20 BEST Things to Do in Levuka & the Lomaiviti Islands ⛪ [2025]

Last Updated: 22 September, 2024

The Top Activities and Attractions in the Lomaiviti Group, inc. Ovalau, Levuka and Beyond!

Encompassing a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a mix of tourist destinations and unspoilt islands, and beautiful underwater worlds, the Lomaiviti Islands is a getaway that would be a shame to overlook when exploring Fiji. Situated off the eastern coast of Fiji’s main island, Viti Levu, the Lomaiviti Islands are not all that difficult to get to but well worth discovering to uncover the cultural and historical sites of the area. Ovalau is on most visitors’ bucket lists, being the largest island in the Lomaiviti Group and being the island with Fiji’s first colonial capital. Beyond are paradise islands that hold Fijian villages, beautiful sandy beaches, luxurious resorts, and much more. Just take a look at this list of things to do in the Lomaiviti Islands, and you’ll see what amazing experiences you are looking for. And remember, if you thought Fiji on the mainland was laidback, wait until you experience “Fiji time” on the Lomaiviti Group.

Plus, you might also be interested in The Complete Guide to the Lomaiviti Islands and The Best Day Trips from the Lomaiviti Islands.

1. Explore the Historic Town of Levuka Independently…

The beautifully preserved Levuka town was once the capital of Fiji. The town was a bustling metropolis of the South Pacific between 1871 and 1881 before the capital moved to Suva. The town is home to a lot of Fiji’s “firsts”, such as the first hotel, first bank, Methodist church, school and more. Start your exploration of the town at The Morris Hedstrom building, now home to the Levuka Museum & Community Centre, where you can pick up maps for a self-guided tour of the town, book a guided tour, or check out the relics in the small museum, as featured in the 5 Best Museums in Fiji. Other historical points of interest in Levuka include the Church of the Sacred Heart (1858) located on Beach Street, the Ovalau Club (1904), the Town Hall (1898) and the Navoka Methodist Church (1862) – the latter three located around Nasau Park. See more activities like this in the 10 Free & Cheap Things To Do in the Lomaiviti Islands.

Location: All over Levuka! Levuka Museum – Beach Street, Levuka, east coast of Ovalau. [Update: Double-check that the Levuka Museum has reopened before making plans to visit].

lomaiviti-islands-must-dos-Credit-Captain-Cook-Cruises

2. … Or Explore Levuka and Ovalau Island on a Guided Tour

As there are so many sights to hit in Levuka, as well as hidden gems scattered across the island of Ovalau, joining a guided tour isn’t a bad idea. Heritage Guest House offers a variety of exciting excursions, including tours of local historical sites, hiking to a peak, exploring Lovoni, swimming at Levuka Baths, and visits to Baba Melanesian Settlement. These tours typically include transfers in a licensed tour vehicle registered for exploring Levuka Town and its surroundings – see The Guide to Taxis in Fiji to learn more about the significance.

For outside guests or those staying at the Old Capitol Inn, half-day island tours by cab are available. These adventures come complete with kayaking opportunities, lunch, and refreshing drinks. If you’re up for a challenge, you can opt for a guided 2-hour hike to the peak overlooking the town for an additional fee (and trust us, the panoramic views are worth every step!). Whether you’re a history buff, nature enthusiast, or simply looking to soak in the local culture, these guided tours offer a fantastic way to make the most of your time on Ovalau Island.

Location: Both accommodations are located on Beach Street, Levuka, east coast of Ovalau Island.

