Lau Islands

Islands Fijian island group with distinct eastern culture

The Lau Islands form a remote eastern Fijian archipelago of coral atolls and volcanic islands where chiefly traditions remain strong. Visitors arrive by yacht or small plane for village visits, snorkeling and off-the-beaten-track diving and sailing.

The Lau Islands are an island group in eastern Fiji, part of the country’s Eastern Division. The archipelago comprises roughly 50-60 islands and islets and is notable for its cultural links between Fiji and Tonga.

A mix of small villages, coral reefs and sheltered bays characterise the group. Visitors find remote beaches, traditional Fijian village life and opportunities for interisland sailing, snorkeling and reef diving; many islands have small village-run guesthouses rather than large resorts. Lakeba serves as a local administrative centre and gateway for services and transport.

The Lau group has long-standing chiefly structures and close historical ties with Tonga; those ties were strengthened in the 19th century through regional chiefly influence. The islands were incorporated into the modern Fijian state during the 19th-century period of cession and colonial administration.

Geographically the Lau Islands lie in the South Pacific to the east of Fiji’s main islands, scattered across a wide area of ocean. They form a remote, low-lying chain of coral and volcanic islands within Fiji’s maritime boundary.

Access: Most islands are sparsely inhabited and reached by small domestic flights or irregular ferry services from Suva and other Fijian ports.
Travel season: Best travel months are the drier season, typically from May to October, when sea conditions are calmer for boat travel.

What to See #

Lakeba: Serves as the administrative and population centre for the Lau group; served by a small airstrip and regular interisland boat services to other Lau islands.
Vanua Balavu: One of the larger inhabited islands in the group, with several villages and a deep natural harbour used by local boats and yachts.

How to Get to Lau Islands #

The Lau Islands are a remote island group in eastern Fiji. They are reached either by irregular inter-island shipping from Suva or by domestic flights from Suva’s domestic airport (Nausori) into one of the islands’ small airstrips (for example Lakeba); services are infrequent so check schedules in advance. On arrival transfers are by small boat or local transport between islands.

Tips for Visiting Lau Islands #

Plan visits in Fiji's dry season (roughly May-October) when sea travel is more reliable and inter-island flights run more consistently; Lakeba is the main Lau hub with scheduled domestic services, so use it as your arrival point rather than relying on irregular cargo boats.
Arrange transfers and stays in advance with a local operator or village host - many islands are inhabited and visits require coordination with village chiefs and hosts to visit outer islands and participate in cultural exchanges.
Stay overnight on one of the larger islands rather than doing a day trip: most day visitors never see inland village life, traditional weaving and canoe-building demonstrations that are the Lau Islands' strongest cultural attractions.