The island is characterized by steep undercut cliffs with fertile volcanic soil.

Vanua Balavu has an airstrip, a post office in Lomaloma copra port, and a small hospital.

A large sea cave, named Qaranilaca, on the southeastern tip of Vanua Balavu was excavated in 2000 and shown to have been used by humans more than 10 centuries ago.

[2] A notable person from Vanua Balavu is Laisenia Qarase, Fiji's Prime Minister from 2000 to 2006, who hails from the village of Mavana.

Charles Walker, a former politician and Fiji diplomat hails from Sawana village with Lavinia Wainiqolo Padarath; a staunch trade unionist and former politician, Walker served as a Minister for Women and Social Welfare under the Fiji Labour Party election win in 1999.