Kadavu – Far from the Madding Crowd

Kadavu the fourth-largest island in the Fiji Group and fantastically unspoilt in terms of exposure to the mainstream of tourism – and happily remains so.

Kadavu is an island of soaring, majestic volcanic mountains blanketed by dense rainforest and girthed by great white sand beaches and craggy, rocky coastline. It is blessed with mangrove swamps that grow prolifically around the coastal areas of the island that are a habitat for birdlife and the breeding grounds of marine life.


The importance of mangrove swamps has been well established. They function as nurseries for shrimps and recreational fisheries, are an exporter of organic matter to adjacent coastal food chains and are an enormous source of valuable nutrients. Their physical stability helps to prevent shoreline erosion shielding inland areas from severe damage during hurricanes and high tides. Another of natures gifts to Kadavu.

Fascinating inlets and protected tiny bays are created by the irregular shape of the island providing an abundance of sheltered coastline. The island is blessed with cool, clear waterfalls plummeting from heights of up to 80 metres to their final resting place; cool, clear pools that are a refreshing delight to plunge into after a brisk trek through the bush.

 

 
Parrots fly freely in the hinterland of Kadavu

Kadavu is renowned for its deep-sea fishing, diving, bird watching, sea kayaking, snorkeling, surfing and trekking. It is the answer to a naturalists dream providing the perfect environment to either relax with the magnificence of nature peering down on you from every angle or indulge in your favourite pastime of hauling in the big ones, taking a breather from the spectacle that is diving the Astrolabe Reef, paddling energetically in your sea-kayak or trekking the hills and trails – and then there’s a spot of bird watching.


The birdlife on Kadavu is prolific with species of honeyeaters, velvet fruit doves and fantails only found on this island with the magnificent red and green Kadavu musk parrot which are quite easily heard and very visible. Kadavu’s biodiversity, both land and sea based, is unique in that it is still intact and appears not to be under threat due to the isolation of the island from the rest of Fiji.


For those who plan to immerse themselves in the local culture, Kadavu has sustained its cultural values and subsistence lifestyle with village visits available to experience the diversity of this unique culture.


Kadavu is smack dab in the middle of The Great Astrolabe Reef which stretches for around 100kms. It is the world’s fourth largest barrier reef and Fiji’s largest living organism offering unparalleled dive experiences due to the variety and range of the dive sites and the biodiversity of the marine life.

 

 
 

 
Superb Diving at Kadavu

 

Stunning views from the hinterland to the Astrolab Reef

 

  Dive Sites


Spot X - is located in Naiqoro Passage and is a marine reserve. It offers one of the finest dives in Fiji with an abundance of pelagic fish, schools of sharks, barracuda and wrasse. Its coral gardens are alive and kicking and are a kaleidoscope of colour.


Manta Reef - As the name indicates this one of the few places in the world where you can swim with giant manta rays. They project an almost space like presence as they float eerily by you, their majestic and elegant silver wings engaging in minimal movement to easily propel them through the water.


Soso Passage – Site of “Golden Chimney” and “Coral Wonderland”. The Golden Chimney is a large coral pinnacle covered in soft corals which lights up the entire area when blooming. Coral Wonderland is a combination of wall, drift and relaxed coral observation.


Nacomoto Passage – Includes “Eagle Rock” and “Cabbage Patch”. Eagle Rock is so called due to the presence of eagle rays while Cabbage Patch has prolific patches of cabbage coral.

 


 
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