Nananu-i-ra Island Introduction

Nananu-i-Ra is an island in Fiji about 1.5 kilometers off the coast of the main island of Viti Levu, in the Rakiraki of Ra Province. It has a maximum elevation of 180 meters. There was once a village on its peak.

Fijian mythology holds that Nananu-i-Ra is the point of departure for disembodied spirits, leaving this world for the afterlife.

Nananu-i-ra Island Weather

Enjoys a mild and stable climate most of the year, due to the large expanses of open water that surround its islands. The prevailing winds are easterly and southeasterly; the mountainous spines of the larger islands produce clouds and greater rainfall on their windward sides. The wet season extends from November to April, but rain falls throughout the year. Daytime temperatures average around 25°C (77°F), and humidity is generally high. Tropical cyclones can blow up between November and April, although they are rarely dangerous.

Nananu-i-ra Island Attractions

Nananu-i-Ra Island is a delightful small island off the north coast of Viti Levu, a two hour scenic drive through rural countryside from Nadi Airport. The island is reached by small boat, taking 10-minutes across the passage from Ellington Wharf. Nananu-i-Ra has two great swimming beaches on either side of the island (it’s a five minute walk over the hill between the two beaches, or a 30-minute beach stroll around the coast). The sheltered beach offers safe sandy-bottom swimming in the lagoon and snorkelling amongst colourful reef fish. The windy beach on the other side of the island offers light body surfing and the chance to experience Fiji’s most exciting wind-surfing and kite-surfing location.

Nananu-i-ra Island History

There is a legend "NANANU-I-RA" which goes something like this:-

"Once upon a time there lived in the village of Nanukuloa (village of black sands) on Viti Levu (Queen of the sands). Adi fell in love with a handsome young chief from Bua, about twenty miles across the water. Bua was famous for its forests of beautiful sandalwood with a fragrant perfumed timber, and the people of Bua were great canoe sailors.

Adi's lover, being a skilled sailor, sailed his fast canoe across the intervening sea to visit her, bearing many gifts carved from the exotic sandalwood of Bua.

Unfortunately, however, the tribes of Bua and the tribes on Viti Levu were not friendly, and the suit of the young chieftain was rejected by Adi's father and the chief of Nanukuloa.

Undaunted, however, the two lovers were determined to meet secretly and this is what they did. Off the coast near Adi's village is the island of Nananu-i-Ra, meaning "Dreamland in the West" and it was here the lovers arranged to meet.