Lautoka Ferries: Kings Jetty, Yasawa Routes and Labasa Connections
Last fact-checked:
Lautoka does not have one universal ferry terminal. Tavewa Seabus uses Lautoka Kings Jetty for its northern Yasawa service, while scheduled Mamanuca resort transfers leave from Port Denarau rather than central Lautoka.
A ticket sold from Lautoka to Labasa or Savusavu is normally a road-ferry-road journey via Natovi and Nabouwalu, not a direct sailing from Kings Jetty. Start with your destination and operator, then use the exact boarding point shown on the booking.
Kings Jetty • Yasawa Ferries • Labasa Connections • Booking Advice
| Quick fact | What travelers should know |
|---|---|
| Passenger jetty | Lautoka Kings Jetty, Waterfront Road, for Tavewa Seabus |
| Published Yasawa departure | 7:30 am daily from Kings Jetty |
| Published return to Lautoka | Between 3:00 pm and 3:30 pm |
| Visitor fare shown by Tavewa | FJ$205 per person for its OBL and Nacula fare bands |
| Mamanuca transfers | Use Port Denarau and the relevant resort-transfer service |
| Labasa and Savusavu | Through road-ferry-road travel via Natovi and Nabouwalu |
Which Lautoka departure point do you need?
“Lautoka Port” can mean the commercial port, a passenger jetty or simply the city waterfront. The booking name matters more than the broad map label.
| Your trip | Correct starting point | What to book | Do not confuse it with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Yasawa transfer with Tavewa | Lautoka Kings Jetty, Waterfront Road | Exact island, village, homestay or resort stop | Port Denarau or the main commercial wharf |
| Mamanuca resort transfer | Port Denarau passenger terminal | Resort transfer for the named island property | Lautoka Kings Jetty |
| Labasa or Savusavu through journey | Operator's current Lautoka road pickup | Road-ferry-road ticket via Natovi and Nabouwalu | A direct boat from Lautoka waterfront |
| Small-ship cruise from Lautoka | The cruise company's named check-in point | The complete cruise itinerary | A public ferry ticket |
Port of Lautoka is mainly a working commercial port
The Port of Lautoka handles bulk cargo, containers, fuel, roll-on/roll-off vessels and some inter-island operations. It is also a base for named cruise companies. That does not make the main port entrance a universal passenger check-in. Enter a controlled port area only when your operator's instructions name it. Tavewa passengers should use Kings Jetty and the FPCL building address shown below.
Tavewa Seabus from Lautoka to the Yasawa Islands
Tavewa Seabus is the clearly published passenger service from central Lautoka to northern Yasawa communities, homestays and resorts. Its 56-passenger Seabus 1 leaves Kings Jetty in the morning. The exact arrival depends on your island stop and any smaller-boat connection, so book the property or village name, not only “Yasawa”.
Route update for September 2026
Tavewa Seabus says its new 30-seat Seabus 2 is due to begin operating on 1 September 2026. The operator says the catamaran is designed for shallower bays and will add 30 new routes. A route-by-route schedule is not yet shown on the page, so use the current destination list when booking.
| Published item | Current information | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Departure | Daily at 7:30 am | Board at Lautoka Kings Jetty |
| Return to Lautoka | Between 3:00 pm and 3:30 pm | Do not build a tight flight or long-distance connection after arrival |
| Operator journey headline | Yasawas in about 2.5 hours | This is a broad route estimate, not an arrival time for every island stop |
| OBL and Nacula visitor fare bands | FJ$205 per person | Match your exact property or village to the operator's destination list |
| Bukama / Yasawa Island Resort | FJ$250 per person; minimum six passengers shown | This fare band has a group minimum |
| Visitor child policy | Ages 0–3 are free and ages 5–11 are half rate | The published wording does not state the age-four rate, so include the child's age when booking |
| Passenger identification | Passport or ID copy requested for maritime transfers | Send the requested copy and carry the original travel document |
Fares above are the visitor rates displayed on the operator's site on 29 August 2026. Fiji-resident rates require a Fiji passport and should not be used to budget a visitor trip.
How to book and board without a terminal mix-up
Booking details to provide
- Full passenger names as shown on ID.
- Exact resort, homestay, village and island.
- Travel date and one-way or return direction.
- Child ages and any mobility assistance needed.
- Number and approximate weight of bags.
Kings Jetty contact
Office: Office 2, FPCL Building, Waterfront Road, Lautoka
Phone: +679 999 5524
Mobile: +679 922 2575
Passenger bags are not the same as freight
The operator publishes separate freight charges for cartons and bags: FJ$8 below 10 kg, FJ$12 from 10 to 20 kg, and FJ$1 per excess kilogram over 20 kg. These are freight prices, not a promise that the same weight is included in a passenger ticket. Ask which bags travel as passenger luggage and which must be booked as freight. Hardware and oversized items depend on available space.
