Uncrowded waves, roaring surf, crystal clear water and beautiful natural beaches…that is the essence of the Fiji Islands. Fiji is a great place to surf due to the warm, clean water, abundance of surf, limited crowd factor and a sense of the exotic. Because Fiji has the third largest barrier reef in the world, accessibility is a major factor when looking for waves so most of Fiji’s waves necessitate boat access rather than a straight paddle from the beach. Some areas that have beach access are on Viti Levu’s Coral Coast, which offers a wide range of surf potential given the right conditions and high tides. Tides are a crucial factor in Fiji with two meter tide differences and this must be taken into account when surfing Fiji reefs since most of them cannot be surfed on lower tides. There are many reef passages that if approached right with a workable swell direction, favorable wind, and correct tides a surfer could have a dream surf session.

The Sigatoka Sand Dunes on Viti Levu are the largest in the South Pacific. They are special, not only as historical and archeological sites, but also as home to some great sand bottom waves. The shape of the waves is dependent on the silt brought down by rainfall from the Sigatoka River, which forms sand bars. Sand bottom waves can be more fickle here because large swells and currents can shift the sand bars so that the wave changes regularly. Many surfers prefer reefs which never change their shape but the Sigatoka Sand Dunes are one of the most consistent surf areas in Fiji. Best times to surf are at low tide so this offers a great surfing opportunity when the reefs are dry.

Natadola beach (which unfortunately is rapidly being developed) is perhaps the most beautiful beach in Fiji. It has always been a favorite hangout for locals. There are several waves that break here, outside for the experienced and inside the bay for the novice. Outside can be surfed at low or high tide. More popularly known are the Islands of Tavarua and Namotu. Within that stretch of reef are some of the best short and long board waves in the world. Both islands have accommodations with high standards and are considered some of the best surf resorts in 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 and Restaurants, which breaks on the Island and is a super-fast, perfect barreling left hander that breaks onto very shallow live reef.

Further West from Tavarua and Namotu in Mamanuca chain is a new surf destination called Mana Surf. Surf shuttles pick up surfers daily from the resorts and transports them up to four breaks that are on the outer barrier reefs from 5-15 minutes away. There are lefts/rights that are more like the Namotu style waves which can accommodate beginners to cruiser type surfers. Not too many people have surfed this area and it has great potential, even when the swell becomes gigantic. There are waves for beginner to advanced level in all types of conditions. A surf school is also based on the Island.