The Best Family Activities on Kadavu
Kadavu is an island that always surprises families. As one of Fiji’s isolated outer islands, it’s a common misconception that Kadavu does not have much to offer families. Thanks to some fantastic family resorts on Kadavu, there are ways to keep the whole family entertained during your entire getaway. We’re positive that you’ll find something for your family on this list of things to do in Kadavu with kids, whether your kids are into wildlife, watersports, culture or discovering something new…
Plus, for more advice, see The Family Guide to Kadavu and The Best Day Trips on Kadavu.
Table of Contents
1. Discover the Island Culture Through Fijian Arts and Crafts
With approximately 75 coastal villages, Kadavu’s culture is extremely accessible. One of the best ways to get kids immersed in the Fijian way of life is with hands-on experiences like arts and crafts sessions. Learn how to weave a Fijian mat or basket or crack open a coconut at Oneta Resort, make your own jewellery or learn how to tie a sulu (sarong) in many ways at Kokomo Private Island, or learn traditional tapa making on one of the many village visits available from the Papageno Resort.
Location: Oneta Resort, Kokomo Private Island and Papageno Resort.
© FijiPocketGuide.com2. Walk to One of Kadavu’s Exciting Waterfalls
With volcanic islands topped with lush rainforests, Kadavu has no lack of picturesque waterfalls to discover. Some resorts have at least one waterfall a short walk away, whether it’s the Papageno Resort‘s 3.5 km (2 mi) walk to Malawai Falls or the short guided hike to a waterfall from the now-closed Waisalima Beach Resort. Other resorts offer boat trips to some of Kadavu’s most impressive waterfalls, such as Oneta Resort‘s and Tiliva Resort‘s boat trips through mangrove forests to a 9 m (30 ft) waterfall tumbling off a volcanic ridge. Oh yes, and Matava Eco Adventure Resort also has an exciting 45-minute walk to a nearby waterfall suitable for older kids. The waterfall walks on Kadavu are suitable for all ages but require moderate fitness.
Location: Matava Eco Adventure Resort, Tiliva Resort and Papageno Resort.
© FijiPocketGuide.com3. Snorkel at the Great Astrolabe Reef
With the famous Great Astrolabe Reef fringing some 65 km (40 mi) along Kadavu and Ono Island, the snorkelling here is simply breathtaking. While scuba diving in Kadavu is the most-raved about activity, snorkelling can be just as amazing while being the most accessible option for kids who know how to swim. Most resort stays include free use of snorkel gear, where good snorkelling is available just off the beach or a short paddle away by kayak, especially at Matava, Oneta and Kokomo Island. However, it’s always worth taking a boat trip (which usually only takes about 10 minutes) out to the best snorkelling spots. For instance, Matava offers 3-hour trips to a range of calm coral gardens and adventurous sites with reef sharks, barracuda, surgeonfish and more. Between June and October are the best times to snorkel with manta rays!
Location: Oneta Resort, Kokomo Private Island and Matava Eco Adventure Resort.
© FijiPocketGuide.com4. Blast Across the Waters in a Banana Boat or Biscuit
The resort with the most complete offering for kids is the luxury Kokomo Private Island offers complimentary towable watersports. The fun adventures on the sea include towable watersports like banana boats and biscuit rides. Kids also love the resort’s sea trampoline and seeing the underwater world with their glass-bottom boat.
Location: Kokomo Private Island.
© Bernard Spragg. NZ on Flickr5. Enjoy a Family Game of Tennis, Basketball and More
While by no means the main reason to go to Kadavu, the island sports available in some of the resorts are always a welcome addition to a family holiday. Playing basketball or tennis at the courts on Kokomo Island is a great way for the family to bond over some healthy competition, but it’s best to wait until the cooler hours as the sun goes down. Papageno Resort also has a good selection of sports equipment, including equipment for volleyball, badminton, rugby, soccer, table tennis and more. Finally, some resorts have table tennis tables.
