I have just returned from 10 days in Fiji (staying near Sigatoka on the Coral Coast) and figured that I would post my opinion to help anybody who is considering heading there for a kiting holiday. I will point out that what is to follow is just that, my opinion based upon my experiences and that I don't now consider myself an authority on all things Fiji.

Firstly, I was looking for a location that was going to provide good winds (i.e. 20+ knots as I don't have the equipment to get me out on less than about 17 knots) and flat water in order to progress my freestyle riding. I did quite a bit of research before deciding on Fiji, including Kitebeaches.com and a bunch of forums, including this one. I selected the Coral Coast which appeared to have an outer reef approx. 500 metres off shore providing a protected flat water area between it and the shore line. It did provide this to a degree, but more about that below.

And so.....

WIND

I had heard mixed reports but I can say it delivered in this regard for me delivering cross/cross on shore winds. Out of 10 days I had 7 of 20 - 25 knots, 2 of 25 - 30 knots and 1 day (the final one) of around 15 - 18 knots. Even on the days that started out breathless, by 11 am it was well on its way and by Midday it was in full swing.

If only this were all we needed.

LOCATION

As I have said, I did quite a bit of research before selecting Fiji. Most of the emphasis always surrounds wind and I think this is a major flaw in reviewing a potential destination. Most of what I read about Fiji was simply, Mid to High tide is fine as low tide the Coral will interfere with your kiting. Even the review submitted on Sigatoka on Kitebeaches.com says the location is "ideal on mid to high tide". Well, I beg to differ. At low tide huge amounts of Coral break the surface of the water, however they are just the "tip of the iceberg" and that is more than just a metaphor. At Mid or High tide however, this same Coral is just centimetres below the surface. It is possible to kite at this location but I would strongly argue that it is "ideal". If simply kiting back and forth is your enjoyment then all well and good, or if you are the sort of person who sticks all of your moves then great. I am neither of these and am currently trying handlepass/blind landings, with the emphasis on trying, and was not about to put my faith in just 30 centimetres of water separating me from one of the worst headaches I was ever likely to experience. This meant I was off in exploration of a location that wasn't at my doorstep as I had hoped. (Literally, as it was 20 metres from my bungalow door to the waters edge. Oh the potential!)

I will try and keep it brief but in short the next 10 days progressed from walking to buses to taxis to hiring my own car and driving. I covered the coast line between Natadola in the SW through to just beyond Pacific Harbour short of Suva.

What I discovered was it was possible to kite in some of the deep channels that occasionally ran through the coral where there was a break in the outer reef. These were normally associated with water ways (creeks/rivers) meeting the ocean from the mountains. These were generally around 40 metres wide but very difficult to access at times, and as I found out on day 2, if you drop your kite down it will generally fall outside of the deep water channel and onto the awaiting coral lurking just below the surface. Needless to say, day 2 saw my 3 month old SB2 torn in half. It was the old reliable Fuel to get me through the rest of the trip.

There were also a number of bays at locations similarly where the water ways met ocean again. These were inevitably protected though, particularly with the cross/cross on winds. As I was flying solo, whilst travelling with me my wife has doughnut interest in kiting, self launching at these locations was fruitless. The wind line was normally around 100m + out but it might as well have been 100 kms as I simply could not get the kite in the air and get out. Even Natadola which is mentioned as a location to kite was not suitable. I found Natadola to be seriously gusty with the winds blowing basically off shore at the only spot within the bay where it was possible to access the winds. I rode there for 15 mins before packing up.

I tried many locations as mentioned above and others where I would launch my kite, walk out across reefs and drop down into deep water on the far side. All were very difficult locations to both access and return to the beach afterward. I sometimes found myself dropping my kite and swimming into the beach pulling it behind me.

I did find a couple of spots toward Pacific Harbour that were kiteable without Coral. However, these were locations similar to those experienced at home with ocean swell and general beach break conditions. Not what I was chasing. The best spot I located in the end was one that provided approx. 60 metres of sandyish bottom with about 2 foot of water before the coral started in earnest once again. This was once again located alongside of one of the deep water channels as mentioned.

THE WRAP UP

I basically searched all of the southern coast line of Viti Levu for a spot without success. Whilst I found a location that was do-able, that doesn't justify the efforts in travelling there. In my opinion a good kiteboarding destination should not require Sherlock Holmes like abilities to find even a suitable location to kiteboard.

I did not travel up the east coast of the Island and am unable to comment on any locations or potential locations along this part of the Island. I will say however, that based on the wind I experienced and the affect that even slight bays had upon it, anything from the South-West through to the North-east of the Island would be unsuitable.

To conclude, I would NOT recommend Viti Levu as a kiteboarding destination for the independant traveller, and by independant I mean travelling without the aid of a guide or organised kite tour company. For all I know perhaps they have a plethora of secret spots at their disposal, although based upon what I saw I doubt it.

I realise this has been an epic post, but I hope to provide people with some info as I saw it to help them in reaching their decision. I would not like to see others return as disappointed as I did because of less than adequate reviews.

Yup,
I ripped the bum out of a brand spanking 666 board, also came close to spiking the kite on the coral a few times, got more than my share of coral feet (always tuck a pair of crocs into your rashy as they stay on when standing on the spiky undergrowth.

The stuff that sticks above the water is good as you can spot it but the Vis is so clear in the water you can't tell 2 feet below the water from 2cm until you go thud

nana-nu-i-ra island in the North