Levuka, Ovalau Island (Fiji)

Levuka is the ancient capital of Fiji. The city is located on the east coast of the island of Ovalau, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Levuka was founded in the 18th century and became the first permanent European settlement in the Pacific Islands and the capital of Fiji. When the city could no longer accommodate the newly emerging buildings in the late 19th century, the capital was moved to the city of Suva. The heyday of Levuka fell on the colonial era, so the European spirit is present in every corner of the city. In the center of it stands the “stone of freedom”, which was installed at the site of the signing of the independence treaty between Fiji and Great Britain.. Here you can see the first churches and temples of the archipelago.

Numerous narrow streets branch off from the central part of Levuka, where colonial buildings are located. The city has Nasau Park, where locals relax and play sports.

The relief of the entire island of Ovalau is elevated, with a maximum elevation of about 600 m above sea level. It is crossed along and across by foot routes. The main attraction of these routes is the village of Lovoni. She is located in a volcanic crater in the center of the island near Levuka. The village is surrounded by tropical forest, where you can visit picturesque waterfalls. North of Levuki is the city of Rukuruku. where the main beach areas of the island are located.

Nadi, Viti Levu island (Fiji)

The city of Nandi is located in the central part of the western coast of the island of Viti Levu. There is an international airport of the same name in Nadi, where tourists arrive who want to see the archipelago. This is the starting point for travelingin Fiji.

Nandi is the religious center of Hindus and Muslims. The main Hindu temple of Sri Shiva Subramanya is located here. It is believed to be the largest Hindu temple in the Southern Hemisphere. It is a multi-colored pyramid 30 m high, which is decorated with various ornaments. The temple consists of three parts, which were built in honor of the deities Murugan, Ganesha and Meenakshi.

The best beach in the vicinity of the city – Nadi Bay. Not far from it are the international class resorts Denarau and Abaka. Denarau Island has two luxury resorts and golf courses.

South of Nandi, along the coast at the mouth of the Sigatoka River, windsurfing is possible. This is the “windiest” place on the Fiji Islands, here from April to November the wind speed is about 10 m/s almost every day.

East of Nandi lie the Nasuori highlands.. Deep in the Nasuori Mountains are numerous villages where traditional old Fijian houses stand. These villages will be interesting in the sense that the local population has not gone far from their ancestors and lives according to the old way. In the village of Nakabuta, for example, you can buy clay souvenirs that the villagers make with their own hands.

South of Nandi, the area of the city of Sigatoka is interesting. Here, in the valley of the river of the same name, hiking trips are organized, the routes of which are laid through mountainous terrain and forests. The sacred caves of Naikhire are of interest in this area. In the vicinity of Sigatoka on the coast is the Sigatoka Sand Dunes Conservation Area.. They stretch along several kilometers along the coast and cover an area of 650 hectares. The height of the dunes ranges from 20 to 60 m. In addition to a wide variety of landscapes, the dunes are also the site of archaeological excavations. Fragments of pottery over 2600 years old and burials dating back to the 15th century BC were found here.

In the vicinity of Nandi, it is worth visiting the gardens of the Sleeping Giant. This is a park with an area of 20 hectares, where about 2 thousand species of Asian orchids grow. Along the entire garden there are wooden paths that pass through the forest, orchid gardens and lakes.

25 km north of Nandi is the city of Lautoka. Here is the largest sugar factory in Fiji where excursions are arranged. The sugar industry is the city’s main source of income. Lautoka hosts the Sugar Festival every September.

Off the west coast of Viti Levu are the Mamanuca and Yasawa island groups, where cruise boats depart from Nandi. The islands are famous for their beaches and excellent opportunities for diving and surfing.

Savusavu, Vanua Levu island (Fiji)

According to Citypopulationreview.com, the city of Savusavu is located on the southern coast of the island of Vanua Levu in the bay of the same name. Only one street runs along the city, where restaurants, shops, clubs and offices are concentrated. It ends at the local yacht club, which is very popular among tourists. Savusavu ‘s main attraction is the hot springs. Their outlets are scattered throughout the city and beyond. Steam is sometimes knocked out of the asphalt and on city lawns. Some women even prepare food with water from these sources. Hot springs are evidence of active volcanic processes that once took place on the island. From Savusavu excursions to a pearl farm, as well as adventure cruises are offered on a ship called Tui Tai, which is an old ship.

Two main roads of the island start from Savusavu – the Hibiscus Highway, which runs along the coast through the main resort areas, and the Savusavu-Labasa Highway, which runs through the forested central part of the island. And on that, and on another route it is interesting to take a ride by car or bus. The entire Savusavu bay is a chain of beach resorts. In addition, diving is possible here. The most popular dive site is the Dreamhouse reef with a huge variety of sponges and soft corals. In the Nasonisoni canal you can drift in the course, and at a fairly high speed. It is 2 km long and full of barracudas.

East of Savusavu is the Natewa Peninsula, connected to Vanua Levu by a narrow isthmus. The peninsula is home to copra plantations, rainforests and local small villages. This place is great for hiking.