Natuvu is located in Viani Bay, in the Wailevu District of Cakaudrove Province on Vanua Levu. A defining part of the area’s history is sea cucumber fishing and the community’s approach to managing it. For travellers, this offers a clear thematic perspective: local livelihoods, fisheries management and coastal protection are connected here. If you choose a destination based on its social and landscape context, Natuvu offers concrete points of interest.
Sea Cucumber Fishing and Community Management
On 3 September 2020, Fiji’s first community management plan for sea cucumbers was officially launched in Natuvu. Villagers and their traditional leaders had developed it. The plan addressed social, economic and environmental issues related to harvesting and processing.
Between 2008 and 2017, villagers regularly harvested sea cucumbers in their waters to ensure their sustainability. A report dated 3 September 2020 also described the fishery as being in steep decline. It was an important source of income for the people of Natuvu. Of the 30 sea cucumber species found in Fiji, 14 were among the most valuable to Natuvu’s fishers. This is just under half of the species found nationwide, placing the local selection in a broader context.
Coastal Protection and Landscape
Coastal protection complements the history of the fishery. Natuvu had previously planted mangroves to protect its coastline from currents that had carried sand and coconut palms away from the shore. In 2022, the communities of Nakasa and Natuvu jointly sought to carry out a planned mangrove restoration project after the coastline had receded by almost one metre. The earlier planting and the restoration sought in 2022 differ in status: the planting had already taken place, while the restoration remained a proposal.
Fishing and mangrove measures can be viewed as two distinct local topics: fishing focuses on resource use, income and community management; mangroves are about coastal protection and changes to the shoreline. Each offers a distinct insight into Natuvu’s local history.
The Mission at Natuvu Creek property covers 750 acres. It includes an extinct volcano with an elevation of 1,200 feet; tropical and bamboo forests are also located on the property.
Getting There and Planning
In November 2025, Suncity Ferry Service connected Buca Bay on Vanua Levu with Taveuni; Buca Bay is in the vicinity of Natuvu. Before travelling, check the route, timetable and availability if you plan to use this ferry connection. This will help you coordinate the crossing with your travel dates.
A crossing project near Natuvu in Viani Bay called for a 16-metre reinforced concrete slab in 2025. If a road journey is part of your plans, check current road conditions in advance. The ferry connection and the crossing project concern different aspects of planning: a regional route between Buca Bay and Taveuni, and an infrastructure project near Natuvu.
Discover more destinations: Tavuki, Naidi, Matei, Vatutandova, Qamea, Pagai, Waiyevo, Naqarawalu
For the broader travel overview: Northern Division.
