Navua River Mouth

About This Anchorage

The Navua River is one of Fiji's most spectacular natural features — a jungle-clad gorge system on the south coast of Viti Levu accessible from the anchorage at the river mouth. The Navua is famous for white-water rafting and traditional bamboo raft trips (bilibili) through pristine rainforest and past waterfalls to traditional villages. From the river mouth anchorage, excursions up the river can be arranged through local operators or independently by dinghy in calm conditions. The anchorage itself is at the river mouth in mud and sand — reasonable holding but exposed to south and southeast. The river mouth has a shallow bar that requires crossing at mid-tide or above. Pacific Harbour (7nm west) is the main base for organized Navua River tours. A stop at the Navua River mouth combines the natural beauty of the river with the coastal anchorage — one of Fiji's lesser-visited sailing destinations.

Hazards

• !Shallow river mouth bar — cross at mid-tide or above; check tidal heights
• !Strong ebb current — set additional anchor or use two anchors; alarm essential
• !Exposed to south and SE swell — uncomfortable in southerly conditions
• !River debris after rain — logs and vegetation floating on ebb tide

Skipper's Tips

• →The Navua River gorge excursion is one of Fiji's great adventures — either by white-water raft from Pacific Harbour or by dinghy up the lower river
• →Cross the river mouth bar at half tide or above — the bar can be as shallow as 1.5m at low water
• →Navua town (upriver) has a market — fresh fruit and vegetables available
• →Use a second anchor or heavy CQR on the river bottom to cope with the ebb current
• →The Navua River bilibili (bamboo raft) trip through the gorge to a traditional village is one of the most authentic cultural experiences in Fiji

Nearby Anchorages