Qamea: Rainforest, Culture and Island Cuisine

Qamea is covered in dense rainforest and surrounded by white-sand beaches. The island also reveals its many facets through its natural experiences, village culture, music and cuisine. When planning your trip, it is worth first deciding whether you would most like to experience the rainforest, culture or both.

Rainforest and Experiences Around the Island

A guided jungle hike takes you through tropical rainforest. Along the way, you may spot the endemic Qamea orange dove, known in Fijian as Bune. So, as well as the route through the vegetation, a distinctive bird species is a highlight. Ask the provider directly whether the hike is available before making your plans.

One provider also describes a five-hour boat tour around Qamea, with stops at local attractions, opportunities to snorkel, and a picnic or barbecue on a secluded beach. Ask the provider directly whether the tour is available during your trip. The two excursions offer different experiences: the hike focuses on rainforest and birdwatching, while the boat tour features snorkelling opportunities, stops along the way and a meal on the beach.

Village Culture, Ceremonies and Music

Meke is a traditional Fijian ceremony on Qamea that brings together food, dance, entertainment and singing. Vatusogosogo Village Church stands on elevated ground above the water. It is associated with a Sunday service in Fijian, during which the choir and congregation sing.

A village tour described by Matangi Island Resort visits the neighbouring island of Qamea. Visitors can observe village life, and a small kava welcome ceremony is customary. When school is in session, a visit to the village school may also be included. Ask the resort directly whether the tour and its programme are available for your dates.

A visit featuring traditional Fijian songs and dances, as well as kava, must be arranged in advance. Check beforehand whether this experience is currently available. Another perspective on the island’s musical history comes from Dreketi: a recording released by Smithsonian Folkways in 2013 documents the Vatulawa Trio performing Sere ni cumu in the trio style in the village of Dreketi on Qamea. The song “Ko Droka na Bogi” is attributed to the village group from Dreketi.

Villages on Qamea include Kocoma, Togo, Dreketi and Naivivi, as well as other settlements and estates. These names provide a concrete framework for the island’s different cultural and culinary connections.

Si’au and Kava Cultivation

A report published on 20 September 2021 links the village of Kocoma with Si’au, a dish that, according to local accounts, Qamea is known for. To prepare it, leaves from a plant that grows on Qamea are used with Vivili shellfish gathered by the sea. The shellfish appear at the same time as the plant flowers. This connection between plant, flower and shellfish gives the dish a very specific link to local cuisine.

Kava cultivation is also part of Qamea’s agricultural landscape. Qamea Kava grows kava using traditional methods proven over generations, without chemicals and entirely by hand. The plants are cultivated for up to five years.

Choose the Right Focus for Your Trip

When choosing a holiday rental on Qamea, it helps to decide first what kind of trip you want: should nature observation be the main focus, or would you rather discover the island’s culture and cuisine? If you have several interests, the guided hike, the village experiences described here and the local dishes offer different starting points for planning. If you would like to include any tours, check their current availability with the relevant provider in advance.

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For the broader travel overview: Northern Division.