The island of Taveuni

Taveuni, aptly named Fiji’s Garden Isle, is the country’s third largest island and is comprised of one very large, but dormant,volcano. Steeped in nature’s sweetest secrets, with a Mataqali (family) of friendly Fijians charged as her caretakers, the island and surrounding waters are home to the Rainbow Reef, one of many world-famous dive sites; Lake Tagimoucia, the hiding place of the fabled Tagimoucia flower; Bouma National Heritage Park, Waitavala Waterslide and Lavena Point, which each boast several majestic mid-jungle waterfalls; as well as Ravilevu Nature Preserve and Taveuni Forest, two of the island’s most prolific bird sanctuaries.

Incredibly, the island offers even more. Eco-industry abounds here, keeping the island in its presently pristine condition. The land is laden with organically grown fruit, root and vegetable gardens. Fresh fish are sustainably farmed. Even the sweet-smelling coconut and frangipani massage oils are sourced from the islands own natural resources and created using practices passed down through generations of earth-aware Fijians.

With so much natural beauty, tradition and inherent culture, it’s easy to see why discerning vacationers and enchanted expats,along with their fellow Fijians, have been hiding away here all these years.