Savusavu
A small town on a natural harbour on Vanua Levu's south-east coast, with volcanic hot springs, and rivers, rainforest and reef a short drive away.
- Arrival
- Savusavu · SVU
- From Nadi
- About an hour by domestic flight
- Private jets
- Clear at Nadi, then a short domestic hop
- Best time
- June to September
The city
Hot springs and a sheltered harbour.
Savusavu sits in a natural harbour on the south-east coast of Vanua Levu, and is known for its volcanic hot springs and its eco-resorts. The days divide between water and forest: snorkelling, diving and sailing, tubing down the Sekawa river, a swim under a waterfall, a hot-mud spa in the jungle. In town, the markets sell local chocolate, handicrafts and pearl jewellery.
The nearest long-term record is Labasa's, on the north coast across the mountains. There, June to September is the drier spell, under 100 millimetres a month with highs of 28 to 29 °C, while March brings close to 400. The south-east coast tends to be wetter still.
- The hot springs The volcanic springs for which the town is best known.
- The Sekawa river Tubing downstream through the forest, with a waterfall swim to finish.
- The markets Chocolate, handicrafts and pearl jewellery made on the island.
Arriving
A daylight airstrip, two kilometres from town.
Savusavu's airport, two kilometres south of the town, has one asphalt runway of about 860 metres, unlit, and no customs. The flight from Nadi takes about an hour; Labasa, on the north coast, is two hours away by a mountain road.
- Nadi 40 min
- Auckland 3 h 20
- Brisbane 4 h 10
- Papeete 4 h 35
- Beijing 12 h 00 long-range jet
When to go
June to September.
Tropical and wet for much of the year. On Vanua Levu's north coast, June to September brings under 100 millimetres of rain a month and highs of 28 to 29 °C; from January to March rainfall passes 350 millimetres. The sea stays between 26 and 29 °C.
- 31° J 362 29°
- 31° F 351 29°
- 31° M 396 29°
- 32° A 260 29°
- 30° M 114 28°
- 28° J 84 27°
- 28° J 62 26°
- 29° A 66 26°
- 29° S 93 26°
- 30° O 146 27°
- 31° N 230 28°
- 31° D 255 28°
Where to stay
On Savusavu Bay, and out on the Rainbow Reef.
Shown for information. We have no arrangement with any of these hotels.
- Namale Resort & Spa Villas and bures across 525 acres of jungle, reef and coastline, with a spa of 10,000 square feet.
- The Remote Resort Two MICHELIN Keys, eight villas with plunge pools, and transfers from Savusavu included.
- Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort One MICHELIN Key: twenty-five bures on a coconut plantation by the bay, with dives led by the resort's marine biologist and a children's camp.
Elsewhere in Fiji
More reasons to come.
- Nadi The international airport, and seaplanes out to the islands.
- Mamanuca Islands Small resort islands within an hour of Nadi by boat.
- Yasawa Islands A long chain of less visited islands further north.
- Suva The capital, on the rainy south-east coast.
- Taveuni The garden island, astride the 180th meridian.
Flying to Savusavu?
Choose how you arrive.
A Business or First Class seat on a scheduled airline, or an aircraft of your own. Tell us the date and how many are travelling, and we reply with one final price, our margin included.