Lautoka

Lautoka is in northwestern part of Fiji. Fiji's second largest city by population, Lautoka is in the middle of the country's sugarcane belt and is known as the Sugar City. It has been not as reliant on tourism as other areas of the islands, but it has a botanical garden of tropical plants.

Understand

Port of Lautoka is the main maritime gateway for western Viti Levu and is the second largest port in Fiji. The port is mainly used for bulk sugar, molasses, woodchips, petroleum and gas. The port is also used for cruises. In 2017, it was home to 72,000 people.

Get in

Hop on an express bus, taxi or rental car from Nadi town or Nadi Airport. Whichever mode of transport you use, it should take around 30 minutes from the airport and 45 minutes from Nadi town. Buses arrive at the 1 Lautoka Bus Station.

Get around

Lautoka has a robust public bus transport network operated by private companies and the service is run on scheduled timetables from the central bus station.

There is also taxi and carrier service available which is useful for those in a hurry. Although costs are based on stages travelled and set by the government fares should be agreed to before travel to avoid later disputes.

See

The Hare Krishna temple is a friendly place. If you happen to be there on a Sunday, then pop in and they may invite you to stay for lunch.

Do

• 1 Botanical Gardens, ☏ +679 666 0433. The gardens have a large variety of tropical plants most of them labelled with the botanic and common names. If you visit around midday on a working day you may see the horticulturist Shri on site who has a wealth of information on the plants. The park opposite the gardens is a favourite playground for children and has toilet facilities. 
• Mt Batilamu and Abaca Trekking. (updated Jul 2022)

Buy

• 1 Lautoka Market, Naviti St (Right beside the bus station). Get fresh fruits, vegetables, spices and kava from this large, covered market. Outside the market, there are multiple stalls selling cooked food, peanuts and snacks. (updated Jan 2020)

Eat

• 1 Blue Ginger Café & Deli, Elizabeth Square, Narara Parade (opposite the ANZ bank), ☏ +679 907 6553. A favourite for breakfast and coffee amongst the locals and visitors. (updated Apr 2017)
• Pizza Inn @ Lautoka Hotel, Naviti Street. Pizza, Indian, Chinese and Fijian dishes. (updated Jul 2022)
• South Seas Restaurant, Nede Street, South Seas Club. Best Indo-Fijian curries in Lautoka. (updated Jul 2022)
• Tigers Restaurant, Namoli Avenue. Located beside Village 4 Cinemas. Large serves art reasonable prices. (updated Jul 2022)
• 168 Seafood Restaurant, Drasa Avenue Opposite Jasper Williams High School. Best Chinese restaurant in Lautoka. (updated Jul 2022)
• Tappoo City Foodcourt, Narara Parade. Clean and spacious foodcourt selling local Indian and Chinese food. (updated Jul 2022)

Drink

• The Stadium View, Shop 318 & 319, The Hub, Corner of Sukunaivalu Road &, Dravuni St, Lautoka. Excellent atmosphere for drinks and tapas. (updated Jul 2022)

Sleep

• Anchorage Beach Resort, Vuda Point, ☏ +679 666 2099, fax: +679 666 5571, anchorage@connect.com.fj. Check-in: Noon, check-out: 11AM. From $175. 
• 1 First Landing Beach Resort & Villas, Nalamu Beach, Vuda Point, ☏ +679 666 6171, fax: +679 666 8882, reservations@firstlanding.com.fj. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM. The resort is so named because according to Fijian legend, it was here where the first Fijian people landed 3500 years ago. The views of the white sand beach, tropical trees and ocean are spectacular. From $325. (updated May 2017)
• Tanoa Waterfront Hotel, 10 Naoki St, ☏ +679 666 4777, waterfront@tanoahotels.com.fj. A business hotel that is a 25-minute drive from Nadi Airport. Across from the ocean, with a pool and spa. From US$60. (updated Nov 2020)
• Lautoka Hotel, 2-12 Naviti St, ☏ +679 666 0388, info@lautokahotelfiji.com. Check-in: 11AM, check-out: 10AM. $35, $60 & $80. 
• Cathay Hotel, Tavewa Ave (opposite the Northern Club), ☏ +679 666 0566, cathay@fiji4less.com. Air-conditioned and fan-cooled rooms, swimming pool, car parking, and garden view. $100. (updated May 2018)
• 2 Nila Beach Resort, Vuda Point Rd, ☏ +679 999 1333. (updated Apr 2021)
• 3 Saweni Beach Apartment Hotel, Saweni Beach, ☏ +679 666 1777, saweni@fiji4less.com. Self-contained beach apartments either with air conditioning or fans. About 10 minutes drive from the heart of Lautoka, they have a barbecue area and swimming pool. Dormitory accommodation also available. From $120. 
• 4 Shalley Villa Apartment, Wairabetia Rd. (updated Apr 2021)
• 5 Shareem, Wairabetia Rd, ☏ +679 8420427. (updated Apr 2021)

Go next

• The fast catamaran "Nanuya Belle" connects to Navutu Stars resort on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, departing from Lautoka at 9AM and arriving at the resort at 11:20AM. On the return, "Nanuya Belle" departs the resort at 12:30PM and arrives back at Lautoka at 3:15PM.
• Continue your journey up the north coast of the island and head to the towns of Ba, Tavua and Rakiraki.
• Or, go south to tourist launchpad Nadi and Denarau Island.