Malevu on Naviti Island: Village Stays and Experiences

A village stay on Naviti Island

Malevu on Naviti Island combines village stays with possible, locally arranged activities for guests. The accommodations are complete private houses, not bures. Qeleni is one of the sister accommodations in Malevu on Naviti Island.

Getting oriented on arrival

There is no vehicle traffic in the village accommodation area. Take this local condition into account when choosing your base and planning your arrival. In Malevu, all visitors must present a Sevusevu to the village chief on arrival. Confirm local customs before your trip.

Possible activities for guests

On arrival, guests may be offered a complimentary village tour, depending on the host, availability, and weather. Walks may also be offered to guests under these conditions. Guests may also be offered authentic Fijian Meke dances to watch and join in, as well as evening and nighttime Kava sessions; here, too, the host, availability, and weather determine what is offered. The timing helps with planning: the tour is associated with arrival, and Kava with the evening or night. Check with the host in advance to find out which of these conditional offers can be arranged for your trip.

Kayaks and surfboards may be available to guests, depending on the host, availability, and weather. Depending on the host, availability, and weather, guests may also be able to join rugby games with local boys and men, and go spear fishing with traditional spear guns. A full-body massage by women from the village may be available, subject to availability. For deep-sea fishing, guests may be able to rent a boat, depending on the host, availability, and weather; under the same conditions, a boat can also be rented to reach more remote snorkeling spots. The boat options appeal to different interests: deep-sea fishing or snorkeling at more distant locations.

Getting to the village accommodations

For the villages of Qeleni, Vatia, Vaturua, and Waitauvou, the Yasawa Flyer drop-off point is at Barefoot Manta Island Resort. The drop-off point and route may change; check the operator’s latest information before your trip. The red Tavewa Seabus ferry serves the village accommodations in Malevu. The journey from Lautoka Wharf on Viti Levu to the Yasawas takes less than three hours; schedules and travel times may change. Check the latest information when planning your arrival.

Mantas in the surrounding area

The Manta Ray Channel on Naviti Island is in the vicinity of Malevu. A 2013 marine survey noted that tourists visit the channel in the cooler months. An average of two mantas per trip were observed there; at least 14 individual animals were identified as returning. These figures are historical observations and may not reflect current conditions; seasonal animal presence and visitor patterns may vary. Use this information as a historical, seasonal reference when planning your trip.

Discover more destinations: Natadola, Viwa, Somosomo, Matamanoa Island, Nakorokula, Yaro, Matacawalevu, Wayasewa Island

For the overview of the wider region: Western Division.