Ovalau

Ovalau is the principal island and seat of local government of the Lomaiviti Islands in Fiji.

Cities
There are 24 villages and settlements on the island. Levuka is the only town and acts as a market place and service centre for the people of the island of Ovalau. Levuka is also the former capital of Fiji.
 * - a town on the eastern coast and former capital of Fiji
 * - a small seaside village on Ovalau Island

Get in
AIR: Pacific Sun (Reservations Ph: +679 6720 888) has three flights weekly from Suva to Levuka (Bureta airstrip). Flying time: approximately 12 min. Check first, as there were no flights available in December 2010 so this may not be an option at the time of your travel.

The airstrip, approximately 40 min from town, is on the west side of the island and is serviced by a local bus.

SEA: Patterson Brothers Shipping (Ph: +679 3315 644, e: patterson@connect.com.fj) has a daily (sometimes on Sunday) bus and ferry service from Suva to Levuka. The trip takes 4½ hours, and is recommended for its experience. The connecting bus leaves Suva from the bus stand opposite the flea market at 13:00 and arrives at Natovi at 15:30. The ferry departs from Natovi jetty at 16:00 and arrives at Buresala jetty (Ovalau Island) at 16:50. The connecting bus departs Buresala at 17:00 arrives at Levuka at 17:45. The ferry back to Suva departs Buresala jetty (Ovalau) at 05:45. You can also take your own car on this ferry service. Bookings should be made (for any trip) at least four days in advance. Cost is $25 one way.

See



 * Anniversary Bure- built for Prince Charles to entertain dignitaries when he came to grant Fiji her independence in 1970.
 * Cession Stone- commemorating the signing of the Deed of Cession between Fiji and Great Britain
 * Queen Victoria Memorial Hall
 * War Memorial on Niukaube Hill
 * Queen Victoria Memorial Hall
 * War Memorial on Niukaube Hill
 * War Memorial on Niukaube Hill

Do

 * Fishing - Hand line and trawling
 * Hiking; to cultural sights and ruins
 * Scuba Diving - Sharks, coral, small sea creatures or manta rays, all here. Try Ovalau Watersports for info on diving locally.
 * Snorkelling - Around the local beaches of on the reefs alongside divers there are great locations near Ovalau.

Eat
The only restaurants on the Ovalau Island are in Levuka town, or at the Ovalau Holiday Resort, 4 km north of Levuka. However visitors may be offered food and drink when passing by a village. This is Fijian custom and should not be abused.

Drink
The only bars or clubs on the island are in Levuka. In the villages the only drink is yaqona (kawa).