Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Cruising in Fiji
Fiji is not a destination for the faint of heart due to the maze of reefs that surround each is-
land. For the first time in three years of cruising, we took to cautiously relying on a chart
plotter. Still, electronic charts, GPS, and hand-me-down cruising tracks are no guarantee of
safety, so the prudent sailor will always keep a careful lookout for unmarked dangers and
set sail only in good visibility. At least, that's the theory.
In practice, we found it nearly impossible to sail only in good visibility, especially on the
overcast, eastern side of Fiji. Even if we managed to leave one anchorage under clear skies,
clouds would inevitably move in, forcing us to make more “blind” harbor entries (relying
entirely on electronics) than we'd like to admit to. Distances are such that overnight trips
are unavoidable when heading for off-lying island groups such as the Lau group or Yas-
awas.
For all the challenges, cruising in Fiji promises rich rewards. Beautiful tropical landscapes
are only one plus; interactions with locals are another. It all starts with the sevusevu cere-
mony, a must in any traditional village (see Fact File: Dispelling the Myth of Sevusevu ) .
Beyond that formality, a friendly wave and call of “Bula!” (hello) earned us many invita-
tions to tea or lunch. Islanders in remote places are always happy for practical gifts such as
tea, rice, batteries, sugar, flour, fishing gear, and the like, since supply ships often skip
stops. English is one of the official languages of Fiji, and all but a few village elders and
very small youngsters seemed completely fluent.
It's hard to do justice to a cruising ground as rich or complex as Fiji; this is just an over-
view. For detailed cruising notes, start with the excellent s/v Soggy Paws website [#1] , with
its free compendium and links to other guides (all free).
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