Set sail for Tivua Island to relax on a white-sand beach, enjoy watersports and be part of a traditional Fijian ceremony. Tivua Island is a small tropical atoll surrounded by 500 acres (202 hectares) of colorful coral reefs. You can walk around the entire island in less than 20 minutes, and there is a limit on the number of daily visitors, making it an idyllic tropical island destination.
Grab a mask, snorkel and fins, and dive in the clear tropical water to admire Fiji’s spectacular coral reef, or paddle around the island in a rented kayak. Keep an eye out for starfish, clown fish and sea cucumbers, as well as other aquatic animals. Between October and April the island becomes a sanctuary for nesting turtles. Join a glass-bottom boat tour for a more leisurely way to spot the abundant ocean life.
Back on the island you can take the easy walk around its perimeter, play volleyball or simply relax in a hammock while listening to the sounds of the ocean. Watch the locals husk a coconut, or give it a go yourself, too.
Don’t miss the chance to be part of a Kava (or Yaqona) ceremony. It involves sitting in a circle and drinking from a coconut shell after saying “bula” and clapping. Your hosts will explain all the rituals involved. The unusual concoction is made from water and the pounded root of a local pepper plant. The drink isn’t alcoholic but can have a numbing effect on people.
If you book ahead, you can stay in one of the two beach cabins and be taken on a lantern-lit walk before dinner for the ultimate romantic island experience.
Tivua Island is part of the Mamanuca Islands group and lies northwest of Nadi. Day trips depart from Nadi’s Port Denarau, and transfers to and from your Viti Levu accommodation are often included. Usually, the trip includes a buffet lunch, drinks, and the use of snorkeling and kayaking gear.
