A Mariners Guide to FIJI Shores & Marinas 2014
A Mariners Guide to FIJI Shores & Marinas 2014
facilities ashore. There is a good anchorage and great diving and snorkeling.
CRUISING THE FIJI GROUP with CAPTAIN CAROL DUNLOP
Larger vessels can use the Daveta Ni Kai Drai Ba pass. Homestead Bay anchorage is fine in normal prevailing E – SE winds. Anchor close to the eastern side to keep out of the occasional swells wrapping around the point.
Cruising the Lomaiviti Group
179oW
Makogai island has a very good anchorage in Dalice Bay which is currently used as the site of a Department of Fisheries clam hatchery and turtle head-start program. The island is state owned (although a sevusevu is still required) and steeped in history, as it was previously a large leprosarium serving the region.
180oE
178oE
179oE
Makogai
You can read more about this magical place on page 134.
Nubu Naduri
Rabi Labasa
Votua
Yasawa
Savusavu
Above: Koro Island. Chris McLennan photo
T
his is the dive area of Fiji for serious divers. Yaqela Nabouwalu
There are numerous world-class dives in the Vatu-i-ra channel, and at the fabulous islands of Naviti Namena, Koro, Makogai, Wakaya, and Gau. It’s highly recommended to carry a dive guide as this is Rakiraki “experienced divers only” - See page 97. Makogai Tavua On the island of Ovalau you will find the old capital uca Levuka - see page 130. It’s like being in a time warp with many buildings standing just as they were 100 Wakaya Ba s Vatukoula Natovi years ago. The Royal Hotel reminds me of something Ovalau VuDA out ofLautoka Somerset Maugham and a visit to the local Levuka watering hole, The Ovalau Club, has to be part of DENARAu life’s rich experiences. The leading lights, particularly Korovou ViTi LEVu theNadi lower one on the main church spire, are the best in Fiji and are rarely out!
Nausori
Wakaya Wakaya Beach Club is a Private Island and Resort. Sigatoka Guests can check into the resort to enjoy the Navua SUVA Coral Coast
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Pacific Harbour
Beqa
Waiyevu
Taveuni
Koro
Matei
Annual humpback whale surveys around Makogai and Levuka, record sightings of migrating humpack whales, so do keep your eyes open and be sure to complete the sightings form on page 221. Good anchorages and some more world class dive sites.
Hawkesbill turtles come ashore to nest here, and critically endangered leatherback turtles and whale sharks have been sighted within the area.
Gau is the 5th largest island in Fiji covering an area of 136 sq km. There is an airstrip at the southern tip of Laucala the island. Rugby’s 7’s legend Serevi hails from this island.
Qamea
Inside the Lagoon the dives are tide dependant and divers will need a guide with knowledge of the ideal times to dive. On the outer wall however, times to dive are flexible. Mavana Vanua
Balavu
Kaibu
Nairai
Batiki
Sawaleke
Gau
There is fair anchorage on the Northern side of the island in average trade wind conditions. Moorings have been installed to protect the delicate coral reef, and the iQoliqoli owners from Kubulau request you use them o whenever possible.
17 S
Below: Dive with the Mantas near Wakaya. Photo: Brigitte Dewhirst.
Lomaloma
Namacu
KORO SEA
16oS Namenalala Island is privately owned and as such a small fee applies for landing. The island itself is home to a red-footed booby nesting colony. You can also see fruit bats, lesser frigates, long-tail tropic birds, and multi-hued land birds that will entertain you with their songs.
Ringold Gau Island isles
Buca Somosomo
SAVuSAVu BAy
Bua
Nacula
Natewa Bay
LEVu
Q
sawa roup
VANuA
Rising from the depths of the Koro Sea, on the fringe of Bligh Waters, lies the mile-long island of Namenalala, surrounded by one of Fiji’s most pristine diving and snorkeling reef ecosystems known as the Namena Marine Reserve.
Mantas and hammer head sharks are frequently seen on the dives around the island.
Between the Lau Group and the mainland of Viti Levu
GREAT SEA REEF
Namenalala - Namena Marine Reserve
Northern Lau Group
Mago
Tuvuca Tarakua
Cicia
18oS
Nayau Lakeba Tubou
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