Kiteboarding in Nananui Ra - Fiji

September 01, 2003 | 16 comments

by Rob Munro (rob@windfreak.com)

The Island is a 350 hectare island roughly triangular in shape with steep hills, many scalloped bays, white sandy beaches and mangroves.  It's a quick and inexpensive option for getting away from the Nadi area.  Most locals are of European decent so don't go looking here for Fijian culture.  Flat water, shallow reefs and plenty of wind, makes this one of the best kept secrets in the Fijian chain, although many know the island, it is yet to be ruined by too many people...

How to Get There

The Kings Road around the Northern Viti Levu, between Latoka and Suva has some beautiful scenery and is recommended for travel by bus, taxi or car, but if you choose the car option, beware!  This Main road is not a safe one as animals, people and some of the oldest cars known to mankind can be regularly seen sitting on the road.  We took a taxi from Nadi which costs about F$80- one way.  It takes roughly 3 hours to get there, with a stop in Latoka for food and other basics. The Taxi driver will drop you at the Ellington Wharf which has a small cafe and waiting area.  A great place to meet some locals!  The Boat trip is another F$20 return (This is arranged by the accommodation people.)  Most taxi drivers will offer to show you the sights along the way, do not stress, this is normal and part of the trip.  Tipping is not required either.

Where to Stay

Firstly, all the accommodation places have generators and they are only on in the AM and at Night (until 10pm).  Once they shut down there is total darkness and no noise other than Cane Toads, and other night creatures.  There is NO TV, internet, mobile phones or the likes, so if you are looking to get away from it all, this is an ideal place.

We stay at McDonalds, which has self contained units on the beach starting at F$65 per night.  They have all of the essential cooking bits and pieces, but it is hard to be a Masterchef with what is provided.  Maxine, who owns the place, is the grand-daughter of one of the original island owners, and the other two accommodation places are owned by other relatives..... local gossip, scandal and more, are not rare on small islands and this one has them all.  The staff and the owners go out of their way to make your stay a welcome and enjoyable one, and at the end of your time you will want to return!

Maxine - Mc Donalds tel / fax 6694633
Rob - Betham's tel / fax 6694132
Charlie's Place tel 6694676

There are a couple of other places to stay although these are not near the sailing area. Most places book up quickly, so make sure you book ahead and just do not show up. 

Food & Drink

McDonalds and Bethams both have in-house restaurants which are pretty good.  You need to pre-order your evening meals and light snacks are available during lunch.  They have a few "Theme" nights, but it is not overly commercial or tacky.  Kava nights are fun, and one to try.

One of the best things about Fiji are of course curries!  With roughly 50% of the population of Asian decent or origin, the curries are authentic and tasty!  On Monday, Wednesday and Friday, the curry man arrives from Rakiraki and provides pre-cooked curry with Roti for F$3.50 and Samosa are F$1.00 each.  Most excellent!  If you do not like curry, you will once you try the man's food!

The local Beers ar Fiji Bitter and Fiji Gold.  Both great for the first few..... Kava nights make the beer taste even better, and the usual mixed drinks and wine are available from the 2 bars.  If you can fit it into your gear, buy booze at the airport (spirits) as it is expensive once on the island.  Beer is F$5.00 per bottle.  The water is pure rain water, so it is safe to drink, but the water from the tap is to be left to washing and the likes. 

Rob's Shop at Bethams is stocked with most things, but at a premium price (food & drink.)

You can also head into Rakiraki for the morning and visit some of the markets and shops.  They do not take credit cards, so make sure you have enough cash.  The ATM's also do not work with none Fijian cards.

Conditions

The conditions are ideal for intermediate to advanced riders, but learning here is a little dangerous.  There is a lot of reef and the beaches are covered by palm trees.  The water is flat, warm and very clear.  The 2 times I have been to this island I had 6 out 9 days and 11 out of 13 on a 12m kite.  The winds come in mid morning and stay until dusk.  You can be on the water for 6 hours at a time!  The winds blow side shore from the launch area and onshore towards the bottom of the bay.  If you do get in trouble, you will come in on land.  Basically do not go too far out!  A lot of windsurfers come here for their hols from NZ during the June / July months, but so far only a handful of kiteboards come.  There is a guy who rents windsurfing equipment, but I do not know his name.

