South Pacific

Made up of 333 islands, Fiji is located in the South Pacific approximately 4 hours from the east coast of Australia. There are two main islands Viti Levu and Vanua Levu both of which are mountainous, with peaks as high as 1,300m and covered with dense rainforest.

Fiji has so many options to keep everyone entertained, everything from trekking mountains, ocean rafting, romantic dinner for two on a private beach, diving and snorkelling around some of the most beautiful reefs, and exploring local villages and learning their traditions (like Kava drinking!). Fiji also offers all levels of accommodation standards, from backpacker/budget, to family friendly, to honeymooners paradise.  Fiji’s family friendly resorts also offer some of the best ‘kids clubs’ to keep the little ones busy and babysitting at bargain prices so Mum & Dad can have a holiday too!

Whilst the likes of Cloudbreak, Frigates Passage and Namotu are well known and photographed, it will be the ‘as yet undiscovered’ or unpublicised gems of the outer islands and reefs that will ensure this country continues to grow as a surfing destination of choice.  Most of the islands are surrounded by barrier reefs which makes the water quite calm but there are some amazing breaks that allow the full power of the Pacific Ocean to crash in.  Most reef breaks around the islands are accessed by boat transfers and live aboard surf boat charters have not really taken off here, which keeps the crowds down.

Fiji has a renowned reputation amongst the international surf community. There are a half dozen spots that have proven to have world-class surf, and that is just the beginning with more unnamed and un-ridden surf spots waiting to be discovered.  Almost all of the named breaks are off the main island of Viti Levu or the nearby island chain known as the Mamanuca’s.

The surf, which is generally all outer coral reef and over head high, can be challenging for inexperienced surfers. For this reason surfers need to be competent and confident. There is a beach break near Sigatoka river mouth but it’s said to be quite challenging and we’ve found it to be shark infested and muddy brown water. Alternatively the less experienced surfer can be catered for at Little Daku at Nagigia Islands Resort (see below).

Recommended surfboards would be a ‘hotdog’ short board and a larger semi-gun for the bigger days. Board shorts can be worn year round, a rashie and sunscreen are needed for sun protection and booties are optional for the reef.

Mamanuca’s Breaks

• Wilkes Passage - This fun right hander is great for most levels of surfers & is best at mid to high tide. Like most of the breaks in the area works best with S - SW swell. The only access is by boat. Unfortunately it is very exposed and prone to being blown out by the prevailing trade winds. Afternoon glass offs, though rare, can be a truly wonderous sight as clean right hand barrels peel off mechanically into the safety of the deep channel.
• Desperations - A classic wave that doesn't really work until its 4-5ft but just keeps getting better the bigger it gets. A left and a right with length, speed and nice hollow sections.
• Namotu Left - A left that breaks all year round, best from October to April with lighter winds. When its under 6 ft will even suit longboards but becomes very challenging over 6 ft. Namotu itself is a quality wave, but remember to kick off at the end of your ride, don’t fall into the trap of going for that final barrel section - no one gets out of it.
• Cloudbreak - The world famous WCT location is  one of the best lefts in the world. With the new laws prohibiting the exclusivity of surf breaks you can now surf this awesome waves any day you want. This is a serious wave though and will definitely sort the crowds out when it gets over 6ft.
  
• Mini Cloudbreak  - Powerful, fast wave.  The best wind direction is southeast. Best around high tide.
• Lighthouse – South of mini-cloudbreak, near the lighthouse.  Unfortunately this one rarely breaks, tand when it does it’s for pro’s or kamikaze’s only.  Hollow, fast and powerful with a right and a left.
• Restaurants – This is a good , fast left hand reef break for pro’s or kamikaze’s only. However with the new laws prohibiting the exclusivity of surf breaks you can now surf this awesome waves any day you want.

