The Guide to the Ferry to Kadavu
Kadavu is the final frontier for intrepid travellers visiting Fiji. Much of the island is covered in tropical jungle, with 70 Fijian villages located on the coast. It’s also home to the fourth-largest barrier reef in the world. But like most pristine places in the world, getting there can be quite the mission, especially if you decide to take the ferry to Kadavu. The night-long trip is a voyage with the locals, as well as with essential cargo for the islands. What’s more, the ferry is by far the cheapest way to get to Kadavu. So how do you take the ferry to Kadavu? We’ll go over the ferry company, route, duration, cost and how to get a ticket in this guide.
For more about Kadavu, check out The Complete Guide to Kadavu and the 10 Best Hotels & Places to Stay on Kadavu.
Table of Contents
5 Tips for Taking a Ferry to Kadavu
Here are our top tips to ensure your journey is smooth sailing (pun intended!):
- Vunisea is the Kadavu stop that most visitors will need to disembark if staying in Kadavu’s resorts.
- Scheduling for the Kadavu ferry journey can change with little notice, so double-check sailing times leading up to and on the day of sailing.
- The seas can be rough between Suva and Kadavu, so this trip is not for the faint-hearted (or those without seasickness remedies).
- There are limited seats on the ferry to Kadavu, so get in early if you don’t want to sit on the floor.
- Note that taking the ferry to Kadavu is a lengthy process – usually, four hours to report for the ferry, take the bus from Suva then board and then around seven hours to sail to Kadavu. For quicker transport, check out the 5 Ways to Get to Kadavu.
For more ferry tips, take a look at the 10 Tips for Taking the Ferry in Fiji.
© FijiPocketGuide.comThe Kadavu Ferry
There is only one regular ferry that travels between Suva (Viti Levu) and Kadavu. This ferry is operated by Goundar Shipping.
Goundar Shipping
Goundar Shipping operates the ferry passage between Viti Levu and Kadavu, known as the Kadavu Passage, typically with the vessel the Lomaiviti Princess VII (although this can sometimes change). The Lomaiviti Princess VII is a cargo, vehicle and passenger vessel. Passengers are usually sprawled between the cushioned (albeit ill-kept) seating areas, the canteen with tables and chairs and the floor.
Note that Goundar Shipping has been known to change ferry schedules (or cancel) with short notice, so it’s a good idea to call the ticket office and/or check their Facebook Page for any changes to the schedule and to see if sailings are confirmed.
© FijiPocketGuide.comThe Kadavu Ferry Route and Duration
Goundar Shipping has one weekly sailing between Kadavu and Suva. The routes to Kadavu are as follows:
- Suva – Vunisea – Kalava Bay – Suva
- Suva – Kalava Bay – Vunisea – Suva
Ferries depart from Narain Wharf, Walu Bay (a short drive north of Suva city centre), where their ticket office is also located and where you should go to report/take the ferry on the day of departure.
Depending on the day, the ferry may stop at Vunisea in Kadavu before Kalava Bay or vice versa. Again, schedules change regularly, so be sure to double-check.
Departures from Narain Wharf for Kadavu are late-night, usually around 10 pm; however, reporting for the trip in Suva is typically earlier, so be sure to inquire with Goundar Shipping on reporting times. The passage takes approximately seven hours to reach Kadavu.
© FijiPocketGuide.comThe Cost of the Ferry to Kadavu and Where to Purchase Tickets
Although it’s best to inquire about the latest ticket prices at the Goundar Shipping ticket offices/booths, you can check out our guide on How Much Do Water Taxis & Ferries Cost in Fiji? for a list of approximate prices.
Ferry tickets can only be purchased from a Goundar Shipping agent or ticket office. Ticket offices in Suva include:
- In the carrier car park (see what a carrier is in our Fiji Transport Guide) opposite the Suva Flea Market, Suva.
- 22 Freeston Road, Narain Wharf, Walu Bay, Suva.
Note that information and tickets are available at the ticket booth opposite the Suva Flea Market, but those reporting for a ferry should go to Narain Wharf.
More About Taking the Ferry to Kadavu
That’s it for our guide to taking the ferry to Kadavu; for more information about travelling to this stunning Fijian island, check out the following articles:
- Fiji Transport Guide: 20 Best Ways to Get Around Fiji
- 20 Best Things to Do on Kadavu
- Information, Shops & Services on Kadavu
Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in The Guide to Travelling in Fiji by Ferry.
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:
- Land Transport Authority (Road safety advice - Updated [2025])
- Tourism Fiji (General travel 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])
- Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (Tourism statistics - Updated [2025])
- SPTO (Pacific tourism advice - Updated [2025])
- Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association (Tourism trade association - 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.
