kitesurfing Fiji?

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Chrissygood
Chrissygood
QLD
10 posts
QLD, 10 posts
17 Feb 2012 6:12am
Going to Fiji in may/june, staying on the Vitu Levi in the north near Ellington Wharf,
does anyone know if you can kite from the mainland? what are the conditions there?
or do you have to go across to "Nananu-i-ra"?
Ozoned
Ozoned
NSW
58 posts
NSW, 58 posts
17 Feb 2012 1:35pm
Yeah I'd be keen to hear about this too. I am going to be at the resort just around the corner from the 25th May to 1st June.
It looks as if you can kite there but the wind might me slightly cross offshore.
Not sure what the landscaspe is like there and whether it will be gusty.
I think a lot of it is private land also.

I was just hoping to sort it out when I got there and if it was a no go would get someone to take me out with a boat.
Skid
Skid
QLD
1499 posts
QLD, 1499 posts
17 Feb 2012 1:24pm
Do some research on the direction of the trade winds in that area (SE?), suggest the SE corner of the island would be the general area to head to.
Perhaps ask 'windric' on these forums, he is a wealth of knowledge on kiting Fiji.
harry potter
harry potter
VIC
2777 posts
VIC, 2777 posts
17 Feb 2012 4:06pm
search function is good
Ozoned
Ozoned
NSW
58 posts
NSW, 58 posts
17 Feb 2012 4:34pm
Yes I have read just about every thread about fiji and asked a couple of mates but none have been. Thanks Harry for sugesting the search button, I had never thought of that.

Everyone mentions the Safari Lodge. We are having our actual wedding in Fiji so we have chosen our accomodation around this not around the kiting so for this trip the Safari lodge is not appropriate for us.

BTW it seems the North side has stronger and more consistent winds than the south side of Fiiji however it seems locations are limited.



kiter77
kiter77
VIC
273 posts
VIC, 273 posts
17 Feb 2012 4:59pm
Nananu-i-ra

Gusty winds, coral, limited beach launch, nice palms good luck..
Mr float
Mr float
NSW
3452 posts
NSW, 3452 posts
18 Feb 2012 4:53pm
kiter77 said...

Nananu-i-ra

Gusty winds, coral, limited beach launch, nice palms good luck..


you forgot no waves
Mr float
Mr float
NSW
3452 posts
NSW, 3452 posts
18 Feb 2012 5:06pm
One of the best places i have kited at in fiji is Sigatoka river mouth .It works in all tides and the coast straightens up a bit there facing more south than SW ( i have stayed and kites at the beachouse backpackers a few times now and sometimes if the so called trade wind has a bit of easterly in it it can miss but it will be blowin its proverbial off at sigatoka .Great wave spot too particularly at low tide with no reef to get smashed onto if you make a mistake when the tides a bit low if you are reef kiting.So we stayed at the beachouse( nice and very good value) and got a ride down to or drove to Siga if it was a bit east or if the tide is wrong (Its about a 40 min trip)there are plenty of resorts around Siga as well
RAL INN
RAL INN
SA
2897 posts
SA, 2897 posts
18 Feb 2012 9:00pm
The answer is yes, but it's who you know that gets you access through villages to the water.

Sounds like you are staying at Wananavu.
Believe it or not, But Safari Lodge will send a boat and take you to the outer reef.

If you can afford Wananavu then the cost of the boat service is not a problem.

Real local knowledge is very very important.
Chrissygood
Chrissygood
QLD
10 posts
QLD, 10 posts
23 Feb 2012 7:03am
thanks guys for all the info

staying right next to Wananavu, in some rental apartments "dreamview villas" month rental very reasonable, same as city rates for a 2 bed apartment! staying 30th april - 25th may.

checked out with the manager said we could rent a boat for around $A100 a day to take us out from Wananavu resort, sure we could work out a deal for a week..

from the map picture it looks like a beach on the SE side of Wananavu, and i also found another beach just SE of Ellington wharf through Nakorokula
spoke to Warren from Safari lodge, he said he will see what he can come up with just for the pick up and boat support, so there are a few options

still looking for something else for our last 6 days before we have to leave

will be sure to put up as much info as possible for everyone after the trip
picker
picker
VIC
431 posts
VIC, 431 posts
23 Feb 2012 12:08pm
Just get the boat the safari, its a rad and safe place to kite, not much around you in other places to kite, warren and the boys can take you out to the outer reef etc and has the proper set up for kiting - heaps of kites, boards etc if the wind conditions change and fellow kiters sure your accom will get boring after a while. nu i ra is a great little island to explore.

