Snorkelling Fiji: Leleuvia Island

Of the many islands you can visit in Fiji, we bypassed the main tourist trail and headed to Leleuvia Island — a tiny coral cay in the Lomaiviti group, east of Viti Levu. What we found was a quiet, low-key island with easy access snorkelling straight from the beach or jetty, and a reef system teeming with life.

Leleuvia Island – Snorkelling in Fiji

What It’s Like

Leleuvia Island is small — you can walk from one side to the other in under ten minutes. It’s home to the Leleuvia Island Resort, which accommodates about 30 guests at a time. The vibe is simple and sustainable: bures without air conditioning, saltwater-flush toilets, desalination for freshwater, and a dive centre next to the jetty. Snorkelling here is as easy as stepping straight into the lagoon from the sand or jetty.

The west side of Leleuvia Island, approaching the jetty

The Snorkelling Experience

Conditions: We snorkelled on calm, sunny days with light southerly winds and ~25 °C water. Conditions were ideal for drifting slowly across the reef.

The reef: Close to the jetty, there are some artificial structures and transplanted coral to help recovery from cyclone and human impacts. Swimming north, the reef becomes healthier, with both soft and hard corals thriving. A bommie lies west of the island, best reached by kayak — other guests told us it was excellent, though we couldn’t try it due to the tide.

Marine life: For such a tiny island, the reef life was a wonderful surprise. We saw cuttlefish, sea snakes, clownfish hiding in anemones, an octopus settled in coral, and schools of colourful reef fish. The highlight was drifting still and letting the fish return around us. We also heard that turtles have recently begun returning to lay their eggs.

The corals were accessible most of the day, except at low tide when you can’t swim over the top. Soft corals in particular were abundant in one vivid patch of purple, pink, yellow and red.

Why Snorkel Here

Leleuvia is unique because you can walk straight off the beach into a thriving reef system without the bustle of Fiji’s more developed tourist islands. It’s accessible, calm, and feels cared for — a reef that is recovering but still diverse and full of life. For snorkellers looking for an easy but rewarding reef, it’s a gem.

Getting There – from Suva to Leleuvia

If you’re coming from Suva, you can take the local bus (a couple of hours) or a taxi (~$50 FJD, about an hour) to Bau Landing, near Suva-Nausori airport. From there, the resort’s powerboat takes 45–60 minutes to reach Leleuvia (about $90 FJD return).

On the way you’ll pass Bau Island, historically the chiefly centre of Tailevu province. Out of respect, remove your hat when passing. The island is home to Fiji’s oldest Christian church and once held a grim history of cannibal practices — marked by a stone where skulls were crushed.

Would We Return to Leleuvia?

Yes. Leleuvia was one of the first places we visited in Fiji where we could step off the beach into a well-looked-after reef full of life. We’d happily return to explore more of the reef system and perhaps stay longer to enjoy the slow island pace.

Our Verdict – Leleuvia Island Snorkelling

• Snorkel rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4 out of 5)
• Highlights: easy beach entry, healthy mix of corals, plenty of reef fish, octopus and cuttlefish sightings.
• Accessibility: close to Suva, simple logistics via Bau Landing boat transfer.

FAQs – Snorkelling Leleuvia Fiji

Is Leleuvia good for snorkelling?
Yes — it’s an excellent snorkelling site with easy access, healthy coral patches, and plenty of fish life right off the beach.

What marine life can you see at Leleuvia?
Expect clownfish, cuttlefish, sea snakes, octopus, reef fish, and possibly turtles returning to nest.

How do you get to Leleuvia Island?
From Suva or Nausori airport, travel to Bau Landing by bus or taxi, then take the resort’s powerboat (45–60 minutes) to the island.