Garden Island Resort,

Taveuni, Fiji

The award-winning Garden Island Resort is known for its excellent diving, professional and friendly dive operation, ocean front rooms with excellent views, wonderful staff and gorgeous lush tropical surroundings.

Taveuni is known for its rich diversity of marine, bird and plant life. Because of its thriving eco-system it is one of the most significant islands in the South Pacific.

Fiji is located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand. It is comprised of 332 islands, of which approximately 100 are inhabited.

The lush island is about 26 miles (42 kilometres) long and 10 miles (16 kilometres) wide. With a population of 12,000 inhabitants, Taveuni is sparsely populated.

Taveuni is Fiji's third largest island and commonly known as "The Garden Island" with its lush rainforests, cascading waterfalls and abundance of tropical flowers and plants. But it doesnt stop there - Taveuni boasts two famous dive spots, rainbow reef and the Great White Wall which are located in the heart of the Somosomo Strait.

Due to this narrow stretch of ocean, strong tidal currents push through the passage providing nutrients for the sea coral resulting in a spectacular underwater oasis for divers.

Garden Island Resort is located 20 kilometres from Taveuni Airport.

Accomodation

Garden Island Resort has 2 types of modern guest rooms: Upstairs the Ocean View rooms with a balcony overlooking the water. Below the brand new, luxurious Ocean View Garden rooms with private spa and garden access.

The larger, more luxurious Ocean View Garden guest-rooms are newly remodeled and furnished in 2009, each with King size beds and bedrooms leading out to the private porch with private outdoor Spa.

All rooms are equipped with the essential amenities to ensure your utmost comfort and are located right on the water's edge giving you stunning views over the ocean and to the nearby islands.

Rooms are spacious and comfortable, and feature either a private patio or balcony. Each room is air conditioned, and is equipped with:

private ensuite bathroom

flat screen TV

internet access

mini-refrigerator

telephone

coffee/tea making facilities.

You'll love the Oceanfront rooms at Garden Island Resort: Right on the Ocean, overlooking the Somostraits where you can enjoy the Fiji atmosphere with the soothing sounds of the waves in the background!

Activities in Taveuni:

Waita Waterslide

About 30-minute walk from the resort, this natural waterslide is located in a picturesque and secluded rainforest setting.

Rainbox Reef Snorkelling

A 20-minute boat ride takes you to one of the prettiest underwater gardens in Fiji, the world famous Rainbow Reef. This is an excellent snorkeling location; in addition to the beautiful coral, there are often multitudes of fish and the occasional reef shark.

Soft adventure to walk to the international dateline

Just a short walk south of the resort is the 180 degree meridian line which offers a great photo opportunity

Tobu Vei Tui Falls - Savu le vea Vonu

Departing from Lavena Village is two hour coastal boat excursion passing by Wai ni Bau and (tide permitting) travel in the creek to Tobu Vei Tui (three falls!). Stop off for a swim and enjoy the peace and serenity of this remote location.

Waitaby Marine Park

The Waitabu Marine Park was established 10 years ago by the community of Waitabu, it has become a testament to the power of locally driven marine conservation.

Snorkelling is done off a traditional Fijian vessel – the ‘Biilibili raft’, all gear is included. You will get to snorkel in pristine waters where the locals are prohibited to fish or collect any marine life! Fringed with white sand beaches; a perfect sand and snorkel tour.

Horseback Riding

Enjoy a trail ride through the beautiful Taveuni countryside and rainforests with a possible journey up the hill to the famous Twin
Craters at the southern end of Taveuni.

An experienced guide will lead you on a breathtaking trip enabling you to view this wonderful island from a different perspective. Suitable for both beginners and experienced riders.

Bogiono Farm

Take advantage of this unique experience, one must awaken all five senses and feel nature at its best. The embracing sounds of the various birds and the sightings of some rare doves and other bird species found only on Taveuni.

The tropical rain forest represents nature’s main storehouse of raw materials for medicines. Be shown and explained each plant and how it is used by generations to combat illness Traditional Fijian Medicinal Plants

Pepper Mint is used to treat cough and flu. Aloe Vera is used externally to treat various skin conditions such as cuts, burns and eczema. Traditionally the Fijian people or any tribal people for that matter, looked to the plants and animals of tropical forests for their medicinal and herbal needs. As you may already know that Tropical Rain Forests represents nature’s main storehouse of raw materials for medicines.

Daily Yoga Practice

On the retreat you will enjoy daily Yoga sessions with Mark Whittwell. These will be either split into two shorter sessions, or one longer workshop-style session. Mark teaches in a very holistic way which caters for the individual. It is about finding a natural Yoga practice that is right for You, whether if are a complete beginner or an experienced Yogi.

