The old village of Koromakawa lies on the northern side of Oneta Beach. Together with the boat access and the Great Astrolabe Reef, this part of the island shapes the planning of a stay on Ono Island: it makes sense to consider arrival and accommodation together here.

Getting There and Choosing a Location

There are no roads on Ono Island; access is by boat only. Kavala Bay is the closest ferry stop to Ono. For the weekly ferry service, it is advisable to check the latest departures before travelling. The boat trip from Kadavu Airport to Oneta takes about an hour. It passes through the Kadavu Passage and around the western side of Ono Island; travel time depends on the weather.

When looking for a hotel on Ono, the boat connection is therefore an important part of choosing a location. The stated travel time from Kadavu Airport applies to Oneta and should be considered approximate. Those weighing up different travel options can use the ferry stop and the boat trip from Kadavu Airport as separate reference points.

Village, Ridge, and Trails

The old village of Koromakawa lies on the northern side of Oneta Beach. Behind the beach, Oneta Resort maintains trails along the ridge to a neighboring beach. Trail conditions may depend on the weather. For a hike on Ono, this shorter route along the ridge is a different kind of outing from the more challenging trek on Vatulutu: this uninhabited island lies outside Ono, and the hike there takes three hours.

Guided outrigger canoe tours around Ono are also among the activities offered by Oneta. They are weather-dependent, and participants must pass a capsize test. A four-day sea kayaking program circumnavigates Ono Island and includes stops at beaches for swimming, snorkeling, and a picnic. The sea kayaking leg takes five to six hours. A motorboat can be used to shorten the paddling distance. The experiences therefore differ in both duration and mode of travel.

Coral Gardens and Marine Life

The Great Astrolabe Reef around Ono offers extensive coral gardens teeming with fish for snorkeling. The island’s sheltered waters also have easier dive sites where encounters with manta rays and other pelagic species are possible. Oneta Resort has a house reef and a dive boat. A manta cleaning station is about a three-minute boat ride from the Oneta Resort dive center; travel time and conditions may vary.

Manta rays gather daily at Vuro Island. The period from May to the end of November is a seasonal guide, not a guarantee of sightings. The Naqoro Passage, immediately south of Ono, is also a notable marine life site: it is a breeding ground for numerous large billfish species, sharks, tuna, Giant Trevally, Mahi-Mahi, and snapper.

The natural environment also includes the Yavusa Ulunikoro Marine Conservation Area, managed by the village of Waisomo on Ono Island. The protected area includes blue-hole and back-reef habitats. North of Ono lies uninhabited Yabu Island. It is home to one of Fiji’s largest colonies of boobies and is locally known as “Birdland” because of the seabirds that breed there.

Ono in Its Regional Context

Kadavu Province provides the broader geographic context: Kadavu is an archipelago that includes Ono, Buliya, Yaukuve, and other islands, many of which are uninhabited. The Great Astrolabe Reef protects the islands and arcs beyond Ono toward Buliya Island. This regional context helps place the reefs and islands without equating their features with those of Ono Island.

Discover more destinations: Vunisea, Tavuki, Naukacuvu Island

Return to the main travel overview: Eastern Division.