Just 470 km north of Fiji, the small group of islands known as Rotuma, consists of a main island and four islets and is the home of a unique race of inhabitants called Rotumans, a crossbreed between Polynesians and Melanesians. In 1985, Rotumans decided to open the island to international tourism and since then, its spectacular natural beauty and its paradise coasts have called travellers´ attention and interest.
In Rotuma, the beaches are a consequence of the volcanic origin of the island, which produces small coastal cones surrounded by abundant tropical vegetation and where the crystal water of the Pacific Ocean houses lush marine life including dolphins and turtles, and amazing corals.
There are no hotels or resorts in Rotuma and the best accommodation option is to stay in the houses which local people politely let at very convenient prices.
Rotuma offers visitors an interesting range of activities, among which a visit to Haf Lius islet stands out, as the islet has an important crack in the middle, which attracts foreigners.
For trekking lovers, it is a good idea to climb Mount Suelhof, offering marvellous views of the island from its 256-metre-high top. For those interested in Rotuma´s colonial past , there are many churches from where the Christian missionaries once managed to convert islanders into Catholicism.
To visit Rotuma you are advised to avoid the rainy season, so the ideal time to go is between April and October, when the weather is damp but there is a refreshing breeze all day long.
