Gau IslandGau Island at a Glance
About Gau Island
Gau Island is an island in eastern Fiji, part of the Lomaiviti island group. It is a inhabited island with coastal villages and traditional village life.
The island features coastal villages, reef fringes and a rugged interior used for subsistence agriculture and local forestry. Visitors may encounter village communities and basic guest facilities rather than large-scale tourist infrastructure.
Like other islands in the Lomaiviti group, Gau has a history of indigenous settlement and integration into the colonial and postcolonial administrative structures of Fiji. Traditional leadership and village customs remain important to social life on the island.
Gau lies in eastern Fiji within the Lomaiviti archipelago and is administered as part of Fiji’s Eastern Division. Access is by sea or irregular domestic air and sea connections from larger Fijian centres.
- Provincial group: Part of Fiji’s Lomaiviti island group and administered within Fiji’s Eastern Division.
Best Time to Visit Gau Island
The island is best visited in Fiji's dry season (May-October) when sea conditions are most dependable and village life is accessible.
Weather & Climate near Gau Island
Gau Island's climate is classified as Tropical Rainforest - Tropical Rainforest climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 20°C to 28°C. Heavy rainfall (2858 mm/year), wettest in March.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | 23° - 28° | 26° | 311 mm | - | - | 3.3 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | 24° - 29° | 26° | 306 mm | - | - | 3.5 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 23° - 28° | 26° | 362 mm | - | - | 3.2 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 23° - 27° | 25° | 335 mm | - | - | 3.5 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 22° - 25° | 24° | 222 mm | - | - | 3.6 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 21° - 25° | 23° | 145 mm | - | - | 3.5 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 20° - 24° | 22° | 132 mm | - | - | 3.6 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 20° - 24° | 22° | 140 mm | - | - | 3.8 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 20° - 24° | 22° | 166 mm | - | - | 3.6 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 21° - 26° | 23° | 219 mm | - | - | 3.6 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 22° - 27° | 24° | 248 mm | - | - | 3.7 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | 23° - 28° | 25° | 272 mm | - | - | 3.6 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to Gau Island
Gau is reached either by small inter-island flights or by local passenger ferries from Suva. Flights are irregular and often depend on demand; the ferry is a longer journey and can take most of a day. Travelers usually route through Suva’s Nausori area and then take the scheduled sea or air connections that service the Lomaiviti group. Expect simple facilities on arrival and arrange onward transport with a village contact where possible.
Tips for Visiting Gau Island
- Check transport schedules carefully - inter-island flights and ferries to Gau are infrequent and seasonally adjusted.
- Bring small-denomination Fijian dollars and be ready to pay village fees or market purchases in cash.
- Ask a local about guided hikes - villages on Gau often operate simple, knowledgeable village guides rather than formal tour companies.