Venturing to Savusavu and Taveuni islands in northern Fiji means paying for additional airfares, but this is my favorite part of the country. Children will love it up here, too, particularly at Savusavu's Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort, the best Fiji has to offer for children. Both Savusavu and Taveuni have other fine resorts and hotels, but tourism is minor in "The North," which is much more reminiscent of the Old South Seas than is Viti Levu. The country's best diving and snorkeling is up here, but this also is a fine place to explore the great outdoors ashore. Note: Remember when planning that Air Fiji flies between Savusavu and Taveuni, but Pacific Sun does not.
Day 1: Exploring Savusavu
Take a morning flight from Nadi to Savusavu's little airstrip, on the southern side of Vanua Levu. Check in or leave your bags at your hotel and spend the rest of the morning and early afternoon seeing the scenery, examining the hot springs, and shopping for the orb of your dreams at J. Hunter Pearls in Savusavu town.
Day 2: Waisali Rainforest Reserve
While most Fiji activities are at or near the seaside, spend this day in the jungly interior at Waisali Rainforest Reserve, a national forest with a waterfall up in Vanua Levu's central mountains.
Day 3: Boat Tour of Savusavu Bay
The bay at Savusavu is so large the U.S. navy made plans to hide the Pacific fleet there in case of a hurricane. Spend Day 3 exploring it on a boat tour organized by Rock 'n Downunder Divers.
Day 4: Straddling the 180° Meridian
Catch the morning Air Fiji flight to Matei, on the northern end of Taveuni. After settling into your hotel, hire a taxi and ride through Somosomo and Waiyevo villages to Wairiki, where the 180th meridian passes through Fiji. Although the international date line technically detours from the 180° longitude line to bypass Fiji, you can stand under a sign at the meridian, one foot in today, the other in "yesterday." On the way back, stop for a swim at Prince Charles Beach, which holds a place among Fiji's best.
Day 5: Bouma National Heritage Park
Spend most of today in Bouma National Heritage Park, Fiji's best national park. You will not need a guide for the short walk up to Bouma Falls, but you will on the longer Vidawa Rainforest Walk, which has great views of the islands off northern Taveuni. Retire for a sunset drink at Tramontu Bar & Grill, on a clifftop high above the Somosomo Strait.
Day 6: Lavena Coastal Walk
Plan on more hiking today, this time along the beautiful Lavena Coastal Walk on Taveuni's wild east coast. Be prepared to swim the last few yards to reach Wainibau Falls. If this is a Friday night, graze the buffet of Fijian foods at Vunibokoi Restaurant.
Day 7: Waitavaia Sliding Rocks
You'll need to catch the afternoon flight back to Nadi, but can spend the morning cascading down the Waitavaia Sliding Rocks near Waiyevo village.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
