Fijian waves are some of the most sort after on the planet. Every year surfers from around the globe come to experience the powerful Fijian juice that our waves are renowned for.

Some areas that have beach access are on the Coral Coast of Viti Levu which offers a wide range of surf potential given the right conditions and high tides.

The Sigatoka River mouth on Viti Levu’s south coast is home to some of the best sand bottom waves around. The perfect waves that break there are dependent on the silt brought down by rainfall from the Sigatoka River to form sand bars for the waves to break on. Sigatoka River mouth is one of the most consistent surf areas in Fiji with the best times to surf being at low tide. This area is blown out when the trade winds are in, but with northerly winds it can be an extremely fun wave.

Natadola beach is regarded as one of the top ten most beautiful beaches in the world. There are a couple of waves that break here, outside for the experienced and inside the bay for the novice. Outside can be surfed at low or high tide and is a heavy left that can have a sick backdoor section onto shallow inside reef with the offshore trade winds offering spectacular tube sections. Inside, is only a high tide left or right wave which is playful and fun when the outside is of mammoth proportions.  

More popularly known are the Islands of Tavarua and Namotu who have within that stretch of reef some of the best short and long board waves in the world. Both Islands have successfully run private resorts that top the lists of surf resorts around the world. The waves of Tavarua include Cloudbreak a separate reef that has a world class long left hander that offers ideal waves from 4 – 12 feet, full powered and radical wave face surfing together with long tube sections. Restaurants which breaks on the Island and is a super-fast, perfect barrelling left hander that breaks onto very shallow live reef. This comes into play when Cloudbreak is maxing out. Both waves are offshore in the S/E trades. Tavarua Rights a fun right that can be challenging on bigger days but is onshore with trades. Namotu Waves include Namotu Left which is a fun slower wave, carving type left hander that can get heavy on bigger days. Swimming Pools – is the absolute all around fun, cruising right hander that is perfect for longboarding. Onshore with trades but offshore in North wind conditions. 

These 2 world class surf resorts are constantly booked out with guests year round. The resorts have full rights over these breaks and the visiting surfer MUST call the individual Islands and request permission prior to departure to avoid disappointment.

CRUISING

On the southern tip of Kadavu is another surf resort named Nagigia. Kadavu has a great world class wave but unfortunately it does get our regular trade winds blowing on-shore in most surf areas creating not the best surfing environment. Therefore early morning and late afternoon surf sessions are the call. On Northerly winds, primarily in our Summer time Kadavu is sure to light up with offshore winds giving you an experience you will never forget. 

Further to the South East are a group of Islands called the Lau group. They are known as the Forbidden Isles for which no one is to venture into these Islands without proper permissions. These Islands have a rich resource of wave potential but mainly for the experienced surfer who knows their limitations. Most reefs can only be surfed at high tide and are exposed to many extreme weather patterns that can offer a very challenging and memorable surfing experience.

There are some excellent breaks around Beqa Island off the South coast of Viti Levu. Frigates Passage, a left-hand that has a growing reputation amongst surfers for its reliable big barrels and long rides. Serua Rights is a long right hander with a hollow inside section across the passage and Pipe is another left-hander with a mid to high tide break.

The surfing season is generally all year round for the southern areas, but is more consistent during the winter months of April – October. For the northern areas, waves are more consistent during our summer time (cyclone season) November – March. Fortunately for Fiji, sitting in the middle of the pacific and is exposed from all angles to the swells developed by extreme weather patterns thousands of miles away. The majority of Fiji waves are born in the Southern Ocean storms of the roaring 40’s. These swells that are born through these systems filter up through the gap between Australia and New Zealand to approach Fiji. By the time this ground swell hits Fiji, it has travelled quite a distance so the waves are well groomed with a good interval between them.

When surfing in Fiji always ask for permission from the villages before you surf their reefs, seek local knowledge and be respectful to the local surfers. Observe these common courtesies and Enjoy!!

Surfing in Fiji section was contributed by Ian Muller.

Ian Muller established the Fiji Surf Company in 1995 and has been developing Fiji as a world class surfing destination and assisting surfers Fiji wide.
For more information contact fijisurf@connect.com.fj