Rotuma

Rotuma lies about five hundred kilometres north of the rest of Fiji, a volcanic island of a few thousand people with its own language, unrelated to Fijian, and a Polynesian culture distinct from anything else in the country. It is part of Fiji but self-governing in important respects, and the Rotuman Council controls who may visit: permission is required in advance and casual tourism is not encouraged. The island has beaches, craters, and a long tradition of keeping outsiders at a manageable number.

What you actually see

• The Rotuman language and culture - Polynesian and distinct from Fijian in every respect.
• The volcanic landscape - craters, hills and a coastline of coves and beaches.
• Solkope and the islets - small islands off the coast with clear water.
• The village life - a small population living largely as it has for generations.

When to go

May to October is the drier season. Flights run roughly weekly and are frequently cancelled or full. Cyclone season runs November to April and the island is exposed.

Honest expectations

Permission from the Rotuman Council is genuinely required and is not a formality; arriving without it is not acceptable. There is essentially no tourist accommodation and stays are with families. Flights are unreliable and being stranded for an extra week is a normal outcome.

Nearby

The island stands alone; Viti Levu is five hundred kilometres south.