10 Amazing Things to do in Savusavu, Fiji

Savusavu is a small coastal town on the island of Vanua Levu, Fiji’s second largest island. Quiet and scenic, the town makes for one of the best places to visit if you’re looking for an escape from any semblance of big city living. In this guide, we’ll cover the most incredible things to do in Savusavu and what to know need to know before your trip.

10 amazing things to do in Savusavu

Enjoy a sunset drink at the Copra Shed, Savusavu Yacht Club

If the weather’s good, head down to the Copra Shed, set on the Savusavu Marina, for a bit of socializing. Locals and yachties from all around the world tend to gather here for a beer. Here, you’ll find a restaurant and cafe serving big breakfasts, pizzas, and sandwiches (wait times can be long). Grab a beer and enjoy it on one of the outdoor dining tables overlooking the marina, where boats big and small are moored.

Watch locals cook dinner on bubbling hot springs

The region is alive with geothermal activity, and many locals take advantage of the town’s perma-pots of boiling water by cooking dalo over hot springs. Wander just behind the hot pink MaxVal-U building to spot these springs for yourself. At low tide, steam also rises from small streams trickling from hot springs to Savusavu’s beach.

Learn how to freedive

Fiji’s best freediving school, LiquidState Freediving, is found in Savusavu. Tobi and Neelam, your instructors, will teach you to dive to depths you never thought possible on just one breath. Freediving courses are taught in Savusavu’s calm bay, where visibility can reach over 20 meters. Each class is kept small and is tailored to each student’s specific skills and needs.

Scuba dive among some of Fiji’s best soft corals

Why not see if Fiji truly lives up to its title as the ‘Soft Coral Capital of the World’? Savusavu the best jumping point to scuba dive at Namena Reef, a diverse reef with thousands of different corals and reef fish. Namena Marine Reserve is also along the migratory path of megafauna like dolphins, humpback whales, pilot whales, and mike whales. You can learn to scuba dive at Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, a five-star dive resort offering courses and family-friendly accommodation right on the water.

Visit a village and swim beneath a waterfall

Savusavu is surrounded by lush forest with waterfalls galore. One can’t-miss waterfall is Vuadomo Waterfall, found just outside Vuadomo village. Before you go, bring about $15 FJD worth of kava to present as a gift, or sevusevu, to the village elder. After the sevusevu ceremony, you’ll be welcome to walk through the village gardens and allowed to swim in the Vuadomo Waterfall. The trail to Vuadomo Waterfall is not very steep and takes about 10 minutes each way.

You’ll want to wear a shirt that covers your shoulders and a sulu, also known as sarong, during the village visit.

Adventurous hikers can visit Lomaloma Waterfall, a two-hour hike each way that’s best done with a guide arranged through your accommodation.

Read our guide to hiking Vuadomo Waterfall near Savusavu

Sample goodies at the chocolate farm

Savusavu has its own small-scale chocolate factory at KokoMana Farm where you can witness chocolate being grown, fermented, dried, and created into molten chocolate. Tour groups are kept small and questions are encouraged and nobody will judge you if you embark on a chocolate binge during the tour. If you want to try your hand at crafting cocoa, enroll in KokoMana’s full-day chocolate experience workshop.

Kayak, swim, or SUP along Savusavu

Savusavu’s calm bay is a prime spot for standup paddling, kayaking, or going for a long ocean swim. Most accommodations offer SUPs or kayaks for rent, and you can easily spend a few hours cruising from one end of town to the other. If you want to stop for a snack, you can tie up at the Copra Shed or in front of Surf ‘n’ Turf for a refresh.

Wander through Waisali Rainforest Reserve

Pack a pair of binoculars and look into the treetops at Waisali Rainforest Reserve, a 120 ha nature reserve famous for its resident bird life. You might have a chance of spotting orange doves, red shining parots, and orange-breasted myzomelas. The reserve is home to nearly half of Fiji’s endemic bird species. It takes about two hours round-trip to walk through the reserve, with a few steep and slippery sections. A freshwater pool at the end of the trail awaits, where you can swim and relax. The reserve is open from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Monday to Friday.

