What You Can Do for Free (or Cheap) on Kadavu?
Let’s be honest, we don’t all have the budget to scuba dive in Kadavu’s Great Astrolabe Reef or go on a sports fishing charter every day. How else can you fill your time on the island of Kadavu without breaking the bank? We’ll go through our top recommendations for free and cheap things to do on Kadavu!
While you’re here, you might also be interested in The Budget & Backpacking Guide to Kadavu.
Table of Contents
1. Snorkel Off the Beach or at the Great Astrolabe Reef – FREE/CHEAP
Stay at any one of the resorts on Kadavu and you’ll have complimentary access to non-motorised watersports equipment, including snorkelling gear. The best time for snorkelling off the coast of Kadavu is in the morning when the sea conditions are usually at their calmest. The best resorts for snorkelling off the beach include Oneta Resort and Kokomo Private Island Resort. Boat trips to the outer reefs, especially the famous Great Astrolabe Reef, are always worth paying a little extra, for instance, it’s typically around FJ$70 per person to join a dive trip. There are some exceptional boat excursions for snorkelling from Matava Eco Adventure Resort and Tamarillo Kayak Tours. Manta ray snorkelling is also available from the Ono Island resorts between June and October.
Location: All over Kadavu. See the description above for recommendations.
© FijiPocketGuide.com2. Browse the Vunisea Market – FREE
For a taste of local life and budget-friendly shopping on Kadavu, head to the bustling Vunisea Market. This vibrant marketplace is the heart of commerce on the island, offering a fantastic opportunity to mingle with locals and sample authentic Fijian produce without breaking the bank. Outside, you’ll find an array of colourful stalls selling fresh fruits, vegetables, and other local goods. Inside the market building, sample home-cooked Fijian meals prepared by friendly locals at wallet-friendly prices. What’s more, the market is also a treasure trove of affordable handmade crafts. Keep an eye out for intricate woven baskets, colourful sarongs, and unique shell jewellery. These locally-made items not only make for great mementos but also support the island’s artisans.
Location: Vunisea waterfront main road, Vunisea. Carrier drivers and locals can direct you if needed.
© FijiPocketGuide.com3. Kayak From Your Resort – FREE
Another non-motorised watersport that’s free for resort guests is kayaking. Matava Eco Adventure Resort is an excellent resort for paddling to secluded beaches and islands. Explore the mangrove forest at Oneta Resort at high tide. Finally, other resorts have some excellent nearby bays to discover. Kayaking day trips are also inexpensive, for instance, kayaking to the Yabu Island Bird Rookery off Ono Island with Oneta Resort or for a private island beach day is affordable enough.
Location: Resorts with kayaks include Matava Eco Adventure Resort, Oneta Resort, Papageno Resort and Kokomo Private Island.
© FijiPocketGuide.com4. Witness a Turtle Calling Ceremony or Walk to a Waterfall from Namuana Village – FREE/CHEAP
Kadavu’s villages have their own distinct cultures, especially in the village of Namuana near Vunisea. The village on the edge of the pretty Namalata Bay performs an occasional turtle calling ceremony. It’s said that two maidens are lost at sea and are only summoned to the surface if the local women chant. If you don’t manage to see a turtle calling ceremony, then at least you can walk a 20-minute trail to the top of a hill behind the village offering amazing vistas before continuing to Waikana Falls. See more village excursions in The Best Day Trips on Kadavu.
Location: Namuana Village, near Vunisea, Kadavu. Located on the eastern coast of Kadavu Island.
© Captain Cook Cruises5. Hike From Papageno Resort – FREE
Kadavu is full of hiking trails, as they often are the only way to get from village to village on land. One of the longest and most popular trails is the 10 km (6 mi) mission from Papageno Resort to the now-closed Matana Beach Resort. After following the trail along the northern coastline past Naivakarauniniu Village, you’ll reach the stunning cove of One Mile Beach. Who said you couldn’t do a bit of island backpacking in Fiji?
Location: Papageno Resort, Naivakarauniniu.
