Some people kick back and head to a resort filled with lively nightlife and packed bars. I myself prefer to find a secluded place with deserted beaches and crystal clear waters, where I can rest, think and recharge. I want to eat wonderful food, enjoy a refreshing cocktail, read a book that makes me laugh out loud, and be pampered in quiet luxury. Aaah, paradise … and I found it, on the island of Taveuni in Fiji.
Taveuni Island has been called the Mysterious Island of Fiji, a volcanic outcrop 42 kilometers long and only 9 kilometers wide. The island is divided along its spine by a high ridge, and green rainforests spill out on either side of the ridge towards the coast. Much of the southeast coast is accessible only by boat, while the northwest of the island has several small and beautiful beaches. The island is a treasure trove of tropical flowers and plants, including the rare tagimacuia flower, found alongside its namesake, Lake Tagimacuia, Taveuni’s most popular tourist attraction.
accommodation
Taveuni resorts are small and intimate; most have no more than 20 or 30 guests at any one time. Arguably the most luxurious of the islands, the Taveuni Palms Resort has just two villas, each with its own private chef and staff. Other world-class resorts include Maravu Plantation, Taveuni Island Resort, and Susie’s Plantation Resort.
Activities
Taveuni Island offers many of the sports and recreational activities you would expect from an island paradise, such as hiking, swimming, and kayaking, but diving is the magnet that draws many visitors to Taveuni. There are three main dive areas off the coast of Taveuni, including the Rainbow Reef, one of the best soft coral reefs in the world. The Great White Wall is an extraordinary attraction for divers, a luminescent coral tunnel where you will see hundreds of beautiful fish while being surrounded by the glow of white coral. There are several full-service dive operations on Taveuni Island, catering for all experience levels, from beginners to certified divers.
Travel to Taveuni Island
Taveuni is located in the South Pacific, with flights available to Fiji International Airport in Nadi from Los Angeles, Sydney and Auckland. The one-hour flight from Nadi to Taveuni is a breathtaking sightseeing experience as you fly over the outer islands and clear blue ocean. Most resorts will organize your ground transportation in Taveuni, with staff meeting you at the airport.
If a crowded and noisy vacation is your idea of paradise, the island of Taveuni is not for you. But if, like me, you crave serene and peaceful beauty in a tropical wonderland, Taveuni is paradise unto itself.
