Monuriki Island (23720)
Fiji, Oceania
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1c
Year of last assessment: 2026
National site name: Monuriki Island
Central coordinates: Latitude: -17.6095, Longitude: 177.0338
System: terrestrial, marine
Elevation (m): 0 to 177
Area of KBA (km2): 0.37567
Protected area coverage (%): 12.87
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Monuriki Island is a small, uninhabited volcanic island in the Mamanuca group of Fiji, covering an area of approximately 0.4 square kilometers (100 acres). Measuring about 1.15 kilometers in length and 600 meters in width, with its highest point reaching 178 meters above sea level, the island is surrounded by coral reefs and lagoons that support rich marine biodiversity. Vegetation type is predominantly Fiji dry forest, which has prospered since goats and rats were removed from the island in 2012. Part of the island is annually used to film episodes of a 'Survival' series.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site holds a globally important population of the Critically Endangered Fiji Crested Iguana Brachylophus vitiensis.
Additional biodiversity: Monuriki has Fiji's largest breeding population of Wedge-tailed Shearwaters, numbering several thousand burrows.
Manageability of the site: Monuriki is managed through a collaborative community-based conservation initiative led by the Mataqali Navunaivi (landowning clan of Yanuya village), the National Trust of Fiji, and partners like the Mamanuca Environment Society. The uninhabited, protected island operates as a managed nature reserve, focusing on restoration, habitat protection, and managed eco-tourism rather than development.
Other site values: Mataqali Navunaivi. Contract agreement with tour operators for island access: South Sea Cruises and informal agreements with other resorts (tokoriki, Matamanoa, Casteway etc)
Delineation rationale: The site covers the whole of the uninhabited island of Monuriki to the high tide line.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 90 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Residential & commercial development, Housing & urban areas, Fire & fire suppression, Tourism & recreation areas, Livestock farming & ranching, Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases
Additional information
Contributors: National Coordinating Group, National Trust of Fiji