just wondering if anyone could help me, i am going to Fiji in Jan/Feb. I will mostly be in Suva and wondering if i should bring my kite gear. I have never been there before, so i am not shore of the conditions. If it is good for kiting could you please tell some of the better places to go. thanx and good kiting everyone
1) Stay away from wind safari (the guy is a crook - imho) 2) Suva rains like hell - watch out for Denge fever (Suva has some cases) The wettest place... but also close to Frigates.. the 2nd best wave in Fiji 3) Nananu-i-ra is the most awesome place to kite,,, stay at McDonalds or Bethams... in the leeward side... walk 2 min to the kite beach and it is windy... wind like a clock 10am to 5pm...
wind comes in 7/8 day periods, with 1 - 3 day breaks (Believe me you will need it)
In the South you can kite Singatoka river (My spelling is probably very wrong) Watch out for crime here.
I can give you lots of xtra info... Also do a search on ikiteboarding.com... an article there covers kiting in Fiji (written in 2003 I think?)
Suva itself is mainly mud flats, kiteable on a high tide inside the break - to kite near or behind the break, on a low tide, you would need a boat. Wind is typically good.
If you are mobile do as per the above post (and he's not kidding about the rain - or the poluted water).
Grang, I'm going to Fiji next week and I'm staying in Safari Lodge for kite. In your replies were you talking about the same place when you say : "stay away from wind safari" ????
Do you know if is a good place for scuba diving too ???? did you heard somethings about that?
Safari lodge is on the mainland(veti Levu), but might have completed their camp on the island (nananu-i-ra). It is a bit ****e kiting from the mainland (no nice launching spots), and have to take a boat to the island (I think there is a $$$ fee for every trip and you are of course tied to a boat)....
The best sailing is on nananu-i-ra. Beethams and McDonalds and Charlies is in the leeward side... the new (if finished) safari is right in the wind... but hard core oaks wont mind as you can open your eyes and see the chop. I prefer the other side (500m as the chicks are happy and the restaurants are nice there)
diving is pretty good... mind you, fiji is insane for diving... even snorkling. Shop around a bit... I know that McDonalds had some very cheap snorkeling trips...
I kited over quite a few reef sharks there too (harmless, but they sure get your attention for that first 5 seconds)
As I have said, it is my opinion... that he is a crook and outright liar, overpriced. Fiji is great and you should score good wind still, although the best time is our winter...
Thanks for your help. I´m from south-america and I´ve been doing kitesurfing for a short time in my country. Now I´m living in Australia and with other friend we´ll be traveling to Fiji. He likes scuba diving and I like kitesurfing. A travel agency told us about Safari Lodge ( scuba for him and kite for me ). Do you think that´s a good idea to pay for a package (US$2.000 seven nights with equiptment,meals, tickets, accomodation ) or is better to travel to Fiji and going to McDonalds for example and looking for a hotel and kite and scuba plans,etc ?? Is possible rent kite equipment in Fiji ?
Thanks again for your answer and sorry for my english.
Wharever you, or for that matter, anybody who goes to fiji or any other group, choose to do. You must always cross every T and dot every i when dealing with all operators.
You must be clear up front and in writing on exactly what is included is your prices and what is not included.
This is how I run all my trips and in the case of Fiji it is how you are assured of a great time. It worked for us at Safari lodge and plans a underway for a return trip.
As far as boats go, you absolutely need a support boat to make the most of your kiting. and you need to protect yyour feet from the coral.
FJ$Transfer to Ellington Wharf - about FJ$90 for the taxi... Divide by number of passengers... do some shopping before you hit the island/safari lodge (There is a cheap bus - $25 if you dont mind the 1.5h extra travel.
Boat Transfer to island (if you stay on island) $10 / $20 per person (different days/rules) if you stay on the island, you obviously only pay this once
McDonalds/Beethams is about $20 - $40 per person per night for self catering unit... everything there... (depends on if 6 share or 2 share)
Thus for two weeks (including 2 days flying)
20 x 12 = $250 Transfer= 90 x 2 / 2 = 90 p p Boat Transfer 40 p p Food $20 p p day 250
So you are looking at about $700 + flights on a budget trip
We spent:
$500 for two people for 8 days (Ex nandi including food and all costs)
no transfer to kite as you are on the island already
BOOTIES are a must! I agree. Other - Take some generic antibiotics (or you can buy it there with no prescription -- but make sure it is a good shop) for extended coral cuts. (I never had a cut kiting, but diving, I was stupid bla bla bla)
You can do the whole trip very cheap if you self cater, etc etc... the supply shop on the island is also quite cheap.
My next trip will probably be Tonga or Cook islands, so will let you know how that is... Fiji was more expensive than one expects (not Indo prices for sure).. food is ok, -- local produce
You will have a blast... locals are friendly... join them for some Kava fun...
. I will mostly be in Suva and wondering if i should bring my kite gear. I have never been there before, so i am not shore of the conditions. If it is good for kiting could you please tell some of the better places to go.
