SavusavuSavusavu at a Glance
Costs: Typical traveller: ~$60 per day - midrange for Fiji islands: guesthouses, dive trips increase budget.
Safety: Safe and welcoming - safe and relaxed; usual precautions around waterfront at night.
Best Time: May-October (dry season) - dry months give the best visibility for diving and sailing.
Why Visit Savusavu?
Set on Vanua Levu’s sheltered bay, Savusavu appeals to sailors, divers, and travelers seeking relaxed island charm. Natural hot springs, diving on coral-rich reefs, and a lively waterfront filled with marinas and cafés give the town its easygoing rhythm. Small markets and local restaurants serve coconut-based dishes and fresh seafood, while nearby villages offer cultural kava gatherings. It’s an ideal base for cruising the Lau and exploring off-grid beaches.
Best Things to Do in Savusavu
Island
Vanua Levu
Fiji's second-largest island with sugarcane and reefs
Mountain
Mount Nasorolevu
Highest peak on Vanua Levu island, lush rainforest
Savusavu Bucket List
Don't Miss
Savusavu Harbour - Harborfront promenade and dive departures offering scenic views and boat excursions.
Savusavu Hot Springs - Relax in natural hot springs located a short drive from town center.
Farmers’ Market - Local market selling fresh produce, seafood, and island-made crafts usually mornings.
Hidden Gems
Local dive operators - Arrange local dive trips to nearby reefs and occasional wreck dive sites.
Chartered boat coves - Charter a small boat to explore secluded coves around Vanua Levu’s coastline.
Village visits - Take guided village tours to meet artisans and learn traditional island life.
Day Trips
Taveuni ferry day trip - Catch the short ferry to Taveuni for waterfalls, gardens and world-class diving.
Natewa Bay snorkeling - Half-day trips to Natewa Bay for diverse reefs, dolphins, and calm snorkeling.
Nearby Cities #
Best Time to Visit Savusavu
Savusavu is most pleasant in the dry months (May-October) when diving and cruising are calm. The wet/cyclone season brings heavy rain and possible travel disruption.
Dry Season
Drier weather and calmer seas make diving and snorkeling excellent; quieter marinas and clearer conditions suit boat trips and hikes.
Wet Season
Frequent tropical downpours and higher humidity-some dive operators reduce trips, but the island’s hot springs and greenery are spectacular.
Cyclone Season
Cyclone season increases the chance of cancellations and rough seas; bring flexible plans and follow local weather warnings closely.
Tropical climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 22°C to 30°C. Heavy rainfall (2485 mm/year), wettest in January.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Good | 25° - 29° | 30° | 314 mm | overcast | 80% | 3.2 m/s | 2.7 extreme | 12.9h |
| February | Good | 25° - 30° | 30° | 273 mm | overcast | 81% | 3.2 m/s | 2.6 extreme | 12.5h |
| March | Good | 25° - 29° | 27° | 314 mm | overcast | 81% | 3.2 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 12.1h |
| April | Good | 24° - 29° | 26° | 219 mm | overcast | 81% | 3.4 m/s | 1.9 very high | 11.6h |
| May | Very Good | 24° - 27° | 25° | 195 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 3.5 m/s | 1.6 very high | 11.2h |
| June | Very Good | 23° - 27° | 25° | 125 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 3.6 m/s | 1.3 high | 11.0h |
| July | Very Good | 22° - 26° | 24° | 147 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 3.9 m/s | 1.4 high | 11.1h |
| August | Very Good | 22° - 26° | 24° | 138 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 4.0 m/s | 1.7 very high | 11.5h |
| September | Very Good | 22° - 26° | 24° | 146 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 3.9 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 11.9h |
| October | Good | 23° - 27° | 25° | 170 mm | overcast | 81% | 3.6 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 12.4h |
| November | Good | 24° - 28° | 26° | 178 mm | overcast | 81% | 3.4 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 12.8h |
| December | Good | 24° - 29° | 27° | 266 mm | overcast | 81% | 3.4 m/s | 2.6 extreme | 13.0h |
How to Get to Savusavu
Savusavu is most easily reached via a domestic flight into Savusavu Airport (SVU) from Nadi or Suva; the town is a short taxi ride from the airport. There is no train network - local buses and taxis handle most onward travel.
Savusavu Airport (SVU): Savusavu on Vanua Levu has a domestic airport (SVU) with flights from Nadi and Suva. The flight from Nadi takes around 45-60 minutes; taxis meet most flights for the short transfer into Savusavu town (10 minutes).
(Nadi International for international arrivals): International visitors usually fly into Nadi (NAN) and connect onward to SVU by domestic flight.
Train: No rail services operate in Savusavu or on Vanua Levu.
Bus / Minibus: Local buses and shared vans operate on Vanua Levu but services are less frequent than on Viti Levu; taxis and private transfers are commonly used for convenience between villages and town.
How to Get Around Savusavu
Savusavu is best reached by domestic flight; once there, taxis and car hire offer reliable ways to explore, while shared vans provide a cheaper, less predictable alternative.
- Domestic flight - Flights to Savusavu (SVU) from Nadi or Suva are the quickest way to reach the town. Flights are relatively short (about 45-60 minutes from Nadi); book early in high season as seats can fill quickly.
- Taxi - Taxis are the standard way to get between the airport and Savusavu town and to reach nearby resorts. They provide reliable, door-to-door service and are recommended if you have luggage or a tight schedule.
- Bus / Shared van - Shared vans and local buses operate between Savusavu and surrounding villages; they are the economical choice but less predictable in timetable, so plan flexibly if using them.
- Car hire - Car rentals are available in Savusavu for exploring the local area and reaching more remote beaches and hot springs. Availability may be limited; reserve in advance during busy periods.
- Boat / Water taxi - For access to nearby islands and coastal spots, water taxis and charter boats are used. These are typically arranged locally and are weather-dependent - book through trusted operators or your accommodation.
- Walking - Savusavu town is compact and easy to explore on foot; shops, cafes and the waterfront are all within walking distance.
Where to Stay in Savusavu
Budget
Savusavu - $40-120/night
Savusavu has several budget guesthouses and family-run inns catering to divers and sailors. Book early during peak dive and yachting seasons.
Mid-Range
Savusavu - $80-250/night
Savusavu offers comfortable mid-range hotels and boutique lodges with good access to marinas and dive operators. Options are limited but reliable.
Luxury
Savusavu luxury lodges - $200-600+/night
A few high-end private resorts and exclusive lodges operate around Savusavu; availability is limited so reserve well ahead of travel dates.
Shopping in Savusavu
Savusavu’s shopping is small-scale: the town market and a few souvenir stalls sell local produce, handcrafts and practical supplies. Boutique galleries and jewelers around the marina cater to visitors seeking higher-end items.
For a broader retail selection, consider visiting larger Fijian towns or shopping on the main island before traveling north.