Fiji fact file

Fiji lies between 15’ and 22’ south of the equator, just west of the International Dateline, and starts each new day 12 hours ahead of GMT. The Fiji group is made up of over 330 islands spread over an area four times larger than the islands and waters of French Polynesia. Only one third of the islands are inhabited and many are pristine havens for plant and wildlife. The two main islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, are volcanic and make up almost 80 per cent of the landmass. The rest of the islands vary greatly from high rain forested islands with waterfalls to atoll formations. Uniquely Fiji has some areas that are dotted with limestone islands eroded into arches, islets and caves, topped with thick vegetation.

Fiji has a tropical marine climate with two seasons: a wet season and a dry season. The average temperatures is 25 °C.

Dry ‘winter’ trade wind season
May to November: warm, dry trade winds blow over Fiji from east to southeast for about 70 per cent of the season. The winter months are dry in Fiji especially in the west of the group. During this period the waters are clearest for scuba diving and water sports.

Wet ‘summer’ hot season
November to April: the climate is hotter and more humid with longer periods of calm during this period. This season is characterised by heavy, brief local showers that contribute most of the season’s rainfall. These occur in the late afternoon around coasts of the bigger islands. It is also possible for Tropical Cyclones to form between December and April.

By air

There are many small and larger airports in Fiji, two of which take international flights. It is possible to get direct flights to Fiji from Los Angeles, Honolulu, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Korea, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, New Caledonia and Guam.

Nadi International Airport (NAN)
Nadi is the main tourist airport, with flights from Australia and New Zealand, as well other Asian countries and further afield. Nadi airport is situated 9 kilometres north of Nadi Town, close to the famous resort island of Denarau.

Nausori International Airport (SUV)
Nausori is Fiji’s hub for domestic flights, and performs a shuttle service to Nadi Airport for international flights. Nausori Airport is on the eastern side of the main island, Viti Levu, and is 30 minutes drive from the capital Suva.

Airports Fiji Limited runs Fiji’s 15 public airports, including Nadi and Nausori.

Contact:
Airport Information
T: (679) 672 5777 ext: 6156/6274

Airport Operations
T: (679) 672 5777 ext: 6458

Customer Services
T: (679) 672 5777 ext: 6158/6113
www.airportsfiji.com

There are two domestic airlines that service most areas as well as charter aircraft, seaplanes and helicopters.

Entering by yacht

Yacht owners and crew are subject to the same immigration requirements as those entering Fiji by plane (see above).

When entering Fiji, yachts must submit a customs form at least 48 hours before arrival. The inward report for super yachts form and additional pages for crew details can be accessed here: www.frca.org.fj/customs_forms.htm

Forms can be submitted by any of the following contact details:
T: (679) 324 3000
F: (679) 330 2929
E: yachtsreport@frca.org.fj

When entering by sea, vessels must dock in one of Fiji’s designated entry ports to be cleared by immigration and customs before visiting any other islands.

Designated entry ports are:
Suva
Lautoka
Savusavu
Levuka

When approaching the port, call Port Control on VHF channel 16 to request permission to enter, then proceed to the quarantine area.

Customs, Immigration and Quarantine officers will board the vessel to clear it for entry.
Foreign vessels are required to declare plants, animals and foods that contain animal by-products such as meat, dairy and honey that are on board.

Departing yachts

Boats leaving Fiji must clear Customs on departure. Give customs 24 hours notice of your departure, and keep all receipts of port and quarantine fees, as they will need to be shown to leave the islands. Yacht owners will also need to pay the mandatory departure tax, which has risen in recent years.

After being cleared by customs, yachts must see the Immigration department last. An appointment should be made in advance of departure, informing the department of the boat’s location. Immigration insist that boats depart immediately on receiving clearance. It is prohibited to stop at any island once cleared.

Immigration

Visas are required for entry into Fiji, but there is an exemption list of over 100 countries including the United Kingdom, the United States and most EU states. For citizens of exempted counties a free four month tourist visa is granted on arrival.

For citizens of those countries not exempted, to acquire a visa you will require a return ticket and a passport valid for at least three months longer than your intended stay.

Visa extensions can be made for up to six months extra, on condition that the tourist holds a passport valid for three months beyond the intended period of their stay, an outward ticket and sufficient funds to facilitate the duration of their stay.

For visa information, including a list of the exempted countries, see: Fiji’s Department of Immigration visa page.

On leaving, all visitors are subject to a departure tax. This is included in air fares, but yachts will have to pay up front.

