Taveuni, the third largest island in Fiji, rightfully earned its nickname as Fiji’s Garden Island thanks to its colorful plant life. In Bouma National Heritage Park, you can venture along the Tavoro Waterfall Trail and listen to birds, admire coconut palm groves from above, and swim in freshwater pools found at one of Fiji’s best national parks.
In this guide, I’ll show you what to expect when you hike along the Tavoro Waterfall Trail. Note that this same trail is often called the Bouma Waterfall Trail.
Overview of Tavoro Waterfall Trail
What to expect: The Tavoro Waterfall Trail is found inside Bouma National Heritage Park, a park that encompasses about 80% of Taveuni.
The first stretch of the Tavoro Waterfall Trail is well maintained and easy for all hikers to complete. The nearby village created a concrete, even pathway that is surrounded by manicured gardens. This trail leads to one of the park’s tallest waterfall, Tavoro Waterfall. From here, the hike ascends into untamed rainforest and there are sections where you might have to wade through small streams until you reach two other waterfalls. There are scenic viewpoints throughout, and one area where you will need both hands free to hold onto a rope as you cross a small stream.
Bouma National Heritage Park is also home to another worthwhile hike on Taveuni, the Lavena Coastal Walk–a trail that weaves along Taveuni’s coastline to twin waterfalls.
Entrance fee: $36 FJD/adult; $10 FJD/child under 12–paid to the village.
Hike length: 10-15 minutes to first fall; add 30 minutes to second waterfall; add 40 minutes to the third waterfall. You will need at least half a day to complete all three waterfalls.
Difficulty: Easy to Tavoro Waterfall (first waterfall). Moderate difficulty to the second and third waterfalls.
Where to find the Tavoro Waterfall Trailhead: The beginning of the Tavoro Waterfall Trail starts in the village of Korovou (also called Bouma). You’ll pay your entrance fee to the information kiosk before your hike.
Good to know: There are no places to buy snacks/food within the park, so you will want to bring your own. Bring your bathing suit if you want to swim. If you start your trek before 10am, it shouldn’t be too crowded.
Map of Tavoro Waterfalls Trailhead
Getting to the Tavoro Waterfalls Trailhead is easy. Follow Taveuni’s coastal road to the town of Korovou (Bouma). There will be a small kiosk on the ocean side of the road. The trail starts across from the kiosk, near a small bridge.
Hiking Tavoro Waterfall Trail: What it’s Like
One of the things I love most about Fiji is its variety of terrain. On the Yasawa Islands, you’ll find rolling grasslands and white sand beaches. On Taveuni, however, you’re less likely to find a sandy beach and are more likely to find a labyrinth of jungle roots and flowers winding its way to the water’s edge.
The beginning of the Tavoro Waterfall Trail looked like a pathway through a manicured garden. Copy-and-paste fruit trees lined the narrow paved pathway, nearly hiding the tangle of untamed forest just meters away.
After ten minutes, we arrived at the first waterfall–Tavoro Waterfall–a 20-meter cascade that flowed into a deep turquoise pool. Clare and our guide jumped in for a quick swim while I flew my drone above them.
“Go closer to the waterfall,” I yelled to Clare. From my screen, it looked like she was drifting without a care.
“I can’t!” She yelled back. Apparently, the turbulence of the water created a challenging current to swim against. Whenever she swam close to the fall, it pummeled her underwater. She cursed me under her breath and nearly swore off being my model for good.
From Tavoro Waterfall, the path switch-backed up a steep hill, revealing views of the ocean and groves of palm trees below. At the top, a shaded hut offered some respite from the humidity and heat before heading back onto the trail.
The trail wove back down through the thick of the forest until we came to a stream. I held onto a rope and tiptoed across smooth stones. Our guide told us that after a rainstorm, clinging onto the rope is a requirement rather than a light suggestion. On the other side, the trail appeared again and we followed it past gargantuan koa trees (once chopped down and hollowed out for canoes) until we reached the second waterfall.
Because we’d gotten such a late start in the day, we weren’t able to reach the third waterfall–another 30 minutes up the trail.
What to Pack for Your Hike to Tavoro Waterfalls
- Sunscreen: Fiji is the type of place where you’ll need sunscreen and umbrella on the same day. Don’t let the shade of the palm trees or clouds overhead fool you, you can still be burned on a scorching hot day. Pack one reef-safe sunscreen for all your travels. >Shop for reef-safe sunscreen
- Hiking sandals: Hiking sandals like Tevas or Chacos are best for this type of terrain. You’ll want something sturdy that can manage the steep and slippery sections and be fine with traipsing through water. >Shop hiking sandals
- Day pack: You don’t need to bring much on this day trip. Some parts of the trail, you’ll want your hands free to grab onto railings and ropes. >Shop day packs
- Travel towel: A towel might be too heavy to take along for the whole hike. Instead, I prefer to trek with a lightweight sarong or travel towel. >Shop travel towels
- Water bottle: There are no spots to purchase snacks or water along the trails, you’ll want to bring your own. >Shop water bottles
- Camera: An action camera like the GoPro Hero 8 Black makes for a top all-around camera for hiking, swimming, and diving. >Shop GoPro models
What else would you like to know about hiking the Tavoro Waterfall Trail on Taveuni?