Lavena Coastal Walk

The Lavena Coastal Walk, Taveuni, Fiji

The Lavena Coastal Walk is a 5km trail on the eastern coast of Taveuni, Fiji’s third-largest island. It runs through a Fijian village, along a shoreline backed by rainforest, through coconut plantations, and ends at two waterfalls — Wainibau Falls, where the trail crosses a stream several times and finishes at a swimming hole beneath a 40-metre cascade. The combination of coast, forest, and fresh water in a short distance makes it one of the better half-day walks in the Pacific.

The Walk

The trail starts at Lavena village on Taveuni’s eastern coast, where a small lodge manages access and collects the entry fee — around FJ$30-40 per person, which goes to the village as a community tourism arrangement. The track is marked and the distance is manageable in 3-4 hours return, but the final section to Wainibau Falls involves wading through shallow river crossings that can be waist-deep after rain. Waterproof bags for cameras and electronics are advisable.

The coastal section has good snorkelling accessible off the rocks: Taveuni is adjacent to the Somosomo Strait, one of the more productive dive areas in Fiji, and the same reef system extends close to shore. The village sometimes provides snorkelling gear for hire.

The forest section is dense secondary growth; birdwatchers have a reasonable chance of seeing the orange dove (Ptilinopus victor), one of Fiji’s most distinctive endemic species, which is found primarily on Taveuni.

Taveuni

Taveuni is known as the Garden Island, a description that is accurate — it receives considerable rainfall from its mountainous interior, which keeps the vegetation lush and the waterfalls running. The Bouma National Heritage Park on the northwest coast has three waterfall pools at different elevations accessible on a separate trail from the Tavoro River area; these are the most visited attraction on the island and are included in a different entry fee from the Lavena walk.

The 180th meridian runs through Taveuni, which is marked at a spot on the east coast road — arguably meaningless but reliably photographed.

Getting There

Taveuni has a small airport with regular flights from Nadi (about 1 hour) and Suva (about 45 minutes) on Fiji Airways and smaller carriers. Ferries from Savusavu on Vanua Levu take about 4-5 hours and depart several times per week. From Taveuni airport, vehicles from the various lodges meet guests; it is also possible to hire a carrier (local taxi-truck) for FJ$30-50 to reach Lavena village.

Several small lodges operate on Taveuni, primarily on the west coast near the airport and dive sites. Rates are mid-range to upscale by Fiji standards. Accommodation at Lavena itself is basic guesthouse-style; the lodge associated with the walk has simple rooms for around FJ$50-80 per night.