THE GUIDE - Rough Guide to Fiji - page 262

TUI TAI ADVENTURE CRUISE
One of the best ways to explore Vanua Levu and Taveuni is on the luxurious Tui Tai
Adventure Cruise ( 885 3032, tuitai.com ; seven nights from US$2895 per person, in-
cludes meals and activities). The cruise takes place on a 42m, three-masted schooner with
air-conditioned cabins, en-suite bathrooms, spa treatments and on-deck daybeds. Along
the way you can dolphin-watch off Vanua Levu, snorkel or dive the Great Sea Reef and
kayak up the mangrove-lined Nasavu River to a remote village. Probably the only time
you'll run into other travellers is on the visit to Bouma National Heritage Park on Taveuni.
The cruise also calls in at the gloriously remote Ringgold Islands and the fascinating cul-
tural enclaves of Kioa and Rabi . Pre-booked guests are picked up from both Savusavu on
Vanua Levu and Matei on Taveuni.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE: VANUA LEVU AND TAVEUNI
Vanua Levu and Taveuni are served by passenger ferries and flights from Viti Levu. It's re-
latively simple to combine a trip to both islands , as most ferry routes call in at both Vanua
Levu and Taveuni. Ten days should give you plenty of time to get a feel for the islands; one
itinerary would be to arrive by plane in Labasa, travel by bus to Savusavu and then over to
Taveuni by boat.
BY PLANE
Flights to the islands are in small propeller planes from either Nadi or Suva. Note that seats
often fill up quickly, especially when dive groups and their equipment take over the entire
plane, so book as far in advance as possible. The baggage allowance is 20kg per person so
call ahead if you are bringing your own scuba gear.
Pacific Sun 672 3555, pacificsun.com.fj . Offers seven daily flights to Labasa in a
44-seater ATR - five from Nadi (1hr 5min; F$277) and two from Suva (45min; F$217);
three daily flights to Savusavu in small 12-seater twin-propeller Twin Otters from Nadi (1hr;
F$417); and four daily flights to Taveuni, two from Nadi (1hr 25min; F$401) and two from
Nausori, Suva (1hr).
BY FERRY
To Vanua Levu Passenger ferries to the islands depart from Lautoka, Suva and Natovi Land-
ing (on the east coast of Viti Levu). The Patterson Brothers daily ferries from Natovi Land-
ing offer the fastest journey time (3hr 30min) although they arrive at the remote Nabouwalu
Landing on the west coast of Vanua Levu; most travellers prefer to head direct to Savusavu.
Seas are often rough, particularly across the perpetually choppy Bligh Water - ferries from
Suva or Natovi Landing miss the worst of this section.