Province · Ilhas do Leste

Lau

Lau is the easternmost archipelago of Fiji, between Fiji and Tonga: the Bay of Islands of Vanua Balavu, the island of Lakeba, the art of masi and carved wood, and limited tourist infrastructure.

In the photo: Bay of Islands, Vanua Balavu (Lau)

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

The province

Get to know Lau

The province of Lau comprises dozens of islands at the far eastern end of Fiji, divided into three parts: the Moala islands, northern Lau and southern Lau. Many lie west of the 180° meridian, and some are closer to Tonga than to Suva.

Lau is a meeting point between Melanesian Fiji and Polynesian Tonga. For centuries Tongans and Fijians traded and intermarried there, and Tonga's influence appears in names, food and houses with rounded corners. Tubou, on the island of Lakeba, is the traditional seat of provincial power.

In the north, Vanua Balavu has the Bay of Islands (Qilaqila), a maze of mushroom-shaped limestone islets rising from blue water, and Lomaloma, the former base of the Tongan prince Ma'afu. The Lau islands are known for carved wood and masi, the painted bark-cloth.

The islands receive few visitors: there are no banks, commerce is small and accommodation is limited to family homes and guesthouses in Vanua Balavu and Lakeba. Cricket, little played in the rest of Fiji, is the most popular sport in Lau.

When to go

From May to October the weather is usually drier and the sea more favourable for sailing between islands. The cyclone season, from November to April, coincides with heat and rain and can disrupt flights and cargo boats.

Getting there

There are domestic flights with few seats to Lakeba, Vanua Balavu and Cicia from Suva and Nadi; book them together with your international flight. Confirm before purchasing. Cargo boats depart from Suva to the islands without a fixed schedule. Bring cash: there are no banks on the islands.

Your questions

Frequently asked questions about Lau

Can you visit the Lau islands as a tourist?

Yes, with planning. Vanua Balavu and Lakeba have domestic flights and family homes that host visitors with meals. The other islands require a cargo boat or sailboat and, often, an invitation from someone on the island.

What is the Bay of Islands?

It is a group of limestone islets, covered with vegetation and with bases eroded by the sea, on the west side of Vanua Balavu. Boat and kayak tours depart from the island's guesthouses.

Why does Lau have Tongan influence?

Lau lies between Fiji and Tonga, and for centuries the two peoples sailed, traded and intermarried on these islands. In the 19th century the Tongan prince Ma'afu dominated northern Lau, and that heritage still appears today in names, food and houses.

Do you need to bring money to Lau?

Yes. The islands have no banks or ATMs, and commerce is limited. Bring enough Fijian dollars to cover accommodation, excursions and purchases.

Tap a province to see its destinations. Limites: Pacific Data Hub / geoBoundaries (CC BY 4.0). Adaptação do Cidade Turismo.