10 Best Things to Do on Taveuni with Kids

1. Snorkel the Rainbow Reef or Waitabu Marine Reserve

While scuba diving is a popular sport on Taveuni, often the better (and cheaper) option for families is snorkelling. As long as your children can swim and/or you have buoyancy aids for them, snorkelling is a family must-do on Taveuni. Snorkel above the vibrant corals of the Rainbow Reef with Taveuni Dive through Aroha Taveuni or enjoy the house reef of Paradise Taveuni. There are also several fantastic snorkelling spots off Qamea Island, which can be organised through Maqai Beach Eco Resort. The Boat Snorkel Tours with Makaira Beach Resort only need a minimum of four tour-goers for the tour to run, making it ideal for a family trip! Otherwise, they offer free guided snorkelling tours just off the shore of the resort. For those visiting the Bouma National Heritage Park, affordable guided snorkelling can be organised at the Waitabu Marine Park Visitor Centre. For more snorkelling advice, check out The Ultimate Guide to Snorkelling in Fiji.

Location: Waitabu Marine Park, northern Bouma National Heritage Park, east coast of Taveuni. Or, snorkel from any of the 10 Best Family Resorts on Taveuni.

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2. See What a Fijian School is Like on a Village Tour

Often, one of the most memorable aspects of a Taveuni vacation for the kids is discovering the Fijian culture. The culture is extremely accessible from any accommodation on Taveuni, whether it’s a village tour through a resort or even a resort run by local villagers! Some resorts offer tours to Kocoma Village, where you’ll see traditional buildings, get stuck into Fijian crafting and weaving, eat lunch with the villagers, and enjoy Fijian music. At Maqai Beach Resort, the staff will give your family a down-to-earth tour of their own village, either Naivivi or Nadillo, where kids can meet other kids at a Fijian school or enjoy a game of volleyball with older kids.

Although not necessarily visiting a school, the Vuna Village Experience offered by Paradise Taveuni gives you the opportunity to see traditional Fijian homes, participate in a welcoming ceremony, and possibly watch or join in traditional Fijian dancing and music. The tour also often includes a visit to the nearby Southern Blowhole, a natural attraction offering stunning coastal views. Finally, you’ll also get to live and breathe the culture at Fijian budget accommodations like Vuna Lagoon Lodge and Bibi’s Hideaway.

Location: Maqai Resort – Qamea Island, off the east coast of Taveuni. Paradise Taveuni – Vuna, southwest coast of Taveuni. See more examples in the 10 Best Village Tours in Fiji.

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3. Catch Dinner on a Fijian Fishing Trip

Fishing might be the most cliché family activity ever, but it’s for good reason: fishing is an amazing bonding experience. Amp up the excitement of fishing with a fishing trip in Taveuni, where the waters are teeming with 1,200 species of reef fish. At many resorts, the teams organise half-day fishing trips to hotspots around Qamea Island, where your family can catch dinner for the resort chefs to cook up. Experience a family-friendly Fijian method of fishing with handline fishing at Tides Reach Resort. Or, if Mum and Dad want a challenge, try trawling for wahoo, dogfish tuna, mahimahi, and more at Maqai Eco Resort.

Location: All over Taveuni. Tides Reach – Matei, north coast of Taveuni. Maqai Resort – Qamea Island, off the east coast of Taveuni. Otherwise, see the 10 Best Fishing Resorts in Fiji for more Taveuni ideas.

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4. Walk and Play in the Bouma (Tavoro) Falls

While there are plenty of hiking opportunities on Taveuni, one of the best options for families is the Tavoro Waterfall Trail (otherwise known as Bouma Falls) in the Bouma National Heritage Park. This self-guided trail, with a small entry fee paid to the Tavoro Visitor Centre in Bouma Village, takes you to three different waterfalls, with the first one only being a 10-minute walk away. The second waterfall is another 45 minutes, and the third is a slightly more demanding additional 30-minute hike worth trying with older kids (although it can be slippery after rainfall). While it’s possible to visit the falls independently by bus or car, trips are also organised to the falls by any family resort on Taveuni.

