Port Denarau Marina
Denarau Marina · Port Denarau
17°46.14'S 177°24.48'E
Depth
3–8m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
50m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
50m
50m for well-sheltered basin anchorage outside the marina breakwater. Marina berths available — call VHF 16. Outer anchorage is calm in all conditions except tropical cyclone (Nov–Apr). Excellent all-round protection from the surrounding marina breakwater and mangroves.
About This Anchorage
Port Denarau Marina is the primary cruising hub for Fiji's Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands — a full-service marina complex on the western coast of Viti Levu near Nadi, with direct ferry connections to the Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands. The marina has 150+ berths, fuel dock, chandlery, supermarket, restaurants, and resort facilities. It is the natural base for provisioning, clearing in or out, and staging for island-hopping north. The Mamanuca Express and Yasawa Flyer ferries depart from the marina daily. Charter boat companies (Moana Charters, South Sea Cruises) operate out of Port Denarau. Customs and immigration clearance is handled at Lautoka (7nm north) — Port Denarau itself handles crew transfers and clearance paperwork through the marina office. The adjacent Denarau resort strip has major supermarkets, restaurants, and shopping. For arriving cruisers, this is the best place to replenish supplies before heading into the outer islands where facilities are limited.
Protected From
N · NE · NW · E · W · S
Exposed To
None (fully sheltered)
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring outside marina; marina berths FJD 30–60/night
- Permit required
- Yes
- Permit details
- Customs clearance at Lautoka (7nm N) or Suva. Free cruising permit obtained after customs clearance. Fishing permit extra from Fisheries Dept.
Restrictions: Q flag mandatory until cleared at Lautoka customs. Cruising permit required. Marina speed limit 4 knots. VHF 16 for marina.
Hazards
- !Ferry and water taxi traffic — high-speed vessels operate frequently; maintain clear channel
- !Tidal range 0.8–1.2m — shallow approaches at low tide; use tide tables carefully
- !Cyclone season Nov–Apr — marina fills with boats hauling out; book ahead
- !Coral heads in the approaches from the south — use leading marks and chart carefully
Skipper's Tips
- →Clear customs at Lautoka before proceeding to Port Denarau — the marina office can advise on current clearance procedures
- →Stock up thoroughly at Port Denarau before heading north — fuel and water are scarce in the Yasawa Islands
- →The Mamanuca Express ferry (VHF 16) departs daily and can carry messages or provisions to outer islands
- →Ask the marina office about sevusevu protocol for each island group you plan to visit — cultural requirements vary
- →May–October is the dry season and best sailing — June–August offers the most reliable SE trades
Facilities
Multiple restaurants at Port Denarau and Denarau Island resort strip. Supermarket (Proud's), chandlery, and full marina facilities. Best provisioning in the Mamanuca region.
Nearest provisions: Port Denarau Marina (Proud's supermarket, chandlery) (0.1nm)
Best Months & Season
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
May–October dry season (SE trades, comfortable sailing). November–April is cyclone season — most cruisers have left by end of October. Peak cruising July–September.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
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