Fiji Islands Yachting The Official Guide to Sailing and Cruising in the Fiji Islands Contents Gruising Guide Navigation Gruising Guide Overview ...........................3 Tides ..............................................................27 Northern Region ..........................................5 Beacons & Lights .........................................27 Western Region ............................................6 Radio .............................................................28 Central Region..............................................8 Weather .........................................................28 Southern Region ..........................................10 Books & Publications ..................................30 Eastern Region .............................................11 Fiji Chart Agents..........................................30 Fiji Charts .....................................................31 Super Yachts British Admiralty Charts.............................31 Super yacht information..............................12 Facilities Yacht Clubs & Marinas................................33 Racing - Current Events Products & Services Directory....................36 Coffs harbour to Suva ..................................14 Auckland to Denarau...................................15 President’s Cup ............................................15 Musket Cove to Port Vila ............................16 Racing - Previous Events Auckland to Suva .........................................17 Auckland to Lautoka ...................................18 Sydney to Suva .............................................18 Windsurfer Worlds.......................................18 Hobie 16 Worlds...........................................18 18 Footer Worlds..........................................18 Charters & Cruises Yacht & Powerboat Chartering ...................19 Island Cruises ...............................................20 Arrival Information Formalities....................................................21 Health/Practique ..........................................22 Customs.........................................................22 Immigration..................................................24 Quarantine....................................................25 Permits ..........................................................25 Regulations ...................................................25 International Travel .....................................26 Domestic Travel ...........................................26 Visas...............................................................26 Travellers Health..........................................27 Sevusevu........................................................27 Fiji Yachting - The Official Guide to Sailing and Cruising in the Fiji Islands Overview With its many scenic islands, Fiji is one of the most distinctive and beautiful areas in the world. Fiji is blessed with a mild climate, abundant sea life, tropical waters and excellent sailing conditions. The blue sky and crystal clear waters of Fiji are warmed year-round by a gentle sun. Add to this the numerous fascinating tours, modern facilities and locals known for their humour and hospitality and it is easy to see why Fiji is such a popular cruising destination. Cruising Guide - Overview Throughout the ages mariners have been captivated by the lure of Fiji's tranquil isles and warm sea. A sailor could happily spend a lifetime exploring Fiji's 330 islands and 200,000 miles of ocean. Whether you want to be a part of it all, or get away from it all, you can do just that in Fiji. Use this Cruising Guide to help you plan your itinerary through Fiji's paradise. Northern Region - A remote, unspoiled, natural eden, Fiji’s North is a laid-back place where you can't help but be completely relaxed. Is it any wonder the people here are so incredibly friendly? Western Region - Fiji's playground, the West is the most popular cruising area. The majority of Fiji's resort hotels are situated among these islands, each offering a wide range of watersports and activities. This area is famous for fun and sun -- all day, every day. Central Region - In the heart of the Fiji Islands you can sail in waters surrounding the historic island home of Fiji's most famous ruler, Cakobau. You can wander past the charming wooden shops of Levuka, Fiji's first European capital. Need to reprovision or just want to enjoy great nightlife? You'll find many choices in the modern capital city of Suva. Southern Region - A favourite area of snorkellers and divers, the Southern Region encompasses Beqa Lagoon and the Astrolabe Reef. Here is an undersea paradise with Fiji's famous giant sea fans and delicate soft corals in an array of colours. Keep a look out for sea turtles and dolphins. Eastern Region - Regarded by local and world class sailors as one of Fiji's finest cruising grounds, the Eastern Region is a secluded paradise with private coves and sheltered bays. 3 The Captain’s Log by Captain Carol Dunlop Highly recommended: A Yachtsman's Fiji, by Michael Calder, is the definitive guide to cruising Fiji's waters. Sailing in Fiji can be absolutely fantastic. You'll enjoy the warm weather, clear waters and the hospitality of the local people - especially in the outlying areas. May through to October, the climate is cooler and the predominating east to south-east trade winds usually prevail. Around the south-west coast of Viti Levu, Beqa channel, the north-east tip of Viti Levu and out in the eastern Lau group you can expect winds of 20-25 knots in the afternoons. If you sail from Suva to Lautoka expect to fly down the coast in a day, but it might take you four days to get back! Just a few handy hints about sailing in Fiji. If you wander off the beaten track keep a good look out for those isolated "bommies" (coral heads) which are often not charted or may be charted incorrectly. Sail in good light, with those trusty Polaroid's on. Beware of GPS positions on all the old charts unless a notation on the charts says that you can plot directly or gives you a correction. In some cases, for instance, the eastern side of Viti Levu can be up to three quarters of a mile out! We get a lot of SNAGs here (Satellite Navigators Assisted Groundings). Don't rely on beacons and lights, some may be missing, due to boisterous cyclones in the past. It's hard to find the following in the outer islands. Here's a checklist on leaving port: Medical supplies- including antibiotics, hydrogen peroxide for those coral cuts, suntan lotion Fresh vegetables Permit or clearance Any alcohol or tobacco supplies Plenty of water! Most essential - yaqona (either in 1/2 kg root form or in 1/2 kg packets already pounded). This is used for a "sevusevu" in all areas where a village is close by. A sevusevu is the presentation of yaqona to the chief of the village - a Fijian custom which is the first thing you do, before you swim, snorkel, go ashore, fish etc. By doing this you are asking permission to use their land, beaches and to enter their village and homes. How would you like some guy knocking on your door and asking if he can look inside your home. If you make your sevusevu in the right way it will open the door to an interesting and enjoyable stay in that village and all sorts of amazing things can happen! Take off your sunglasses and caps, and your shoes when entering a bure or sitting on a mat. Ladies, please - cover your shoulders and thighs (wrap a sulu around your shorts). Ask permission before taking photos. Do not offer alcohol, but keep in mind that kids love lollies, 4 magazines, books, crayons and volleyballs. A good time to visit is usually 4-5pm in the afternoon. The men are back from the plantations, the children are out of school and most daily chores are done. Sunday is definitely tabu and visiting villages is not recommended on this day. Northern Region The Northern Region includes Vanua Levu and Taveuni, Fiji's second and third largest islands, respectively. It also includes Kioa, Rabi, Matagi, Qamea and a few smaller isles -- each with its own unique beauty and intrigue. It is the place to witness nature at her best. The islands of the North are remote, and unspoiled. Full of diversity, Fiji's Northern Region is ecologically rich, with possibilities of natural treasures yet undiscovered. Here, thick rainforest hide colourful parrots and rare flowers and waterfalls cascade straight into the sea. This is also a great destination to go to unwind and slowdown. The people here are incredibly friendly, taking life in a leisurely stride. The Captain’s Log by Captain Carol Dunlop If you have departed Viti Levu by Nananu Pass you have a windward Charts passage to Savusavu. You can break it by anchoring on the Vanua F1, 378, 416, 440 Levu coast at Nabawalu, Solevu Village or even by Vuya Passage behind the reef. Savusavu is a port of entry and has a small marina Port of Entry and a yacht club situated in the Copra Shed. Water is available both Savusavu on the main shipping wharf at the entrance to the creek or at the Copra Shed. There are a number of flights each day both to Suva Yacht Club & Marina and Nadi. Many treks, visits to copra plantations, or waterfalls are Copra Shed available and diving can be arranged at the Copra Shed or from the resorts along the southern coast of Vanua Levu. Airports Savusavu From Savusavu, you could tack up the southern coast of Vanua Levu Matei (Taveuni) to the island of Taveuni. Savusavu to Taveuni is a days run -- but Laucala small vessels can stop