Shop
Get even more with a Lonely Planet guide.
Vanua Levu
Getty Images/Lonely Planet Images
Overview
Though itās Fijiās second-largest island, Vanua Levu (Big Island) is one of the tropicsā best-kept secrets. Itās another world from the bustle of Viti Levu and the more-touristed islands: many roads are little more than rutted dirt tracks, and Labasa, the islandās largest ācityā, is a one-street strip of shops. To the south, Savusavu entices yachties, divers and dreamers looking for a tropical idyll. The rest of āBig Islandā is given over to sugarcane and copra plantations, hideaway villages, mountain passes streaming with waterfalls, endless swaths of forest and an ever-changing coastline forgotten by the world. Take it slow, keep a smile on your face and savour rural Fiji on its grandest scale.
Attractions
Must-see attractions
Vanua Levu
This site has a cryptic ā and cannibalistic ā history. At the entrance, there's a sacred monolith that villagers believe grew from the ground; behind is aā¦
Vanua Levu
The sacred 3m-high Cobra Rock is housed inside the vibrant Naag Mandir Temple. It's draped with flower-and-tinsel garlands, and offerings are placed atā¦
Vanua Levu
Deep in the mountains north of Savusavu, reachable by 4WD, lie the ruins of Nukubolu, an ancient Fijian village whose stone foundations, terraces andā¦
Vanua Levu
Nestled in the mountains north of Savusavu, this 120-ha reserve is home to thousands of birds, flowers, trees and plants, some of which are used in localā¦
Vanua Levu
This house-sized island floats on a pond during high winds or, if you believe local lore, when a priest chants at it. The real reason to come here is toā¦
Vanua Levu
Home to the rare silktail bird, found only on this peninsula and on Taveuni. The silktail has sadly made it onto the worldās endangered-species list, withā¦
Vanua Levu
From Naag Mandir Temple, head down through dense coconut trees and past the lounging cows to Korovatu Beach. It's the closest stretch of sand to Labasaā¦
Build a memorable collection
Get to the heart of Vanua Levu with one of our in-depth, award-winning guidebooks, covering maps, itineraries, and expert guidance.
Fiji $24.99