Waitabu Marine Park Blog

This is a great example of how naive Fijians could also contribute to preserving their environment while generating some earnings from their natural resources. Am proud to have met people involved in the Waitabu project when in NZ from the contributions of the NZ government. Am more proud to learn that my island of Yacata have just recently also designated a part of the fishery around the island as a marine reserve. Great effort and leadership by those on the island. Yacata Island, Fiji. - News & Information: Waitabu Marine Park on Taveuni

Tavoro Waterfalls is a beautiful 3 hour return hike; 3 trails of increasing difficulty taking you up into the hills above the village of Korovou and past the awe-inspiring waterfalls of the Tavoro River. The trail starts out with a 10-minute walk to the first and most famous waterfall of Fiji, Bouma Falls, and then continues up a series of switchbacks past gorgeous panoramic views to the second and third falls. Along the way you will see and hear many of the sites and sounds of the Taveuni Forest which can be heard nowhere else in Fiji. Cool off by swimming in any of the refreshing volcanic pools beneath the falls. Stop in at the Tavoro Visitor Center for drinks and refreshments after your walk. Tavoro and Bouma Waterfalls Taveuni Fiji

I would like to invite you to celebrations marking the 10 years of Community-managed marine protection at aitabu Village, Taveuni Island on May 24th. Local resorts and tour companies with be open to the public. Following this anniversary, the community will be putting on a week of special visitor promotions from May 26th to May 30th. Join in the fun this May! Please contact Helen at helen@resortsupportfiji.com to rsvp. Program for May 24th: 8 am- Arrival, Sevusevu and welcome 8:30-9:45- Snorkeling trips 10-11:00- Morning tea 11:30- Traditional Yaqona Ceremony, speaches 1-2:00 pm- Lunch 2:45- Entertainment 3:45- Farewell speech and closing prayer Waitabu Marine Park » Blog Archive » Attend the Event

The Vidawa Rainforest Hike has guided tour of Taveuni as the taught to them by their forefathers, full of local history, knowledge and wildlife. The guide will explain how they lived off the land and shaped it to meet their needs. and how they have come to realise the need to conserve and protect their forests for future generations. They offer full day treks that will take you deep into the old forests of Taveuni, past ancient village sites, meandering volcanic streams, stunning views of the island and surrounding reefs and through some of the best bird watching areas of Taveuni. You will also enjoy a refreshing swim at Tavoro Falls . Taveuni's Vidawa Rainforest Hike and Bird Watching

Both Air Fiji and Sun Air have regular daily flights to Taveuni from Nadi and Suva. Or catch a ferry, (which sails from Suva and Savusavu on Vanua Levu) to Waiyevo, Taveuni , on certain days of the week. From Matei Airport on Taveuni , the park boundary is a 30 minutes drive south-east. Taxis, resort vehicles, and the public bus service can get you there and back. Unless you are staying in a resort that has a vehicle available, the most convenient way to travel is by taxi. There are plenty of them on Taveuni and if you fill it up with other travellers, you'll find the cost is quite reasonable. Getting to Taveuni

Waitabu Community Meaning “ forbidden water ”, Waitabu is a small Catholic community of 30 families led by chief or Tui Nasau. Within the main clan of Waitabu there are three mataqalis, or families. Families work hard to send their children to school and spend a majority of their income on tuition. The main source of income in the region is the farming of Taro (a local root crop) and Yaqona (producing the local kava drink). From Eta, Waitabu Park Manager: “We have a wonderful cultural experience where you can meet the friendly Fijian people of Waitabu village. Come and enjoy a traditional Bilibili raft ride out to the reef, snorkel in the un-spoilt marine park and then come back to a delicious freshly prepared tea. You can even chose to participate in the traditional Kava ceremony with home grown Waitabu Kava and learn a traditional Fijian Meke (dance)” Fijian Meke, Photo: Naushad Yakua Community Culture

The Short Story Since beginning our work in Fiji in 2003, CORAL is now seeing real and measurable progress from our Coral Reef Sustainable Destination ( CRSD ) approach. We have designed a business plan and are developing sustainable financing projects for the Namena Marine Reserve, and we provide technical support to the Kubulau Management Resource Committee (KMRC)—a community-based body charged with managing the region’s marine resources—in its operation of the marine reserve. We facilitate close working relationships between marine recreation providers and members of the local community on issues of marine area management and decision-making. And on the nearby island of Taveuni, we assist the Waitabu Marine Park with improvements to its local management of the reef. In addition to a dedicated Indo-Pacific program manager located at CORAL ’s San Francisco headquarters, we employ two Fiji-based field staff to aid in all program execution. More Progress in Fiji CORAL ’s work in Fij...