9 Best Sights in Taveuni, Fiji

Taveuni got the nickname "Garden Island of Fiji" for this multifaceted park covering almost 259 square km (100 square miles), or nearly a third of the island. The park's four villages offer guided walks, waterfall visits, snorkeling off traditional rafts, a hike, and bird-watching through the virgin rain forest and along the pristine coast. The Lavena Coastal Walk is a scenic walk past rain forest and traditional gardens of cassava, papaya, kava, and other crops, over a river to pristine waterfalls and a swimming hole. The trail begins at Lavena village, 6 km (3.7 miles) south of the park entrance, and passes great swimming and snorkeling spots as it traces the coast. It's a four-hour walk round-trip, but makes an enjoyable half-day or longer. Groups of four or more can also take a three-hour boat tour to seven waterfalls inaccessible on foot and walk back along the coast, if they so choose.

At the very southern tip of the island, this dramatic natural feature is created by water rushing in between black volcanic rocks on the edge of coral-rich Vuna Reef, fantastic for snorkeling. It's also in the vicinity of quiet beaches ideal for a picnic lunch. At low tide, you can climb over rocks to get closer to the blow-hole, but it's not recommended.

Nearly 1,219 meters (4,000 feet) up, this peak offers Taveuni's best views over Vanua Levu and the Somosomo Strait. The trip requires a 30- to 40-minute 4WD ride and then a 20-minute walk and is best done earlier in the day before clouds begin crowding in at the top. You can organize the trip through your hotel.

The largest village on Taveuni, it's the seat of government and home of Taveuni's high chief. The Great Council of Chiefs meeting house, a stately thatched bure, is visible from the road, and there's also a graveyard here. Tours can be organized through your accommodation.

The first of the Tavoro Waterfalls, or Bouma Falls, is a 15-minute stroll through manicured gardens along the Tavoro River from its visitor center. It's one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Fiji and was featured in the movie Return to the Blue Lagoon. The second and third waterfalls are successively farther away and are accessible via well-maintained paths. They have smaller swimming pools, but the views on the way are well worth the walk.

Bird-watchers and those looking for a more strenuous experience will enjoy the Vidawa Rainforest Hike. This half-day guided tour takes you through rain forest and ancient village sites and up to excellent views over the island and reefs. Birds you may see include Lady Monarchs, Blue-Crowned Broad Bills, Silktails, and the storied Orange Dove, of which no known photographs exist. The tour includes lunch and refreshments. The trail begins across the road and slightly north of the Tavoro Waterfalls visitor center.

The Catholic Church here was built in 1907 in honor of a French missionary who successfully advised Taveuni's warriors in how to defeat invading Tongans in a major battle. It's an imposing stone structure in the Roman style with stained-glass windows and the only seating are floor mats. Fijians are known for their beautiful a cappella singing and Sunday services here are a fantastic way to experience this. Local children are often eager to show visitors around their village afterward. The international dateline or 180th meridian, which in theory splits the island but was shifted around the Fiji island group, is denoted by a sign not far from here.

Swim and snorkel over a fringing reef that has been a marine-protected area (MPA) since 1998, when the Waitabu people and other villages agreed to stop overfishing. There are guided snorkeling tours using bilibili or traditional bamboo rafts followed by tea and music on the beach. A cheaper option does not include rafts or tea. The campground offers 12 tent sites near the water's edge, and communal cooking and bathroom facilities. It's slightly north of Vidawa village on the coast.

Not far from Garden Island Resort is this local hangout where kids slide down a natural chute of smoothed rocks into a natural pool. It has a beautiful rain forest setting but be careful: the ride can leave you with bumps and bruises.