OVERVIEW

Become immersed in village life in Nukubalavu, one of the oldest settlements on the island of Vanua Levu. As is traditional in Fiji, the elders will warmly welcome you to the village, which is one of the larger ones on the island. As you meander about Nukubalavu, you will see local artisans weaving coconut palms and pandanus grass into mats and other useful items. You may also see a demonstration of meke, a type of storytelling dance that has long been a part of all great Fijian ceremonies and momentous events such as the birth of a child. In the village hall, you will watch a kava ceremony in which a pepper root is pulverized and soaked in water to make a tea-like beverage that can have a relaxing even intoxicating effect. It is typically served in a hollowed-out coconut shell. Green coconut water, known as “bu,” is another popular Fijian drink that may be offered.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit Nukubalavu, a traditional village that is larger than most.
• Watch weavers create a variety of useful items from palm fronds and native grasses.
• Gain an understanding of local life by watching a fascinating kava ceremony.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Discover how chocolate is made step by step from cocoa beans and enjoy a sampling of the uniquely flavored sweet treats. Kokoman differs from other chocolate manufacturers in the way it ferments the beans from just a single variety of cocoa rather than a blend. Although it has taken years of experimentation, the resulting chocolate was well worth the effort. During the behind-the-scenes tour, you will see firsthand how the cocoa is sustainably grown in a forest of mixed tree species to reduce erosion and increase the soil’s organic matter. That same care and ingenuity is applied to every step along the way, from the harvesting of the beans through the processing. You will be offered a taste of the sweet fruity pulp of a ripe cocoa pod and a sampling of the finished products. They may include a chocolate bar with a hint of chili, chocolate-covered ginger and sugarless cocoa nibs.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Tour a chocolate factory that has developed a unique method of production.
• See how the cocoa is sustainably grown, fermented and processed step by step.
• Sample the sweet pulp of a cocoa pod and a variety of chocolates.
• Purchase sweet in the on-site gift shop if you like.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Settle in for a wonderfully scenic and mostly coastal drive to the idyllic village of Vuadomo, where you will enjoy an enlightening cultural experience before hiking to a waterfall in the jungle. An elaborate welcome ceremony will set the stage for your immersion into traditional village life. More than a dozen villagers dressed as warriors will be involved in the sacred ritual, which tells the story of how their ancestors first settled in the surrounding province. Other villagers will join in with songs about Fijian legends that will enhance your cultural understanding. A brief but invigorating walk through the dense forest will bring you to the Vuadomo waterfall, a cluster of cascades that tumble into a clear pool below. The source river not only provides the village with water but also has a profound cultural significance. The serene setting is absolutely beautiful like so much of the Fijian countryside.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Gain insight into the Fijian culture by visiting the traditional village of Vuadomo.
• Enjoy a sacred welcome ceremony with costumed warriors and singers.
• Hike to a beautiful waterfall in a serene setting on the outskirts of the village.
• Spend a bit of free time shopping at Jacks of Fiji once you return to Savusavu.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

See a variety of attractions that will lend insight into Fijian culture and come away with a broad understanding of local life. At Copra Millers, you will see how coconut oil is extracted from copra – the dried white flesh inside the nut. Coconut palms are abundant throughout the island and the oil has been used for thousands of years as a skin moisturizer, for cooking and for medicinal purposes as it is thought to strengthen the immune system. The island’s natural beauty will take center stage as you drive along the scenic Hibiscus Highway that winds inland before following the southern coastline of Vanua Levu. Along the way, you will pass several coconut plantations and one gorgeous beach after another. In time, you will arrive at a community hall to watch the villagers put on an entertaining performance. Back in Savusavu, you will see the bubbling hot springs in the center of town.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Watch how coconut oil is extracted from coconuts and used in all sorts of products.
• Admire the island’s natural beauty while driving along the picturesque Hibiscus Highway.
• See a cultural performance that offers insight into village life.
• Behold Savusavu’s bubbling hot springs, which are heated by geothermal activity.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Follow a short trail through the jungle to a breathtaking waterfall, where you will be free to swim in the pool at the base of the cascade. The drive there will be immensely relaxing and picturesque, putting you in just the right mood to enjoy the rainforest setting. The tree canopy will provide plenty of shade as you walk toward Nakawaqa Waterfall, which you will hear long before seeing it. The cascade tumbles down a narrow canyon in a spectacular display of natural beauty that can be awe-inspiring. Dense jungle surrounds the waterfall, making the setting all the more magical. Take a refreshing swim in the cool water beneath the waterfall or, if you prefer not to get wet, you can easily find a peaceful spot to stretch out on shore. The guide will be happy to answer any questions you may have about the rainforest flora and fauna..

