17°25’10” South | 177°45’07” East *
Vatia Beach is located on the north of Fiji’s main island of Viti Levu. The team at Vatia welcome cruisers with open arms, providing water, hot meals and cold beer for very reasonable prices!
Vatia Beach
West Across Fiji
By Capt. Adrian Faulkner | SV Mandala
A large portion of yachts cruising Fiji each year begin their cruises in Savusavu, and end them in Nadi Waters (the large bay off Nadi which includes both Denarau and Vuda Point Marinas). Broadly speaking, there are three routes between these two places.
Palmlea Anchorage – A Friendly Base in the Friendly North
16°24.728 S | 179°14.120 E
Having logged nearly 60,000 nautical miles, world sailors, Joe and Julie are acutely aware of a fellow sailors needs! They used their travel experiences, ingenuity and passion for sustainable eco‐tourism to build Palmlea Farms Lodge & Villas on the northern coast of Vanua Levu. Palmlea Farms, Fiji’s first eco agri‐tourism resort. Big enough for service, amenities and fine food. Small enough for peace, privacy and tranquility it is both remote and unspoiled.More info here…
Levuka Anchorage: Fiji’s First World Heritage Site
17°41’08.61 South | 178°50’16.93 East
Levuka is a historical Port of Entry located on the eastern coast of the island of Ovalau. Formerly the Capital of Fiji, Levuka was listed as the country’s first World Heritage Site in June 2013!More info here…
Rakiraki Anchorage
17°18.793’ South | 178°13.433 East
Rakiraki in the province of Ra is a very traditional region. Sailing along the Sunshine Coast from Lautoka to Rakiraki makes for a beautiful voyage.
There is a clearly defined route on most navigational charts and electronic charts showing the inside passage from Lautoka all the way to Nananu-i-Ra, which is a regularly travelled route by local vessels. Alternatively, you can come in the Nananu-i-Ra passage that is a well-marked channel and come around the west end of the island.More info here…
Anchorage at Makogai – A Significant South Pacific Treasure
17°26’34.14” South | 178°57’11.66” East
In the heart of the Lomaiviti Group, lies the island of Makogai; not only abundant with biodiversity and beauty, but brimming with South Pacific history. From Leprosy Hospital, 1911-1969 to Government Mariculture Centre 2014.More info here…
Robinson Crusoe Island Anchorage
18° 03.49 South | 177° 15.97 East
Robinson Crusoe Island Club is located on a small island near the passage into Likuri Harbour north of Natadola Beach on Vita Levu.
With a history dating back 3,500 years to when the first Polynesians landed their huge outrigger canoes on our shores.More info here…
Leleuvia Island Anchorage
17° 48.30 South | 178° 43.18 East
Nestled in the shadow of Ovalau and just 12 nautical miles from Bau Landing, lies a majestic coral island formed thousands of years ago, on a reef fringing the Motoriki channel with waters diversely rich in marine life.
Leleuvia lies in the Lomaiviti Group that is the heart of Fiji where the Nation came into being. Historic Ovalau was home to Fiji’s earliest European Settlement in the town of Levuka; the country’s first capital.More info here…
Monuriki Island
17°36’30.08″S 177° 2’23.44″E
Made famous by Tom Hanks and the movie ‘Cast Away’, Monuriki Island presents a fine example of an untouched tropical island.
Before setting foot on this spectacular island or anchoring off its astoundingly white sandy beaches you are required to visit the village of Yanuya and present your sevusevu to the traditional landowners.More info here…
Savusavu
16°46’43.00″ South 179°19’51.08″ East
Savusavu is an official port of entry into Fiji. This yacht focused town nestled along the coastline of Southern Vanua Levu, is home to not one, but two marinas.
The town is usually the first port of call for people sailing from Tonga and Samoa.
Savusavu by Tor Johnson
Because Savusavu town provides most things a cruising yacht needs, from fuel, water and groceries, to banking, general hardware and electrical, Savusavu’s harbor is bustling with yachts coming and going.
Many use Savusavu as a base for cruising the less explored Northern islands of Fiji and quite often set up camp in the protected Nakama Creek for the duration of our cyclone season.
The town is famous for its hot springs (just ask a local to point them out), and at low tide you can see the steam from numerous small outlets all along the foreshore. It is not uncommon to find pots of food being cooked over the bubbling waters, so if you happen run out of gas onboard, you know where you can boil your eggs!
As an interesting side note – this geothermal energy is resource that could generate enough electricity to power the entire island of Vanua Levu!
Both the Copra Shed Marina and Waitui Marina welcome overseas yachts and provide moorings, and a gathering place for the yachtsmen.
Once you have arrived in Savusavu, moored up and gotten yourself settled into the swing of things, be sure to take a look at the local Savusavu website maintained by the Savusavu Tourism Association.