| Taveuni | |
 | |
| State | Fiji |
|---|---|
| Surface | 442 km² |
| Inhabitants | 12.000 |
| Tourism site | |
Taveuni it is one of the islands Fiji.
To know
Nicknamed the "Garden of Fiji", Taveuni is over half covered by a blanket of tropical forest where colorful birds find shelter. The rich volcanic soil produces a great variety of tropical flowers and plants. The coral reefs present in the Somosomo Strait that separates it from Vanua Levu make it a popular destination for scuba diving enthusiasts.
Taveuni is an island of volcanic origin with several peaks over 1000 m. The highest is Mount Uluiqalau, in the center of the island and located right on the date line. Vuna is a still active volcano on the southwest coast.
In 1992 the director William Graham chose to shoot some scenes of the film in Taveuni "Return to the Blue Lagoon".
Territories and tourist destinations
Taveuni: full screen map.Urban centers
- Matei - Located at the extreme northern tip of the island, Matei is the airport area. It is equipped with basic hotels and services and for lazy types it is a good place to stay.
West Coast
- Naqara - Equipped with some modest hotels, Naqara is served by courier and is the base for excursions inside. But in the evening there is nothing to do.
- Somosomo - On the straits of the same name, facing the island of Vanua Levu.
- Waiyevo - Village on the straits of Somosomo. In its vicinity are the "Slippery Rocks of Waitavala". Waitavala is a cheerful and impetuous stream that flows between rocks covered by vegetation and made smooth by the action of the water.
Oriental Coast
- Bouma
- The vein - Near the beach where the film "Return to the Blue Lagoon" was filmed, Lavena has a campsite and only one modest accommodation located in a heavenly corner.
Southern Taveuni
- Navakawau - Located at the south end of the island, in the land of underwater geysers that launch powerful jets visible from the coast, Navakawau is the base for excursions to the Matamaiqi geyser whose powerful jets crash on the coast (see photo[link not working])
- Vuna - Immediately after Navakawau, the village of Vuna is on a rocky coast subjected to the erosion of the winds and the sea which have given rise to numerous natural pools.
Other destinations
- Coral reef of the Rainbow (Rainbow Reef) - Extending for 40 km in the Somosomo Strait, the Rainbow Reef is home to a varied underwater fauna, turtles but also sharks that do not hesitate to attack humans. The Great White Wall it is considered the best place to practice scuba diving.
- Tagimaucia Lake - The lake occupies an interior crater and its surface is sprinkled with floating plants. During the wet season, the Tagimaucia flowers bloom on its banks, exclusive flowers of the flora of Taveuni with red petals and a white corolla. The excursion to the lake located at an altitude of 800 meters takes place through difficult paths that start from the village of Somosomo.
- Bouma Nature Reserve Park [1] (Bouma National Heritage Park) - Established in 1990 with the financial help of New Zeland, the reserve extends in the north-east of Taveuni. It includes the Waitabu Marine Park. The park organizes guided tours with paths that wind through the forest animated by colorful birds and interrupted by the remains of ancient villages. Ten minutes from the entrance is a series of 3 waterfalls that form natural pools where you can swim. The path leading to the 2nd waterfall is uphill and offers beautiful views of the coast and the overlooking Qamea Island.
- Prince Charles Beach - Near Matei Airport; the island bears the name of Prince Charles who spent a few days here.
- Lavena nature reserve (Lavena Nature Reserve) - With the homonymous beach where some scenes of the film "Return to the Blue Lagoon" were shot.
- Waitatavi Bay
Islands around
- Kioa - In the Strait of Somosomo, the island of Kioa has 400 inhabitants, all of Polynesian origin. Sometimes the ferry from Taveuni to Vanua Levu.
- Korolevu - Still in the Strait of Somosomo it has beautiful beaches and a hotel.
- Laucala - Another private island purchased in the early 60s of the twentieth century by Malcolm Forbes who built an exclusive hotel there, the Fiji Forbes Laucala Resort.
- Matangi - Of volcanic origin, Matangi is accessible only to guests of the Matangi Island Resort.
- Qamea
How to get
By plane
Matei Airport is located in the north of the island. Companies operate there Pacific Sun is Fiji Airways with flights from Nadi is Suva. Many hotels arrange, upon request, to come and greet you at the airport for free or for a surcharge.
The company's motor ships Suilven and Westerland "Bligh Water Shipping[link not working]"sail from the ports of Suva is Lautoka (near Nadi) respectively directed to Taveuni and with an intermediate stop in Savusavu
How to get around
What see
Events and parties
What to do
Scuba diving centers
Shopping
In Taveuni there are still few places where credit cards are accepted and there is only one ATM machine. To change into local currency you can use a bank counter just outside the airport customs.
How to have fun
Where to eat
Where stay
Moderate prices
- Tovu Tovu Resort, ☎ 679 888 0560, fax: 679 888 0560, @[email protected].
- Lavena Lodge. Between the village of the same name and the beach on Punta Ucuna where the scenes of the film "Return to the Blue Lagoon" were shot. The hotel is older and the rooms have a shared bathroom but with hot water. The place is still stunning. It can be reached in about an hour from Matei. The rather ramshackle buses run along a dusty track.
- Kaba's Motel (Naqara village), ☎ 679 888 0233, fax: 679 888 0203, @[email protected].
- First Light Inn (Waiyevo), ☎ 679 888 0339, fax: 679 888 0387.
Average prices
- [link previously not working]Fiji Rental Accommodations. Three houses by the sea offered for rent by a retired American gentleman.
- Bibi's Hideaway, ☎ 679 888 0443. About 1/2 kilometer from Matei Airport, Bibi's Hideaway is known for hosting the cast of the film "Return to the Blue Lagoon".
- Garden Island Resort (Waiyevo,), ☎ 679 888 0286, fax: 679 888 0288.
- [link not working]Vatuwiri Plantation Resort (On the Vuna promontory in the south of the island), ☎ 679 888 0316, fax: 679 888 0314.
High prices
- Maravu Plantation and Beach Resort, ☎ 679 332 4303, fax: 679 332 4328.
- Taveuni Island Resort. Accommodation in 9 traditional huts with one or two places at variable prices. The restaurant and swimming pool are located in a panoramic position.
- QAMEA RESORT & SPA (Qamea island), ☎ 679 888 0220.
- Matangi Resort (On the homonymous island). For American honeymooners.
