The Tavarua Island Marine Reserve has been officially designated under the Fisheries (Tavarua Island Marine Reserve) Regulations 2025, with the full support and endorsement of the Fijian Government.

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The newly protected area spans 5.62 square kilometers (2.17 square miles) and is located within the Vanua o Malolo customary fishing rights area (CFRA) in Nadroga/Navosa. Though the reserve covers just 0.5123% of the total CFRA—1,096.42 km² (423.23 mi²)—it holds extraordinary ecological significance.

Our reef is home to:

• The largest known population of Giant Clams in Fiji, including:
  • Tridacna gigas (true giant clam)
  • Tridacna maxima/noae
  • Tridacna derasa
  • Tridacna squamosa
  • Tridacna crocea
• Over 70 species of breeding reef fish
• More than 200 species of coral
• 10 species of sea cucumbers
• Nesting sites for sea turtles and seabirds

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For decades, these waters have been a source of life, beauty, and tradition. They’ve also been a site of ongoing conservation—from the introduction of Tridacna gigas broodstock in 2017 to community-led efforts to monitor and steward the reef.

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This official protection helps ensure these efforts are safeguarded and sustained—for the reef, for the Vanua o Malolo, for Fiji, and for future generations of surfers, divers, and dreamers. We extend our deepest thanks to the Fijian Government for their commitment to marine protection and to all who’ve treated this place with care.

Let’s keep working together to protect what we love.

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Vinaka vakalevu,

‍The Tavarua Island Family