good luck with wind elsewhere its generally pretty light down the airport side of the island.
Warren Francis
Warren Francis
NSW
211 posts
NSW, 211 posts
1 Mar 2012 1:17pm
hey guys

As Tony points out, we do cater for guests staying on the mainland - gets lots of clients that feel staying on the mainland is an option - until they arrive!@ Then call me! Then most decide to move over to the island! Decide what you want from your holiday, then plan it. if you want to ride in front of where you stay, stay on the island, if you want to occasionally kite - stay on the mainland and come out when you want to kite.

We charge for non-guests $110/day for Boat support. Pretty good value when you take out the 20% taxes, skilled boatmans wages and fuel ($2.50/litre) every day.

Of course there are no charges for guests staying with us......

Of course you can try to launch from the mainland options, but with no boat support looking after you - it only takes a broken line to ruin your session and swim home.

PM me if you have any further queries...thanks.
Warren
Berg K1t3r
Berg K1t3r
QLD
106 posts
QLD, 106 posts
1 Mar 2012 12:38pm
So in other words dont take a cab quiver

kiter77 said...

Nananu-i-ra

Gusty winds, coral, limited beach launch, nice palms good luck..


Glug
Glug
WA
106 posts
WA, 106 posts
20 Mar 2012 8:29am
Ive also been sniffing out going to Fiji in August. I hear theres wind... but how much? What strength? When you're from WA anything under 17 knots is not really good enough!
lowstevo
lowstevo
WA
95 posts
WA, 95 posts
20 Mar 2012 10:31am
namotu, is the best place is fiji hands down! august should be sick!
Kazan
Kazan
QLD
699 posts
QLD, 699 posts
16 Apr 2012 1:01am
Isn't Nomatu exclusive to the rich or it's very expensive. I've heard bad stories about their treatment of surfers coming over to cloudbreak without 'permission'. Are they run by an American?
harry potter
harry potter
VIC
2777 posts
VIC, 2777 posts
16 Apr 2012 8:59am
Kazan said...

Isn't Nomatu exclusive to the rich or it's very expensive. I've heard bad stories about their treatment of surfers coming over to cloudbreak without 'permission'. Are they run by an American?


You don't have to stay at Namotu and cloudbreak is actually closer to Taverua.
You can easily stay at Malolo Island or Malolo Lai Lai and get a boat each day (approx 15min to the breaks ) you need to speak with Small John. (he is not that small)
You can then surf cloudbreak Namotu lefts, wilkes pass etc....
The old scenario of needing to stay on the island ( Namotu or Taverua ) to surf these waves was changed by the Fiji govt
ezza
ezza
NSW
561 posts
NSW, 561 posts
16 Apr 2012 8:12pm
I'm going for the 1st time in 2 weeks ... Will post when I get back!
hamburglar
hamburglar
ACT
2174 posts
ACT, 2174 posts
17 Apr 2012 1:16pm
harry potter said...

Kazan said...

Isn't Nomatu exclusive to the rich or it's very expensive. I've heard bad stories about their treatment of surfers coming over to cloudbreak without 'permission'. Are they run by an American?


You don't have to stay at Namotu and cloudbreak is actually closer to Taverua.
You can easily stay at Malolo Island or Malolo Lai Lai and get a boat each day (approx 15min to the breaks ) you need to speak with Small John. (he is not that small)
You can then surf cloudbreak Namotu lefts, wilkes pass etc....
The old scenario of needing to stay on the island ( Namotu or Taverua ) to surf these waves was changed by the Fiji govt



better check with Scotty "O" he seems to beg to differ
harry potter
harry potter
VIC
2777 posts
VIC, 2777 posts
17 Apr 2012 2:49pm
hamburglar said...

harry potter said...

Kazan said...

Isn't Nomatu exclusive to the rich or it's very expensive. I've heard bad stories about their treatment of surfers coming over to cloudbreak without 'permission'. Are they run by an American?


