Village Life and Community

Nalauwaki is home to most of the Octopus Resort’s staff. About 350 people live in the village, and the church is a central focal point for the community.

The connection to the resort is reflected both in the community and in the route to the village. For travelers who want to consider the local community and Fijian culture alongside their accommodation when choosing a destination, Nalauwaki offers a tangible point of connection. Encounters in the village take different forms, from meke to handicraft sales.

Cultural Encounters

At a village meke, guests experience Fijian singing and dancing. Visitors are welcomed into Fijian traditions and hospitality in Nalauwaki. The Sunday church service is held in Fijian. Meke and the church service differ in occasion and content: singing and dancing are at the heart of the meke, while Sunday and language are the specific points of reference for the service. This lets you distinguish a guest activity featuring singing and dancing from a Sunday connection to village life.

Alongside the meke, local handicrafts are a cultural focus in their own right. Women from Nalauwaki sell local handicrafts to guests both in the village and at the resort. Sales at these two locations differ from the meke as a village activity: here, the focus is on handicrafts, while the meke brings singing and dancing together. Handicraft sales therefore offer a distinct connection to the community and are not limited to the village as the only place to buy them.

Walking to Nalauwaki

The walk from Octopus Resort to Nalauwaki takes ten minutes and goes over a gentle hill. It begins with a scenic stroll through lush surroundings; along the way, walkers encounter friendly locals. The walking time gives you a concrete idea of how long the route takes; the hill and surroundings shape the walk. Plan the walk as a separate part of your visit, apart from the time you wish to spend in the village.

Guests are invited several times a week to walk over the hill to the nearby village of Nalauwaki. The timing of this recurring invitation may change. If you would like to plan your village visit for a particular day, ask locally for the current schedule.

Walks across Nalauwaki land take place with permission. Arrange permission locally before setting out. If you are planning such a walk, confirm permission before you leave.

For planning purposes, walking time, timing, and permission are separate considerations: the walk takes ten minutes, the invitation is scheduled at a time that may change, and walks across the land require permission to be arranged in advance. This lets you plan your village visit and a walk according to the relevant conditions for each.

Discover more destinations: Naviti Island, Matacawalevu, Vomo, Nanuya Balavu Island, Malevu, Viseisei, Vunaniu, Korolevu

For the main travel overview: Western Division.