Matei combines access via the airport with opportunities for snorkelling, fishing and a tour to Kioa Island. When choosing your stay, consider both the local activities and how much time they take: two Reef Life tours each last four hours, but have different focuses. Lavena can also be considered as a separate excursion destination if you would like to plan a trip beyond the activities in town.
Getting There and Basic Supplies
Matei Airport is accessible from Nadi on a domestic flight with Fiji Link or Northern Air; the flight takes about one to one and a half hours. As airlines and flight schedules can change, check current flight availability before travelling. There are small local shops near the airport for basic supplies. Retail availability can also change, so check what is currently available before your trip.
Snorkelling and Water Activities
Matei offers several specific snorkelling options. Taveuni Ocean Sports has a location in Matei with access to good snorkelling; check current availability with them. Makaira Sports Fishing offers snorkelling trips to Rainbow Reef. Reef Life also offers a snorkelling trip with equipment included for a minimum of four people, and rents stand-up paddleboards. For Reef Life activities, confirm current availability and booking requirements.
Tours with Different Focuses
Reef Life also offers a four-hour half-day fishing trip for a maximum of four people. The village tour to Kioa Island on offer also lasts four hours. This gives you a choice between two different focuses with the same time commitment: a fishing trip or a village tour. For current Reef Life activities, confirm availability and booking requirements in advance.
Lavena as an Excursion
Lavena village is about an hour's drive from Matei along a rough, unpaved road. The 10-kilometre Lavena Coastal Walk loop trail starts there. These two figures describe different parts of the plan: about an hour's drive to the village and 10 kilometres for the loop trail itself. Travel time and road conditions vary with the weather and transport; trail conditions and access rules can also change with the weather. If you include Lavena, keep the drive and the trail in mind as separate sections of the trip.
Nature Highlights in the Northern Division
The Northern Division is known for its reefs and conservation areas. Established in 1997, the Namena Marine Reserve is Fiji's largest no-take marine reserve; its reef is home to more than 1,000 fish species. On Taveuni, Waitabu Marine Reserve is a reef dedicated to snorkelling tourism and environmental education. The brightly coloured soft corals of Rainbow Reef are found in the Somosomo Strait between Taveuni and Vanua Levu. At high tide, seawater shoots high into the air through lava rock at the Vuna Blowholes; the effect's intensity depends on the tide and swell.
Discover more destinations: Waiyevo, Tavuki, Naqarawalu, Vanuavou, Pagai, Natuvu, Vatutandova, Qamea.
See the regional travel overview: Northern Division.
