The Astrolabe Reef runs along Kadavu’s southern shore then arcs north-east past Ono and Buliya Islands.  There are about a dozen islands inside the Kadavu lagoon including Kadavu, Dravuni, Yanuyanu, Namara, Qasibale, Yauku Levu, Buliya, Yabu, Vurolevu, Galoa, and Ono.

The top little island is Dravenui, the 3rd island is where we found the manta rays (see our next blog), and the arrow is where we anchored at Ono.

After our 40nm motor-sail from Mbengga, we arrive at the northern Herald Pass.  We thought we might stop at Dravuni Island where there is a large village that receives small cruise ships once a month. But the weather and waves would have made this an uncomfortable anchorage so we just did a “drive-by.”

Namara Island

The neighboring island of Namara was our next stop. There is a reef that surrounds this island teaming with sea life. Sugar Shack found a nice sandy spot to drop the hook and enjoyed the island to herself.

It is a small and with very limited human touches.  On the south side where we anchored, the only proof of humanity is a small bamboo bar and fence. We went on a short walk across the island to the other side and up and over the ridge.

I love the contrasting colors of the water. Turquoise near the reef and royal blue inside the lagoon.

 

Yabu Island

On the way from Namara island to Yabu island we came across a group of birds enjoying a nice swim.  Usually they fly away as we approach, but this group of birds were fearless.

Yabu Island is uninhabited and is a wildlife sanctuary and has tons and tons of boobies and other species.  Technically, we cannot go ashore until we do sevusevu on the island that claims ownership over Yabu.  So, we head to Buliya where the chief lives in the main village. 

Buliya is a 2nm dinghy ride from Yabu.  Technically, we could have easily brought the big boat over there, but since we were already anchored in a lovely spot, we decided to take the water car.

Buliya

We arrive late in the morning and are greeted by none other than the chief of the village.  This is totally unheard of.  Normally, you are greeted by the Torangi-ni-koro (the headman) who brings you to the chief.   Thank goodness I was in my sulu!

He walks us over to a shady spot just off the beach that has two long boats (pangas) turned upside down.  Several men are sitting or laying down on top of them enjoying the cool breeze on this hot day.

We do a quick sevusevu and enjoy a few minutes of chat with the locals.  They gift us with loads of papayas and we enjoy a long walk on a beautiful sandy beach before heading back to Yadu.

Now that we are “officially” welcomed into the village, we go ashore to Yadu which googlemaps has down as “gnarly gnuggets” a religious destination.  

Super pretty spit of sand peppered with purple rocks!

They surely have this wrong as this island belongs to the bazillion birds that live here!

Vurolevu Island

The main reason we came to Yabu is to be close to the area where the mantas are.  They swim off the northern tip of a small island called Vurolevu in the mornings.  Stay tuned for our next blog for my updates on the mantas.

The events from this blog occurred in early September 2022.  Our blog posts run 6-8 weeks behind actual events.  In our last blog we visit one of the most beautiful bays in Fiji, Mbengga, did you miss it?