Fiji Navua River Tubing & Village Tour with Waterfall Swim

Summary

Navua River tubing with Fijian village life, waterfalls and riverside lunch

You’ll ride longboats up Fiji’s Navua River with local guides, visit a real Fijian village (sarong required!), swim beneath waterfalls, share riverside lunch, then drift home on gentle tubing rapids. Expect laughter, cool water on your skin, and small moments that stay with you long after pickup drops you back at your hotel.

What’s the experience like?

There’s this moment I keep replaying: the longboat slicing through the Navua River, mist hanging in the air, and the jungle so green it almost looked fake. Our guide—his name was Jone—pointed out a kingfisher darting between branches. I could hear laughter from the other boat behind us, echoing off the cliffs. I tried to take a photo but honestly, it didn’t catch half of what it felt like. The river smells kind of sweet after rain, mixed with wood smoke from somewhere upriver. We’d barely started and already my shirt was clinging to me from the humidity.

The village stop surprised me most. We stepped onto soft earth—no shoes—and were greeted with a quiet “Bula!” from an older woman weaving mats under her porch. Jone explained we should wear our sarongs (I fumbled with mine; he helped tie it right). Kids peeked at us from behind a mango tree, giggling when one of us tried to say “vinaka.” There was kava if you wanted to try (I did; it numbed my tongue), and stories about how their families have lived by this river for generations. It wasn’t rushed or staged—just people going about their day while we watched, trying not to stare too much.

After that came the waterfall swim—a cold shock after all that sticky heat. You could actually feel the spray before you saw it. Lunch was simple: grilled fish wrapped in leaves, eaten cross-legged by the water’s edge while someone played guitar nearby. Then came tubing downriver—gentle rapids mostly, just enough to make you laugh when you spun around backwards. At one point I looked up and there were dragonflies everywhere, sunlight flickering on their wings.

I didn’t expect to feel so…quiet afterward? Like something had settled inside me for a bit. The drive back was sleepy; everyone just watching the jungle slip by out the window, not really talking much. I still think about that stretch of river sometimes—how ordinary it is for people here and how strange and beautiful it felt to float through their world for an afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Navua River tubing and village visit

• Pickup from hotel
• Boat ride up Navua River
• Visit authentic Fijian village
• Walk through plantation
• Swim at waterfall
• Enjoy riverside lunch
• Tube downriver with gentle rapids
• Drop-off at hotel

Top questions

How long does the Fiji Navua River tubing tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 5.5 hours including pickup and drop-off.

Is lunch included in the Navua River tubing day trip?

Yes, a riverside lunch is included as part of your experience.

Do I need to bring anything special for the Fijian village visit?

Ladies are required to wear a skirt or sarong during the village visit; bring sunscreen, hats, towels, bottled water and a change of clothes.

Is hotel pickup included in this Navua River tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included but rates may vary depending on your location.

Are there any health restrictions for joining this tour?

This tour is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health or spinal injuries.

Can vegetarians be accommodated for lunch?

Yes, vegetarian options are available if requested at time of booking.

Is this Navua River tubing suitable for children?

Yes, but children must be accompanied by an adult; infants sit on an adult’s lap during transport.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off no matter where you’re staying nearby (just check your distance first), all activities like longboat rides up the Navua River, a guided Fijian village visit with cultural insights (don’t forget your sarong), swimming at waterfalls, gentle river tubing back downstream plus a simple riverside lunch before heading home together in the afternoon.