Soak in thermal mud pools

Just outside of Savusavu, you can soak in a warm pool and exfoliate your skin with volcanic mud. Locals often come to hang out and relax here throughout the day, and it’s a prime spot to strike up a chat. Venturing here on your own isn’t advised, as it’s best to go with a guide. Tours can be arranged through your accommodation, like Naveria Heights.

Snorkel from Savusavu’s calm coastline

Coral bommies can be found along Savusavu’s coastline, and you’re likely to spot something interesting simply from the shore at spots like Split Rock, the Lighthouse, and David’s Point. For guaranteed soft coral and reef fish sightings, take a trip to Namena Marine Reserve or embark on a snorkeling tour arranged through Ocean Ventures Fiji to Natewa Bay. Keep a lookout for spinner dolphins, sea turtles, and white tip reef sharks.

Savusavu Travel Guide

How to get to Savusavu

There are two ways to reach Savusavu from Fiji’s other islands. You can easily reach Savusavu by plane or by boat.

By plane: Both Northern Air and Fiji Airways (Fiji Link) offer flights to Savusavu from Nadi and Suva. Northern Air flights tend to be cheaper. Service only runs a few times per week, so it’s best to secure your flight before you book any accommodation. You can also fly into Labasa and drive 1.5 hours to the town of Savusavu.

By boat: There are multiple ferries that connect Viti Levu and Taveuni from Savusavu. Goundar Shipping has an overnight ferry service from Suva Harbour to Savusavu, taking about 12 hours, and it’s possible to bring a vehicle. InterLink also offers a bus-boat-bus service that connects Suva to Savusavu, with the boat time taking 3-4 hours rather than 12. Goundar Shipping also offers a ferry service (4 hours) between Taveuni and Savusavu.

Ferry services can be limited, so it’s best to call ahead and confirm ferries are running on schedule.
Goundar Shipping: +679 330 1035
InterLink: +679 893 7768

Yachts can moor outside of Savusavu directly or at the Savusavu Yacht Club.

Where to Stay in Savusavu

Best for budget: Gecko Lodge: A quaint three-bedroom homestay that overlooks Savusavu Bay and is within walking distance of Savusavu’s town center. Rooms are spotless and the owner is always around to assist. Rooms come with Wi-Fi, a mini fridge, and air conditioning. Opt for the ocean view room which has a spacious lounge deck with prime views. A communal kitchen helps cut costs, as guests are able to cook for themselves if they don’t want to purchase a meal from the lodge.

Best mid-range: Koro Sun Resort & Rainforest Spa: One of the few resorts in Fiji with on-the-water and overwater bungalows. The resort offers onsite snorkeling, scuba diving excursions, spa treatments, onsite dining at multiple restaurants, and a kid’s club. An adults-only section of the resort gives it a romantic vibe for those who prefer to sleep away from the little screamers. >Read our full review

Best luxury: Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort: A luxury family-friendly resort on the water, just a few minutes away from Savusavu’s town center. Enjoy an onsite spa, seaside dining, dive trips, guided hikes, snorkel excursions, and an active kid’s club.

Best villa rentals: Koko: There’s no place more romantic to stay in Savusavu. This tastefully-designed bungalow overlooks Savusavu Bay and has a plunge pool just steps away from the four-post bed. An onsite chef can arrange meals, which are bound to be the best ones you’ll have in Savusavu. The villa sleeps three people max. Note that you’ll need to rent a 4WD to access the villa, as it’s located atop a steep dirt road.

Island Breeze: The best villa in Savusavu for groups, Island Breeze sleeps up to 14 people, has a full-sized kitchen, an infinity pool overlooking the sea, and beach access with kayaks for use. You can easily spend your Savusavu stay without leaving the spacious lounge deck.

Read our complete guide on where to stay in Savusavu

Still dreaming of Fiji? Read more

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The Ultimate Guide to Scuba Diving in Fiji

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