The Top Places to Visit on Vanua Levu
You’ve made it all the way to Fiji’s second-largest yet one of the most interesting islands; don’t waste your whole time here sipping cocktails in your resort. There are many exciting day trips from the resorts of Vanua Levu, from traditional villages with hidden waterfalls to vibrant towns with bustling markets. We go through some of the best self-drive day trips on Vanua Levu, as well as list guided day tour alternatives, in this ultimate list of the best places to visit on Vanua Levu.
For more trip-planning greatness, check out The Complete Travel Guide to Vanua Levu.
5 Best Day Tours on Vanua Levu
Before we dive into the amazing self-drive day trips on Vanua Levu, here are some guided options where all of the transport is included:
- Vuadomo Waterfall Tour with Savasi Island Resort
- Kioa Village Handicraft or Snorkel Tour with The Remote Resort
- Savusavu Market Day Trip with Koro Sun Resort
- Nukubalavu Village Tour with Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort
- Sandbar Snorkel and Picnic Day Tour with Namale Resort & Spa
© Captain Cook CruisesLabasa
The Best Day Trip on Vanua Levu for Budget Travellers
Travel time by car: 1h25mins from Savusavu one way
Although it’s the largest town in Vanua Levu, Labasa is not a place that every visitor gets to. Nevertheless, it’s still worth the day trip. The town provides a very different vibe to the rest of the island with a predominantly Indo-Fijian influence. You’ll find a great array of curry houses and shops selling interesting souvenirs and saris. A highlight is the Labasa Market, while a short drive out of the town will bring you to cultural highlights like the Naag Mandir Temple, home to a rock formation worshipped due to its likeness of a serpent god.
For more ideas on what to do on your day trip, see the 6 Best Things to Do in Labasa.
© PexelsVuadomo Village
The Best Day Trip on Vanua Levu for Families
Travel time by car: 20 mins from Savusavu/1h10mins from Labasa one way
Relevant tour: Vuadomo Waterfall Tour with Savasi Island Resort
One of the popular waterfall day trips on Vanua Levu is the Vuadomo Waterfall. If visiting independently, pick up some kava from the market to gift as a “sevusevu” to the village chief, along with a FJ$10 donation for one of the villagers to take you on a tour to the impressive waterfall. Otherwise, most resorts on Vanua Levu offer guided tours to the village and waterfall.
For more natural wonders to visit across the island, see the 10 Free & Cheap Things to Do in Vanua Levu.
© UnsplashSavusavu
The Best Day Trip on Vanua Levu for Foodies
Travel time by car: 1h25mins from Labasa one way
Relevant tour: Savusavu Market Day Trip with Koro Sun Resort
Savusavu is the main tourist hub on Vanua Levu with always something to do. As well as the usual Savusavu Market, shopping and dining to be done, there’s the Savusavu Hot Springs, wandering around the Flora Tropica Gardens, and a pearl farm tour with J Hunter Pearls. The town is worth at least one day trip on Vanua Levu no matter where you are staying.
Get more day trip inspiration from our 10 Best Things to Do in Savusavu.
© FijiPocketGuide.comWaisali Rainforest Reserve
The Best Day Trip on Vanua Levu for Couples
Travel time by car: 20 mins from Savusavu/1h5mins from Labasa one way
Escape to nature at the Waisali Rainforest Reserve where you’ll find some of Fiji’s best flora and fauna. Take a walk through the forest looking out for colourful birds and even the native Fiji ground frog. A ranger at the entrance to the park will tell you information on the walks and what you can see in the park before you set off. There’s a short but worthwhile hike through the forest to a small waterfall. Good walking shoes and insect repellent are a must!
See more day trip ideas like this in the 10 Must-Dos in Vanua Levu.
© Captain Cook CruisesKioa Island
The Best Day Trip on Vanua Levu for Luxury Travellers
Travel time by car: 1h20mins from Savusavu/1h50mins from Labasa one way
Travel time by boat: 10 minutes from The Remote Resort one way
Relevant tour: Kioa Village Handicraft or Snorkel Tour with The Remote Resort
And for your token offshore island excursion, as there always is in Fiji, a particularly interesting trip is to Kioa Island. The island resides people from the island nation of Tuvalu after they were displaced due to rising sea levels. Here, you’ll experience their own distinct culture on guided tours through The Remote Resort, as well as with Captain Cook Cruises (more info on Viator and Tripadvisor).
See more of Vanua Levu’s more secluded resorts offering unique excursions in the 10 Best Resorts in Vanua Levu.
More Day Trips on Vanua Levu
- The Best Car Rentals on Vanua Levu
- 10 Best Walks in Vanua Levu
- Information, Shops & Services on Vanua Levu
That’s it for the best day trips on Vanua Levu. Plan more of your trip in Fiji with the following itinerary compilations: The Best Fiji Itineraries for 2 Weeks, The Best Fiji Itineraries for 1 Week, The Best Fiji Itineraries for 5 Days and The Best Fiji Itineraries for a Weekend.
