Discover Ono Island
Accommodation in Ono Island
Ono Island brings together an old coastal village, the Great Astrolabe Reef and trails across the ridgeline. The sea also shapes the journey: there are no roads on the island, and access is by boat only. This means choosing where to stay and planning your boat transfer go hand in hand from the outset.
Getting there and finding your way
Allow about an hour for the boat trip from Kadavu Airport to Oneta; the duration depends on the weather. The route crosses the Kadavu Passage and goes around the western side of Ono Island. Kavala Bay is the closest ferry stop to Ono Island. If you plan to take the weekly ferry, it is a good idea to check the latest departure times before your trip.
The approximately one-hour boat trip is the journey to Oneta, not a general travel time for every accommodation on Ono. So when looking for hotels or other accommodation, it makes sense to consider your journey alongside the activities you plan to enjoy during your stay.
Coast, reef and marine life
The old village of Koromakawa lies on the northern side of Oneta Beach. Further offshore, the Great Astrolabe Reef defines the seascape: it curves beyond Ono Island towards Buliya Island. Snorkelling around Ono, with its extensive coral gardens and abundant fish, offers a vivid picture of what the reef is all about.
The Naqoro Passage lies south of Ono. It is a breeding ground for many large billfish species, sharks, tuna, giant trevally, mahi-mahi and snapper. The sheltered waters around Ono also have easier dive sites where encounters with manta rays and other pelagic species are possible. Oneta Resort has a house reef and a dive boat.
Around Ono, manta rays gather daily at Vuro Island from May to the end of November. These months offer a seasonal indication, not a guarantee of sightings. A manta ray cleaning station is about three minutes by boat from Oneta Resort’s dive centre; timings and conditions may vary. Sport fishing around Ono Island and Kadavu on the Great Astrolabe Reef includes popping, stickbaits, jigging and trawling.
Trails and water-based tours
Behind Oneta Beach, Oneta Resort maintains trails along the ridgeline to a neighbouring beach. Trail conditions depend on the weather. Another, more challenging hike crosses the uninhabited island of Vatulutu and takes three hours. The different time frames can help you plan your day: a hike lasting several hours is a different undertaking from a short walk along the ridgeline.
Guided outrigger canoe tours around Ono are also weather-dependent, and participants must pass a capsize test. A four-day sea kayaking programme includes circumnavigating Ono Island, with stops at beaches for swimming, snorkelling and a picnic. A sea kayaking leg takes five to six hours. A motorboat can be used to shorten the paddling distance.
When choosing activities for your stay, you can compare the different formats and time commitments: trails on Ono, a more challenging hike on Vatulutu, a guided outrigger canoe tour or a multi-day sea kayaking programme. Keep weather-dependent tours and ferry departure times in mind if they are important to your plans.
Discover more about Kadavu Province
In the wider context of Kadavu Province, Ono is part of an archipelago that also includes Buliya, Yaukuve and other islands, many of which are uninhabited. The Great Astrolabe Reef shelters the islands. Uninhabited Yabu Island lies north of Ono and is locally known as “Birdland”. Many seabird species breed there, and the island is home to one of Fiji’s largest gannet colonies.
Oneta Resort’s supplies are also connected to the local area: its farm-to-table garden provides the resort with most of its fresh vegetables and salad ingredients. Check which specific activities are included with your chosen stay and which are weather-dependent.
Discover more destinations: Tavuki, Vunisea, Naukacuvu Island.
View the broader travel overview: Eastern Division.
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