Sawa-i-Lau (Blue Lagoon Caves)
Sawa-i-Lau Caves · Blue Lagoon 1980 location
16°49.26'S 177°21.72'E
Depth
10–25m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
90m
Holding
Fair
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
90m
90m for fair holding in sand patches at 10–25m depth. Deep anchorage — use generous scope (7:1 or more). Set alarm wide to account for possible drag in deep water and the coral environment. Snorkel to verify anchor is in sand. If you do not find sand in the first attempt, reposition.
About This Anchorage
Sawa-i-Lau is one of the most remarkable natural features in the entire Pacific — a limestone island in the northern Yasawa Group containing a famous cave system used as the filming location for the 1980 film The Blue Lagoon (starring Brooke Shields and Christopher Atkins). The caves are accessed by dinghy or swimming through an underwater passage in the main cave — an extraordinary experience. The main cave has a cathedral-like interior with a freshwater pool open to the sky. The island is owned by the Yasawa Island Lodge (on adjacent Yasawa Island) and a small access fee is charged. The surrounding waters are crystalline and the snorkelling off the limestone walls is exceptional. At 65nm from Musket Cove, this is a serious offshore passage requiring careful planning, full fuel and water reserves, and favourable weather. The northernmost anchorage on most Yasawa Island cruises.
Protected From
E · SE · S · W
Exposed To
N · NW · NE
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring; cave access fee charged by local village (approx FJD 20–30/person)
- Permit required
- No
- Permit details
- Outer Yasawa Islands require general cruising permit (obtained at customs clearance).
Restrictions: Sevusevu mandatory with local village before visiting caves. Cave access fee applies. No anchoring on coral. Very deep anchorage — use full scope.
Hazards
- !Deep anchorage (10–25m) — use 7:1 scope or more; set firmly and monitor
- !Very remote — 65nm from nearest marina; complete self-sufficiency essential
- !Reef passages throughout the northern Yasawas — approach only in good daylight
- !Cave swimming — underwater passage in the main cave requires confident swimming ability
- !No communications — very limited mobile coverage; carry SSB radio for weather
Skipper's Tips
- →The underwater swim-through passage in the main cave at Sawa-i-Lau is one of the Pacific's great adventures — bring a dive torch
- →Pay the cave access fee with good grace — the local community depends on tourism income from visiting yachts
- →Perform sevusevu at the associated village before visiting the cave — the chief controls access
- →Depart Musket Cove no later than 04:00 for the 65nm passage to arrive in good afternoon light for reef approach
- →The Blue Lagoon (Nanuya Lailai) is 5nm south — anchor there first, then day trip to Sawa-i-Lau by dinghy
Facilities
No facilities whatsoever. Fully self-sufficient required. Nearest provisions 65nm south at Musket Cove.
Nearest provisions: Musket Cove Resort (65nm S) (65nm)
Best Months & Season
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
June–September only — outside cyclone season, in settled SE trade wind conditions. This is the most remote standard cruising destination in the Yasawas. Advanced passage planning required.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 90m
In Fiji's coral-rich waters, anchor drag toward a bommie can hole your boat and damage the reef. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS continuously so you can enjoy the islands with confidence.
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