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Home to a chain of 13 islands - easily visible from Viti Levu - the Mamanuca Islands are volcanic in origin. A number of
resorts are scattered throughout, some of which occupy the entire island!
Pushed through the surface by earthquakes thousands of years ago, the Mamanucas (pronounced Mah-mah-noo-thas) feature prominently in Fijian storytelling.
Most noted for their year-round, almost continual sunshine and high, dry arid appearance on its most popular islands, the
Mamanucas are the backbone of Fiji island tourism.
Location of the Mamanuca Islands
A view of Mana Island in the Mamanuca Island chain.
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The Mamanuca Islands sit to the northwest of Viti Levu. The closest island, South Sea, is only a 30 minute boat ride from
the port near Nadi, while the most distant Mamanuca Islands are only a four hour ferry ride away.
Extending in an arc upwards of Viti Levu, the Mamanucas are located in close proximity to the Yasawas.
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How to travel to the Mamanuca Islands
From Nadi and Viti Levu, the Mamanuca Islands are very easy to reach. Even if you do not plan to stay overnight at one of the
resorts here, the Mamanucas make an excellent day trip.
Only a ten-minute flight, Sun Air provides services from Nadi to Mana, while Air Fiji travels from Suva to the same island.
Regularly scheduled boats depart from Viti Levu, near Nadi, to the Mamanucas and take approximately one hour.
Catamaran 'cruises' from Denarau Island near Nadi offer half-day and full-day options to select islands, picking up and dropping
off twice a day.
All resorts have own shuttle boats, but the transfers from Nadi pier to the islands are via the catamaran ships.
Seaplanes and helicopters from Turtle Airways and Island Hoppers will also carry you direct to anywhere you wish to travel...for
a price that is two or three times higher than the cost of a ferry, depending on your destination.
On the Mamanucas, there is no public transportation...with few roads to navigate if there were! For
more on traveling through the Mamanucas, read about Fiji interisland travel.
Why visit the Mamanuca Islands
Travel to the Mamanucas from Viti Levu is easy and painless, either for a romantic week-long stay or quick day trip for some sun.
Some resorts cater to the day tripper, with a chartered pick-up and drop-off boat with plentiful activities to choose from once
you reach your day's destination.
Unsurprisingly, water activities abound throughout the Mamanucas, both the traditional (SCUBA diving, wind surfing) and the
lesser known (speed boating, free diving).
Without the strong currents that dominate the Northern Islands, the Mamanucas are an excellent place to learn how to SCUBA dive.
Additionally, Blue Lagoon Cruises offers tours
in the Mamanucas that cater to couples where one dives and the other does not.
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SCUBA at colorful coral reefs around Castaway Island. Picture from a BigDay December 2006 site inspection.
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Why not visit the Mamanuca Islands
Certain islands, such as Beachcomber, are dominated by boozy backpackers trysting in 100-person bures. Honeymooners may wish
to avoid these party-hearty locales.
From November to February, three different types of sea turtles lay their eggs on select beaches, rendering them off-limits.
Ask your BigDay specialist about any potential closures.
Resorts dominate many of the islands on which they are placed. As a result, villages, if they even existed on the island to
begin with, have had their traditional nature diluted by tourism.
More opportunities for genuine interaction with the locals exist on the more remote Outer Islands.
Finally, although SCUBA diving in the Mamanucas is splendid, experienced divers may prefer the fast
currents and active sealife near Taveuni and the Northern Islands.
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