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy a relaxing and wonderfully picturesque drive to the Nakawaqa Rainforest.
• Walk through the rainforest to the thundering Nakawaqa Waterfall.
• Swim in the crystal-clear pool beneath the waterfall and enjoy the serene setting.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Snorkel the crystal-clear waters of Savusavu Bay, an area teeming with colorful marine species. You will snorkel not far off shore at Split Rock, an underwater site named for a house-size coral formation that is split right down the middle. Countless fish find shelter in the fissure and most everywhere else as coral covers most of the sea bottom. The water is deep on one side of the reef and shallow on the other, which attracts a huge assortment of marine creatures in every color imaginable. You can expect to see black-and-white sergeant fish, neon-colored parrotfish, elongated trumpet fish and tiny anthias ranging in hues from bright purple to fiery orange. Even the coral is spectacularly diverse as it includes solitary plate coral and bulbous clusters of coral. You may even spot a sea turtle or two gracefully swimming by as hawksbills, leatherbacks and loggerheads all live in these waters.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise along the shore of Savusavu Bay to Split Rock, a prime snorkeling spot.
• Observe an ever-changing parade of brightly colored marine species.
• See schools of fish daring in and out of the coral and maybe even a sea turtle.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Paddle your own kayak into a tidal lake that mangrove forests shelter and enjoy the serenity of the setting. After a briefing to ensure that you maximize the experience, you will ease into your own sit-on-top kayak and paddle off into the Qaloqalo River. The river flows into the Salt Lake, whose shores are blanketed with eco-friendly mangroves that have ingeniously adapted to the environment. For instance, mangroves thrive in saltwater that would kill other plants, hoard fresh water in their waxy leaves and breathe air through “snorkel-like” roots when the tide rolls out. The plants also prevent erosion, filter toxins and provide protection for a variety of marine animals and seabirds. Keep an eye out for herons, kingfishers and endemic birds such as the Fiji goshawk, a long-tailed gray-and-pink raptor. The guide will describe the ancient history of King’s Island in the heart of the lake as you paddle around it.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Paddle through a saltwater lake lined with mangroves in a single sit-on-top kayak.
• Gain an understanding of how mangroves provide numerous ecological benefits.
• Look for wildlife, especially birds, in the shelter of the mangroves.
• Learn about the ancient history of the area while paddling around King’s Island.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Bring a swimsuit, hat, towel and sunscreen.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Become immersed in the Fijian culture through authentic experiences on Nawi Island, a laid-back paradise that lies just off the north shore. A short boat ride will bring you to the island, where the villagers will welcome you with a ceremonial meke dance to the beat of a lali drum made from a hollowed-out log. Later, they will demonstrate their basket-weaving skills and show you how coconuts are used for various purposes. The highlight may well be watching a ceremony involving kava, the national drink of Fiji. This mildly intoxicating, mouth-numbing beverage is made from pulverized pepper root and is typically consumed in a group setting as a way of building relationships. You will have much to reflect upon as you settle in at Domoni’s waterfront restaurant for a traditional Fijian meal slow-cooked in an underground oven. During free time, you can enjoy the infinity-edge swimming pool at the marina’s private club.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Experience traditional Fijian culture on nearby Nawi Island.
• Watch a ceremonial meke dance to live music and sit in on a ritualistic kava ceremony.
• Interact with the locals and the vendors selling Fijian crafts.
• Dine on Fijian cuisine at a waterfront restaurant.
• Enjoy a refreshing swim in the pool at the private club in the Nawi marina.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Bring a swimsuit, hat, towel and sunscreen.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.