Vanua Levu

Fiji's second largest island offers coconut plantations, striking mountains and bays, tropical foliage and total relaxation. Labasa, the main town, sits among sugar-cane fields near the north shore. The mountain road between Labasa and Savusavu is spectacular; local buses make the three-hour trip several times a day. The Hibiscus Highway runs through working coconut plantations reminiscent of old South Seas tales. Head east up the highway to catch a ferry to Taveuni, but don't go if the weather looks bad.