- CAPTAIN'S LOG / Fiji
- 3 August 2020
WITH OVER 200 UNINHABITED ISLANDS, Fiji is a very popular yachting destination. It has tremendous natural beauty, famously warm people and fairly well-developed yachting infrastructure (comparatively speaking). It is a destination that draws two main interest groups – divers and surfers – which will, to a certain degree, determine the areas you decide to cruise.
With fairly yacht-friendly regulations, clearing in and out of Fiji is usually pretty easy. The Fijian officials are very friendly, but it is always advisable to use a local agent in case of difficulties. For example, on our last trip into Fiji, we experienced what can only be described as a raid, with twenty custom officers and twenty police in attendance – the result of a recent drug bust on a cruising yacht.
The main port and most developed centre for yachts is found in Nadi on the west coast of the main island. Nadi’s Port Denarau Marina is capable of accommodating yachts up to 70 metres and is the central point for clearing in and out of Fiji as well as sourcing day workers, provisions, local guides and superyacht agents.
Nadi is also a very crew-friendly destination with plenty of bars and restaurants, in close proximity to golf courses and resorts. In the last five years, we have spent at least twelve months in Denarau Marina and Nadi and never encountered a problem.
North-east along the coastline from Nadi is the commercial port at Lautoka. There is some berthing here, and the development of a superyacht marina is rumoured. You can complete your clearance at Lautoka, but it is designed for commercial ships. You will also find berthing in the capital of Suva on the south-east corner of the island, but not to the level you will find in Nadi.
We have always found the supermarkets in Fiji to be adequate for dry stores, but all of our fresh produce has been flown in from Australia or New Zealand to guarantee supply. It is very easy to get the produce in through customs and quarantine.
We have taken on diesel in Fiji and been supplied high-quality, low-sulphur diesel backed by certificates of quality.
All in all, Fiji is an easy place to operate a yacht.
As Fiji is a slightly more developed yachting destination than some of its South Pacific neighbours, you will find a good supply of day workers through Denarau Marina.
Fiji does have a dedicated cruising permit for charter yachts. On arrival, the yacht will be required to complete a Fijian survey. It is not too dissimilar from a flag state survey and takes about a day. Once it is completed, the yacht will be issued with a Fijian charter permit and there is a 12-percent tax on charter rates. All of this can be arranged, and the tax collected, by a local agent.
The main cruising season is April to the end of November, and the prevailing winds are easterly. There are 330 islands in Fiji so you can always find shelter and a great anchorage. The passages may be a little lumpy, but it is a comfortable place to cruise. Cyclone season is at its height from January to March.
As mentioned, there are two main reasons to cruise Fiji – diving and surfing. For the divers, the Yasawa Island Group northeast of Nadi is spectacular and the location of the infamous 1980s film, The Blue Lagoon. It is lush and green with plenty of beautiful anchorages and dive spots.
For a more remote diving spot, try Kandavu, which is south of the main island of Fiji. Reef fringes the southern coastline culminating in a reef-rimmed lagoon on the north-east corner. Beqa (pronounced ‘Mbenga’) is also special and very close to Suva; your adventurous guests can dive with tiger sharks there.
Cloudbreak is synonymous with Fiji and it is a very short cruise from Nadi.
The famous left-hand break is off Tavarua Island, which is also a very picturesque location for any non-surfers.
Further north is the Mamanuca Islands, the location for the filming of Tom Hank’s Cast Away. Even further north is Malevu and the Yasawa Island Group.
For those who enjoy fishing, conditions are great in Fiji, and like all destinations, there are some restrictions on legal fish sizes and methods of fishing.
This destination has so much to offer, some of which would be missed without bringing a local guide on board. Originally, we arranged our local guide through the marina, and now have a handful of very accommodating and competent guides to call on.
Aside from a local guide who can open doors in some of the more remote islands, a lot of chart data is wrong and without local knowledge, some approaches can be dangerous and time-consuming.
As a tourist destination, Fiji is known for its very friendly people and makes for a safe and secure cruising destination for yachts.
We always make a point of showing respect to the local villagers.
The islands are owned by the villagers, and using a local guide speaking their language and offering a gift of kava shows respect. This is especially relevant for some of the smaller more remote islands, or if you wish to use the beach for day activities.
Finally, it almost goes without saying that you’ll want to have lots of toys and tenders on board to fully enjoy this destination. A divemaster, dive equipment plus a local guide will be invaluable, as will be extensive snorkelling, water sports and fishing equipment. There is a lot of reef, so expect some sharks.
Marvellous Melbourne