Page 294 - Melanesia

he challenging breaks of Cloudbreak the weather is hotter. Expect glassy water or Matanivusi, can access the same breaks
and afternoon showers. Less experienced as people staying at Tavarua or Namotu.
T and Restaurants are set over shallow Although there is some surfing off Kadavu,
reef off Tavarua Island and are character- surfers will have an easier time surfing in Vanua Levu and Lau Group by far the most
popular and consistent breaks are are found
ized by their long, fast barreling lefts. Both Fiji during the summer, but don’t let the on the reef passes of the southern most
islands of the Mamanuca chain—home to
breaks provide the perfect surfing elements smaller waves fool you. Surfing in Fiji takes Cloudbreak and the other famous breaks
around Tavarua and Namotu. The other
that make for World Championship tours skill and confidence in your abilities, and major break, Frigates, fringes a pass on the
barrier reef surrounding Beqa Island. To get
like the Globe Pros and Roxy Fiji Pros. These comfort in the water. The breaks are all over their you need to travel about two and a
half hours east by car from Nadi to Pacific
are excellent waves to ride for the truly coral reefs, which are not the best place for Harbour, where you’re an approximate 20
minute boat ride from the break. There are
advanced surfer and have recently been beginners to learn to surf in Fiji. a couple other minor breaks along the Coral
Coast, such as Hideaways and beach breaks
opened up to all surfers. I f you surf, you’ve heard of Fiji and some near the Sigatoka River but nothing close
of the legendary breaks such as `Swim- to the magnitude of Cloudbreak, Restau-
F iji’s winter runs from April through ming Pools’, ‘Restaurants’ and of course, rants, and the like.
October. This is the time of year that
low-pressure systems build in the Southern `Cloud Break’. Not so long ago, those breaks

Hemisphere, south of New Zealand, and were for the exclusive use of resorts such as

send consistently huge swells toward Fiji. Namotu and Tavarua. That’s no longer the

Surf conditions can range as high as 8-10 case. The Government of Fiji has in effect,

feet with 12-20 foot faces. Winter is the deregulated the waves. Fiji’s 2010 “Surfing

best time of year for experienced surfers Decree” allows anyone to surf anywhere in

to surf Fiji. November through March is Fiji waters. For example, with the decree

warmer, wetter, and more humid. Swells are in place a visitor staying at a property on

shorter in duration, winds are lighter, and Viti Levu’s “Mainland” such as Seashell Cove