Location: Bouma Village, Bouma National Heritage Park. On the east coast road.

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5. Go Horse Riding Along the Beach or a Volcanic Crater

Taveuni is one of the few places in Fiji where horse riding is readily available. It’s perfect for kids who love animals, and it gives them the opportunity to explore Taveuni further. Tides Reach Resort organises horse riding on the beaches and around Taveuni with local operators. Half- or full-day treks are available with Aroha Taveuni to ride to inland volcanic craters or along the shores. Be sure to inquire about horses suitable for children when booking.

Location: Aroha – Wairiki, west coast of Taveuni. Tides Reach – Matei, north coast of Taveuni. See the 10 Best Horse Riding Tours in Fiji for more ideas.

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6. Explore the Bays by Kayak

For something to enjoy independently as a family, try kayaking on the azure waters of Taveuni. Complimentary kayak hire is a staple of most resorts on Taveuni and its off-shore islands, for instance, at Paradise Taveuni, where pods of dolphins are regular visitors.

Location: Any of the coastal resorts listed in the 20 Best Resorts on Taveuni. Paradise Taveuni – Vuna, southwest coast of Taveuni.

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7. Get a Photo with One Foot in Today and the Other in Yesterday

For a quick sightseeing activity, check out Taveuni’s quirkiest attraction, The 180 Degree Meridian, otherwise known as the International Date Line. The line of longitude passes right through here on Taveuni, which marks the beginning and end of each day. Of course, for convenience, Taveuni shares the same time zone as the rest of Fiji. An interpretation panel and a marking on the floor make a fun photo opportunity where you can have one foot in today and the other in yesterday. Learn more about the sights to see around Taveuni with our 20 Things to Do in Taveuni.

Location: Along the road from Waiyevo leading to the police station. Tours are also available from any resort on Taveuni.

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8. Have a Go on the Waitavala Sliding Rocks

One of the west coast’s most popular attractions on Taveuni is the Waitavala Sliding Rocks. This 200 m (656 ft) long waterslide chutes you over rapids into a narrow stream at the bottom. Needless to say, it’s super fun for kids and adults alike, but make sure that the slide is safe before you go shooting down it, as the currents at the bottom can be strong after heavy rain. Check if the locals are using the slide or seek advice from one of the nearby resorts, such as Aroha Taveuni. Remember to take insect repellent.

Location: Just south of Vuniotu. From the Garden Island Resort, walk five minutes north to a dirt road beside a bus shelter. Walk up this dirt road for about 20 minutes, turning left just past the sign for the prison. Then, you’ll notice a worn trail (and a sign) on your right leading up to the waterfall.

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9. Enjoy an Educational Visit to Bobby’s Farm

Also known as Bobby’s Farm, Na Bogi Ono Farms provides an educational tour around a 100-acre (40 ha) fruit farm/ecological reserve. It’s one of the most accessible places on the island for bird-spotting and the only place outside of Bouma National Heritage Park where native rainforest (almost) reaches the coast. Learn about Fijian organic farming, medicinal plants, tropical plants and birds on this interactive nature tour. Learn more about it in the 10 Best Foodie Experiences on Taveuni.

Location: Southwest coast of Taveuni.

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10. Leave Your Kids in the Capable Hands of the Resort Nanny

Ok, so this might be more for you than it is for your kids, but kids often have a blast with the friendly Fijian nannies of Taveuni’s resorts. Take advantage of the free nanny service available at Paradise Taveuni should you want to take that scuba diving trip or spa treatment you’ve always dreamed of. At the five-star Taveuni Palms Resort, free nanny services for children under 5 years and children’s guides (5-12 years) are available. Finally, Tides Reach Resort and Aroha Taveuni also offer a nanny service.

Location: Taveuni Palms & Tides Reach – Matei, north coast of Taveuni. Aroha – Wairiki, west coast of Taveuni.

© Chris McLennan - Tourism Fiji