Plan the final island transfer
A resort name can involve a drop-off near another island, followed by a smaller tender or resort boat. Put the full property name in the reservation and keep its arrival instructions offline. Wear footwear that is easy to remove, protect electronics from spray and keep essential medication in your day bag rather than in checked or freighted luggage.
Lautoka to Labasa or Savusavu: understand the through journey
A search for “Lautoka to Labasa ferry” can be misleading. Interlink's core crossing is Natovi on Viti Levu to Nabouwalu on Vanua Levu, with road service continuing to Labasa and Savusavu. A booking that starts in Lautoka therefore combines a road pickup, the Natovi–Nabouwalu ferry and an onward road leg. It is not a direct passenger sailing from Lautoka Kings Jetty.
What to ask for when booking
- The exact Lautoka pickup place and time.
- Whether one ticket covers the road, vessel and onward bus.
- The expected arrival town and any overnight travel.
- Separate passenger, vehicle and cargo charges.
- The rebooking rule if a sailing changes.
Interlink publishes changing weekly notices on its official page and lists a Lautoka contact number of +679 998 9724. This guide does not copy a weekly departure time that may expire. For other ways to reach Vanua Levu, use the separate Savusavu transport guide.
For Mamanuca resort transfers, go to Port Denarau
South Sea Cruises' scheduled Mamanuca and Yasawa resort-transfer network departs from and returns to Port Denarau. Its passenger check-in is at the South Sea Cruises desk 30 minutes before departure. This is a different terminal and product from Tavewa Seabus at Lautoka Kings Jetty.
If your accommodation is in the Mamanucas, follow the Mamanuca from Nadi guide instead of using this Lautoka page as a timetable. For a multi-island itinerary that compares ferries, flights and route order, use the broader Fiji island-hopping guide.
Getting to Lautoka Kings Jetty
Use “Tavewa Seabus, Kings Jetty, FPCL Building, Waterfront Road” as the destination for a driver or map search. The operator describes the jetty as about five minutes from Lautoka city and about 30 minutes from Nadi Airport in normal traffic. A taxi is the simplest option with luggage. If you are starting outside the city, plan the mainland leg with the Nadi to Lautoka guide or the Lautoka public transport guide.
The Lautoka Market is useful for buying fruit or simple supplies in the city centre, but it is not the ferry terminal. Buy what you need before going to the waterfront and keep enough time for the operator's check-in instructions.
Passenger checklist for departure day
Documents and booking
- Passport or accepted ID and the requested digital copy.
- Booking reference saved offline.
- Exact island property and transfer instructions.
- Operator phone number stored in your contacts.
Comfort and connections
- Water, sun protection and any motion-sickness medicine.
- Electronics and documents in a water-resistant pouch.
- Essential medication in your day bag.
- A generous buffer before flights or long road transfers.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Lautoka ferry terminal?
There is no single terminal for every service. Tavewa Seabus uses Lautoka Kings Jetty at the FPCL Building on Waterfront Road. Port Denarau serves the scheduled Mamanuca resort-transfer network, while the commercial Port of Lautoka has separate port and cruise operations.
Is there a ferry from Lautoka to the Yasawa Islands?
Yes. Tavewa Seabus publishes a daily 7:30 am departure from Lautoka Kings Jetty for northern Yasawa stops. Book the exact resort, homestay or village because transfer arrangements and arrival times differ by stop.
How much is the Lautoka to Yasawa ferry?
Tavewa's published visitor fare is FJ$205 per person for its OBL and Nacula fare bands. Bukama and Yasawa Island Resort are shown at FJ$250 per person with a six-passenger minimum. Match the destination to the current fare list before paying.
Can I take a ferry from Lautoka to Labasa?
A through booking may start with road transport from Lautoka, but the vessel crossing is normally Natovi to Nabouwalu, followed by road travel to Labasa. It is not a direct boat from Lautoka Kings Jetty.
Do Mamanuca ferries leave from Lautoka?
Scheduled Mamanuca resort transfers operated through the South Sea Cruises network depart from Port Denarau. Do not travel to Lautoka Kings Jetty unless your own booking names it.
What ID and baggage information do I need?
Tavewa requests a passport or ID copy for maritime transfers. Carry the original document as well. Ask which bags are included as passenger luggage because the freight prices on the operator's site are separate from the passenger fare.
Sources and verification
Route facts were checked on 29 August 2026. Operator notices can change faster than an editorial page, so the live booking or service notice controls if it differs from this guide.
- Tavewa Seabus: Kings Jetty departure, Seabus 2 launch notice, Yasawa fares, child policy, ID request, freight charges and contact details.
- Fiji Ports: Port of Lautoka: commercial-port role and named cruise base.
- Fiji Ports facilities: cargo, roll-on/roll-off and inter-island operations at Lautoka.
- South Sea Cruises resort transfers: Port Denarau departures and passenger check-in.
- Interlink Shipping Line official page: Natovi–Nabouwalu service, northern connections and current weekly notices.
Sailing times, boarding points and fares can change. Confirm time-sensitive details in the final booking. Found something outdated? Send FijiEco a correction.