A bay in a volcano’s caldera, hot springs in the heart of town and experiences on the water define Savusavu. The town lies on the shore of Savusavu Bay. It is considered a tourism hub on the island’s south coast and is associated with a relaxed atmosphere, natural hot springs, diving, sailing and a desire for peace and quiet. When planning, it helps to distinguish between the town centre, the bay and excursions in the surrounding area.
Town and landscape
Nakama Hot Springs are in the centre of Savusavu. Hot water and steam have emerged there for centuries. This gives you a specific landmark in town, while other experiences described here take in the bay and nearby surroundings.
The connection between the town and the bay is also reflected in the activities available. You can explore the coast of Savusavu by kayak; equipment and providers may change, so check current availability in advance. A route of about 6 kilometres, mostly flat, runs from the town along the road in the direction of Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort. It offers a different way to get your bearings: the route follows the road and heads towards the resort.
The bay and experiences on the water
In Savusavu Bay, you can visit Split Rock, Lighthouse, David’s Point and Nuggets while snorkelling. Nawi Island Marina is in the sheltered waters of the bay and a short boat ride from Savusavu. It connects visitors with local markets, resorts and cultural experiences.
The tour at J. Hunter’s pearl farm begins with a 15-minute presentation about cultured pearls. You then take a glass-bottom boat to the underwater farm, where you can see the oyster cultivation; snorkelling is optional. During the 40-minute trip, visitors see pearl oysters at different stages of growth. They hang from 200-metre-long lines, 3 to 5 metres below the sea surface. At a cleaning platform, visitors can watch workers clean and inspect young and adult oysters.
Nearby Namena Marine Reserve is also among the possible diving experiences: it can be reached through dive operators and liveaboards based in Savusavu. The reserve is therefore a separate excursion destination outside the town, while snorkelling spots such as Split Rock and Lighthouse are in Savusavu Bay.
Getting there and finding your way around
Savusavu is an official port of entry for yachts in Fiji and provides the required quarantine, health, immigration and customs formalities. Check the procedures applicable to your arrival with the relevant authorities.
Goundar Shipping is listed as the operator of the overnight ferry service between Suva and Savusavu, with departures for the outbound journey shown on Mondays and Fridays. As ferry schedules can change, check the current service before planning. Patterson Brothers Shipping operates the Searoad Service, with buses from the bus station in Suva to the centre of Savusavu.
For the broader travel overview: Savusavu.
