Flora and Fauna

The higher rainfall regions in Fiji's east are lush with tall rainforests and trees such as mahogany and vesi. In the drier western districts, sugar cane is grown through much of coastal Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, and coconut plantations are also common.

 

The fruit bat (beka) and a small insect-eating bat are the only native mammals. Native reptiles include the crested and banded iguana.

 

Viti Levu, Kadavu and Taveuni are the best places to see some of Fiji's 80 species of land and freshwater birds. The larger birds are easily seen on the main islands, which tend to be more ecologically intact. Look out for the small red and green kula lorikeets which can be seen collecting nectar and pollen in populated areas, as well as the rainforest regions. The rare green kadavu parrot is found only on the island of Kadavu, while endangered peregrine falcons have eyries inland of Suva. Other rare bird species include the Fiji petrel, the silktail and the long-legged warbler. The Colo-I-Suva Forest Park in the hills north of Suva is a great place for birdwatchers and many of Fiji's wildlife species can also be seen at the Kula Eco Park on the Coral Coast near Sigatoka.

 

There are 320 islands in the Fiji Group of which only four are of significant size. The largest (and also the most populous) is Viti Levu, followed in size by Vanua Levu, Kadavu and Taveuni.

 

The vast majority of Fiji’s land mass is volcanic in origin, with some reef-formed limestone and coastal sedimentary formations. The major islands are generally mountainous in the interiors which creates a rain shadow effect. The western sides of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu are drier and less thickly vegetated than the eastern areas. The difference in the rainfall between the two sides is striking. The eastern side of Viti Levu, where the capital city of Suva is located, averages 300 cm in precipitation whereas in the western side where Nadi International Airport is found, averages about 165 cm. Thus on any given day, your chances of getting wet are much greater on any of the larger islands’ eastern sides, rather than in the west. Plan your vacations accordingly.

 

 In general, a great deal of Fiji’s territory has not been overly developed, over-fished, over-grazed or severely exploited. On the contrary, its varied terrain provides a variety of habitats for flora and fauna. These include lowland and mountain rainforest, mangroves and swamps, mixed grasslands and inland waters. The ocean environment includes coral reefs, lagoons and deep pelagic areas all of which team with fish. As many visitors can attest to, Fiji’s reputation as a world-class dive destination is well deserved. In Fiji’s rich reef system one may find a multitude variety of marine life all within a few square meters.

A variety of plants and animals occupy the terrestrial areas including birds, reptiles and amphibians. Fiji’s flora and fauna is not so diverse as the South Pacific islands that lie closer to the Asian landmass such as the Solomon Islands but not as poor as that of islands further to the east such as French Polynesia.