Anyone been there I have a few questions. Looking to goto Fiji...and wanted to know if I stay on Fiji am I allowed to goto Tavarua? I know Tavarua only can only accommodate 36 people at a time. So, not sure if I should be staying on Tavarua or Fiji. Thanks
Thanks man...dunno why I didn't look there first. btw - Does anyone have any real experience there? I would like to hear about it. Thanks
When I went to Costa last week the owner of our Hotel went last year. Said the waves are very intimidating because of the reef and it being very shallow. He also said it is nearly imposible to get a trip out there unless you know someone. He used to live in SD and on the same block as Sean Collins so he was invited for the time period when Surfline gets the island. Apparently a long crazy story about how these surf companies made a contract with Fiji gaining them full ownership over the island. Each company gets a week or a month or some **** out of the year to go to the island. Like billiabong gets a month, quick, surfline, and so forth... Since these companies have ownership of the island they also have ownership over the waves. There has been battles back and fourth about this regarding "no one owns the ocean" but it never holds water. Money talks and it is a very sad thing if you ask me. He also said that only during the time period each Sunday for only 2 hours is when any one (me or you) can surf the break. Not even the locals can surf there unless it is okayed by the company who has it that month/week or they surf during the 2 hour window on Sundays when no one is on the island because they are shipping people by boat back and forth. When one group leaves immediately another group arrives. Some weird **** if you ask me... So that is the rundown/history lesson I got and I am not saying it is correct or not but you have to know someone to get onto that island. On top of that it is big bucks unless a sponsor sends you during their time they get the island... There could be some faults to my little story not saying I am perfect but that is what I heard about the great Tavarua. It sort of bummed me out because I know now that is a place I will never surf.
You are probably better off just going to Bali man...hit up G Land if you have some time and have a blast. Best waves you will ever surf (if you have never been there).
I'm not sure about surfing the break if you don't stay at the resort... google "tavarua surf camp" and you'll get at least a couple of different camps/resorts that go on about the famed Cloudbreak and Restaurants...
JMD, Yeah man I heard some stuff like that too...I thought it was bs. But, apparently it's true. The island is privately owned and like you said even the locals need permission to surf there. I'm still planning on going to Fiji but I guess Tav is out of the question. (what a let down) Hopefully, some of the other breaks will be good. I heard Frigates Passage on a good day compares to Cloudbreak. Lighthouse and some other small islands in the area can be good too. Yeah, I heard the reef is gnar gnar....and best bet is to surf at high tide. Thanks for the info...you basically confirmed what I had suspected.
Ya but you need to do some further research into that. This guy I talked to was a reliable source...and he went on a trip there. Said it was him and only 3 other people out for most the trip because these 25 - 27 year old pros go with their wives and the wives get pissed off because they are out surfing the whole time and not with them or some weird ****. He also said that the waves were on the "property lines of the island" so they have full ownership of the waves their which is: Cloud Break, Restaurants, and Tav Rights. He did mention that it is one of those places that once you surf their you check it off the list of places you always wanted to surf and then add it to the don't really care if you go back or not list (because of intimidation and boring when not surfing). He did agree though that Tav holds probably 3 of the best waves on earth and it is a shame only certain people get to surf it. Also, it only takes about 25 mins to walk the whole island... I am not saying he is right about any of this but he is a reliable source that I trust (kinda weird huh?). I do know that the time frame for him to take the trip again (surflines time with the island) is coming up soon and he is debating on the trip again cus he got the invite.
Ya man, you need to let us know how that trip works out. I don't know anything about Fiji other then Tav. Kinda funny because I guess it being so publicized I thought that was the only island that got great surf. I guess I need to do my homework!!! I would love to go to Fiji but when I heard that story I was bummed not really thinking about any of the other islands and surf. I am sure you would catch something good. Anything is better then around here right?
Dude, just do your research before you go. Fiji is pretty damn big, and its comprised of thousands of islands. Tav is in the Northwest, and most of the other breaks are around the south. Fiji is really the kind of place you need a boat, there are just so many damn islands. I'm with the other guy when he said you should maybe consider changing your destination. Fiji just seems kinda a pain, but im sure the surf is amazing. You just as easily go somewhere where the surf is more accessible, but every bit as good. Try Lembongan or Lombok, Bali is way to blown up now.
I've been to Fiji to surf and it's basically what the other posts have said. Tavs is definitely kept on lock down and regulates the line up which I agree with. Not trying to pick a fight with anyone but if this wasn't the case that break would be so over run with locals that tourons wouldn't get any waves. However, there are several breaks within a 10 min boat ride that can be close to empty. Reefs are shallow on the lower tides the clear water will freak you out cause you can see the reefs and fish when you're surfing. I had one hold down where the fish asked me "Why isn't this kook wearing reef boots and a helmet"? People will tell you that you don't need reef boots but that BS. Locals don't wear boots but pasty white folks that live half a world away should wear them for 2 reasons: 1- if you get caught on the inside you will wish you had them, 2- you are half a world away from a proper doctor. FYI Fijians say "Yes" in place of several words such as: "maybe", "I'm unsure", "possibly", and sometimes even "no". So don't bother asking too many questions once your in Fiji.