17 Best Things to Do in the Lomaiviti Islands

3. Hike to Lovoni Village in a Volcanic Crater

The village of Lovoni was once home to a feared tribe living in the centre of the impenetrable volcanic crater. The stories of this tribe, believed to be the only village not conquered by Cakobau, the King of Fiji during the 1870s, are best told (in detail) on tour with Epi’s Midland Tour with Joe – a longstanding local tour guide offering culturally insightful tours. The tour starts with a bumpy ride up the dirt road from Levuka leading to Lovoni where Joe will present a sevuesvu (gift) on your behalf before you enjoy lunch with Joe’s family in the village. The village is now located along the side of the crater for practical reasons but still boasts dramatic scenery and an interesting cultural experience. Hikes to Lovoni are also available with The Baystay in Rukuruku Village – see the 10 Best Budget Accommodations in Levuka – but expect a full-day adventure. It’s one of The Best Day Trips from the Lomaiviti Islands!

Location: Departure points are arranged upon booking (book Epi’s Tours/Joe through your Levuka accommodation on arrival).

must do lomaiviti islands-Credit-Littleblackpistol on Wikipedia

4. Scuba Dive with Sharks, Turtles and Vibrant Coral Reefs

The Lomaiviti Islands have an abundance of exciting dive sites with mesmerising marine life. From Toberua Island, join the PADI dive centre at the Toberua Island Resort to more than 10 nearby dive sites, with a highlight being Shark Reef with white-tip reef sharks among dramatic coral overhangs. Alternatively, Sacred Reef offers something for all diver levels, with caves featuring sharks, turtles, groupers, eagle rays and more! Wakaya Club & Spa also makes an excellent base for diving, with the figure-of-eight coral reef wrapping around the island and being protected as a marine reserve. Scuba diving in the Lomaiviti Islands is also available with the Nai’a Liveaboard. Find out more about diving in this remote paradise in The Guide to Scuba Diving in Fiji.

Location: Toberua Island Resort – Toberua Island, southern Lomaiviti Islands. Wakaya Club & Spa – Wakaya Island, off the east coast of Ovalau Island. Nai’a – Departs from Lautoka Wharf, Lautoka, west coast of Viti Levu.

20 BEST Things to Do in Levuka & the Lomaiviti Islands ⛪ [2025]

5. Meet the Farm Animals and Slide Down the Natural Waterslides at Bobo’s Farm

Bobo’s Farm, located on the north coast of Ovalau between the villages of Rukuruku and Taviya, not only does budget-friendly accommodation (see the 10 Best Budget Accommodations in Levuka & the Lomaiviti Islands), but the farm is also open for day trips. Visit the farm and the friendly Bobo for a tour of the farm, along with the dogs, cats, pigs and cows, as well as a short walk through the rainforest to a natural waterslide. It’s a great option if you’re travelling with kids. See the 10 Things To Do in the Lomaiviti Islands with Kids for more suggestions.

Location: Bobo’s Farm – Ovalau Road, Rukuruku, northwest coast of Ovalau Island.

6. Kayak Through Mangroves, Over Coral Reefs or in an Outrigger Canoe

Another great option for all ages, explore the azure waters of the Lomaivitis by paddling out in a kayak or stand-up paddleboard. For a bit of structure, the kayak route through the mangroves from the Kauwai Retreat on Ovalau is a fun option or you can enjoy half-day paddles through mangrove forests, to Lando Rock, Nukuvula Sandbank, Lando Yalewa (Pirate Island) and over to Moturiki Island. For something a little different, paddle out on one of Leleuvia Island Resort‘s outrigger canoes – the real Pacific Island way! Finally, on the subject of kayaking, Old Captial Inn provides kayak and canoe hire in Levuka, as well as guided tours (see above). The serenity of this activity also makes it one of the 5 Romantic Activities in the Lomaiviti Islands.

Location: The Baystay – Ovalau Road, Rukuruku, northwest coast of Ovalau Island. Leleuvia Island Resort – Leleuvia Island, off the south coast of Ovalau and Moturiki Islands. Kauwai Retreat – Ovalau Road, Wainaloka, south coast of Ovalau. Old Capital Inn – Beach Street, Levuka, east coast of Ovalau Island.

