Bula, Welcome!
World-renowned snorkelling and diving paradise, unlimited watersports, enriching cultures and... a land of smiles.
Bula Vinaka is the Fijian phrase for “Hello” but directly translates to “to be alive” and is a way of wishing someone good health and a long life. You will hear this often throughout your stay with us in Fiji and before long you will be saying “bula” to everyone you meet.
Just 20 minutes away from Nadi International airport, board your yacht at the vibrant Port Denarau Marina. We will cruise the islands West of Viti Levu, the largest and principal island of the Fijian group. These islands are made up of two main groups, the stunning Mamanucas in the South and the world-famous Yasawas in the North.
You will find stunning beaches and lively reefs surrounding the 322 islands in Fiji, many of which remain uninhabited.
Climate
The weather in Fiji from June to October has an average high temperature of 28 degrees Celsius and an average low of 20 degrees Celsius. This is the Fijian dry season so there is generally low humidity, the month of July being the driest. The Yasawa and Mamanuca group of Islands are located on the North West side of Fiji and usually have less rainfall than the Eastern side, with slight to moderate showers.
The sea temperature is approximately 25 degrees and the average wind speed is between 6-12 knots. There are approximately 11.5 hours of sunlight per day and this is a beautiful time of the year to cruise Fiji.
Underwater
Know as the "Soft Coral Capital of the World", Fiji abounds with thousands of small colourful fish, shark encounters and abundant magical coral. There are some great dive sites, offering wall dives, swim-throughs, caverns, canyons and incredible bluewater experiences. Crystal-clear waters make you truly feel like you are part of large schools of pelagic fish, and when you are in luck you may come across the friendly hammerheads. To the South of the Main Island, Beqa Lagoon is home to one of the world’s most exciting shark dives where tiger sharks are hand-fed in front of divers. The best eating fish commonly available in Fijian waters are Yellow Fin Tuna and deep-water Snapper. For the underwater world, the months of November, April and May are considered the most ideal to visit due to the warmer water (28 - 30°C), and the rainy season that attracts manta rays and humpback whales. Fiji alone has 15 confirmed species of whales and dolphins. Humpback whales are seen migrating through these waters, as they travel to Tonga to breed and calve after feeding in Antarctica. There are large groups of pilot whales that inhabit our waters, and false killer whales that seem to come through annually singing loudly as they do!
A rich cultural heritage
Dive into local culture, and let your Crew arrange a Meke (Traditional Fiji Dance), a Lovo (Traditional way to cook meat and local produce with hot rocks), allow you to experience a Kava ceremony, or let the Chef of the Village take you around the local shell and handmade product markets.
Surfing
Surfing is renowned in Fiji notably around the famous Cloud Break (to the West of Viti Levu). Because the majority of the surfing occurs in the South in the Mamanuca Island group, which includes the famous ‘Cloud Break’ and ‘Restaurants’ surf spots, it is recommend to explore this group for the first few days then make our way North up and through the Yasawas.
DAY ONE
Denarau Marina > Tavarua Island [1.5hrs]
An easy transfer from Nadi International Airport, the Crew invites you onboard and introduces you to your new home. After a delightful fresh lunch, we will make our way to your first anchorage in the afternoon.
Depending on our departure time we will cruise a short 1.5 hour South West to the Mamanuca Islands. We will aim to anchor in the lee of Tavarua Island, which is located in the centre of the surfing capital of Fiji and includes the ‘CloudBreak’ and its floating restaurant. Renowned as the “heart-shaped island”, Tavarua is your first postcard-perfect experience. For guests without surf interest, stepping offshore reveals peaceful and instant tuning into "island time", a great start to the trip for all onboard.
If the weather does not suit this anchorage, a short 1 hour trip will take us to the Malolo Island lagoon, home to the famous Musket Cove Resort or the newly launched Six Senses Fiji, from where we can explore the surf breaks by tender.
DAY TWO
Tavarua & Malolo Islands [1h]
Spend the day exploring Malolo and Tavarua islands: today's activities can include surfing, swimming, snorkelling and diving, shopping and sightseeing. You can relax in the cool waters at the sand bar.
