Fiji Ferry Guide: How to Use Ferries for Interisland Travel

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What are the Ferries Really Like in Fiji?

There are varying ferry experiences in Fiji between the fast modern catamarans to the slow cargo-style ships. Here’s a quick rundown of what it’s like to take the ferry in Fiji.

Malolo Cat, South Sea Cruises and Tavewa Seabus Ferries

The Malolo Cat, South Sea Cruises/Awesome Adventures and Tavewa Seabus ferries service the Mamanucas and/or the Yasawas from Port Denarau. Their passenger ferries are high-speed catamarans with seating inside and on the outside decks. South Sea Cruises and the Yasawa Flyer (Awesome Adventures) also have a travel desk, licensed bar and cafe onboard. Note that you cannot transport vehicles on these ferries.

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Interlink, Goundar, Venu Shipping and Taveuni Princess Ferries

A mix of car and passenger ferries and cargo ships, the ferries to the less-visited islands of Vanua Levu, Taveuni, Lomaiviti Islands, Kadavu and the Lau Islands are a little basic compared to the Mamanuca/Yasawa catamarans. The ships have seating – usually plastic chairs and some share cargo with fuel, fresh produce, animals, building supplies and more. Some of the ships also have passenger cabins with bunk beds for an additional fee.

What’s more, ferries from Suva, Levuka, Savusavu and Labasa actually include bus transport to get between these towns and the wharf.

Excluding the Taveuni Princess, vehicles can be transported on these ferries for an additional fee. Note that you will need to obtain permission from your rental company should you want to transport a rental vehicle.

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The Price of Ferries in Fiji

Compared to flying, ferries provide a cheaper way to get between the islands of Fiji. However, travelling by ferry in the Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands is much more expensive than travelling elsewhere in Fiji.

The Cost of Ferries to the Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands

Tickets for these island-hopping adventures can be booked online, at the check-in desk at the passenger terminal at Port Denarau, or through just about any travel agent dealing with Fiji. Expect to pay between FJ$105 to FJ$280 per adult for a one-way journey. (Remember, it’s always worth checking for any seasonal deals or package offers – some of which we list in the What are the Ferry Passes to Travel Around Fiji?)

In the table below, we have picked some of the most popular destinations in both the Mamanucas and Yasawas islands and provided some approximate prices of the places we have experienced in Fiji. Take those prices with a grain of (sea) salt, though, as they can vary suddenly due to world events such as the increased price of fuel, for example.

Note that all prices are approximate and are subject to change.

The Cost of Ferries to Vanua Levu, Taveuni, Kadavu, Lomaiviti and Lau Islands

For these more far-flung island destinations, you’ll need to purchase tickets at the ticket offices before departure. Good news for spontaneous travellers – you typically don’t need to book passenger tickets too far in advance unless there’s a special event on. We generally recommend booking only about a week in advance, as schedules can be subject to change. These journeys are perfect for flexible itineraries and won’t break the bank, with tickets ranging from a very affordable FJ$20 to FJ$70 per adult one way.

For a comprehensive breakdown of prices for specific routes, don’t miss our guide on How Much Do Ferries & Water Taxis Cost in Fiji?

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Ferry Routes and Durations in Fiji

Where can you travel to in Fiji by ferry? Island-hopping ferries service the resorts between Port Denarau on Viti Levu and the Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands. Daily services also operate on longer journeys between Suva or Natovi on Viti Levu, Buresala (with bus transport to Levuka) in the Lomaiviti Islands, and Nabouwalu (with bus transport to Savusavu and Labasa) in Vanua Levu. There is also a small ferry, the Taveuni Princess, going between the islands of Taveuni and Vanua Levu (with bus transport to Savusavu and Labasa). In contrast, only weekly cargo ferries make their way between Suva and Kadavu, Suva and Koro (Lau Islands), and monthly or twice monthly to the Lau Islands.

Where Can You Take the Ferry in Fiji?

Ferries move between Fiji’s eight island groups. The ferry ports in Fiji are as follows:

• Suva (Viti Levu) – Narain Wharf and Natovi Wharf
• Lautoka (Viti Levu) – Kings Wharf
• Denarau (Viti Levu) – Port Denarau Marina
• Mamanuca Islands – Various resorts – See How to Take a Ferry to the Mamanuca Islands
• Yasawa Islands – Various resorts – See How to Take the Ferry to the Yasawa Islands
• Vanua Levu – Nabouwalu Wharf and Savusavu Wharf – See How to Take a Ferry to Vanua Levu
• Taveuni – Wairiki Wharf – See How to Take the Ferry to Taveuni
• Kadavu – Vunisea and Kalava Bay – See How to Take a Ferry to Kadavu
• Lomaiviti Islands – Buresala (Ovalau), Gau and Koro – See How to Take a Ferry to Levuka & the Lomaiviti Islands
• Lau Islands – Vanuavatu, Lakeba, Oneata, Moce, Komo, Namuka, Cicia, Nayau, Tuvuca, Cikobia, Vanua Balavu.