Contact:
W: www.immigration.gov.fj
E: immigration@govnet.gov.fj
T: Suva: (679) 3312672
Nadi: (679) 6722916
Lautoka: (679) 6661706
Savusavu: (679) 8850800
Levuka: (679) 3440860

Quarantine

Superyachts are requested to declare all food items on arrival. Most things can remain onboard as long as nothing is landed.

Customs

48 hours notice of arrival is required. Fiji has five clearance ports Suva, Lautoka, Levuka, Oinafa (Rotuma) or Savusavu. Clearance in or out at Port Denarau Marina is possible by prior arrangement through an agent.

Yacht Support
Yacht Help Fiji has been servicing Superyachts since 1988. It is owned and operated by David Jamieson, who with 15 years as a superyacht captain and eight years in Fiji we can provide the best local knowledge and make sure you get the most out of your visit to Fiji.
Contact:
Captain David Jamieson
T: +679 9920972
E: david@yachthelp.com
E: info@yachthelp.com
W: www.yachthelp.com

Marinas

Port Denarau Marina
17˚ 46.18 S 177˚ 22.56 E
Max LOA: 80m
Max draught: 4.5m
The marina contains many marine services including stainless fabrication, sail maker, chandlery, machine shop and painting services.
W: www.denaraumarina.com

Bunkers

Bunkers can be taken on the commercial wharfs of Suva and Lautoka. Port Denarau Marina can also provide bunkers on the berths. Duty Free Fuel is only available upon departure.

Provisioning

Good local fruit and vegetables are available locally. The more select items can be readily imported from Australia, New Zealand and the USA.

Sunny, unique and unspoiled best describes Fiji’s 330 islands. The islands have miles of white sandy beaches, azure lagoons, lush tropical rainforests, fabulous coral gardens teeming with sea life and tranquil village life. Fiji has something to offer all yacht visitors from some of the world’s finest boutique resorts to uninhabited and untouched islands.

Culture

Fiji’s multi-cultural society offers a variety of customs and traditions unparalleled in the Pacific. The islands of Fiji are home to Fijians, Indians, Europeans, Chinese and other Pacific Islanders. At the last census (2007), Fiji’s population was 837,271.

One of the first noticeable and most striking aspects of Fiji is that it is one of the friendliest places in world. Every person that passes by will offer a ‘bula’ the Fijian word for hello. Hospitality in the outer islands is second to none. Traditions and culture are highly valued and local protocols need to be followed by all who visit the islands.

Kava
Kava is the traditional drink of the islands and is drunk both ceremonially and casually playing a large part in the culture. This very mildly intoxicating drink will be offered to the visitor in a coconut shell cup and this must be drunk in one go to be polite.

Emergencies and hazards

Dial 911 for all emergency services or call Yacht Help Fiji +679 9920972.

Fiji is free from malaria and most other tropical diseases.

Land hazards
There are no poisonous snakes or spiders in Fiji. Rain forests walks and hikes can be undertaken without fear of injury.

Marine hazards
Fiji’s reefs abound with life, some of which may cause injury if disturbed but are otherwise non aggressive. It is important not to touch marine life on the reefs.

Diving accidents
Colonial War Memorial Hospital
Hyperbaric Unit
Waimanu Rd
Suva
24hr T: +679 3313 444
Emergency rotating mobile numbers for doctors: +679 9277386 or +679 9771611

Hospitals

Suva Private Hospital
Amy Street
Suva
24hr T: +679 3303404
NO heli pad

Colonial War Memorial Hospital
Waimanu Road
Suva
24hr T: +679 3313 444
Heli pad: 18° 08.06 S 178° 26.02 E

Crime

Fiji is a very safe place both in the day time or at night and visitors are treated with respect.

Dress

In the towns and tourist areas there is no dress code. Villages and rural areas are quite conservative and dress is important. Villages require females to wear a ‘sulu’ (sarong or paraeo) and non revealing tops. For males it is best to wear the ‘sulu’ but shorts are acceptable. Swimwear should not be worn in the villages.

Port Denarau is the ideal place to start your Fijian cruise as it is located only 15 minutes from Nadi International Airport and can berth yachts up 60 metres with on the dock fuel, power, water and WiFi. Within walking distance there are seven luxury hotels, an international 18 hole golf course, a supermarket, shopping centre, bars, restaurants and marine services. Denarau Island offers ample provisioning or pampering opportunities, but if you want to experience the true nature and generous hospitality of the Fijian people a voyage to the outer islands is essential.

