Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Waidroka Bay Resort
330 4605,
waidroka.com
;
map
.
This place is distinctly laid-back,
as you'd expect of a surfing and scuba diving retreat. It's tucked 4km down a dirt road,
screened by thick jungle but without a beach. The five simple terrace rooms are set on a hill
with fine views, and six cosy bures and a swimming pool are scattered in gardens overlook-
ing the sea. The Beqa Lagoon dive sites are 20-30min away by one of the five fully equipped
fast boats; Frigates Passage surfing is a 45min trip, while three local su
rf spo
ts are
within
10min of the resort. There's a handsome variety of boards to rent. Rooms
F$275
; bures
F$375
Wellesley Resort
650 0807,
wellesleyresort.com.fj
;
map
.
One of the few chic yet af-
fordable small resorts on Viti Levu. The fifteen suites are set some way back from the beach,
with heavy wood decor set off by colourful Gauguin prints. The restaurant serves excellent
European-inspired cuisine, served overlooking the pool and beyond to the ocean. The beach-
front is pretty, with long strolls
along
the white sands in both directions, and the snorkelling
is pretty good for the mainland.
F$219
SHOPPING
VATUKARASA
more commercial of Vatukarasa's two handicraft shops, with a wide range of wood carvings
and jewellery made from all around Fiji.
Mon-Sat 7.30am-6pm, Sun 8.30am-5pm.
Kuki's Handicrafts
Vatukarasa;
map
.
Tiny Kuki's, on the Nadi side of the Queens Rd,
sources items mostly from Kuki's friends and relatives, and also serves coffee, cake and cold
drinks.
Mon-Sat 8am-5pm.
Pacific Harbour and around
Renowned as Fiji's adventure sports hub,
PACIFIC HARBOUR
's suburban setting seems
rather dull on first acquaintance: the town was purpose-built in the early 1970s, drained from
swampland and laid out meticulously with suburban driveways and intermittent luxury villas.
The surrounding environment, however, is something quite special. The
Navua River
, some
10km to the east, offers stunning waterfall hikes and longboat excursions, whilst further in-
land, the high mountains of the mysterious
Namosi Highlands
offer fantastic 4WD driving,
whitewater rafting and remote village treks. Offshore is the phenomenal
Beqa Lagoon
, with
world-class scuba diving, including the raved-about
shark dives
, and serious game fishing.
