Few places offer an experience of the real Fiji in the way Kadavu (pronounced "Kandarvoo") does. The remote island boasts rugged natural beauty, with wooded hillsides, valleys and grassy meadows, stunning bays and reefs, and none of the excessive tourist development that can detract from nature's charm.
Home to the Great Astrolabe Reef along the south coast and around Ono Island in the east, the resort diving in Kadavu is excellent. It is easily the best in southern Fiji, made all the more special by the very limited number of other divers here. Famed for its pristine hard corals, steep drop-offs and pelagics, words such as "wild" and "untamed" are often used to describe the reefs that fringe this island.
Kadavu is Fiji's 4th largest island and this narrow strip of land snakes along in roughly a south west to north east direction for 60 km. It's popular with surfers, scuba divers, nature lovers and those who are looking for something a little more Fijian than the sometimes bland international resorts. With no road network to speak of, you get around chiefly by sea. If your priorities are shopping, a variety of dining options and snazzy resorts, other parts of the country may suit you better. Kadavu is about nature, simplicity, local culture and great diving packages.
Although the island's simplicity is its charm, you will not want for comfort as there are some very good value-for-money dive resorts in Kadavu, where quality accommodation and dining complement the superb diving and topside island scenery.
The island is in many ways a look back at a simpler time but that does not mean the resorts are very basic. You can choose to stay on the north side of the island which means diving mostly on Kadavu's fringing reefs. Here the sites are easy but beautiful. Alternatively, you may prefer a place to stay in the south or the northeast, closer to the Great Astrolabe Reef where the reefs are more breathtaking and the accommodation is more natural and simple. [More information on these dive sites: Kadavu].
Scuba diving is usually conducted from speedboats. The dive resorts offer other activities such as kayaking, hiking trails, snorkelling and village visits.
There are more than 60 recorded dive sites dotted around the island so stays of 1 week are ideal. Kadavu dive packages are inclusive of full board accommodation, scuba diving activities and airport transfers from Vunisea.
> [More details: Kadavu Dive Resorts]Check out your resort options for staying on and diving at this natural paradise island:
Kadavu Matana Resort
Customer rating: Excellent!
Papageno Resort
Customer rating: Good
Kadavu's summer months are from December to March, when temperatures average 29-30°C. This is also the rainy season with the wettest months being from January to April. The dry winter months are from June to September, with temperatures averaging around 25-26°C. The island enjoys an average of 5-6 hours of sunshine per day through the whole year.
The diving in Kadavu runs all year round and packages are the same price throughout the year. The sea is cooler (24°C) in winter but this is when visibility is best. The water warms up to 30°C in the summer but then the visibility is reduced from the extra rain.
Kadavu lies 100 km directly south of Viti Levu. There are return flights to the island - 5 per week from Nadi (50 minutes) and 1 per week from Suva (40 minutes). The flight can be fantastic, particularly on the way there, as you soar over the spectacular reefs. Fiji Airways flies this route.
There is an unreliable and incredibly long, uncomfortable ferry from Suva which you will choose to go on only if you cannot physically fly (in which case, how did you get to Fiji?) or if you are excessively miserly.
Protect your dive adventure with peace of mind. Unexpected circumstances may require trip cancellations, so we strongly recommend comprehensive insurance covering your diving package, travel arrangements, and cancellation costs. Visit our insurance program for a competitive quote tailored to divers' needs:
Make the most of your time in Fiji by exploring more of this tropical paradise. For hassle-free hotel bookings before or after your Kadavu diving retreat, we recommend our preferred partner, HotelsCombined.com. Browse their extensive selection of accommodations online, get real-time support via live chat, or secure your reservation instantly with a credit card:
All bookings are backed by their Best Price Guarantee, so you can be confident you're getting the greatest value for your stay.
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