Lau Group Islands

A group of roughly 57 small islands, the Lau Group is located midway between Tonga and Fiji, east of the Koro Sea. Isolated from the rest of the country because of a lack of transportation to this area, the Lau Group has little to no tourism development. And, while this maybe a disadvantage in some ways, what it also means is that these islands are wonderful to explore for a back-to-nature adventure.

Spread out over 400 km, the Lau islands are often quite small and are either volcanic in nature or have been formed from pure limestone. Because of its close proximity to Tonga, the people who live here are greatly influenced by Tongan values and Polynesian culture. Life is traditional here, with most Lauans renowned throughout Fiji for their woodcarving and masi craft skills.

Only a third of the Lau Group is inhabited today. Vanua Balavu, Kaibu, Naitauba, Kanacea, Mago, Cicia, Lakeba, Vatoa and Ono-i-Lau are some of the important islands of this group. Vatoa was the first island of the Lau Group to be discovered by Captain James Cook in 1774. The most important island in the Lau Group is Lekeba, which is the ancestral seat of the chief of Lau known as the Tui Nayau. Historically, this island has been a key meeting place for Fijians and Tongans.

If you do plan on visiting the Lau Group, the snorkeling and diving here is incredible. Commercial fishing is banned in this area and the waters here are filled with a huge array of diverse marine life and beautiful coral reefs. Only the islands of Vanua Balavu, Lakeba and Kaibu have accommodations for tourists, so it is important that you make a hotel reservation if you wish to stay here. Kaibu is home to one of the most exclusive resorts in Fiji and is a privately owned island. The Kaibu Island Resort has only three bure for a maximum of six visitors. Offering a plethora of activities to enjoy, this resort has its own airstrip, with guests arriving here via private plane. There are only a couple of guesthouses on Vanua Balavu and Lakeba.

If you wish to visit the Lau Group, Air Fiji has one weekly flight to Vanua Balavu and Lakeba on Tuesdays and Thursdays respectively from Suva. You can also land here by private plane. The only other way to get to the Lau Group is by cargo boats, which periodically visit these islands from Suva.