Viti Levu Breaks

• Hideaway’s - Hideaway’s is a right hand reef break only a short paddle in front of Hideaway Resort. It’s a hollow, fast, ledgey barrel, but only good around high tide. Starts working at less than 3ft and holds up to 6ft plus. Year round wave although is more consistent from May to October.  Recommended for experienced surfers only.
• J’s – J’s is a hollow, fast wave that breaks from 2’ to 6’. It’s best around the high tide with winds from NE to W. It needs some west in the swell to run down the reef.
• Shifties – This wave has a deep water take off making the break a ‘not too threatening’ ride. This outside point of the barrier reef picks up all the swell and can be double the size of J’s and Vunaniu. It is powerful and thick. When everywhere else is flat you can almost guarantee a 4 foot wave at Shifties. Also it can be surfed at all tides. Again a wind of the north quadrant is needed.
• Vunaniu – Vananiu is a short wedging right which has a bowl section at the end, usually smaller than other breaks this would be a good option for the kids. It does get good. It’s best at high tide
• Frigates - Definitely a world class left that can rival Cloudbreak for power, size and consistency. Because of the gradual tapering of the reef it can handle all swell sizes. The SE trade winds are offshore, so when the inside waves near Matanivusi are blown out there is always the consistent Frigates. Because it’s out in the ocean, about 20 kilometres from Matanivusi, it picks up all swell. However some west in the swell can make it a bit dicey. It definitely makes the end section stand up! Frigates is accessed by a number of resorts and can get crowded. However, once the swell gets up over 10’ there is a drop in the numbers tackling the waves. A longer board is recommended to tackle the big drops and strong offshore winds.

Nagigia Island Breaks

• King Kong Left - This is a 40 metre long wave that has a take-off in deep water reducing risk of coral scratches and is good for intermediate to advanced surfers.  The average size is 3 ft to 5 ft offshore, but it can hold up to 15 ft plus. It was named King Kong because of the famous 1935 movie which was partly filmed underneath the mountain Nabukelevuira. This mountain also has a moderating effect on the wind at the King Kong Left break so that it is still operating when other areas are blown out.
• King Kong Right - This is often 6ft plus face height. This is an exciting very fast tube for the more advanced rider. The trade winds are onshore for this break but the summer wind (north easterly) is offshore. It is best early morning before the trade winds start or late afternoon if the trade winds die down.
• The Bombi - 10 minutes from Nagigia Island Resort by boat and can be seen from the resort deck.
• Middle Daku - Daku is the Fijian name for the beautiful sandy beach. In the middle of the beach, 60 metres from the sand, is a coral break. It breaks both right and left but the right is generally better. The trade winds are onshore/across this break but the summer wind (north easterly) is directly offshore. It is also best early morning before the trade winds start.
• Little Daku - This break is often suitable for the less experienced surfer. This is also an excellent area to enjoy a free "getting started" surfing lesson by Nagigia’s surf guide.

Fiji generally receives swell year round, although April to October is the preferred surf season when deep lows tracking across the southern ocean south of Australia and New Zealand provide consistent clean groundswells.   Most of the south and south-westerly swells from these lows are blocked by New Zealand and hence Fiji generally receives south-easterly swell from the lows that have passed east of New Zealand.  South-westerly swells arrive at the islands after piecing the gap between Australia and New Zealand.

South-east trade winds also dominate the weather at this time of year, which means the wind is conveniently blowing directly off-shore at the world class breaks such as Frigates and Restaurants. From November to April, these south swells are smaller and less consistent. North Pacific winter swells do arrive at the islands, though have little impact on the main reefs that all lie on the south facing coasts of Viti Levu and Kadavu.  Also at this time of year, South Pacific tropical cyclones can produce good swells if you’re lucky enough to have one blow up in the right location, particularly those forming between Papua New Guinea and Australia that track south giving days of consistent westerly swell.

Water temperatures are very warm with virtually no seasonal variation from about 27-28°C, apart from the eastern-most islands, which tend to have slightly cooler water during the southern hemisphere winter, but no need to pack rubber.

Air temperature is determined by its location in the South Pacific Ocean and has tropical maritime climate without extremes in temperature. The hotter season in January, February is usually no more than 3 to 4 degrees hotter than the cool season of July and August. Although the hot season is the rainy season and higher humidity can make this season feel much hotter.

Rainfall in Fiji is largely determined by the time of year. For example the wet season is November to April and experiences a much larger amount of rainfall that the other months of the year. Especially the larger islands that generate clouds and precipitation.