Fiji Surfing Holidays

Surfing in Fiji is highly regarded amongst the international surf community as having exceptional quality surf breaks with few crowds and a laid back atmosphere. The rave here is challenging reef breaks (not for beginners), secluded locations and the traditional Fijian hospitality. Most reef breaks around the islands are accessible only by boat so whilst this keeps the crowds down, it also puts the cost up.

The best time for surfing in Fiji is between April to December. If bringing surfboards into the country, check first with your airline carrier for baggage restrictions and excess costs. Local airlines will only carry surf boards with advance warning and will charge extra..

Several surf shops can be found in Nadi Town and Suva selling surf boards at reasonable prices and there's a good selection of accessories. Only Waidroka Bay have a regular supply of boards for rent so it's advisable to bring your own although even if you didn't you should have luck finding a local boatman willing to rent a board to you for the day.

Surfing Holidays - where to go

The best fiji surf breaks are found along the southern part of the Malolo Barrier Reef in the Mamanuca Islands, along the passages of Beqa Lagoon, and further south around the east and west tips of Kadavu Island.

Internationally famous Namotu Left and Cloudbreak in the Mamanuca's are recognised as the most challenging surfing breaks in the South Pacific. Both are reef breaks and are not for beginners. There are two small resorts on tiny coral islands just off Namotu Reef which cater exclusively to surfers. Namotu Surf Resort is a very small and informal island with beachside bures. Tavarua is a little larger but is a package only vacation for American Surfers. Access is also easy from the larger holiday resorts around the Malolo Group with boat charters taking just 20-minutes. For those on a budget, Seashell Cove on the mainland has budget accommodation, dormitories and camping in a secluded spot south of Nadi. Seashell Cove offers daily transfers to Namotu reef to surf Wilkes, Desperation and Lighthouse breaks and the big'un: Cloudbreak. The beach at Seashell is not great but there is always a good atmosphere with lots of travellers coming in and out as well as the opportunity to explore the nearby town of Nadi and its surrounding mountains. Alternatively you can surf the malolo passage surf breaks on a surf tour from Nadi.

There are some excellent breaks around Beqa Lagoon and off the Pacific Harbour coastline. Frigate Passage, a left-hand break in the middle of the ocean, 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. Waidroka Bay on the mainland west of Pacific Harbour offers surf packages and frequent transfers to Frigates Passage only 30 mins by boat as well as offering tours to Cloudbreak in the Mamanucas. Waidroka has several small cottages nestled into fantastic rainforest and a dormitory. The feel here is of isolation and the resort offers scuba diving and some of the best deep sea fishing facilities in the country. There are several smaller surf breaks just off the resort.

Kadavu also in the Southern islands, has some excellent breaks off its western tip, notably the challenging and reliable King Kong break. There are several other good breaks around the point including a small beach break for beginners.

Fiji is not known for its beach breaks but there are a couple of good surfing spots from the beach along the southern coast of Viti Levu. The wild ocean off the Sigatoka Sandunes has the largest and most reliable beach breaks in Fiji although undercurrents can be dangerous. Nearby Natadola Beach is good for body surfing and has a few small breaks good for beginners, although rips here too can also be dangerous. There's also some reasonably safe passage breaks off Serua Island accessible from Mango Bay Resort on the Coral Coast. For more experienced surfers, there a decent reef break accessible from the beach at Hideaway Resort which works one hour each side of high tide but undercurrents can be dangerous.

Resorts in Fiji for Surfing Holidays
Top Picks
Resort Name (click for details & pix)	Picture	Summary (hotel style)	Hotel Rate (F$)	Our Best Rate (click for quotation)
Castaway Beach Resort Mamanuca Islands		65 rooms Island Resort	$ 1,077 - 1,377
Lomani Island Resort Mamanuca Islands		22 rooms Beach Resort	$ 705 - 950
Intercontinental Resort Natadola Beach, Viti Levu		129 rooms Beach Resort	$ 618 - 1,465
Plantation Island Mamanuca Islands		192 rooms Beach Resort	$ 465 - 940
Fiji Hideaway Resort Coral Coast, Viti Levu		110 rooms Beach Resort	$ 335 - 585
Natadola Beach Resort Natadola Beach, Viti Levu		11 rooms Beach Resort	$ 309 - 371
Waidroka Bay Resort Coral Coast, Viti Levu		18 rooms Ocean Resort	$ 250 - 395
Uprising Resort Pacific Harbour		24 rooms Beach Resort	$ 235- 375 Dorm - $ 45
Papageno Resort Kadavu Island		15 rooms Beach Resort	$ 235 - 355
Mango Bay Resort Coral Coast, Viti Levu		24 rooms Beach Resort	$ 200 - 280 Dorm - $ 36
Seashell at Momi Momi Bay, Nadi South		30 rooms Ocean Resort	$ 93 - 224 Dorm - $ 32