One side of the Island is blown by winds and the other escapes them, which provides an ideal place for a family or for a couple who has a wind hating partner!  The waters are very warm and are great to spend time swimming or snorkelling, which is a great thing to do before the wind arrives. Or before a curry!

              

Other things to do

The island has 2 dive centers which provide excellent diving, including coral, reef sharks, wrecks and plenty of fish!  They go out most days and you get great value for your money.  They are not large outfits, so you can be diving with only the Instructors!  The two companies are Ra Divers and Crystal Divers.  Snorkelling is also good on the island with plenty of close reefs, but a lot of these are damaged, so you can hire a local boat to take you out to some of the better ones.

Fiji is an excellent place to visit and has many islands, which have waves, wind and perfect conditions, but I must say this..... you needn't travel as far away as this place when you live in SA. 


16 Comments

Add your own comment to 'Kiteboarding in Nananui Ra - Fiji'
kitebuechse said...
Wow, found it amazing to watch this lovely little island again . Been there a year ago and it is even better than in your article, but to see the pictures again .........just want to cry! If you have the chance to go there do it and you will love it, combine it with cook island and you have weeks of kitesurfparadise.....
9/25/2005 8:32:06 AM
warren Francis said...
Hi

I operate www.safarilodge.com.fj and have a property right on the Kiteboarding Beach! We have the only dedicated Kiteboarding package and School with 7 dedicated boats for retrievals and support.

Email me if you want to come and enjoy this tropical paradise right on the Kite Beach...saves a walk from the other accomodation over the hill on the quiet side of the island!

It is a beautiful place and we''ve been there 14 years. That's some of our Windsurfing clients in thew background of your photos...and our Yellow boat tied up on our mooring on the Kite Beach....in front of our property...

Check out our website, program and email me any queries you may have.

Rgds

Warren
9/25/2005 8:32:06 AM
Athol said...
What is the conversion rate on the F$ to the R? (Just to put the costs into perspective.
9/25/2005 8:32:06 AM
Carlo said...
Go to http://www.xe.com/ucc/ for conversion from any currency to any currency.
9/25/2005 8:32:06 AM
George Bush said...
Warren Francis is a low life peice of shit who will rip off anyone, an internet search will reveal the true colours of this wanker who gives the Island a bad name. All be warned! He will rip you off.
9/4/2006 9:49:01 PM
Jeroen said...
Looking great! But is there often wind?

http://www.kitesurftravel.net
9/13/2006 7:35:40 AM
Kite Gal said...
I just got back from what was supposed to be a 1 week holiday in Fiji, but was having such a good time at Safari Island Lodge that I extended it an entire extra week.

I don't know what "George Bush's" problem is, I spent all 17 days at Warren Francis's place Safari Lodge and have nothing but amazing things to say about the lessons, the equipment, the new accomodation, the food, everything.

If you go there with a pompous attitude looking to have everything handed to you, you're gonna have a problem anywhere you go.

If you're looking for a new place to stay, kiting right off the beach and an awesome vacation, I highly recommend Safari Lodge (can't kite off beach at McDonalds, Bethams or Charlie's cause there's no wind that side of the island.. you need to take a boat to get you to kite point).

The nice thing about the place I stayed (Safari Lodge) if you're advanced you can kite right in front of Warren's place (I'm not that good yet), so the other option is constant boat support to Kite Point where you get amazing winds, scenery and for the most part flat water.

Feel free to contact me directly for tons of pictures and stories about my kitesurfing trip to Fiji :)
9/22/2006 8:13:33 PM
Kite Gal said...
i guess my email didn't post - you can reach me at

yo.tracy@gmail.com

have a good one!
9/22/2006 8:14:49 PM
Rob Munro said...
Hi there

Since when do you need to take a boat to Kite Point? I always walked over the path from the none windy side (nicest to stay and live (offshore wind) to the windy side. It took me all of 2 mins.

Not been back for 3 years...... has everything changed?