7. Drink Kava with the Locals

It’s likely that you will have heard about Fiji’s national drink “Kava” or “Yaqona”. This narcotic drink made with ground-up yaqona roots is used during welcoming ceremonies for new village visitors – known as kava ceremonies. This is how most tourists will experience kava in Fiji, but on the Lomaiviti Islands, you’ll get to experience the drink as the locals do – drinking casually while socialising. For instance, Leleuvia Island Resort does a weekly lovo and kava night where kava will be prepared for guests to enjoy throughout the night. At The Baystay on Ovalau, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to join your hosts and other locals for Kava nights if you wish to. See more foodie experiences like this in the 10 Best Things to Do in the Lomaiviti Islands for Foodies.

Location: Leleuvia Island Resort – Leleuvia Island, off the south coast of Ovalau and Moturiki Islands. The Baystay – Ovalau Road, Rukuruku, northwest coast of Ovalau Island.

8. Indulge in a Spa Treatment

While the beauty of the Lomaiviti Islands and the balmy ocean breeze is relaxing enough, enhancing your state of mind with a spa treatment is sure to take you to another level. Indulge in a range of treatments combined with Pure Fiji products at the Wakaya Spa on Wakaya Island or in the massage bures (Fijian bungalow) of Toberua Island Resort and Leleuvia Island Resort. You can also work on your wellness at one of the regular yoga retreats on Toberua Island. For more activities like this, see the 8 Luxury Activities in the Lomaiviti Islands.

Location: Toberua Island Resort – Toberua Island, southern Lomaiviti Islands. Wakaya Club & Spa – Wakaya Island, off the east coast of Ovalau Island. Leleuvia Island Resort – Leleuvia Island, off the south coast of Ovalau and Moturiki Islands.

9. Fish for Some of the World’s Most Exciting Game Species

Fishing is a way of life in Fiji, and you’ll notice that most of the Fijian dishes incorporate seafood, often marinated in coconut milk. An exciting part of preparing Fijian food is going out and catching your own fish. Make it an easy-going trip for small reef fish with Bobo’s Farm and Kauwai Retreat. Alternatively, amp up the experience by targeting large game fish like mahimahi, giant trevally, yellowfin tuna and much more on a sports fishing charter available with Toberua Island Resort or Wakaya Club & Spa.

Location: Bobo’s Farm – Ovalau Road, Rukuruku, northwest coast of Ovalau Island. Kauwai Retreat – Ovalau Road, Wainaloka, south coast of Ovalau. Toberua Island Resort – Toberua Island, southern Lomaiviti Islands. Wakaya Club & Spa – Wakaya Island, off the east coast of Ovalau Island.

10. Play Golf or Tennis at a Private Island Resort

Even on a secluded island in the South Pacific, you can find modern joys in life like golf courses only accessible at low tide and tennis courts… At Toberua Island Resort, the 9-hole golf course offers fun challenges, including a hole that is only playable at low tide. The golf course on Wakaya Island is also a 9-hole course meandering through a colonial coconut plantation. In addition, Wakaya Club & Spa also has a fully lite tennis court for guests to take advantage of. For more about these high-end resort options, check out the 5 Best Resorts in the Lomaiviti Islands.

Location: Toberua Island Resort – Toberua Island, southern Lomaiviti Islands. Wakaya Club & Spa – Wakaya Island, off the east coast of Ovalau Island.

11. Visit Naigani or Nukulevu Islands

About 10 km (6 mi) off the north coast of Ovalau, Naigani Island is a fascinating place to visit. During the reign of Cakabau, Naigani’s villagers were aligned with his enemy, Verata, where a famous invasion of the island in 1860 left all but two villagers dead (and taken to Bau to be eaten). Today, the island has a small population living in villages, some of which are the descendants of the survivors. You may be able to tour the original village on the northernmost peak of the island as well as an old hillfort. Bobo’s Farm offers a boat trip to the island, which needs a minimum of two people to run.

Alternatively, Old Capitol Inn in Levuka offers a private island getaway at Nukulevu Island. With a minimum stay of three nights and a group of four people, guests can enjoy bungalow or tent accommodation, three meals, and non-motorised watersports, providing an excellent island experience! The package includes transport from Natovi Landing on Ovalau to Nukulevu.