Yasawas and Mamanucas Islands
These two groups of islands provide a wide range cruising for a 7 to 10 day cruise. Their location on the leeward side of Fiji provides them with dry sunny weather.

The Mamanucas islands lie within the reef providing smooth sailing. There are a wide variety of islands – some are home to boutique resorts, others are more secluded such as Monoriki where the film Castaway was filmed. It’s a great place to start a cruise with easy diving and good snorkelling.

As you sail north you arrive at Waya Island in the Yasawa Group. Anchor off Natawa village (South Waya). Present your kava to the village chief in the traditional ‘sevusevu’ ceremony. This high island has spectacular views from its peak and is worth the short hike to the top. Stop and refresh in the natural spring on the way up. Continue to walk right over the island and have your yacht collect you on the other side.

The Yasawa Group gets more spectacular the further north you go. Swim with the manta rays at Naviti Island, anchor in the turquoise waters of Blue Lagoon where the film of the same name was made, explore the huge limestone caves at Sawa-I-Lau and finally stand on the fine sand of the 10 kilometres of pristine beaches of Yasawa Island.

Vatu-I-Ra Channel and Lomaiviti Group
The Vatu-I-Ra channel contains some of Fiji’s best dives. The constant flow of water through the channel produces some of world’s most colourful soft coral gardens and in the deeper water there are pinnacles rising up to the shallows that are the domain of the large pelagic species. These are for experienced divers and a local guide is recommended.

The Lomaiviti Group includes the islands of Makogai, an ex leper colony and now home to turtle hatchery, Gau, well known for its shark dives, and the remote Namena which is a marine sanctuary.

Savusavu and Taveuni
Savusavu is quaint little town with volcanic activity producing hot springs that steam along the foreshore. The town has shops and a market for fresh provisions. Across Savusavu Bay is the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort which offers fine dinning ashore. Heading east to the Island of Taveuni know as the garden island because of its lush rain forest and water falls here you will find little evidence of tourism and an opportunity to experience traditional Fijian life.

Lau Group
This group is Fiji’s hidden paradise, as with no tourism it is one of the most traditional areas. Vunua Balavu Island has some of the most spectacular scenery in Fiji. Here traditional etiquette needs to be strictly observed. You need to bring with you a gift of half-a-kilo of the root of the pepper plant from which kava, the social and ceremonial drink is made. Then begins an ancient ritual known as Sevu Sevu. This usually takes place in the village longhouse, where your party sits on the floor opposite the Ratu (chief) and his elders. The Ratu appoints a spokesman to speak for the visitors, although the entire proceedings are held in the Fijian language. The spokesman ceremoniously requests the Ratu to accept your gift of kava. The Ratu places his hands on the gift, and thanks the visitors. All present clap three times. You are now officially the guest of the village.

There is plenty of exploring inside this large lagoon and is worth staying few days. The village will put on a traditional feast or ‘lovo’ with meat, fish and local vegetables baked in an underground earth oven this is followed by a ‘Meke’ (Fijian dancing) in honour of the guests. The more adventurous can cruise south through the Lau islands to experience more of these little visited islands.

Beqa and Kadavu
Beqa Lagoon has one of the world’s most highly recommended shark dives where tiger and bull sharks are seen daily. Ashore the people of Beqa are known for their ability to fire walk over red hot rocks.

Kadavu
Kadavu is a must for keen divers and sites abound inside the Astrolobe reef where fish life is bountiful among the huge coral gardens. Turtles, large pelagics, schooling barracudas and mantas are regular sights. Ashore there is little tourism and you will be assured of a traditional ‘Bula’ Fijian welcome.

Charter Guide Fiji charter guide Fiji is a country of over 300 stunningly beautiful islands - many uninhabited – where life has remained largely simple and unspoilt by modern trappings, making it a sublime cruising destination

Itinerary 10 day cruise around Fiji’s Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands Walk deserted beaches, snorkel in azure waters, swim with manta rays, hike up island peaks and share kava with villagers on this cruise through two leeward island chains in Fiji

Feature Port Denarau Marina – Fiji’s first superyacht marina Fiji's first superport has berths for visiting superyachts up to 75m, a retail hub with everything from restaurants and bars to doctors and beauty salons and a boat yard for essential maintenance and repairs

The Great Barrier Reef

Hamilton Island – a southern hemisphere Porto Cervo with Australian flair