Vuna Village - Blow Hole - Navakawau (The end of the road)

At the southern end of the island is located the village of Vuna which played an important role in the settlement of the first Europeans on Taveuni.

Drive through some of the islands original coconut plantations. Some of this land is still owned by the descendants of the original settlers. Beyond Vuna at the very end of the coastal road is a village called Navakawau, which literally means ‘end of the road’. It is a beautiful drive along rugged coastline down to Navakawau.

One of the highlights is a tidal ‘blowhole’ which is quite impressive to see if the tide is right. Your special guide provides many cultural insights into Fijian history along the way.

Bird Watching

The island has many birds endemic to Fiji and quite a few found only on Taveuni. Within Garden Island Resort grounds, the most common species is the Indian Mynah which is not a native but can still be amusing as it is bold natural mimic with an amazing variety of calls.
Closer observers may also see our resident kingfisher taking his morning dip in the pool; and when the umbrella tree is in fruit, a flock of bright red and green red-collared lories come in to feed. Des Voeux Peak, a world- famous bird watching spot is a haven for serious birders.

You may catch sight of the orange dove and the silktail, both which not found anywhere else in the world. View the colorful parrots soaring through the treetops.

The trip to Des Voeux is by a 4-wheel drive trip up the rugged mountain road with stops along the way for
sightings then hiking along through forest areas along the mountain road.

Korolevu Island

The small island off the resort has excellent snorkeling and a wonderful beach with sand perfect for building sand castles!

Dolphins are often seen just offshore. You can take a picnic lunch, snorkel and spend the rest of the time relaxing on the beach.

Kayaking

Sit-on-top kayaks are available for daytime use – take trip along the shoreline or kayak to Korolevu Island! It will take about 45
minutes to kayak over to Korolevu Island.

Scuba Diving

The Somosomo staits is the ‘signature’ of what Fiji diving is about. The phrase “The Soft Coral Capital of the World’ was surely started here. The most famous of Fiji’s Soft coral dives ‘ The
Great White Wall’ is just 10 minutes from our Dive Shop. We have two custom built dive boats with twin outboards for diver safety and comfort.

Treks, Hikes & Cultural Excursions

Bouma Falls

Bouma Falls is one of the most beautiful spots on Taveuni. Located in Tavoro National Park, it is a perfect half or full day trip.
The Bouma Falls are actually three waterfalls; the first is an easy ten minute walk from the main road.

Vidawa Rainforest Hike

Vidawa village is just before Bouma. The old village site has the remains the first village settlement in this area. There is a fort which is also visible.

The village uses many plants for medicinal purposes and this will be explained to you by the trained guide in the village. The hike will take you through verdant jungle and will finish at Bouma Waterfalls.

Refreshments are provided by the Village when you finish the trek. The driver will be there to take you back to the Hotel. Water/rock walking shoes are recommended.

Wai Ni Bau

For the adventuresome, there is a 3-mile walking path to Wai ni Bau waterfalls, this waterfall has two waterfalls falling into the one pool; this walk takes about 90 minutes of which the last 30 minutes is up
a creek bed. Depending on weather, this could entail scrambling, wading or even swimming. The falls are spectacular and you can easily spend a whole day on this trip. Arrange for a picnic pack lunch

Duivosavosa Village Settlement Cultural Tour

This special guided trip allows you to visit a traditional home where the villagers will welcome you in experiencing their lifestyle.

There will be demonstrations of Fijian crafts, fire making, earth oven (lovo) demonstration, preparation of the traditional drink kava. Kava preparation is shown from the live yaqona plant through the many preparatory phases before it is ready to be mixed into the ceremonial drink.

Wairiki Mission

About a 30-minute walk takes you to the lovely old Catholic mission at Wairiki. The mission is set into the hillside and overlooks the site where Taveuni warriors turned back thousands of Tongans in a battle which was fought in canoes just off the beach. Guests are welcome to attend Mass on Sunday mornings. Sunday Mass is at 07.00am, 09.00am and 11.00am. The singing is magnificent!

Lavena Coastal Hike - Ravilevu Reserve

This trip can be done in combination with the Bouma Falls trip or on its own. Past Bouma Falls you travel to Lavena, one of the most picturesque villages on the island. Lavena also has one of the most beautiful beaches of Taveuni, this is the location of the ‘Return to Blue Lagoon’.

White sand and crystal clear water make this an ideal spot for swimming, snorkeling and picnicking. A good track takes you from Lavena Village along the coast.