Natuvu on Viani Bay

The village of Natuvu is located on Viani Bay, in the Wailevu District of Cakaudrove Province on Vanua Levu. Its history brings together sea cucumber fishing, community decision-making and the relationship with the coast. For travelers who want to get to know a place through its local livelihoods and connections to nature, this combination is particularly interesting: Fiji’s first community-managed sea cucumber management plan was introduced in Natuvu, and mangroves and coastal protection are also part of the village’s history.

Community decisions about sea cucumber fishing

On September 3, 2020, Fiji’s first community-managed sea cucumber management plan was officially introduced in the village. Natuvu residents developed it together with their traditional leaders. The plan addressed social, economic and environmental issues related to harvesting and processing in the sea cucumber fishery. This means the topic extends beyond the catch itself: it connects work in the village with community decisions and questions about managing natural resources.

Fishing, income and a historic change

Between 2008 and 2017, villagers regularly harvested sea cucumbers in their waters to ensure their sustainability. The sea cucumber fishery is an important source of income for the people of Natuvu. Of the 30 sea cucumber species found in Fiji, 14 are among the most valuable species for Natuvu’s fishers. These figures show how closely the fishery is connected to local livelihoods.

In September 2020, the sea cucumber fishery was considered to be in steep decline. For a sense of timing, it is worth distinguishing the earlier regular harvesting from 2008 to 2017 from this later assessment. At the same time, the connection between income, harvesting and environmental issues helps explain why the community management plan addressed several areas of life.

Mangroves and coastal landscape

Natuvu had previously planted mangroves to protect the coast from currents that had carried sand and coconut palms away from the shore. A 2022 report also described how the communities of Nakasa and Natuvu, after the coastline had receded by almost a meter, jointly pursued a planned mangrove restoration project. Thus, completed planting and a project described as planned are both connected to coastal protection.

Another specific landscape feature is the 750-acre freehold property of the Mission at Natuvu Creek. It includes tropical and bamboo forests as well as an extinct volcano with an elevation of 1,200 feet. The coastal and mangrove features on the one hand, and this forest and volcanic landscape on the other, offer different perspectives on the natural surroundings of Natuvu.

Travel planning information

For travelers who want to include the surrounding area in their plans, Buca Bay is a useful geographic reference point: the bay is near Natuvu. A travel description dated November 20, 2025, named the Suncity Ferry Service as a connection between Buca Bay on Vanua Levu and Taveuni. If you plan to use this ferry connection, check the route, schedule and availability before you travel.

If you also want to take the connection to Taveuni into account, keep Buca Bay in mind as the starting point of the ferry route mentioned and plan your trip accordingly.

Discover more destinations: Waiyevo, Naidi, Fiji, Vatutandova, Vanuavou, Pagai, Qamea, Naqarawalu.

For the broader travel overview: Northern Division.