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 some 70 Fijian villages located only 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 8 Best Resorts on Kadavu.
Quick Tips for Taking a Ferry to Kadavu
- Vunisea is the Kadavu stop that most visitors will need to disembark if staying in Kadavu’s resort accommodations
- Scheduling for the Kadavu ferry journey can change with little notice, so double-check sailing times with the Goundar Shipping offices on the day of sailing
- The seas can be rough between Suva and Kadavu, so this trip is not for the faint-hearted
- 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 7 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, typically with the vessel the Lomaiviti Princess III (although this can sometimes change). The Lomaiviti Princess III is a cargo, vehicle and passenger vessel. Passengers are usually sprawled between the cushioned seating areas, the canteen with tables and chairs and the floor.
Note that Goundar Shipping has been known to change ferry schedules 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.
© Stemoc on WikipediaThe Kadavu Ferry Route and Duration
Goundar Shipping has twice-weekly sailings 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 but Goundar Shipping operates bus services from the Suva bus station to reach Walu Bay. Look out for their branded buses.
Depending on the day, the ferry may stop at Vunisea in Kadavu before Kalava Bay and vice versa. For example, on Tuesdays, they stop at Vunisea before Kalava Bay and on Fridays, they stop at Kalava Bay before Vunisea (again, schedules change regularly, so double-check that Tuesday/Friday sailings are still the case).
Departures from Walu Bay for Kadavu are late-night, usually around 11pm, where reporting for the trip in Suva starts four hours earlier. The passage takes approximately 7 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, a starting approximate price is FJ$50 one-way.
Ferry tickets can only be purchased from a Goundar Shipping agent or ticket office. Ticket offices in Suva include:
- Pier Street, Suva (opposite Jacks)
- 22 Freeston Road, Walu Bay.
Check out more ferry costs in How Much Do Water Taxis & Ferries Cost in Fiji?
More on How to Take the Ferry to Kadavu
