Navua River Tour: Waterfall Swim & Lovo Lunch

A Fijian warrior meets you at the village gate to perform a yaqona ceremony reserved for visiting chiefs.

This full-day tour from Coral Coast hotels travels to Pacific Harbor and up the Navua River through rainforest, gorges and cascading waterfalls. You swim at the river's largest waterfall, then ride a traditional bamboo raft downstream to a village where a Fijian warrior leads a customary welcome ceremony, cultural performances and a buffet lovo lunch cooked in an underground oven. Hotel pickup and a professional guide are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Fiji river cruise and village visit

• Pickup from hotel
• Travel to Pacific Harbor/Navua
• Long boat cruise up Navua River
• Swim at Navua River waterfall
• Ride bamboo raft "HMS BILIBILI"
• Arrive at traditional Fijian village
• Welcome yaqona (kava) ceremony
• Learn village history and culture
• Watch cultural dances
• Participate in tapa painting and weaving
• Enjoy "lovo" buffet lunch
• Village tour and farewell song

The experience

Hotel pickup takes about 30 minutes to reach Pacific Harbor, the adventure capital of Fiji's Navua district. From there, a long boat carries you up the Navua River for roughly 45 minutes, passing villages, farmlands and deep gorges lined with cascading waterfalls. The river itself is the route: you move through rainforest and meandering rapids, watching the landscape narrow and deepen as you travel inland.

At the Magic Waterfall, you stop for a refreshing swim in the river's largest cascade. After 30 minutes in the water, you board the "HMS BILIBILI": an unsinkable bamboo raft that reenacts the centuries-old method Fiji's ancestors used to travel downriver. The smooth 30-minute ride on the raft is unhurried, giving you time to take in the gorges and forest before arriving at the village. A Fijian warrior then escorts you into the traditional village meeting house, where the yaqona ceremony begins. This sacred welcome, performed only for visiting high chiefs or very important people, sets the tone for what follows: you'll learn the village's history, established by an Englishman named John Humphrey Danford, watch cultural dances by the men and women of the village, and tour the settlement on foot. The lovo lunch (a hearty Fiji buffet cooked underground in an earth oven) is served before a Fijian farewell song marks your departure.

The tour runs 5 to 6 hours total and suits all fitness levels. Infants and small children can travel in a pram or stroller, and specialized infant seats are available. Your guide speaks English and leads the entire experience, handling the logistics so you focus on the river, the village and the ceremony itself.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from your Coral Coast hotel.
• professional English-speaking guide throughout the tour.
• long boat ride up the Navua River.
• waterfall swim.
• bamboo raft ride downstream.
• village entry and guided tour.
• yaqona welcome ceremony.
• cultural dances and performances.
• lovo buffet lunch cooked in an earth oven.

Options for this experience

6 options

The Pearl ResortGuide in English · 09:30Pickup from The Pearl Resort lobby at 9:30 am is included

Nanuku ResortGuide in English · 09:25 and 09:30Pickup from The Nanuku Resort lobby at 9:30 am is included

Ultiqa @ Fiji PalmsGuide in English · 09:25, 09:30 and 09:35Pickup from The Ultiqa @ Fiji Palms lobby at 9:33 am is included

See 3 more options

Lagoon ResortGuide in English · 09:25, 09:30, 09:35 and 09:37Pickup from The Lagoon Resort lobby at 9:35 am is included

The Arts VillageGuide in English · 5 departure times: the first at 09:25, the last at 09:40The Arts Village: pickup from the Arts Village lobby at 9:40 am is included

Navua TownGuide in English · 6 departure times: the first at 09:25, the last at 09:45Pickup from Navua Town Bus Station at 9:45 am is included

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to Saturday6 departure times: the first at 09:25, the last at 09:45

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (5 to 12 years) · Infant (1 to 4 years): free

GroupUp to 100

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 6 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Discover Fiji Tours

Is this one for you?Choose your pickup location when you book: the six options on the Coral Coast mean you start from your own hotel rather than a central meeting point, so the 30-minute drive to Pacific Harbor is already built into the day. The full 5- to 6-hour itinerary fits travelers who want to move through the river, swim, and spend unhurried time in the village without rushing between stops.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 12 years); Infant (1 to 4 years): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the yaqona ceremony and why is it significant?

Yaqona is a customary welcome ceremony performed in Fiji only for visiting high chiefs or very important people. During this tour, the village performs it as part of the cultural experience, marking your arrival as an honored guest and introducing you to age-old Fijian traditions and customs.

How long do you spend swimming at the waterfall?

The waterfall swim lasts approximately 30 minutes at the Navua River's largest cascade, giving you time to cool off and take in the gorge and rainforest surroundings before boarding the bamboo raft downstream.

What is the HMS BILIBILI and how does it work?

The HMS BILIBILI is a traditional bamboo raft that reenacts the centuries-old method Fijian ancestors used to travel downriver. You ride it for a smooth 30-minute journey from the waterfall to the village, moving at a leisurely pace through the river gorges.

What does the lovo lunch include?

Lovo is a hearty Fiji buffet cooked underground in an earth oven. The meal is served at the village after the cultural performances and village tour, and it is included in your tour package.

Which hotels does this tour pick up from?

Hotel pickup is available from six locations on the Coral Coast: The Pearl Resort, Nanuku Resort, Navua Town, Ultiqa @ Fiji Palms, Lagoon Resort, and The Arts Village. You select your hotel when you book, and the drive to Pacific Harbor takes approximately 30 minutes.