The snorkelling is excellent here with an amazing variety of fish both around the coral and around the sand bar, and it is also a great place for watersports.
We will be spending the night anchored off Malolo Lailai Island close to the beautiful and famous Musket Cove Resort. An evening walk ashore around the resort might be a nice idea before dinner alfresco on the aft deck.
DAY THREE
Navadra and Vanua Islands [3hrs]
After breakfast and maybe a morning swim or surf, we will sail 3 hours to the North West towards Navadra and Vanua Islands.
These vibrant islands have beautiful beaches and great snorkelling around the life-filled corals, aptly nicknamed the 'Garden Reefs' by the locals. You can actually try your hand at coral gardening: coral seeds are grown in a nursery then replanted on the reef to aid the conservation project. If weather permits, we will anchor here for the night or sail a quick 1 hour to the North for South Waya Island, and anchor at Yalobi Bay which is more protected.
Let the crew take you ashore for an opportunity to visit the local village, where you will receive a warm welcome from the local inhabitants who will happily give you a tour of their home and local school.
DAY FOUR
Yalobi > Naviti Island [1.5hrs]
Waking up at Navadra Island or the protected waters of Yalobi Bay is a beautiful way to start your day.
After a refreshing swim and breakfast we will make our way North for 1.5 hours to Cuvu Bay, on the Southern end of Naviti Island. This is a fantastic place to snorkel and a rare opportunity to swim with manta rays. Graceful and elegant to watch as they glide through the water, slowly flapping their enormous wings, these majestic creatures are a spectacle to behold as you swim alongside. As many as 13 manta rays have been recorded in the channel at one time! We will fish along the way and hope to catch something tasty for lunch.
Anchoring in the area is lovely, or the option is to continue 2 hours North to the Blue Lagoon near the Nanuya Levu and Matacawa Islands.
DAY FIVE
The Blue Lagoon [2hrs]
Blue Lagoon was the location of the 1980’s movie “The Blue Lagoon” starring Brooke Shields. This is a beautiful place to spend the day and an unbiased place for a hike should you wish to stretch your legs.
The snorkelling, as you can imagine, is breathtaking and the beaches are picture-perfect. We can anchor here for the night or move to nearby Sawa-i-lau Island.
Sawa-i-lau is famous for its underwater scenery. Here the locals will help you through a small underwater tunnel, and when you resurface you will be surrounded by these exquisite caves. The lagoon can be explored scuba-diving, or by kayak or paddleboard. Ashore are some shell markets which are definitely worth a visit.
DAY SIX
Yasawa-i-rara & Champagne Beach [2hrs]
After our usual morning swim and breakfast, we will relocate 2 hours North to Yasawa-i-Rara, which has one of Fiji’s most pristine beaches aptly named Champagne Beach.
Thanks to the dramatic mountain backdrops, the snorkelling is terrific! Yasawa-i-Rara offers both hard and soft corals and abundant marine life with turtles, reef sharks and eagle rays. After the exploration, it is an ideal spot for a beautiful beach BBQ.
In the evening you will be dropped ashore to watch a Meke, a traditional Fijian dance and take part in the Kava ceremony, where it is customary to present a gift of Yaqona (Kava root) to the Head Chef of the village.
DAY SEVEN & EIGHT
Naviti Island > Paradise Cove > Denarau [3hrs]
For the last two days of your exotic island-hopping discovery, we will make our way South to eventually return to Denarau Marina.
Depending on your experience and impressions, you can revisit a favourite spot, explore new coves and bays such as the beautiful Somosomo Bay on North Naviti Island, or Paradise Cove in the South. Both locations are located within approximately 3 hours of cruising.
There may also be a chance to do some more surfing but that will depend on how adventurous everyone feels at the time. Regardless of where we stop in the last few days, we will take every opportunity possible to explore the best of the Fijian islands.
Flight Times & Distances
Vinaka !
All content in this brochure is provided in good faith, but cannot be guaranteed.