Overview

The mother of all world-class surf resorts. Located in the Mamanuca Island chain, about 15 miles southwest of Nadi, Tavarua is a 24 acre heart shaped island. Tavarua offers world class comfort and perfect conditions for surfing, kite-surfing, SUP, diving, fishing, or just getting a tan and reading.

Tavarua Island faces south by southwest into the South Pacific and is perfectly positioned to catch all swells coming up from the Southern Ocean.

Tavarua comfortably accommodates 36 adults in 16 private bures. They are beautifully made in a traditional island style that is still thoroughly modern in comfort.  The bures are there to rest, relax, and rejuvenate, for the next surf, kite, sailboard, dive, snorkel or SUP session.

The food at Tavarua is legendary and tailored to meet the appetites of hungry guests who are playing hard in the ocean and the sun. The buffet is loaded with fresh, healthy foods in generous portions providing energy to restore and reload.

Tavarua began as a remote island camp offering the basics to those who love the ocean but today, Tavarua has become a family friendly resort and is finding more and more guests who come as much for the wonderful amenities as for the surf.

Amenities

TAVARUA VILLA
Each wing of this semi-detached two villa layout is appointed with all the amenities and design elements one would expect from a high end resort; large master bedroom, second back bedroom, spacious sunken living room, bathroom with spa tub and shower, air conditioning, tropical ceiling fans and more. The two villa units are connected by an additional split level deck. Villa guests can choose to lounge on their individual decks or share time with family, friends or other guests on the adjoining deck space offering spectacular panoramic ocean views.

TAVARUA RESTAURANT/BAR
The key word at Tavarua is “fresh,” as in fresh fish, fresh fruits and vegetables and fresh bread baked on the premises. Meals are served buffet style and the tables at Restaurants seat seven people, so meals are also mixers, bringing together water people and vacationers from around the world.

The kitchen serves three fresh meals a day, plus Happy Hour, which begins each day at four. Guests come to sample appetizer platters served poolside and on the deck. The Tavarua bar is fully stocked with an international array of wines, beers, liquors and mixed drinks that are unique to the island.

SWIMMING POOL & SPA
The swimming pool on Tavarua is as clear and blue as the ocean water and located directly adjacent to the restaurant with a perfect view of Restaurants. Loved ones can swim while others get barreled, out on the reef. Next to the swimming pool is a heated spa where tired surfers can soak away the pains of the day and enjoy a happy hour drink…or two.

OFFICE & BOUTIQUE
Tavarua provides an office for international phone calls, faxes and Internet access to stay in touch with the world.

Tavarua also offers a boutique for buying necessaries and gifts: sunscreen, hats, beach clothes and surf gear. Local art, jewelry and photography are also available to bring home as a consolation to those who couldn’t make it to Tavarua.

Season and Weather:

Peak: March – September
Good: November – February

Waves:

Average Shoulder high, up to Triple overhead

Winds:

Offshore 90% of the time

Air/Water Temp:

Air: 75º to 90º (day) • 70º to 75º (night)
Water: +68º to 90º (Tropical)

Area Breaks:

12+ quality breaks (fun for most skill levels)

Synopsis:

CLIMATE
The cooler dry season is from April through October and the warm, wetter and more humid season is from November to March. Air temperatures range from the mid 70’s to mid 80’s year round, with water temperatures hovering in the same range, year around

Fiji does receive rain year round but the wet season also corresponds with the South Pacific cyclone Season. Although it is rare to have a cyclone impact Fiji directly in any given year, it can happen, and does typically every 5+ years for a short period (3-5 days) of very intense and very bad weather.

The Fiji islands also have dry and wet sides similar to Hawaii; drier on the west and south, much more rain on the east and north. The properties WaterWays has relationships with are all located on the southwest or southern end of the island chain.

WIND
As with most of the South Pacific, the seasonal “trade” winds blow from the southeast across the Fiji Islands June through September. These winds can blow relatively strong for 5-10 days at a time, and then often back down for a week before continuing the on and off cycle. These trade winds may not be favorable at many breaks, but each location with which we work has some “fall back” plan in the event of unfavorable conditions.

During the wet season winds blow from the north, which is offshore for most breaks along the south coast. The shoulder months of March through May and October through early November receive light and variable winds producing many glassy days.

SWELL
The south swell window is generally from March through November while North swells are biggest and most consistent from December through February.

South Pacific does receive southern hemisphere swells year around and it is very rare for Fiji to receive a north ground swell out of season.

To sum it up: If you’re looking for the biggest surf, March through November is the go. Surfers looking for the cleanest conditions and the least crowded time of the year should visit during wet season from December through February.

Many people prefer to travel during shoulder months of March, April, May and September, October, November, hoping to get glassy conditions with early or late south swells.