Navadra Anchorage
Musket Cove is also the location for the Fiji Regatta and start of the Musket Cove to Port Vila Yacht Race early in September each year. This anchorage lies in a bay formed by Navadra, Vanua Levu and Vanua Lailai islands. There is a reef across the mouth of the bay with a passage to east and west of it. We entered through the east passage and anchored in 16 metres, sand bottom, off the rocky headland, midway along the north shore of Vanua Levu. This anchorage was well sheltered from the...
VitiLEVU south and west coast suva to lautoka
CHARTS BA 167, 1673M, 1682M, 746M, 1670M US 83608, 83602, 83574 We have made this passage three times and have always chosen to make it overnight, going through Beqa Passage in the afternoon and arriving at Navula Passage at dawn. Beqa Passage narrows to just over a mile at its western end and care should be taken not to get set on the wrong side of Ceasar Rocks where the beacon is missing. The leading marks at Navula Passage are difficult to see in the early morning light but you should pick...
Manava Passage
This passage about four miles east of Vatia Wharf is 0.7 NM wide and provides an easy entry or exit to Bligh Water. A course of128 deg. True taken on the LHE of Vatia Lailai leads in from seaward, with the sandy Manava Islet marking the mid point of the eastern side. When rounding the western end of Sali Sali reef watch out for the submerged coral head. A snug anchorage is to be had in the bay at the north-west end of Nananu-i-Cake. The holding is good in 14 metres sand bottom. In westerly...
RABI Rambi
Rabi is populated by Micronesian Banabans resettled from Ocean Island in Kiribati which was dug up to supply phosphates to the 'civilised' world. It provides an opportunity to see a little of the Gilbert Island people and their culture. This anchorage lies at the southern end of Rabi and provides protection from all but south-west winds. Anchor in 7 to 9 metres, mud bottom, towards the head of the bay. An old dock with a copra shed gives access to Baukonikai village where you should report to...
Yadua island Yandua
Yadua Island is a magical place ten miles west of Vanua Levu and a 25 mile broad reach north across Bligh Water from Nananu Passage. Cukuvou (Thukuvou) Harbour is on the western side of the island and provides shelter from all but westerly sector winds with good holding in 12 to 15 metres, sand bottom. Reefs extend from both points of the bay towards the centre. Approach should be made just north of the centre line of the bay on a heading of 110 deg. True taken on the small red lighthouse on...
Herald Bay Gau s
Gau is a high island with a large lagoon on its western side about 30 miles south-east of Levuka and 45 miles ENE from Nukulau. On our two separate visits to this island we have used Wakaciva Wakathiva passage and the middle passage in the north-west barrier reef From Levuka, we entered the lagoon through Wakaciva passage on a course of 132 deg. True with Lion Peak in line with the middle of Herald Bay. We continued on this line to the anchorage at Herald Bay. Approaching from Suva the seas...
Fathom In Navigational Seamanshop
A CRUISING YACHTSMAN'S NOTES ON SOME OF THE FIJI ISLANDS THIRD EDITION November 1996 Copyright P. M. Cregeen These notes are intended for use with the appropriate navigation charts. While every effort has been made to provide accurate and reliable information the author makes no warranty, expressed or implied for any errors or omissions in this publication. This publication is part of the South Pacif ic Cruising Series, which consists of South Pacific Cruising by David Thatcher. Five Avon...
Toba Ko
From a point in the middle of the bay a course of 135 deg. True, taken on a conspicuous white house at Newtown Beach, leads clear of dangers. Anchor in 4 metres, sand bottom. This is the nearest anchorage to Nadi Airport. The Turtle Airways float planes may pass very close to your anchorage as they land and take off in the bay. It is several miles around the airport to the terminal at the far side. You can book a taxi at the Turtle Airways base. If you walk out to the main road from Newtown...
Fawn harbour
Fawn Harbour is twenty-seven miles east of Point Passage. It is a large harbour with a choice of several anchorages. Approaching the reef on a northerly heading Naikasa Passage is marked by four beacons. No. 1 inside the reef edge is left to starboard followed by a dog-leg to starboard to leave No. 2 to port. Nos. 3 amp 4 mark the inner end of the 200 metre wide and 30 metre deep passage. Although the water is a little murky we had no difficulty in identifying the reefs. We anchored in the...
Matadola Harbour
This reef harbour, about 14 miles south-south-east of Navula Passage, offers reasonable shelter from the prevailing tradewinds, but a little swell creeps in. Anchor in the lee of Navo Island in 12 metres sand bottom. The beach here is reputed to be the best in Viti Levu and you will probably have it to yourselves. The Coral Coast Railway that runs from the Fijian Resort terminates here. In 1993 a small restaurant was under construction. The land here is owned by Sanasana village. This is a...
