10 Less-Travelled Islands of Fiji: Where to Escape the Crowds

Last Updated: 9 December, 2024

Experience the Other Side of Fiji

Authentic Insights from Expert Travel Writers

Ok, so Fiji is an island archipelago of 333 islands, so there are A LOT of islands that could have featured on this list of the less-travelled islands in Fiji. However, since we don’t have fingers that are up to the task of typing a 300+-point list, and we know you’re more interested in islands that you can actually reasonably travel to, we’ve whittled this list down to just ten islands that are less travelled but easy to visit. Check them out and discover the true Fiji.

Side note: All of our recommendations come from travel writers who’ve experienced Fiji firsthand, ensuring genuine AI-free advice. Scroll down to the end of this guide to learn more about our team and expertise.

1. Vanua Levu

Despite being the second-largest island in Fiji and unmissable on the map, Vanua Levu is only visited by around 2% of Fiji’s tourist visitors each year. From what we’ve experienced, if you’re looking to get off the beaten track yet still have access to various resorts and activities, then Vanua Levu provides a comfortable yet quieter Fiji experience. From luxury private island resorts to budget dive resorts, there’s something for everyone on the island. Check out The Complete Guide to Vanua Levu for much more information about visiting the island.

2. Taveuni

One of Fiji’s youngest volcanic islands, sitting right beside Vanua Levu, Taveuni is a haven for nature lovers. Despite its number of villages, the island remains mostly pristine, with much of it made up of the Bouma National Park. Highlights of the island include waterfall walks, hikes through the verdant rainforest and to the volcanic peaks of the island, as well as scuba diving at the Rainbow Reef, kayaking and snorkelling in marine reserves and much more. Check out The Complete Guide to Taveuni to start exploring further.

3. Ovalau

Despite being the hub of the Lomaiviti Islands, a group of islands less than 20 km (12 mi) off the shores of Viti Levu, less than 0.1% of visitors visit Ovalau. The island is home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the town of Levuka, which was the first capital of Fiji. The streets of the small town are lined with preserved colonial buildings, while the centre of the island is home to Fijian villages in the centre of a caldera. From the island, you can explore the surrounding Lomaiviti Islands and its waters of marine reserves and fishing grounds. Check out The Complete Guide to the Lomaiviti Islands to learn more about these islands.

4. Kadavu

In the southern reaches of Fiji, around 123 km (76 mi) south of Viti Levu, Kadavu is an island where time stands still. The island is made up of around 75 coastal villages where boats or remote hiking trails are the only way to get between them on this island with very few roads. That’s the beauty of Kadavu, retreating to a simpler way of life to enhance the things that matter, whether it be connected with nature through bird-watching, scuba diving or island hikes or connecting with each other. From what we’ve experienced, this island offers a truly unique and immersive experience. Learn more about this island in The Complete Guide to Kadavu.

5. Qamea Island

If Taveuni wasn’t less-travelled enough, why not try the neighbouring Qamea Island? Pronounced “Ga-me-ah”, the island is home to a luxury adults-only resort, Qamea Island Resort, as well as a mid-range resort, Maqai Beach Eco Resort, making it a place to experience a true island retreat in Fiji away from the crowds. The island has a few walking trails to explore, breathtaking beaches and surf breaks a short boat ride away.

6. Beqa Island

Off the shores of the Pacific Harbour of Viti Levu, if you want to get the outer island experience in Fiji without venturing too far from the main island, Beqa Island (pronounced “Ben-ga”) is a spectacular choice. Neighbouring the Beqa Lagoon, Beqa Island is a hotspot for scuba diving and snorkelling among pristine coral and even trying out shark diving. The island has a few choices of four-star resorts, who will keep you entertained with island walks to waterfalls, watersports, island massages and more. Learn more about the island in The Complete Guide to Pacific Harbour & Beqa.

7. Vanua Balavu

If you’re looking to get well and truly off the beaten track, we’re talking about a place where very VERY few tourists get to see, then set your sights on the Lau Islands. A great place to start is with Vanua Balavu, the main island of the northern Lau Islands. Accessible by a weekly flight, cargo ships, yacht charters or with your own sailing yacht, visitors to the island can organise guided walks to see hot springs and burial caves and take boat trips to the Bay of Islands. Learn more about the Lau Islands in The Complete Guide to the Lau Islands.

8. Wayasewa Island

Although the Yasawa Islands are one of the most-visited outer island groups in Fiji with a wide array of resorts, those visiting Wayasewa Island, also known as Wayalailai, will get a much more authentic and down-to-earth Fiji experience. The small island with a craggy rocky outcrop towering at its centre is home to a variety of Airbnb homestays and two budget lodges. This allows visitors to experience the real village life in Fiji along with its customs of presenting a sevusevu (gift) to the chief and more. From what we’ve experienced, staying in a village is an incredible way to immerse yourself in Fijian culture. Check out Fiji Village Etiquette: What to Do When Visiting a Fijian Village to prepare yourself for staying in a village. Plus, learn more about the Yasawas in The Complete Guide to the Yasawa Islands.

9. Nanau-i-Ra Island

About 3 km (1.9 mi) off the northern coast of Viti Levu, Nanau-i-Ra is the ultimate backpackers’ island with a range of affordable cottages and accommodations to make the most of. The island’s main drawcard is its windsurfing, presenting fantastic conditions for any enthusiast of this niche watersport. Other things to do here include island hikes, kayaking around the perimeter of the island, and more. From what we’ve experienced, this little slice of paradise offers a perfect balance of adventure and relaxation. Check out The Complete Guide to the Suncoast to learn more about this island.

10. Kioa Island

A piece of Tuvalu in Fiji, Kioa Island is unique in that it is owned by settlers from Tuvalu, who settled on the island between 1947 and 1983 to escape the overpopulation on Tuvalu’s Vaitupu atoll. Resorts on the neighbouring Vanua Levu can take you to visit the island and experience the Tuvaluan culture, as well as snorkel among soft coral that rivals that of the nearby Rainbow Reef. We’re big fans of the island’s rich cultural heritage and stunning underwater scenery.

Stats About Fiji’s Lesser Visited Islands

According to the 2023 International Visitor Survey of Fiji, 81% of travellers stayed on the main island of Fiji (Viti Levu), while 10% visited the Mamanuca Islands and 3.6% visited the Yasawa Islands. With 333 islands in Fiji, that’s a lot more islands to explore. Some of the lesser-visited islands/island groups include the following:

🏝️ Region	📍 Islands	👥 Population	📏 Distance from Viti Levu	📊 Visitor Percentage
Lomaiviti Islands	7	16,500	20 km (12 mi)	<1%
Vanua Levu	31	136,000	160 km (99 mi)	1.9%
Taveuni	5	15,000	240 km (149 mi)	0.8%
Kadavu	17	10,900	123 km (76 mi)	0.2%
Lau Islands	60	10,700	300 km (186 mi)	<1%

More About the Less-Travelled Islands of Fiji

That’s it for our guide to the less-travelled islands of Fiji; for more information about these hidden gems, check out the following articles:

Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in The Best Islands to Visit 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])
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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