13 Survivor Locations in Fiji You Can’t Miss!

1. Macuata (Vanua Levu)

Survivor US’s long relationship with Fiji starts right here in Macuata, the northern region of Vanua Levu. Vanua Levu is Fiji’s second-largest island, lying north of Viti Levu (main island), and was one of the first Fiji locations used for Season 14, known simply as Survivor: Fiji. The region of Macuata encompasses stunning islands, such as Nadogo Island, Talailau Island, and Mali Island, as well as many Fijian villages, and the main town of the region is called Labasa. Find out more about exploring this exciting province yourself in our Complete Guide to Vanua Levu.

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2. Amanuka Islands (Mamanuca Islands)

Ideally situated off the main island of Viti Levu, you can definitely see why the team at Survivor US chose to film their last 10+ seasons on the paradise islands of the Mamanucas. Easy to get to and dotted with more than 20 islands, the Mamanuca Islands is the envision of everything we think about Survivor in Fiji: volcanic islands topped with lush rainforest, white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters with coral reefs… More specifically, the islands chosen for filming are a group of islands called the Amanuka Islands, which are accessible on guided tours with Vuda Water Taxi & Island Hopping Fiji – see The Best Snorkelling in Fiji: 20 Places to Snorkel for more information. The islands include:

3. Tavua Island
4. Yanuya Island
5. Monu Island
6. Monuriki Island
7. Mana Island Sandbank 
8. Mana Island 

The Mamanuca Islands is the most-used island group for filming in the show’s nearly 40-year history. Find out more in our Complete Guide to the Mamanuca Islands.

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9. Mana Island (Mamanuca Islands)

On the subject of the Mamanuca Islands, the easiest Survivor US filming location to access (apart from during the filming season between April and July) is the Survivor Challenge Areas on Mana Island. Located at the eastern end of Mana Island, the Survivor Challenge Areas and Tribal Council are fun spots for any Survivor geeks to visit. Moreover, you can even stay in the island resort that the cast (or at least some of the cast) and crew use, the Mana Island Resort, which offers free guided buggy tours of the Survivor locations. However, if the upmarket resort is beyond your budget, there are other accommodations on the island, including the Tadrai Resort, Ratu Kini Backpackers and Mana Lagoon Backpackers.

The island is accessible by staying at any one of the resorts listed above, as well as on a Mana Island day trip with South Sea Cruises from Port Deanrau, or a more comprehensive Survivor island tour is available from the Vuda Marina with Vuda Water Taxi & Island Hopping Fiji.

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10. Taveuni

Also featured in the first season of Survivor US filmed in Fiji, Survivor: Fiji, is the island Taveuni. Dubbed Fiji’s “Garden Island”, Taveuni is a relatively short boat journey from Vanua Levu. The exact beach used for filming is located on the east coast at a remote bay near Vurevure Village. It’s quite a nuanced location, but the guides at Bay Adventures can point it out to you, as they did for us! Learn more about visiting this lush tropical island in The Complete Travel Guide to Taveuni.

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11. Yasawa Islands

In the French version of Survivor, Koh-Lanta, both Season 5 and Season 18 were filmed in the Yasawa Islands. This small island group stretched north of the Mamanuca Islands feeling a lot more isolated and “wild”. However, they are still very accessible islands to get to onboard ferry services leaving the mainland every day. Visiting these islands, a mix of inhabited islands of small Fijian villages and resorts and deserted islands, will really put you in the Survivor spirit, especially as the island group is famous for some of Fiji’s more adventurous activities, such as shark diving! Find out more about visiting the Yasawa Islands in our Complete Guide to the Yasawa Islands.

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12. Kadavu

Located 100 km (60 mi) south of Fiji’s mainland, Kadavu is a group of islands centred by Fiji’s fourth-largest island of the same name. The stunning location was the set of the French Survivor Koh-Lanta‘s 19th and 20th season. With large tracts of native forest, pristine beaches and close to the world’s fourth-largest barrier reef, the Great Astrolabe Barrier Reef, Kadavu is definitely a place you wouldn’t mind getting stranded.

To hear stories of the filming that took place, head to Oneta Resort. Otherwise, Matava Eco Adventure Resort was used for the contestants who were booted out. Find out more about the island group in our Complete Guide to Kadavu.

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13. Savusavu (Vanua Levu)

The Australian version of the show certainly doesn’t miss out on the Fiji action! Survivor Australia Season 5 was primarily filmed in Savusavu, the main hub of Fiji’s second-largest island, Vanua Levu. One of the beaches used for filming is located at Naweni, and is accessible as part of the Sacred Red Prawns Tour, as described in the 20 Best Things to Do on Vanua Levu.

With an airport, plenty of nearby accommodation and the Hibiscus Highway, Savusavu makes an excellent base to pick up a rental car and start exploring Vanua Levu. You’ll find it a world away from the tourist hotspots of Viti Levu. Check out our 10 Things to Do in Savusavu!

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