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.
Best Time to Visit Lau Islands#
Visit during the dry season (May-October) for the most pleasant weather and fewer disruptions from tropical storms.