FIJI - DRAVUNI ISLAND

VISITED LATE JAN 2020

I've spent a lot of time in Fiji - first as a package tourist to the CORAL COAST of the main island of VITI LAVU in the 70s, then as a backpacker in about a dozen places mainly on small islands off the coast of VITI LAVU. That was back in the days (late 80s) before this blog, when I travelled super-light with no camera, so I have no shots to show you of these idyllic locations. 

Since then I've previously visited twice on cruise ships - this latest was the third cruise visit and was kinda unique: I'd not been anywhere SOUTH of the main island and certainly not to any place as out of the way as DRAVUNI 

DRAVUNI is a small island NE of Fiji's southern island of KADUVU.

All those tiny islands to center/right of image are part of Fiji.

DRAVUNI and neighbouring islands are surrounded by the GREAT ASTROLABE REEF which makes for a big and very sheltered lagoon, ideal for cruise ship anchorage.
The reef apparently has an awesome drop-off and excellent diving, but distance-wise you are going to need a boat from the island. Funny thing - I didn't see anyone offering dive trips on DRAVUNI - or on the ship. Maybe other cruise-lines (this one was PRINCESS) offer dive trips.

DRAVUNI is compact at abt 2000x500m. There are no roads, vehicles or cinemas. The only village of 200 people is in the north west of the island.- solar panels, satellite dishes and outboard fishing boats instead of outrigger canoes are the only indication of the 21st century - otherwise things are much the same as way back. The main western beach runs the full length of the island - there are several smaller beaches on the eastern side. A hill about 130m high is at the south end - a lower ridge extends from this hill up the center of the island.

Locals had this helpful map set up near the landing pier. Details will be clearer if you can click-expand. Note the path to the southern hill (on the right of this tilted image) is said to be not too steep for most people. I demurred on account my wrecked knees are only good for a few hundred meters these days. But I did try the cross island track from the village to one of the east coast beaches - found the short section across the ridge extremely steep and had to give up on that one too, despite helper ropes. Bad knees hate steep descents.

DRAVUNI from the ship.

The ship from DRAVUNI

The arrivals area with the only village behind.

Area behind arrivals pier.

The main western beach SOUTH of arrivals. Wide enough from the high tide mark, dry sand more white than yellow and reasonably fine, not much of that pesky coral debris or broken shell. Bit of rock on entry to water but limited. Water clear, no waves or currents (lee side of island + reef protection), shelved normally to about 3m deep 70m out - I took a mask but few fish, not any coral and I wasn't prepared to go the 1km+ to the outer reef where the good stuff is. The east coast beaches are said to have decent snorkelling - I'd be looking around the rocks at each end.
Note southern hill in background, shade trees in back of beach (good idea to seek a tree cleared of ripe coconuts). 

The main western beach NORTH of arrivals. More of the same.
Note Fiji is subject to TROPICAL CYCLONES (aka HURRICANES/TYPHOONS) which can drastically alter beach/water conditions.

Behind the beach, locals had set up market stalls with the usual touristy clothing, trinkets, food + drinks, hair braiding, massages etc. They were offering around island boat rides for $aud10. One enterprising place had rental camp-chairs set up in back of the sand.

The village is immediately inland from the north-west section of the main beach. Worth a wander - the locals are extremely friendly. If you are lucky you might chance apon a cultural ceremony. For some reason I took no village pix - had to pinch this one from the Holland America Cruise Line blog.
Note Fijians are extremely religious and conservative - cover up swimwear when visiting the village.

If you see mistakes or have additional info please post below. But ask any questions on THE FORUM accessed via the INDEX: I check it frequently whereas I seldom revisit individual destination pages such as this one.