You don't have to stay at Namotu and cloudbreak is actually closer to Taverua.
You can easily stay at Malolo Island or Malolo Lai Lai and get a boat each day (approx 15min to the breaks ) you need to speak with Small John. (he is not that small)
You can then surf cloudbreak Namotu lefts, wilkes pass etc....
The old scenario of needing to stay on the island ( Namotu or Taverua ) to surf these waves was changed by the Fiji govt



better check with Scotty "O" he seems to beg to differ



I'll bet on my first hand experience rather than your hearsay thanks
harry potter
harry potter
VIC
2777 posts
hamburglar
hamburglar
ACT
2174 posts
ACT, 2174 posts
17 Apr 2012 4:48pm
Thanks Harry ,
then it makes me wonder WTF Scotty "O" was on
about when i called BS on his Namotu exclusivity, he got so worked
up i'm pretty sure he wanted to beat the crap out of me

i almost locked the doors and windows,untill i realised he was in,
ANOTHER COUNTRY

Would you like to responed namotuisland ????????????????


Warren Francis
Warren Francis
NSW
211 posts
NSW, 211 posts
17 Apr 2012 7:49pm
Hi guys

Scotty can answer your question directly - that's his directive. My view is that the "waves" are public, but not his lovely Island as he correctly pointed out.

Scotty and i came over here almost the same year, he sought Waves - i sought Wind - hence different areas of Fiji.

For those with a memory, i organised with the PWA the Namotu FIJI Classic where O'Neill put up $100,000 US back in 1997 - awesome event - but wave based! hence we used Scotty's island as the location for the event. Perfect!

Safari Lodge doesn't have waves, just ocean rolling swells and lovely flat areas, so if you want Waves - Namuto is the pick! The island however, is private and contained within his Native title Lease. The waves are now no longer part of his lease, hence the Surfing Decree comments and references.

Pretty easy really.....work it out! I am sure Scotty doesn't need to repeat himself - he has already cleared it up in previous posts - search them.

Rgds

Warren Francis
Chrissygood
Chrissygood
QLD
10 posts
QLD, 10 posts
7 May 2012 6:23pm
ok so been here for a week now and the kiting is great, but!!!
regardless of where you decide to stay GET IN TOUCH with Warren at Safari Lodge and he will take care of all your kiting needs.....except maybe waves (from what i can tell from previous posts)
well worth it has some great spots to take you to and always someone around in a boat if you need something
thanks Warren! looking forward to the next few weeks too
chronic
chronic
NSW
318 posts
NSW, 318 posts
7 May 2012 7:05pm
take a 11 or 12 metre - i kited there a few years ago and never took the 9 out of the bag not very wide beachs at the resort but enough to launch at a few different spots
nigelw2
nigelw2
VIC
237 posts
VIC, 237 posts
7 May 2012 8:05pm
Hi Chrissygood,
How strong is the wind?
How reliable is it?
What size kites?
Im planning to be in Fiji in July so and feedback would be much appreciated!
Warren Francis
Warren Francis
NSW
211 posts
NSW, 211 posts
7 May 2012 11:47pm
howdy!

Chrissy had her BEST DAYS kiting ever today! I gave her a two hour lesson in the morning, 3 hour session - nailed her upwind riding, stance and now doing transitions! Well done Chrissy - we were all very proud! quick session back for lunch, then out for another 3 hour session in the afternoon - both dropped back home exhausted!

Windy Day number 7 today, chrissy on a 8m, Troy on a 10m, Vic on a 9m - great conditions - and still blowing all night - gotta love the trades! Lovely consistent winds - 20-25 knots - perfect.

loving paradise...

Warren
ezza
ezza
NSW
561 posts
NSW, 561 posts
12 May 2012 9:56pm
Namotu is paradise, but book ahead because it's only small and I understand is in high demand! Scotty is a legend. If you can't stay there call Ian at Fiji Surf Co in Nadi, he will chartr you a boat to take you to Cloudbreak, swimming pools, restaurants, Namotu Lefts/rights or Wilkes. All reefs so experienced kiters only. I understand plantation has flat water.
canadasnow1
canadasnow1
VIC
1 posts
VIC, 1 posts
14 Jun 2012 8:45pm
Hi guys just got back from Fiji,stayed on the coral coast at the Naviti resort,found a couple of places to kite without killing anybody on the reefs,the first is Sovi bay 10 min Nadi side of hideaway resort ,probably about the same from Shangri-la the other is the rivermouth at Saratoga cheers hope you enjoy your trip we had a great time .they both work on any easterly
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