Location: Transport to these islands is provided from Bobo’s Farm – Ovalau Road, Rukuruku, northwest coast of Ovalau Island, and Old Capitol Inn – Beach Street, Levuka, east coast of Ovalau Island.

must dos lomaiviti islands-Credit-Airbnb

12. Take Part in a Turtle Calling Ritual

Culture and nature come together in this unique activity that is only available in Kadavu and the Lomaiviti Islands. Local guides and resorts will organise a visit to the Nacamaki Village on Koro Island. Not only is the volcanic island of Koro a stunning sight to see, but calling the ancestral gods of the local village people is an experience like no other.

Location: Nacamaki Village, Koro Island, northeastern region of the Lomaiviti Islands.

13. Marvel at Gun Rock

Another historical site, mixed with some incredible scenery, is Gun Rock, near Levuka. Head north of the town, where you will eventually reach Niukaubi Hill. This small bluff is where the Supreme Court and parliament were located when Levuka was Fiji’s capital. Now stands a war memorial. Continue 300 m (984 ft) over the hill, and you will enter Levuka Village, which is backed by a large rockface known as Gun Rock. The rock is named after being used as a target to fire cannons during the colonial era to intimidate the islands’ chief and Cakobau. Learn more about the context of Cakobau’s chiefly reign in A Brief History of Fiji.

Location: Start from Niukaubi Hill, northern end of Levuka, east coast of Ovalau.

10 Things to Do in the Lomaiviti Islands

14. Check Out the Levuka Museum and Community Centre

Step back in time at the fascinating Levuka Museum and Community Centre, housed in the old Morris Hedstrom & Co storehouse. This historic building, donated to the National Trust of Fiji in 1980, offers a captivating glimpse into Levuka’s colourful past. Open six days a week, the museum chronicles the earliest European settlers in the Lomaiviti Group, showcasing artefacts that paint a vivid picture of the South Pacific’s most intriguing characters. History buffs will love exploring the public library and perusing the exhibits. For a more immersive experience, book a private museum tour or join a guided trek through the community centre of Levuka and Lovoni village (see above). Don’t miss the chance to pick up unique souvenirs at the on-site crafts centre, where you’ll find handmade treasures from the island’s talented artisans. And for more cultural experiences, check out our list of the 5 Best Museums in Fiji.

Location: Beach Street, Levuka, east coast of Ovalau, Lomaiviti Islands. [Update: Double-check that the Levuka Museum has reopened before making plans to visit].

15. Do Some Night Snorkelling

Sure, you can snorkel almost anywhere in Fiji, but there are not many places where night snorkelling is an option! Those who jump into the water after dark get to see a unique array of marine life that becomes more active after dark, such as hammerhead sharks and lionfish alongside beautiful coral. Liveaboard boats are your best option for doing this activity, such as with Nai’a, which visits the Lomaiviti Islands regularly. Find out more in the 5 Best Liveaboards in Fiji.

Location: Nai’a departs from Lautoka Wharf, Lautoka, west coast of Viti Levu.

16. Experience Culture and History at Moturiki Island

Not only is Moturiki Island home to 10 different villages where you’ll get to see the lives of day-to-day Fijians in action, but the island also holds the site of one of the earliest Lapita settlements. Lapita was a civilisation of people living in the South Pacific during prehistoric times. In fact, there is also a site on the island where the oldest skeleton in Fiji was found, dating back 3,000 years! There are many fascinating stories from this island, and a village visit there will definitely be one to remember. Speaking of remembering, remember to abide by the Fiji village rules, which you can learn more about in our Guide to Fiji Village Etiquette.

Location: Moturiki Island, just off the south coast of Ovalau Island. Enquire about visits to Moturiki Island with your Ovalau or Leleuvia accommodation.

