THE GUIDE - Rough Guide to Fiji - page 124

Mystery Island
Ten kilometres northeast of Beachcomber and just a few kilometres off Lautoka on the Viti
Levu coast is Mystery Island . Leased by Captain Cook Cruises , the island is used as a picnic
stop on its three- and seven-day small ship cruises up to the Yasawas. The snorkelling reefs
are at least 300m from the beach and best accessed on the organized snorkelling boat trips.
ACCOMMODATION: MYSTERY ISLAND
Beach huts 670 1823, captaincook.com.fj . For a slice of sheer escapism those on one
of Captain Cook Cruises' all-inclusive cruises can arrange to stay in one of the two beach-
side huts, giving you an uninhabited island almost to yourself. The wooden huts have simple
furnishings, a basic cold-water bathroom and a wooden deck looking out over the ocean. The
island caretaker will cook meals, mix kava and serenade you under the stars.
SPOTTING THE SOUTHERN CROSS
Free from excessive ambient light, southern hemisphere stargazing is quite outstanding in
Fiji, especially on small islands such as the Mamanucas. As dusk fades, look toward the
south and slightly east to see the Southern Cross as it rises above the horizon. It's a small
series of five stars, most easily located by Alpha and Beta Centauri, the two brightest stars
low on the horizon. Draw an imaginary line from the lower star to the upper one and extend
it a little in an arc to the lowest star of the horizontal cross. Be careful not to confuse it with
the false cross, slightly higher in the sky, of about the same size but not as bright.
Navini Island
A tiny coral cay encircled by a white sandy beach, Navini Island is set off the regular ferry
route in a secluded spot between Beachcomber and Malolo. With just ten beachfront bures,
no day-trippers and extremely attentive staff, it makes for a perfect honeymoon destination .
Just offshore is a great snorkelling lagoon.
ACCOMMODATION: NAVINI ISLAND
Navini Island Resort 666 2188, www.navinifiji.com.fj . Deluxe bures come with spa
baths and a private courtyard overlooking the b each. Fishing trips, village visits and use of
watersports equipment are included in the price. F$625
Namotu and Tavarua
At the southern end of the Mamanucas, on the eastern edge of the Malolo Barrier Reef and
facing Momi Bay on Viti Levu, are two coral cays, Namotu and heart-shaped Tavarua . Each
island is home to an upmarket surf resort run by US-based companies with exclusive access
to the Malolos' best surf breaks.