Learn about the different island groups in The Best Islands to Visit in Fiji.

Ferry Routes in the Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands

Malolo Cat and South Sea Cruises  service the Mamanuca Islands, while South Sea Cruises/Awesome Adventures Fiji services the Mamanuca and the Yasawa Islands.

• Malolo Cat: Port Denarau – Malolo Lailai Island (1 hour)
• South Sea Cruises/Awesome Adventures: See tables below.

South Sea Cruises Route 1 (Duration from Port Denarau) – Departs Daily

South Sea Cruises Route 2 (Duration from Port Denarau) – Departs Daily

South Sea Cruises Route 3 (Duration from Port Denarau) – Departs Daily

South Sea Cruises Route 4 (Duration from Port Denarau) – Departs Daily

South Sea Cruises Route 5 (Duration from Port Denarau) – Departs Daily

South Sea Cruises Route 6 (Duration from Port Denarau) – Departs Daily

South Sea Cruises Route 7 (Duration from Port Denarau) – Departs Daily

South Sea Cruises Route 8 (Duration from Port Denarau) – Departs Daily

South Sea Cruises Route 9 (Duration from Port Denarau) – Departs Daily

South Sea Cruises Route 10 (Duration from Port Denarau) – Departs Daily

Ferry Travel Durations in the Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands

While there are more than 30 ferry stops in the Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands, the below durations are only for some popular trips to give you a rough indication of journey times.

• Port Denarau – Malolo Lailai Island: 40 minutes to 1 hour
• Port Denarau – Beachcomber/Treasure Islands: 45 minutes
• Port Denarau – Barefoot Kuata Island/Wailailai: 2 hours
• Port Denarau – Paradise Cove/Mantaray Island Resorts: 3 hours
• Port Denarau – Blue Lagoon Beach Resort/Oarsman’s Bay Lodge: 4 hrs 30 mins

Ferries to Lomaiviti, Vanua Levu, Taveuni, Kadavu and Lau Islands

While not an all-inclusive list, here are some popular routes and durations for Fiji’s less-visited islands. Note that some journeys also include bus travel.

• Suva – Savusavu – Labasa (10 hrs 30 mins)
• Suva – Natovi – Nabouwalu – Savusavu – Labasa (12-14 hours)
• Suva – Kadavu (8 hours)
• Labasa – Savusavu – Buca Bay – Taveuni (3-5 hours)
• Suva – Natovi – Buresala – Levuka (3 hrs 30 mins)
• Suva – Natovi – Koro (12 hours)
• Suva – Northern or Southern Lau Islands – Suva (6/7 days)

See how the ferry durations compare to other modes of transport in How Long Does it Take to Travel Around Fiji?

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FAQ About Ferries in Fiji

Now that you know about the ferry services in Fiji, here are the answers to the internet’s frequently asked questions about Fiji’s inter-island ferries!

Are there ferries between islands in Fiji?

Yes, there are ferries connecting various islands in Fiji. The main ferry routes operate between Viti Levu (the main island) and popular island groups like the Mamanuca Islands and Yasawa Islands. There are also services to Vanua Levu, Taveuni, and other outer islands.

How much does the ferry cost in Fiji?

Ferry costs in Fiji vary depending on the route and operator. For example, a one-way trip from Port Denarau to the Mamanuca Islands can range from FJ$140 to FJ$220 per adult. Longer journeys, such as to the Yasawa Islands, usually cost around FJ$220. It’s best to check with specific operators for current prices. For more information, check out our guide to Ferry Prices in Fiji.

How long is the ferry ride from Nadi to Yasawa Islands?

The ferry ride from Port Denarau (near Nadi) to the Yasawa Islands can take between 2 to 5 hours, depending on which island you’re travelling to. The closest Yasawa islands are about 2 hours away, while the furthest can take up to 4 hrs 30 mins to 5 hours to reach. For more information, check out our guide to Travelling to the Yasawa Islands.

Is there a ferry from Nadi to Suva?

There is no direct ferry service from Nadi to Suva. These two cities are on the same island (Viti Levu) and are connected by road. The most common way to travel between Nadi and Suva is by bus or car, which takes about 4 to 5 hours. For more information, check out our Suva Transport Guide: 8 Ways to Get to (& Around) Suva.

How do I get from Nadi to Mamanuca Islands?

To get from Nadi to the Mamanuca Islands, you can take a ferry from Port Denarau, which is about 20 minutes from Nadi. Several companies operate daily services to various islands in the Mamanucas. The journey time varies from 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on which island you’re visiting. For more information, check out our guide to Getting to the Mamanuca Islands.

Is it better to fly or take a boat in Fiji?

The choice between flying and taking a boat in Fiji depends on your destination, budget, and time constraints. Boats are generally cheaper and offer scenic views but take longer. Flying is faster but more expensive and has luggage restrictions. For closer islands like the Mamanucas, boats are popular. For more distant islands, flying might be more practical. For more information, check out our guide to Inter-Island Travel in Fiji.