Best Anchorages in Fiji
333 islands, the world's finest soft coral, no-cage bull shark diving, and the legendary Yasawa Islands — from the postcard Mamanucas to the remote Lau Group. Sevusevu kava ceremony mandatory at every village. May to October only.
333
Islands & atolls
FJD
Fijian Dollar
May–Oct
Dry season
0.8–1.2m
Tidal range
Fiji — Critical Rules for Every Skipper
Sevusevu is mandatory near any village. Present kava root (yaqona) to the village chief before anchoring, landing, or doing anything near a Fijian village. Failure is a serious cultural offence. No anchoring on coral — offence under the Fiji Fisheries Act. Anchor only in sand; snorkel to verify bottom type if uncertain. Coral bommies are widespread throughout Fiji. Cyclone season November–April — most cruisers haul out at Port Denarau or depart to New Zealand by end of October. Lau Group requires a separate permit from the Lau Provincial Council in addition to the standard cruising permit — failure to obtain this risks vessel detention. Customs clearance is mandatory at Suva, Lautoka, or Savusavu on arrival. Q flag until cleared. Cruising permit required (free, after customs).
Sailing Regions
Mamanuca & Yasawa Islands
11 anchoragesThe postcard Fiji — crystal lagoons, white sand, and Castaway Island (Monuriki, where Tom Hanks filmed Cast Away) and the Blue Lagoon (Sawa-i-Lau caves, 1980 film). Charter hub at Port Denarau Marina (Nadi). Musket Cove on Malolo Lailai is the main cruiser base and social hub — famous for the September Musket Cove Regatta. The Yasawa Islands stretch 80km north — 20 remote islands with traditional villages, virtually no facilities, and some of the finest diving and snorkelling in the Pacific. Fuel and water are scarce north of Malolo — carry full reserves before heading north. Sevusevu (kava root) ceremony mandatory at every village.
Sevusevu (kava root gift to village chief) MANDATORY at every village anchorage — failure is a serious cultural offence. No anchoring on coral. Fuel and water scarce north of Musket Cove — carry 2× reserves before the Yasawa Islands.
Explore Mamanuca & Yasawa Islands anchorages →Viti Levu South & Beqa Lagoon
8 anchoragesSuva — Fiji's capital — has the Royal Suva Yacht Club (RSYC), an excellent sailors' base with great facilities, the best provisioning in Fiji (Municipal Market, supermarkets, chandleries), and mandatory customs clearance. Beqa Lagoon is world-famous for two things: the no-cage bull shark feeding dives at Shark Reef Marine Reserve (one of the top 10 dives on earth) and its extraordinary soft coral — described as the 'soft coral capital of the world'. Entry to the lagoon via Frigates Passage in good light only. Lautoka (second city, 7nm from Port Denarau) and Pacific Harbour (adventure sports hub, Beqa diving base) complete the south Viti Levu circuit.
Beqa Lagoon entry via Frigates Passage in good daylight only — do not attempt at night. Shark Reef Marine Reserve dives with licensed operators only (Beqa Adventure Divers). Sevusevu mandatory at all villages. No anchoring on coral.
Explore Viti Levu South & Beqa Lagoon anchorages →Lau Group & Vanua Levu
6 anchoragesVanua Levu (Fiji's second island) centres on Savusavu Bay — 'Fiji's Hidden Paradise', a cyclone-hole quality anchorage with the famous Copra Shed Marina. Savusavu is the eastern customs port of entry and staging base for the Lau Group and Taveuni. Taveuni (Garden Island) hosts the Great White Wall — one of the world's best dives in the Somosomo Strait. The Lau Group is 100 islands of genuine remoteness — few sailors go there. Outer Lau requires a separate permit from the Lau Provincial Council. Lakeba is the traditional Lau capital; Ono-i-Lau atoll (200nm from Savusavu) is one of the most isolated anchorages in the Pacific. Full self-sufficiency mandatory.
Outer Lau Group requires Lau Provincial Council permit in addition to standard cruising permit — obtain at Savusavu or Suva. No fuel, water, or provisions in the Lau Group — carry 2–3 weeks supply. Sevusevu mandatory throughout. No anchoring on coral.
Explore Lau Group & Vanua Levu anchorages →Fiji Sailing Rules — Summary
- !Sevusevu (kava ceremony): Mandatory when anchoring near any Fijian village — bring kava root (yaqona) purchased at the Nadi or Lautoka market and present to the chief (turaga ni koro) before doing anything. This is the most important cultural rule in Fiji — non-compliance is a serious offence.
- !No anchoring on coral: Offence under the Fiji Fisheries Act. Anchor only in sand. Coral bommies are widespread throughout Fiji — snorkel to verify bottom type. Navigation requires constant visual look-out for coral heads.
- !Entry and customs: Q flag mandatory. Clear customs at Suva (RSYC), Lautoka, or Savusavu. Cruising permit required (free) after customs clearance. Fishing permit extra from Fisheries Department. Lau Group requires additional Lau Provincial Council permit.
- !Tides: 0.8–1.2m semi-diurnal tidal range — more significant than most Pacific islands. Factor into all depth calculations, especially near coral heads and reef passages. Tidal currents in the Somosomo Strait (Taveuni) reach 4 knots at springs — plan all passages for slack water.
- !Cyclone season November–April: Most cruising boats haul out at Port Denarau or depart to New Zealand (1,100nm S) by end of October. Savusavu Bay is a recognised cyclone hole for boats remaining in Fiji. Do not plan to cruise Fiji during cyclone season.
For a full overview of Pacific anchoring rules, see our overnight anchoring rules by region guide.