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Our location
Fiji is a huge South Pacific archipelago, comprising 330 islands, of which 106 are permanently inhabited. It lies north of the tropic of Capricorn and slightly west of the International Date Line (UK +12). This makes Fiji one of the first countries to enter a new day, one of the great pleasures of waking up on a South Pacific island is soaking up the staggeringly beautiful sunrises.
The vast majority of the population, around 840,000 at the last census, live on the two main islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. Leleuvia Island was gifted to the Great Grandfather of Ratu Epenisa Cakobau, one of our main project partners. This magnificent Pacific island is situated toward the northern boundary of the Kubuna Waters of the Lomaiviti Group, known locally as the ‘Heart of Fiji’.
The Kubuna Waters cover a 300 km2 surface area that extends along the south eastern coastline of Viti Levu and sustains the community members of seventeen villages. Despite feeling the freedom of a desert island castaway most of the time, we are only forty minutes by boat from Viti Levu and this means that whilst you enjoy the peace and tranquility of Leleuvia, if needs be we can get to the capital city of Suva and all of its services in less than ninety minutes.
Fiji’s amazing array of biodiversity, the majority of which lives in the marine environment, is well represented in the waters surrounding Leleuvia. There are hundreds of species of hard and soft coral, sea fans and sponges, a recorded 1,200 species of fish, nearly 500 species of mollusc including over 250 nudibranchs and over 100 bivalves in Fijian waters.
Four of the seven species of marine turtle visit the waters of including the green (Chelonia mydas) and hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), both of which we see regularly during SCUBA diving. The leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) and loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) also have feeding grounds in Fijian waters.
More than twelve species of cetacean are also believed to visit the surrounding waters throughout the year and Dr. Cara Miller, attached to both the University and the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society is a local expert on these amazing mammals.
We are closely linked with Bau Island which is the capital of the Kubuna Confederacy and home to Ratu Epenisa Cakobau, Great Grandson of his namesake who managed to unite the whole of Fiji under his authority, a monumental achievement.
Bau is also home to Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi, Fiji’s former Vice President and holder of one of the most important Chiefly titles in Fiji, Roko Tui Bau. Despite its small size, Bau has huge political and historical importance and was the seat of Chiefly power in Fiji for many years. Renowned for its fierce warriors who were known to be unbeatable in combat, Bau is a fascinating to visit. Ratu Epenisa’s family has also hosted the British Royal Family on several occasions. The links between the UK and Fiji being of great historical importance in the region.
South Pacific Projects relationship with Ratu Epenisa allows us the unique opportunity to take volunteers to visit Bau. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to visit the most historically important island in Fiji as only people born there are normally allowed to set foot on the island. Our volunteers, from the UK, USA and European countries, have all been overwhelmed by the hospitality and generosity of the Bau’an people.
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