The Yasawa volcanic group consists of six main islands and numerous smaller islets. The archipelago, which stretches in a north-easterly direction for more than from a point north-west of Lautoka, is volcanic in origin and very mountainous, with peaks ranging from in height. The only safe passage for shipping is between Yasawa Island and Round Island, 22 kilometers to the north-east.
History
The BritishnavigatorWilliam Bligh was the first European to sight the Yasawas in 1789, following the Mutiny on the Bounty. Captain Barber in visited the islands in 1794, but they were not charted until 1840, when they were surveyed and charted by a United States expedition commanded by Charles Wilkes. Throughout the 1800s, Tongan raiders bartered for, and sometimes stole, the sail mats for which the Yasawas were famous. The islands were largely ignored by the wider world until World War II, when the United States military used them as communications outposts.
Tourism, economy and culture
Until 1987, it was the policy of the Fiji government that the Yasawa Group was closed to land-based tourism. This was because the King of the Yasawa Group, who was not controlled by the government, did not want tourism. There were limited cruise operations since the 1950s, but passengers had to stay aboard their ships. Without tourism, the local residents lived in peace and harmony in a communal atmosphere. Since the Fijian government lifted the restrictions on land-based tourism in the Yasawa Group, a number of resorts have been established there. Due to its freehold real-estate status, three budget resorts have been operating on Tavewa island since the early 1980s.
Getting to the Yasawas
As one of the outer island chains, options to get to the Yasawa Islands are a bit more limited than some of the closer islands to Nadi and Denarau. Sea planes from local airlines make multiple flights to the Yasawa resorts per day, and charters are also available. Helicopter charters are also available or you can take the Yasawa Flyer, a catamaran.