© photoeverywhere.co.uk6. Spend Some Time Birdwatching – FREE
Watching the colourful array of island birds is just another free activity here on Kadavu where some bird species are only found in this part of Fiji. Keep an eye out for the Kadavu fantail, Kadavu honeyeater, velvet dove and our favourite, the Kadavu shining parrot! On top of that, it’s possible to see an array of bird species found in Fiji, from the Fiji goshawk to the collared lory. While most resorts will be able to point you in the right direction for the best birdwatching in the area, the Matava Eco Adventure Resort is blessed with birds living grounds of the resorts.
Location: Throughout Kadavu Island, Kadavu. The best spots are often near resorts such as Matava Eco Adventure Resort.
© FijiPocketGuide.com7. Indulge in Authentic Fijian Food – FREE/CHEAP
When staying in Kadavu, the food provided by your resort will almost always be your only choice of meals. Nevertheless, mealtimes are often a highlight of each day where meals at budget resorts are shared “family style” usually at a long table with other guests. Food is typically Fijian with tropical root crops like taro, hearty fruit like breadfruit, and fresh catches of the day! Homestays are more authentic, often sharing meals with the family while sitting on the floor! Check out 20 Unique Foods in Fiji You Have to Try.
Location: All over Kadavu.
© FijiPocketGuide.com8. Hike to Kadavu’s Waterfalls – FREE/CHEAP
Kadavu boasts an impressive array of waterfalls, with one of the most spectacular being the 20 m-high (66 ft) cascade tumbling down a volcanic cliff behind Kadavu village. Many resorts offer waterfall walks, with Papageno Resort having a waterfall just a short stroll away. Don’t fret if you’re staying elsewhere; Kokomo Island and Oneta Resort on Ono Island provide boat trips through mangroves followed by a rainforest trek to breathtaking waterfalls on Kadavu. These excursions typically cost around FJ$70-$100 per person. For a more accessible option, consider the Kadavu Coral Waterfall with Matava Eco Adventure Resort, a stunning natural feature reached by a 40-minute walk. Check out more of Kadavu’s walks in the 9 Best Walks on Kadavu.
Location: Kadavu Island, Kadavu. Accessible via a moderate hiking trail from various points on the island.
© FijiPocketGuide.com9. Play Beach Volleyball – FREE
Relax with your travel buddies at the end of the day with some island sports. Beach volleyball is popular at the Kadavu resorts, especially at Papageno Resort and Kokomo Island. The latter also has a basketball and tennis court for guests to use at their leisure. Table tennis can also be found in Papageno resorts.
Location: Various resorts on Kadavu Island, Kadavu. Specific locations include Papageno Resort and Kokomo Private Island Fiji.
© FijiPocketGuide.com10. Drink Kava and Watch a Meke – FREE/CHEAP
The culture of Kadavu is extremely accessible, where being invited to drink kava is a common occurrence. If you’re not doing a homestay where drinking kava is a given, you’ll certainly get the opportunity to sample kava with a kava ceremony at Matava Eco Adventure Resort and more. Matava also organises with the local village to have traditional meke dance performances for guests on request, which helps support community development projects in the village.
Location: Various locations across Kadavu Island, Kadavu. Matava Eco Adventure Resort is located on the south coast of Kadavu Island.
© FijiPocketGuide.com11. Do Some Fijian Crafting – FREE/CHEAP
Finally, another way to immerse in the local culture, free of charge, is with a Fijian crafting lesson. Cultural lessons are part of the activity itinerary at some resorts, while villagers on Ono Island teach Oneta Resort guests how to weave Fijian mats and baskets. Papageno Resort also organises an affordable village visit to Daku Village where you’ll try your hand in traditional tapa making and Fijian mat weaving. See 10 Best Ways to Experience the Fijian Culture for more inspiration.
Location: Various locations across Kadavu, including Daku Village.
© photoeverywhere.co.ukMore Free and Cheap Things to Do in Kadavu
That’s it for the free and cheap things to do on Kadavu. For more information about Kadavu, check out:
Don’t forget to bookmark The Complete Budget & Backpacking Guide to Fiji. Trust us, there’s a lot of useful tips in there!
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])
- 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 Bureau of Statistics (Statistics and travel data - Updated [2025])
- Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (Tourism statistics - 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])
- Fiji Meteorological Service (Weather forecast and warnings - Updated [2025])
Our editorial standards: At Fiji Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.
