The Budget & Backpacking Guide to Kadavu

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How to Get to Kadavu on a Budget

Kadavu is located about 100km/62 miles south of Fiji’s main island, Viti Levu. While there are flights to Kadavu from Viti Levu, the cheapest option for travelling across the Kadavu Passage is via ferry, which arrives on Kadavu at Vunisea.

There is budget accommodation and homestays in Vunisea or Kadavu’s resorts will provide transport to transfer you from Vunisea.

Ferry to Kadavu

Providing a cheap but time-consuming passage to Kadavu, ferries from Viti Levu depart from Narain Wharf, Walu Bay in Suva. With a 7-hour journey, sharing the passage with livestock and cargo, this is definitely an “adventurous” option to make the journey to Kadavu.

Check prices at How Much Do Water Taxis & Ferries Cost in Fiji?, while more details on ferry operators and schedules can be found in How to Take the Ferry to Kadavu.

Scheduled Flights to Kadavu

Domestic flights to Kadavu twice a week from Nadi International Airport (NAN). The flight from Nadi take approximately 50 minutes. All flights arrive at Kadavu Airport (KDV) in Vunisea.

Resorts will transfer you to and from flights via boat (be sure to make arrangements before arrival). Find out more about the specifics of flying to Kadavu in our Kadavu Transport Guide.

How to Get Around Kadavu

Kadavu has two dirt roads winding across Central Kadavu and West Kadavu. Needless to say, road transport is very limited, with just a few minivans and trucks shuttling people across the island from Vunisea.

Most transport occurs on the water. All resorts offer boast transfers between the resort and Vunisea. Depending on the time, this may require you to wade out in shallow water so be prepared.

For getting around Vunisea, local carriers (that’s trucks or utes with seating in the back and a tarp roof) typically wait at both the wharf and the airport for your convenience, but if not, can be contacted by phone (ask for the airport to call them if needed). Getting from A to B comes with a cost, of course.

You’ll find that prices can vary, but generally, you’re looking at a set fee for each place you visit, plus a little extra if you need the driver to wait. Pay with cash.

For those who prefer a bit more rugged transport, there’s also a 4×4 taxi service available. It’s perfect for exploring some of the island’s more adventurous spots! Remember, Kadavu is all about laid-back island living, so don’t stress too much about the details. Just sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride!

For more about carriers and how they work, check out Minivans & Carrier Vans in Fiji: What You Need to Know.

For more information on alternative ways to get to Kadavu, see our complete Kadavu Transport Guide

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Where to Stay: Affordable Accommodations on Kadavu

Kadavu’s backpacker accommodation is limited to the town of Vunisea. Homestays also make an affordable option. While resorts appear to be a little more expensive than elsewhere in Fiji at first sight, remember that Kadavu’s resorts are all-inclusive resorts.

Although we outline all your options in the 5 Best Budget Accommodations on Kadavu, here are some of our top picks for travellers on a budget.

Navutovuto Accommodation – Budget-Friendly Stay in the Heart of Kadavu

Just a three-minute walk from Vunisea Dock and 10 minutes from Vunisea Beach, Navutovuto Accommodation makes for affordable and convenient accommodation when arriving on Kadavu. Private queen rooms are simple but do the job for a budget-friendly stay in Vunisea. There’s also a dorm room.

All rates include breakfast and dinner of Fijian fare, while there are a kitchen, lounge and shared bathroom facilities. Navutovuto is ideal for meeting locals, the primary clientele, and getting a sense of local life here on Kadavu.

Learn more about why Navutovuto Accommodation is ideal for budget travellers, and book your stay through Expedia.

Tiliva Resort – Eco-Friendly Adventure on Kadavu Island

Moving onto the most affordable resorts on Kadavu, relax, adventure or volunteer at the eco-friendly Tiliva Resort which works closely with the local community to give your trip a purpose.

Additionally, there are plenty of other ways to enjoy your time here, from scuba diving in the Great Astrolabe Reef to hiking on an uninhabited island for the day.

Bures are freestanding with a simple yet fresh interior, private decks and ocean views – what more could you ask for?! And, yes, we dig that all meals and WiFi are included, even if we are supposed to be on “Fiji Time“.

Discover what makes Tiliva Resort a great choice for budget travellers, and reserve your stay through Expedia.

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Dining on Kadavu

With most locals engaged more in subsistence farming to provide for their villages, you won’t find many independent restaurants on Kadavu. Regardless, because the cost of food is a major factor in your budget, we’ll lay out what to expect.

Resort Meals on Kadavu

When staying in Kadavu, the food provided by your resort will almost always be your only choice of meals. When looking at resort room rates, know that all of the resorts on Kadavu include meals in their rates, often leading to good value for money when it comes to food.

Apart from the high-end resorts, meals are shared “family style” usually at a long table with other guests. Private dining may be available at an added cost. Food is typically Fijian with tropical root crops like taro, hearty fruit like breadfruit, and fresh seafood. Some Western and Asian favourites also find themselves on the menu some evenings of the week.

B&B Meals on Kadavu

When it comes to meals at the B&Bs on Kadavu, you’ll find a few tasty options (and we’re not just talking about the breakfast included in your stay!). Most of the lovely B&Bs listed in our guide only include brekkie in their rates, but if you’re staying at Navutovuto Accommodation, you’re in for a treat – they throw in dinner too!

Expect to savour some delicious traditional Fijian fare during your stay. While you might not get to experience a lovo (underground oven) feast every day, there are plenty of other local delicacies to tickle your taste buds.

And don’t worry if you’re feeling a bit peckish between meals – all the B&Bs come with kitchen facilities, so you can whip up a snack whenever you fancy, as you can stock up on groceries nearby (see the Information, Shops & Services on Kadavu).

Restaurants on Kadavu

Vunisea is the only place in Kadavu where you’ll be able to buy takeaway food. A consistent option is Vou Coffee Hub (Biana Bayview, Vunisea Waterfront). Enjoy fast food items like chicken, fries, and pizza, as well as coffee. It is open from 7 am to 7:30 pm, closed on Sundays​​​​.

Vunisea Market (Vunisea Waterfront) also have home-cooked food for sale from Monday to Saturday.

Homestay Meals on Kadavu

Homestays on Kadavu will also have meals included in the rate (yes, even when the rates are FJ$35-$120 per night). Note that you will not get a choice on meals, so must be willing to try the real Fijian cuisine – bones and all!