The first islands you reach from Port Denarau are low coral cays: discs of sand and trees on shallow reef, the mainland still clear on the horizon behind you.
South Sea Island is the smallest and the closest, about 30 minutes by catamaran. You can walk around it in the time it takes to finish an ice cream, and it is run almost entirely for day visitors. Bounty Island — Kadavu Lailai on the map — is several times larger, with a forested interior, a beach right round it and one resort. Both make an island day possible even on a tight schedule.
Top things to do: South Sea Island & Bounty Island
A day on South Sea Island
Day trips include snorkelling gear, kayaks and paddle boards, a small pool and a barbecue lunch. A semi-submersible or glass-bottom boat usually shows the reef to anyone who would rather stay dry.
Walk around Bounty
A path circles the island through coastal forest — about half an hour at a stroll — with places to swim along the way. Seabirds, hermit crabs and, in season, nesting turtles use the island.
Snorkel from the sand
Both islands have coral within an easy swim. It is not the most pristine reef in Fiji, being so close to the mainland, but it is a gentle, safe introduction.
How to get to South Sea Island & Bounty Island
- By catamaran: South Sea Cruises boats from Port Denarau reach South Sea Island first and Bounty a few minutes later, several times a day. See getting here for how the ferries work.
- By day trip: full-day and half-day packages to South Sea Island are among the best-value trips in the islands — see day cruises.
Insider tips
- Half-day trips fit an arrival or departure day; ask your hotel about luggage storage at Port Denarau.
- South Sea Island has very little natural shade — arrive early for a spot under the trees.
- At the time of writing, a Captain Cook Cruises day trip on GetYourGuide also describes a sail to Kadavu Lailai. Check the listing for details.
Tours that include South Sea Island & Bounty Island
These bookable experiences are the easiest way to see South Sea Island & Bounty Island:
Island day trip from €109 Fiji: South Sea Island Full Day Trip with Lunch & Drinks
South Sea Island is the closest Mamanuca island to the mainland — a coral cay small enough to walk around in a few minutes. The full-day trip includes the catamaran ride, a barbecue lunch, drinks and the use of snorkelling gear and kayaks. Simple, good value and very easy with children.
- About 30 minutes from Denarau by fast catamaran
- Snorkelling, kayaks and a swim on a tiny coral cay
- BBQ lunch and drinks included
Island half-day trip from €95 Fiji: South Sea Island Half-Day Trip with Lunch
The shorter version of the South Sea Island trip: the same fast catamaran, the same tiny cay and a barbecue lunch, in five hours door to door. Useful on an arrival or departure day.
- The closest island to Denarau
- Swim, snorkel and a BBQ lunch
- Back in time for an afternoon on the mainland
Tall-ship day cruise from €100 Fiji: Captain Cook Cruises – All-Inclusive Island & Reef Day Trip
Captain Cook Cruises has run sailing day trips from Denarau to a small coral island for many years — long to Tivua, while the current listing describes a sail to Kadavu Lailai. Either way the formula is the same: a slow sail, a beach, lunch, drinks and guided snorkelling. Check the listing for the island your date visits.
- Sail out on a traditional-style sailing ship
- Lunch and drinks included
- Snorkelling over coral gardens from the beach
