We are where each new day begins. Situated on the 180 degrees meridian line north of the Fiji Islands.

Because of the International Dateline, Taveuni is the only place in the world where you live your two days in one. Blessed with its tropical climate of beautiful sunshine and fare amount of rainshine, Taveuni is well known to both locals and visitors as the Garden Island of Fiji. It has unique lush volcanic vegetation.

One third of the Islands pristine rainforest is under nature reserve. 80% of it is National Park accessible for sightseeing. Clean air and water with unpolluted environment, un-crowded beaches and beautiful virgin coral reefs for your eyes only.

This, blended with a unique culture of one of the friendliest people you will ever come to know, is second to none in the world.

From traditional thatched BURE beside the beach to luxury villas overlooking the ocean, from romantic seclusion on a private beach to an all out party under the tall coconut palms on a moon lit night. There is always something to suit you.

Only here on the Garden Island is where everyone else treats you like family. You will come to love the sweet smiles and BULA greetings that is part of life here.

Come. Experience among other things why we are - The way the World should be.

Put a flower behind your ear, a garland of flowers round your neck and swap your trousers for a colorful tropical sulu, brush up your smile and immerse yourself in true Island hospitality.

Features of Taveuni

• A population of about 15,000 people of mainly indigenous Fijians with minority communities of Indian Fijians, which run the majority of commerce on the island.
• Eight public and private schools, 1 modern hospital and 3 nursing stations.
• A dozen villages and about 30 settlements throughout the island.
• A ferry wharf (Wairiki) and an airport (Matei).
• The largest village where most of the shops are located is Naqara. Other places to stock up on goods include: Waiyevo and Wairiki.

Due to its fertile soil and high rainfall, The "Garden Island" provides a considerable amount of Fiji's staple crops such as coconuts, taro, tapioca, kava, pineapples, banana, vegetables and tropical fruits.

• Taveuni has many natural features and has one of the best diving in Fiji.

Map of Taveuni

Geographical History

Taveuni is one of Fiji's newest islands in the Fijian group, believed to have been created about 2, 000 years ago arising from the seabed during a volcanic eruption.

Evidence of its volcanic origins, can be found everywhere from the soil which contains volcanic pebbles and pumice, to the solidified lava outcrops found along some of the beaches throughout the island including Wei Wei and Vuna (Blowholes) to the "black sand" volcanic beaches of Navakacoa and Paqai, near Qeleni village and Wairiki.. 

Cultural History

Cultural history for the island dates back centuries. Many fierce wars have taken place between the Tongans and the Taveuni Islanders, who were known as one of the fiercest warriors and cannibals. There is even remnants of an old fort and burial ground on the island near Bouma. The fort was established to guard against the invading Tongans.

Near Wairiki some two hundred years ago, Taveuni warriors turned back thousands of invading Tongans, (Polynesian origins) in a battle that was fought in canoes just off the beach. It was this particular battle that turned the tide in a war that had seen the Tongans take over much of Fiji. The locals celebrated by cooking their enemies and eating them with breadfruit.

Climate

Taveuni's weather can be described as humid and tropical. Due to prevailing Easterly Trade Winds, it is a few degrees cooler, on average all year round, than Suva and Nadi.  Even though Taveuni is a relatively small island, it has a varied climate, and can be wet on the Eastern side and relatively dry in the Southwest (around Vuna), with very little rainfall, especially during the dry season.

Like most tropical places around the world, Fiji has two distinct seasons, dry and wet.  The dry season runs from April through to October and the wet season starts in the other months.

Rainfall
The Trade Winds also make Taveuni one of the wettest parts of Fiji and it receives an average of 2600mm of rainfall per annum around Matei through to 4500mm in the highlands.

Taveuni has abundant rainfall ranging from 2,500mm per annum through to 4,500mm per annum in the highlands.  Taveuni's high rainfall, combined with its' fertile volcanic soil, lack of the Mongoose, provides a high biodiversity of endemic flora and fauna.

Temperature
The weather is tropical all year round, with only two seasons, wet and dry [dry from May- Nov].  The temperature is relatively stable throughout the year.  The maximum temperature ranges from an average of 27-30 deg.C and an average minimum temperature range is 22-24 deg.C.

Humidity
Due to equatorial location of Fiji and the high rainfall, Taveuni has a humid climate.  The relative humidity ranges from 76-86% throughout the year.

Table showing 12 year averages for weather on Taveuni Island.

Location: Matei Airport- [Source: Fijian Meteorological Bureau-Nadi Fiji].