Rob
10/5/2006 12:31:04 PM
George Bush said...
Hey Warren aka Kitegal you've reached an all time low! impersonating a non existent client to defend your bad reputation? You've got to be kidding me!
10/24/2006 9:24:46 PM
chris said...
The island is fantastic, relaxing and not your big resort style thing but just the quiet fiji. I windsurfed there in 2000 taking two boards and 2 sails. I sailed 9 out of 12 days and it wasn't really all that windy but it was fun. Kiting in the bay is for the experienced and fairly flat depending on the tide. There is coral and stingrays so tread lightly. There is a hotel there as well, if I recall correctly it was called Mokusingers or something along those lines for those who want something a bit less backpacker. If you go expecting to get wind consistently then you will most likely be dissapointed. Most people I have spoken to have not experienced the consistent trades that the hype suggests in Fiji. But that said I loved Na na nu i ra and recommend it as a holiday away from the typical tourist treadmill. Oh Things dont always happen on schedule in fiji so plan things with time to spare.


Cheers Chris
11/9/2006 8:27:33 PM
peeved said...
safari lodge should be avoided at all costs! be wary if you are looking at staying here as many reputable travel guides have stories of ruined holidays. Lonely Planet, Tripadvisor, and Kiteboarding forums just to name a few. Bethams, Charlies, and Macdonalds all have websites and are far better value.
3/9/2008 6:01:13 PM
Anon said...
I urge anyone to avoid Safari Lodge, despite the lovely Steph and the Fijian staff. Warren Francis is your classic Conman. Charging prepaid guests in Aussie dollars whilst walk ins are paying $F this equates to around $F43 a night for a dorm!! in $F15 quality accom.

Often customers are unware of the meal plan and Warren charges a different price depending on how much he thinks your are worth! The food is nice (often vegetarian) but not worth the $45-$60 a day.

He has a very unprofessional attitude, getting guests to transport personal items for him from Autralia then not repaying them for the favour! He also has a disconcerting attitude towards female guests considering his partner and daughter are resisdent on the island.

He underpays, overworks and disrespects his Fijian workers.

Stay at MacDonalds, take your own gear.

7/19/2008 2:02:55 AM
Michael said...
Although I wouldn't have expressed myself exactly as George Bush has, the gist of what was written was much closer to our experience than Kite Gal portrayed.
We chose to pay what was a premium charge, and would have been quite accepting had all the promises been kept. The regular attempts to extract extra $'s (quite cleverly sometimes) were not appropriate ether. Warren's attitude to his staff was also unacceptable to us.
I have just red Anon's comments and totally agree with much of what was written.
Thanks,
Michael.
8/1/2008 2:33:52 AM
cocos said...
just to provide some balance to the debate- we just had an excellent week at safari lodge- no complaints at all- great accomodation, great food, friendly staff, great atmosphere- lots of other happy guests- we certainly didnt feel ripped off and we would have extended our stay if it had been humanly possible!
8/12/2008 5:47:49 AM
Warren Francis said...
it's time to reply....

Obviously i don't agree with some of the comments already posted.

We have advertised rates in AUD on our website for a complete package, including Daily boat support, all transfers, accommodatins, meals etc. There is no extras...if you book the kite package..it is ALL included..even fishing trips, snorkeling trips, trips to the mainland, we bend over to make sure our guests are NOt sitting on the beach if the wind is low...and have lots of non windy activities INCLUDED in our apckages at NO extra cost.

If you want a bed, and your a walk in client, then dont complain about our standard pricing structure, its advertised and doesn't change. Our meals are fantastic, based on guest feedback and we don't charge any different based on what you or anyone can afford. If $45/day FJD is too much for three full meals daily, then yes, Maggi noodles are more to your tasting...so enjoy them.

Our boat support is a fixed price and if your NOT in the kiting package, of course it is extra....you work it out..it is cheaper to do the package, than add up all the components and then complain its too much.

We have 40 beds now, started with 12 beds in 2005, 20 in 2006 and now 40 beds.

I have a lovely partner and a even lovlier 3 year old daughter living with me here on the island on the property. We ALL take offence to slandar of that nature.

Maybe Michael and Anon could reply with a photo and email address on the forum, so we can check you actually do exist and DID actually stay with us....guess you know where my bets lie...

email me on warren@safarilodge.com.fj and yes my photo is on the website...
8/13/2008 6:30:10 PM

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