Bula!
Fijian waves are some of the most sort after on the planet. Fiji
has waves that boast in the top ten best waves found in the world. Considering
that waves break on thousands of shorelines around the world, this is an area
we can be proud of and our claim to fame !
Surfing in Fiji is still a very young sport amongst the locals even though history states differently. It is believed that our ancestors made long wooden surfboard shaped crafts that they used for recreation and paddling between Islands and villages. This was unfortunately lost when the missionaries came and colonization of these Islands happened, ruling out any such lifestyle that was not conducive to the values of European involvement at the time.
As for sport Tourism, surfing is a thriving business in Fiji. It has brought in many surfers from around the globe to experience the powerful Fijian juice that our waves are renowned for. Fiji has been host to a number of international competitions in previous years, namely the Quiksliver Fiji Pro and the Roxy Fiji Pro for which they brought enormous amounts of publicity to our Islands.
Fiji has been blessed to have the Sigatoka Sand dunes on Viti Levu which are the largest in the South Pacific. These dunes are special because not only are they a Historical site for some of the earliest findings of Fijian civilization but also home to some of the best sand bottom waves around. Perfect waves that break there are dependent on the silt brought down by rainfall from the Sigatoka River to form sand bars for the waves to break on. Sand bottom waves can be more fickle here because large swells and currents can shift the sand bars so that the wave changes regularly. Making surfers prefer reefs which never change their shape. Nevertheless, the Sigatoka sand dunes are one of the most consistent surf areas in Fiji. Best times to surf are at low tide so this gives a great alternative to surf the low tides on the coast when the reefs are dry. Unfortunately with the trade winds this area is blown out, but on the northerly winds it can be an extremely fun wave.
Natadola beach is regarded as one of the top ten most beautiful beaches in the world. There are a couple of waves that break here, outside for the experienced and inside the bay for the novice. Outside can be surfed at low or high tide and is a heavy left that can have a sick backdoor section onto shallow inside reef with the offshore trade winds offering spectacular tube sections. Inside, is only a high tide left or right wave which is playful and fun when the outside is of mammoth proportions.
More popularly known are the Islands of Tavarua and Namotu who have within that stretch of reef some of the best short and long board waves in the world. Both Islands have a successfully run resort with international standards toping the lists of surf resorts in the world. The waves of Tavarua include Cloudbreak : a separate reef that has a world class long left hander that offers ideal waves from 4 – 12 feet that suits full powered and radical wave face surfing together with long tube sections. Restaurants : which breaks on the Island and is a super-fast, perfect barreling left hander that breaks onto very shallow live reef. This comes into play when Cloudbreak is maxing out. Both waves are offshore with the S/E trades. Tavarua Rights : a fun right that can be challenging on bigger days but is onshore with trades. Namotu Waves include : Namotu Left – which is a fun, slower wave carving type left hander that can get heavy on bigger days. Swimming Pools – is the absolute all-around fun, cruising right hander that is perfect for longboarding. Onshore with trades but offshore in North wind conditions.
These 2 world class surf resorts have world class waves and as a result are constantly booked out with guest’s year around. Due to the fact that these surf resorts have a thriving business and in order for them to retain this for the sake of their survival and overcrowding, they have embarked on retaining exclusivity of reefs surrounding their respective Islands. Therefore, in order for a visiting surfer to be able to surf these areas, they will have to follow a system of calling the individual Islands and requesting permission. Another option that is available is on the Saturday changeover where the guests check out and check in and a grey area of about 3 – 4 hours is available to surf. There is a certain number that are allowed to surf every Saturday so it is best to make a booking with the Island early to avoid disappointment.
On the southern tip of Kadavu is another surf resort named Nagigia. Kadavu has great world class wave potential as Nagigia can prove but unfortunately it can get our regular trade winds that blow on-shore in most surf areas creating not the best surfing environment. Therefore early morning and late afternoon surf sessions are the call. On Northerly winds, primarily in our Summer time Kadavu is sure to light up with offshore winds giving you an experience you will never forget.
Further to the South East are a group of Islands called the Lau group. They are known as the Forbidden Isles for which no one is to venture into these Islands without proper permissions. These Islands have a rich resource of wave potential but mainly for the experienced surfer who knows their limitations. Most reefs can only be surfed at high tide and are exposed to many extreme weather patterns that can offer a very challenging but memorable surfing experience.
Our surf season in general is all year around for the southern areas of Fiji but is more consistent during our winter months : April – October. For the northern areas, waves are more consistent during our Summer time ( cyclone season ) November – March. Fortunately for surf, Fiji sits in the middle of the pacific exposed from all angles to extreme weather patterns that develop our waves many thousands of miles away. Majority of Fiji waves are developed in some of the most treacherous weather patterns in the world –the South Pole roaring 40’s. Waves that are born through these systems filter up through the gap between Australia and New Zealand to approach Fiji through this window. By the time this ground swell hits Fiji, it has traveled quite a distance so the waves are well groomed with a good interval between them.
All in all surfing in Fiji can give the traveling surfer some of their most memorable surfing experiences. Fiji has become one of the new surf frontiers but with a difference. This is done by managing and regulating our resources so that they can be properly utilized and reserved for those that appreciate it and our future generations. When surfing Fiji it is advisable to seek local knowledge and whenever possible be respectable to the local surfers. If you decide to go traveling through the Islands to surf, then it is also important to seek permissions from the villages that you wish to surf their reefs. These suggestions are common courtesy and should be done to avoid conflict. Enjoy !!