Location: Kokomo Private Island and Papageno Resort.
© Fort George G. Meade Public Affairs Office on Flickr6. Paddle Out as a Family in a Kayak
Glide across the clear waters watching the marine life beneath you and your loved ones in a kayak in Kadavu. What’s more, kayaks are free for guests to use at most resorts. A great resort for kayaking includes Matava Eco Adventure Resort for paddling to the beach of a tiny island just in front of the resort. Oneta Resort has a fun mangrove forest to explore at high tide. Finally, kayaking day trips and multi-day trips with Tamarillo Active Travel are ideal for older kids and teens – find out more about kayaking tours in our 20 Things to Do on Kadavu.
Location: Matava Eco Adventure Resort, Oneta Resort and Tamarillo Active Travel (available for transfers from Matava, Papageno and Oneta).
© FijiPocketGuide.com7. Teach the Youngsters How to Fish
Fishing is a way of life in Fiji so you’ll struggle to find a resort that doesn’t offer fishing charters… But we’ll go through a few anyway. Get among the Great Astrolabe Reef with an expert guide and top fishing gear at Oneta Resort. While Kokomo Private Island offers four types of fishing, their reef fishing experience is the better option to let the kids have a go at catching their own dinner. They could even try the traditional method of handline fishing!
Location: Oneta Resort and Kokomo Private Island.
© FijiPocketGuide.com8. Introduce the Little Ones to Scuba Diving
If you’ve got an adventurous child who you want to take scuba diving in the future, then a great way to introduce them to the sport is through a Bubblemaker course. This PADI course, specially designed for 8-13-year-olds, gets them into the pool and blowing bubbles while kitted up in all of the gear. At the end of their session, they’ll be rewarded with a Bubblemaker certificate, a towel, a temporary tattoo, a sticker and a pool toy (if the resort follows the usual PADI protocol)! This course is available at Kokomo Private Island and Papageno Resort.
Location: Kokomo Private Island and Papageno Resort.
© FijiPocketGuide.com9. Look Out for Fiji’s Rarest Birds
Ok, so this isn’t an activity for all children, as noisy kids don’t make the best birdwatching companions, but if you’ve got a kid who loves wildlife then don’t miss the awesome opportunity to see some of Fiji’s most fascinating birds. Watch colourful birds on the grounds of Matava Eco Adventure Resort, where you’re likely to see birds only found on Kadavu, such as the velvet dove, Kadavu fantail, Kadavu honeyeater and the Kadavu parrot. Learn more about these species in A Traveller’s Guide to Wildlife in Fiji.
Location: Matava Eco Adventure Lodge.
© FijiPocketGuide.com10. Make Use of One of the Babysitting Services or Kids’ Club
Finally, make sure you have some time to hit the activities on your Kadavu bucket list, whether it’s scuba diving in the Great Astrolabe Reef or indulging in a spa treatment! (See our 20 Best Things to Do on Kadavu for inspiration). Kadavu has only one formal kids’ club at the luxury Kokomo Private Island, while the rest of the family resorts on Kadavu offer babysitting or nanny services including Oneta Resort, Matava Eco Adventure Resort and Kokomo Island. Find out more information in The Family Guide to Kadavu.
Location: Oneta Resort, Matava Eco Adventure Resort and Kokomo Island.
© Mark Snyder - Tourism FijiMore Things to Do in Kadavu with Kids
That’s it from the things to do on Kadavu with kids. For more ways to curate the ultimate family getaway, check out the following:
- 20 Things to Do in Kadavu
- Kadavu Transport Guide: 7 Ways to Get (& Around) Kadavu
- 10 Facts You Need to Know About Visiting Kadavu Before You Go
Get even more tips in The Complete Travel Guide to Fiji for Families. Plus, discover more remarkable places to stay in the 20 Best Family Resorts in Fiji.
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])
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