Of all the world’s oceans, none captures the imagination of the traveler quite like the pleasant tropical islands of the South Seas. Stories of adventure, romance and discovery in unforgettable places with unpronounceable names have built a legend. Here the Fijian people live as they have done for centuries, retaining their ancient traditions and living a simple and carefree lifestyle supported by the harvest of a generous land and plentiful sea.
Visitors to these islands are embraced by their warmth an simplicity and drawn into the simple lifestyle, the gentle pace and ease of which is irresistible seductive
The Fiji Islands lie at the very heart of the romantic south seas, straddling the tropical latitudes at 12 to 20 degrees south of the Equator. The main island of the Fiji group is Viti Levu, which is approximately 300 miles in circumference. Nadi is the hub from which all regions and smaller islands are easily accessed. The islands of the Mamanuca group are just 10 miles off shore from Nadi with the spectacular Yasawa Islands stretching some 75 miles to the North and West.
From Nadi, the Queen’s Highway sweeps South and East along the coastline, through fields of sugar cane, past local villages and on through tropical rainforest to the capital city Suva some 120 miles away. The coral reefs that adjoin the coastline create a never-ending variety of protected lagoons and sheltered palm fringed beaches. These regions know as the “Coral Coast”, is an area of great natural beauty, with the sea and the reef dominating the vista.
The beach resorts located along this coast offer as much in size, style and variety as the coastline itself. Just 20 minutes from Nadi airport the five star Sheraton Fiji and adjoining Royal Denarau Resort are located on the beach of Denarau Island. This superb 500 acre resort playground includes the challenging Denarau Golf and Racquet club, 18 hole championship golf course, and the Denarau Marina which is the departure point for launches servicing the off shore island resorts of the Mamanuca group and popular day cruises.
Less than one hour from Nadi along the Queen’s highway, Shangri La’s spectacular 105 acre Fijian Resort on Yanuca Island is linked by causeway to the main road. The picture post card beach and lagoon, landscaped grounds, resort golf course, and the wide range of water, cultural and other activities are enough to satisfy the most particular visitor. Other major “Coral Coast” resorts include the Naviti and Warwick, which nestled on the shores of their own private beach and lagoon. A wide choice of less pretentious, smaller resorts offer personal service and excellent value.
Activities such as scuba diving, snorkeling, golf, tennis, game fishing and sailing are catered for by most resorts and in the evenings, island music, dancing and beach parties make for a perfect holiday. Getting around is easy. Rental cars are available at resorts, taxis are plentiful and public transportation is inexpensive but basis.
The Mamanuca and Yasawa Island groups extend from between 15 km to 120km to the North and West of Nadi. The remote Yasawa Islands have oftern been described as a string of pearls sprinkled on an blue sea.
To cruise the Yasawa Islands is to be enchanted by one of the most charming places in the South Pacific. Blue Lagoon Cruises are part of the South Seas legend, taking you to places where the Fijian people live as they have done for centuries, keeping the spirit of island legend alive with their traditional and simple lifestyle. It is in this corner of the world’s that clear white beaches fringed by tall palm trees and calm blue lagoons can be explored.
Every day one of Blue Lagoon Cruises’ six modern yachts slips away on the afternoon tide to explore the bays and coral cays of the Yasawa and Mamanuca Islands. The pace is easy and relaxed with cruising time about four hours a day, with plenty of time ashore to stroll the beaches, visit native villages, swim, snorkel, fish, sunbathe, join in cruise activities or simply relax and do nothing at all. Their are Island feasts, beach barbecues and great entertainment. If you are considering a unique south sea’s vacation let us help you with a custom designed vacation to Fiji. James TravelPOINTS 1-800-538-7461, www.travelpoints.com
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!