.

Forest, Plants and Village Visits

Waisali Rainforest Reserve is one of the few remaining untouched forests on Vanua Levu in Fiji’s Northern Division. Flora Tropica Gardens is home to 250 palm species from around the world, including some very rare and endangered species. Forest conservation and botanical diversity are two distinct aspects of nature on land.

In the Savusavu area, visits to villages should be arranged with a representative of the village concerned, as villages are private spaces. If you’re considering a visit, make arrangements in advance. Contacts and arrangements may change.

A Chocolate Tour at KokoMana

KokoMana offers a 1.5- to 2-hour Tree-to-Bar chocolate tour. It takes you through the entire chocolate-making process, from processing the cacao beans to grinding them. The tour ends at the factory in the forest with a tasting of the chocolate made there. For planning your time, the difference from the nature experiences is clear: the KokoMana tour lasts 1.5 to 2 hours, while the intensity of the blowhole spectacle and the possibility of dolphin encounters depend on the tide and swell, or on the animals’ behaviour.

Discover more destinations: Waiyevo, Tavuki, Naqarawalu, Sagani, Savusavu, Matei, Vanuavou, Vatutandova, Natuvu, Qamea, Pagai, Fiji, Naidi

For the main travel overview: Fiji.