Fiji fact file

The South Pacific island of Fiji is located around 1,100 nautical miles away from New Zealand’s North Island and enjoys a tropical climate. In total there are around 330 islands that make up the archipelago.

The main island boasts one large marina near the city of Nadi, that is large enough to accommodate superyachts.There are many opportunities for anchoring in and around the other islands though.

For good weather and clear seas: May to November

GMT+12

Fijian Dollars (FJD)

Fijian, English, Hindi

Suva

The majority of Fijians are Christian, although many of the old beliefs remain. The next largest group (around 30% of the population) are Hindus, with smaller but significant numbers of Muslims and Sikhs.

In the towns and tourist areas there is no dress code. Villages and rural areas are quite conservative and dress is important. Villages require females to wear a ‘sulu’ (sarong or paraeo) and non revealing tops. For males it is best to wear the ‘sulu’ but shorts are acceptable. Swimwear should not be worn in the villages.

Woven products, such as baskets, purses, fans and mats are popular items to buy in Fiji. Some other common items sold in stores include Fijian designer shirts and “bula” shirts (bula means “hello” in Fijian), carved tanoa bowls, from which Fiji’s national drink, “yaqona” (or kava), is mixed and served, masi (tapa cloth), pottery items, animal wood carvings, “cannibal” forks and bowls, Fijian replica war clubs and Fijian combs. The unisex one-size-fits-all sulu, which is a kilt worn by Fijian men and women, can also be bought almost everywhere. Besides stores, some of Fiji’s hand-crafted products can be purchased in local villages near the Sigatoka River as well. Fiji sells some of the most beautiful black pearl jewellery.

These lovely pearls are found in the waters of the Savusavu Bay. Fijian stores also sell a wide variety of spices, the main ones being cinnamon, pepper, ginger and cardamom. Shops in Fiji can be found in the islands’ hotels, resorts, towns and cities. The town of Nadi is home to numerous shops and boutiques, as well as Internet cafés. Duty free shops sell many cameras and other electrical goods at reasonable prices.

Holi, the Hindu “Festival of Colors,” brings the Indo-Fijian community to life in February or March every year (it’s based on the Hindu calendar). Holi is the least religious and most social of the Hindu holidays celebrated in Fiji, and on this day Hindus spray coloured powders and water, throw parties, visit relatives and exchanging sweets.

Of the Christian holidays celebrated throughout Fiji, Christmas is the biggest. Christmas Eve is usually spent singing carols and going to church, and on Christmas Day, children receive toys and books from Santa Claus. Villagers throw huge communal parties and Christians in the more urban areas have picnics and parties on the beach. Good Friday and Easter are also public holidays and Fijians get a long weekend off.

Another major holiday during which Fijians spend up to a week in revelries is Fiji Day on October 10. This holiday interestingly commemorates both Fiji’s cession to the United Kingdom in 1874 and its achieving of independence in 1970.

There are many small and larger airports in Fiji, two of which take international flights. It is possible to get direct flights to Fiji from Los Angeles, Honolulu, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Korea, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, New Caledonia and Guam.

Air Pacific (Fiji majority owned) flies to Fiji directly from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Honolulu International Airport (HNL) in the USA, and from Incheon International Airport in South Korea, as well as many other locations. Korean Air has three flights weekly between Nadi and Seoul. Air New Zealand operates flights to Nadi from Auckland, Christchurch, and seasonally from Wellington.

There are two domestic airlines that service most areas as well as charter aircraft, seaplanes and helicopters.

Visas may be required for entry into Fiji, but there is an exemption list of over 100 countries including the United Kingdom, the United States and most EU states. For citizens of exempted counties a free four month tourist visa is granted on arrival. For citizens of those countries not exempted, to acquire a visa you will require a return ticket and a passport valid for at least three months longer than your intended stay.

Visa extensions can be made for up to six months extra, on condition that the tourist holds a passport valid for three months beyond the intended period of their stay, an outward ticket and sufficient funds to facilitate the duration of their stay. For visa information, including a list of the exempted countries, see www.immigration.gov.fj

On leaving, all visitors are subject to a departure tax. This is included in air fares, but yachts will have to pay up front (it is currently FJD150.)

Reasonable amounts of goods for personal consumption may be brought in duty free, otherwise duties on alcohol and many luxury goods is high.

Dial 911 for all emergency services or call Yacht Help Fiji
+679 9920972.

Fiji is free from malaria and most other tropical diseases. It’s sensible to stick to bottled water and avoid street food. Avoid mosquito and other insect bites as diseases such as Dengue and Ross River virus do exist here. Avoid unknown animals as rabies is a possibility.

There are no poisonous snakes or spiders in Fiji. Rain forests walks and hikes can be undertaken without fear of injury. Fiji’s reefs abound with life, some of which may cause injury if disturbed but are otherwise non aggressive. It is important not to touch marine life on the reefs.

The Fijian islands are best explored by boat, only the major island have sealed road and hire cars. Driving at night is best avoided due to animals on the road, the real possibility of encountering drunk drivers (which compounds on some fairly erratic driving owing to only limited driving education here…)

Fiji is a very safe place both in the day time or at night and visitors are treated with respect.

 

Port Denaru Marina

The only superyacht marina in Fiji, Port Denaru lies on Fiji’s western coast conveniently close to Nadi International Airport, several resorts and a gold course.