Ways to Spend Time in Lautoka
Lautoka is Fiji’s second city, a working sugar and cruise port on the west coast of Viti Levu, roughly 30 minutes by road from Nadi Airport. It makes more sense to plan a day here by the clock than by a list of sights, because the market closes early, the beach needs a high tide and the best views of the harbour come at dusk. Costs below are in Fijian dollars (FJ$).
Early: the market
Lautoka Municipal Market fills the block around Naviti, Vakabale and Yasawa streets, beside the bus station. Weekday trading runs from 07:00 to 17:30, and Saturday from 06:00 to 15:30. Sunday belongs to the fish market alone, which sells from 07:00 to 12:00. Expect heaps of produce, spices, bundles of kava root and a handicraft section. Walking through costs nothing. The council lists the Namoli Green food market as open all hours, so breakfast is never a problem (Lautoka City Council ).
Mid-morning: the botanical gardens
Take Thomson Crescent Road, which branches off Drasa Avenue. The gardens cover about 15 acres of tropical plants that carry name labels, and there is no entry fee. A slow circuit takes less than half an hour. A park with play areas and toilets faces the gardens from across the road, which suits anyone travelling with small children.
Afternoon: Saweni
The central waterfront is a harbour, so the nearest place for a swim is Saweni Beach, 8 to 9 km toward Nadi. It is a free local beach where the water deepens gently. There are no changing rooms or other facilities, and you may see some litter. Time your visit for high tide, and carry water and shade with you.
The Global Girmit Institute Museum is also at Saweni, next to the Institute’s library. Its subject is indentured labour in Fiji from 1879 to 1916. Contact the Institute for opening hours and admission before making the trip.
A full day: Koroyanitu
Koroyanitu National Heritage Park lies about 15 km inland, a drive of around 30 minutes on a rough gravel road. No public transport serves it, so a 4WD or a taxi driver who knows the track is the usual answer. The park is open daily from 08:00 to 17:00.
- Two waterfall walks, Tunutunu and Savu-i-One, take about 3 hours return.
- Mt Batilamu, about 1,100 m high, takes roughly 4 hours one way. It is steep and slippery when wet, with no handrails, toilets or rest stops.
- Entry is about FJ$25 to 30 per person, and a guide costs extra. Pay in cash at the Abaca Visitor Centre, where all trails begin.
There are no medical services at the park, so stay off the trails after heavy rain (Tourism Fiji ).
Dusk: sunsets
In town, the Tanoa Waterfront Hotel has a Sunset Bar, and its Fins Restaurant looks over the harbour. Out at Vuda Point, between the airport and Lautoka, the marina has the Boatshed Restaurant & Sunset Bar (Vuda Point Marina ).
Boats, and where they leave from
Lautoka itself has one ferry that visitors use: the Tavewa Seabus, which leaves Kings Jetty at 07:30 each day for resorts in the Yasawa Islands. It is transport rather than a sightseeing cruise. Day boats to Tivua, Malamala and South Sea Island sail from Port Denarau near Nadi, so allow time to get there.
Practical notes
- Carry cash for park gates, village fees and market stalls.
- Cover shoulders and knees in villages and places of worship.
- Cyclone season runs from 1 November to 30 April, and rip currents form near reefs and river mouths, so stick to licensed boat operators.
Read more: sightseeing in Lautoka covers the temple, mosque and sugar mill, and day trips from Lautoka lists the longer outings. For a wider look at the country, see the Fiji travel guide . To compare organised outings, search Lautoka activities on GetYourGuide .