17. Visit Makogai’s Leper Colony and Giant Clam Nursery

Makogai Island offers an intriguing mix of history and conservation efforts. Join a village tour where a local guide will share the island’s fascinating past before leading you on a short walk through well-maintained trails to the Historical Leper Building site and the island graveyard. Makogai is also renowned for its marine conservation initiatives, particularly its breeding and cultivation of giant clams. Although the facility wasn’t operational during our last visit, you can still snorkel with these magnificent creatures just off the beach. It’s a unique experience that combines cultural insights with natural wonders.

Location: Makogai Island, the northern region of the Lomaiviti Islands. Makogai is very remote and difficult to get to but yachties are welcome to anchor – see the Lomaiviti & Levuka Transport Guide.

18. Snorkel, Stargaze and Experience Village Life at Koro Island

With an airstrip and frequent cargo ferries, Koro Island is a little easier to visit, but only those who are adventurous enough take the island up on the offer. The result is untouched coral walls and bommies among the sheltered waters of Dere Bay, which are well worth stopping by for yachties. Alternatively, those who arrange a homestay on Koro Island will experience unparalleled hospitality from the island’s villagers. Not to mention, the stargazing from this remote island is out of this world – see the 5 Best Places for Stargazing in Fiji.

Location: Koro Island, the northeastern region of the Lomaiviti Islands. See the Lomaiviti & Levuka Transport Guide for ways to get there.

19. Relax on the Beach

This might not be the most unique activity you can do in the Lomaiviti Islands (or the whole of Fiji, for that matter), but that doesn’t mean it’s not a great thing to do! The Lomaiviti Islands are scattered with white sandy beaches that are ideal for long walks or just plain old relaxing. Many of the Lomaiviti Island resorts have their own beaches where you’ll be able to kick back with a cocktail, soak in the sun and experience “Fiji time“.

Location: All over the Lomaiviti Islands!

20. Do Some Bird Watching

On islands full of lush native forest, the Lomaiviti Islands are a great place to watch birds found nowhere else in the world. With so few people around, the birds are active and plentiful, from the super colourful parrots and doves found in the forest to seabirds gliding across the ocean. Keen twitchers should definitely add Gau Island to their itinerary, which is one of only two bird sanctuaries in Fiji. Find out more in the 10 Best Places to See Birds in Fiji.

Location: Gau Island, the eastern region of the Lomaiviti Islands.

More About Things to Do in Levuka and the Lomaiviti Islands

That’s it for our guide to the Lomaiviti Islands; for more information about this beautiful archipelago, check out the following articles:

Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in The Complete Guide to the Lomaiviti Islands.

Sources:

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across Fiji and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

Tourism Fiji (General travel advice - Updated [2025])
Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association (Tourism trade association - Updated [2025])
SPTO (Pacific tourism advice - Updated [2025])
Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (Tourism statistics - Updated [2025])
Fiji Immigration (Visa and immigration advice - Updated [2025])
Fiji Revenue & Customs Service (Customs and visitor taxes - Updated [2025])
Biosecurity Authority of Fiji (Biosecurity advice - Updated [2025])
Fiji Meteorological Service (Weather forecast and warnings - Updated [2025])
Fiji Bureau of Statistics (Statistics and travel data - Updated [2025])
Land Transport Authority (Road safety advice - Updated [2025])
Safe Travel (New Zealand travel advisory for Fiji - Updated [2025])
Smart Traveller (Australia travel advisory for Fiji - Updated [2025])
Travel.State.Gov (U.S. travel advisory for Fiji - Updated [2025])
Levuka Tourism Association (Regional tourism website)

Our editorial standards: At Fiji Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

About The Author

Robin (Ruveni) C.

This article was reviewed and published by Robin, the co-founder of Fiji Pocket Guide. He has lived, worked and travelled across 16 different countries before settling in the South Pacific, so he knows a thing or two about planning the perfect trip in this corner of the world. Robin is also the co-founder of several other South Pacific travel guides and is a regular host of webinars with the South Pacific Tourism Organisation.

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