10 Best Walks & Hikes on Taveuni

Last Updated: 29 August, 2024

The Top Walking Trails on Taveuni

The “Garden Island” is arguably the best Fiji island for walkers and hikers! Home to the Bouma National Heritage Park, Taveuni holds a vast network of trails with options for self-guided walks and walks with local guides. Check out some of our top recommended hikes in this list of the best walks in Taveuni and its surrounding islands.

Note that you can walk many of these hikes yourself. Otherwise, selected resorts in Taveuni also offer guided versions of these walks. Be sure to have good walking shoes and insect repellent for these jungle hikes in Taveuni!

For more ways to experience Taveuni, see The Complete Guide to Taveuni and The Best Day Trips on Taveuni.

1. Bouma Falls (Tavoro Falls)

One of the top short walks on Taveuni, the Tavoro Falls walk, commonly known as the Bouma Falls walk, is 10 mins to 1 hr 30 mins one-way walk, depending on how far you decide to go. The walk starts from the Tavoro Visitor Centre in Korovou Village (also known as Bouma Village) and costs approximately FJ$50 per adult (or half price for children) to walk the trail. While the first 10 minutes to the first waterfall is easy-going, following a concrete walkway, the next 45 minutes to 1 hr 30 mins to the second and third waterfalls are more demanding. Nevertheless, the upper waterfall is the largest and most impressive.

Location: Bouma Village, Bouma National Heritage Park. On the east coast road (on the bus route – ask the driver).

2. Lavena Coastal Walk

For a longer hike in the Bouma National Heritage Park, don’t miss the Lavena Coastal Walk! This 3-hour return walk features a varied coastline of sandy beaches, coastal forest and rocky cliffs, as well as the village of Naba (don’t wander through the village uninvited; stick to the well-established trail) and a suspension bridge. At the end of the walk is the picture-perfect Wainibau Falls, which can only be seen if you swim through a passage keeping left where there is a ridge just underwater to hold onto. Pay your fees at the Lavena Lodge of approximately FJ$35 per person (or less if you want to walk along the beach). Boat tours to Lavena’s other waterfalls are also available.

Location: Lavena Village, Bouma National Heritage Park, at the end of the east coast road (on the bus route – ask the driver).

3. Vidawa Rainforest Hike

Another amazing hike in the Bouma National Heritage Park, the Vidawa Rainforest Hike is a 6-7-hour return walk that must be done with a guide. Guides are available to hire from the Vidawa Village, who will take you to historic fortified village sites and breathtaking lookouts and show you Fijian medicinal plants and native birds.

Location: Vidawa Village is about 1 km (0.6 mi) after the turn-off to Waitabu Marine Park along the east coast road.

4. Des Voeux Peak

Des Voeux Peak is Taveuni’s highest peak at 1,195 m (3,920 ft). It also offers tremendous views from the top of Taveuni all the way to Vanua Levu and even as far as the islands of Koro and Gau on a clear day. From Wairiki, the walk up the access road is very easy to follow and not too difficult (stick to the 4WD road), but it takes approximately 2 hours to reach the summit. The walk is also popular for birdwatching, especially during the nesting season in August and September. Guided walks can be arranged with Bay Adventures and Taveuni Ocean Sports. Note that there is a small entry fee for hiking the trail.

Location: Take the access road turn-off in Wairiki, between the Catholic Mission and Wairiki Wharf.

5. Lake Tagimoucia

In the centre of the island is a volcanic crater filled with water, forming Lake Tagimoucia. After doing the Des Voeux Trail (see above), there is a rough trail that takes a further 1-2 hours to reach Lake Tagimoucia. The area around the lake is home to a rare flower, the tagimoucia, which blooms from October to February. A guide is recommended for this hike, such as Bay Adventures, which can be arranged through most resorts.

Location: From Des Voeux Peak; see above.

6. Waitavala Waterslide

If starting from Vunitou near Waiyevo town, a walk to the Waitavala Waterslide takes approximately 20-30 minutes one way. After a walk along the dirt road, you’ll dip into the forest to find the Waitavala Waterslide. This 200 m (656 ft) long natural waterslide chutes you over a set of rapids into a narrow stream at the bottom. Check how the locals do it and avoid it after heavy rain. Oh, and don’t wear sunglasses while doing the slide; we had to learn that the hard way. See more free attractions like this in the 10 Free & Cheap Things to Do on Taveuni.

Location: Just south of Vuniotu, near Waiyevo town. From the Garden Island Resort, walk five minutes north to a dirt road beside a bus shelter. Walk up the dirt road for about 20 minutes and turn left just past the sign for the prison. Look out for a worn trail (and the Waitavala Waterslide sign) on your right, which leads up to the waterfall.

7. Bobby’s Farm Guided Hike

Immerse yourself in Taveuni’s lush wilderness with a guided hike at Bobby’s Farm. This educational adventure goes beyond mere sightseeing, offering a deep dive into the island’s flora, fauna, and traditional medicinal practices. As you traverse the property, you’ll learn about agroforestry techniques and sample exotic fruits straight from the source. The standard 2-hour tour includes birdwatching and fruit tasting, but for those craving more, opt for the 3-hour hike, where fascinating local insights accompany every step. It’s a sensory journey that’ll engage all your faculties, from sight to taste to touch. Remember to bring insect repellent and wear closed-toe shoes for this cash-only experience. The experience can be booked through any resort.

Location: Southwest coast of Taveuni.

8. Qamea Island Jungle Hike

On the outer island of Qamea, there are a number of rough walking trails through a maze of dense tropical forests. While locals have been using the network of trails for centuries, it’s best to have a guide to explore the island on foot. Resorts like Qamea Resort & Spa offer guided walks of the island, where your guide will explain the history, as well as point out interesting vegetation and birds along the way.

Location: Qamea Resort & Spa, Qamea Island. Off the east coast of Taveuni.

9. Coastal Road and Ridge-Top Trek

Another outer island walk to enjoy is from the Matangi Private Island Resort. Follow a natural path from the resort to a ridge top for amazing views of Matangi Island‘s Horseshoe Bay, a bay that is only accessible by boat. The walk takes approximately one hour. Alternatively, the Coastal Road is a short walk taking in glorious views of the ocean – best done at sunrise for stellar sunlight displays.

Location: Matangi Private Island Resort, Matangi Island. Off the east coast of Taveuni Island.

10. Waruka Bay Walk

Those who make it to the now-closed Waruka Bay Resort on Qamea Island will have easy access to a couple of self-guided walks. Follow the trails at the back of the resort property, which transport you through the rainforest, over a bridge crossing a lake, and through organic vegetable gardens. There’s also a lookout trail that offers amazing views of Qamea Island all the way to Taveuni Island. Plus, look out for native birds, like the Fijian orange dove, Pacific parrots, blue kingfishers and much more! Learn more about the birds in A Traveller’s Guide to Wildlife in Fiji.

Location: Waruka Bay Resort on Qamea Island. Off the east coast of Taveuni.

More About Walks and Activities on Taveuni

That’s it for our guide to walks and activities on Taveuni; for more information about this glorious island paradise, check out the following articles:

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

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])
Land Transport Authority (Road safety 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 Meteorological Service (Weather forecast and warnings - Updated [2025])
Fiji Bureau of Statistics (Statistics and travel data - 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])

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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