This is a sample itinerary because activities often arise spontaneously (a sudden invitation from a villager, dolphins or whales swimming by, the discovery of a new dive site, weather changes, etc), and because we don't want anything carved in stone.
Monday: Natewa Bay, Vanua Levu
A scenic drive along pristine coastline takes you from Savusavu to Natewa Bay. Upon boarding and checking in to your stateroom or cabin, enjoy a snack and a complimentary foot massage from our onboard spa therapist.
Then it's time to get wet. The morning snorkeling and dive outings feature a chance to see a resident pod of spinner dolphins. After lunch onboard it's time for sea kayaking. Paddle along the protected coastline of Natewa Bay (the 2nd largest bay in the Southern Hemisphere). Natewa Bay is a magically quiet location with no signs of development or visitors from the modern world. The coastline varies from white sandy beaches to black volcanic cliffs, and a few stretches of mangroves. Tui Tai will set sail around 5pm as the sun sets behind us.
Activities: Guided Snorkeling "Split Rock," Dolphin Viewing, Sea Kayak "Natewa Bay Coastline"
Scuba Diving (1): "Natewa No Cry"
Tuesday: Kioa Island
Welcome to the island of Kioa, the only island in Fiji whose people are Polynesian. Originally from the island nation of Tuvalu, the Kioans are masters of handicrafts and fishing. We'll typically see Kioan fisherman wave to us as they paddle out to sea in their hand-made outrigger canoes. Around midday, we'll usually visit the village and learn from their elders how these people came to live in Fiji.
This is a great day to get wet! Both the snorkeling and scuba diving sites are considered the best in all of Fiji. Divers will explore the renowned "Rainbow Reef" region of dive sites, within the Somosomo Straits. Snorkelers will visit prolific, healthy gardens of coral at "The Farm" and "Nakawa Point." Today also provides great opportunities for non-divers to try a "Discover Scuba Dive" with our Dive Instructor.
In the afternoon we'll explore the Tunuloa Peninsula on mountain bikes. You can expect to meet people from villages we pass by (and usually a few kids waving and yelling BULA!). Bird lovers might spot the rare and beautiful Silktail. This small black bird is endemic to the islands of Taveuni and Vanua Levu, and has recently been classified as a "Near Threatened" species.
Activities: Guided Snorkeling The Farm, Mountain Biking Buca Bay Coastal Trail, Polynesian Village Visit Salia Village
Scuba Diving (4): "Great White Wall (weather and tide permitting)," "Rainbow Passage," "Black Magic," "Black Magic (Night Dive)
Wednesday: Taveuni Island
Welcome to Taveuni, the Garden Island of Fiji. Experience lush rainforests and gushing waterfalls as you visit the Bouma National Heritage Park. One of Fiji" best conservation and Ecotourism success stories, the National Heritage Park includes 3 sets of waterfalls where you can relax and swim.
After breakfast, set out on mountain bikes along Bouma Road. You'll pass several villages along the way (remember to smile, wave, and say "Bula!"). The ride is approximately 45-minutes and includes several hills, making it moderately strenuous, so some guests opt to take a van transfer to the park instead of biking. Once we reach the park, the first set of waterfalls is a short 10-minute walk along a nice trail. There's a huge pool for swimming, making it an ideal place to relax, enjoy a massage right in front of the pounding waterfalls!
In the afternoon, we have a short sail to the island of Qamea. We will visit tiny and remote Togo Village for a tour and Melanesian cultural performance.
Activities: Mountain Biking "Bouma Road," Hiking "Bouma National Heritage Park" and the "Tavoro Waterfalls," Melanesian Village Visit "Togo Village"Scuba Diving (2): "Purple Wall," "Seven Bommies," "Black Rock"
Thursday, Cobia Island, Ringgolds
By now, you'll be far away from any main islands, anchored alongside seven tiny atolls. Known as the Ringgold Isles, each is surrounded by a barrier reef that drops into the deep blue sea. Within the reef is a magnificent lagoon, teeming with life and remarkable colors.
We like to spend most of the day near the stunning island of Cobia, a sunken volcanic crater, the inside of which has filled with sea water, forming a mystic lagoon. In the morning we will hike to the summit of the crater. The trail is an interesting terrain of natural steps formed by large tree roots. The island is home to a handful of wild goats and a dense population of fruit bats.
In the afternoon, you can explore the inside of the crater on a kayak. Many guests describe the feeling of floating around the inside of the crater as sublime, experiencing a mix of geologic power and supernatural superstition. The crater edges drop steeply from the summit down to the sea level and the coast varies from mangrove to black rock.
Throughout this day, you'll have excellent opportunities for snorkeling and scuba diving. This location usually offers some of the clearest ocean waters on earth. Since the islands are small and positioned in the middle of the deep sea, the visibility often exceeds 120 feet (36 meters). We'll eat lunch on one of the best beaches in the world, one that only Tui Tai passengers get to enjoy. There are 4 beaches on Cobia Island, lovely places to walk, and you can even enjoy a massage as we set up a spa right on the island.
Activities: Hiking "Cobia Crater Summit," Guided Snorkeling "True Blue," Sea Kayaking "Cobia Crater and Ringgold Atolls"
Scuba Diving (3): "Kokoda Point," "Wall Street," "Eel Diamond"
Friday, Rabi Island
Rabi Island is another of Northern Fiji's hidden treasures, rich in history and natural beauty. It is now inhabited by Micronesian people relocated from the equatorial islands of Kiribati after World War II. In the afternoon, you can meet these unusual people, hear their stories and experience their culture. Micronesians are famous for elaborate and powerful dances.
From the village settlement of Tabiang, you can set out on mountain bikes for a scenic ride that includes a beautiful view of the Tunuloa Peninsula and the mouth of Natewa Bay.
In the afternoon, settle in on one of the best white sand beaches in all of Fiji. Enjoy great snorkeling right from the beach, take a sea kayak over to tranquil Albert Cove , enjoy a beach volleyball challenge, or, as always, relax. Weather permitting (which we could say about everything) dinner will be served on this beach in true Pacific Islander style. Watch as the underground oven is created by the chefs.
Activities: Guided Snorkeling "Dolphin Bay," Micronesian Dance Performance, Mountain Biking "Tabiang to Nuku"
Scuba Diving (3): "Kesteven" Corner," "Yellowstone," "Purple Haze"
Saturday: Taveuni Island, Lavena Village
Also part of the Bouma National Heritage Park is the Lavena Coast. This rugged coastline stretches along the eastern side of Taveuni and contains over 100 waterfalls!
Our exact route depends on the wind and tides. Usually we begin the day on kayaks launched from a white-sand beach in front of Lavena Village. We'll kayak for about 45 minutes along the coast to the Nacawa River. The river mouth opens and we can continue on kayak about 5 more minutes to a lagoon surrounded by lush rainforest. The lagoon is fed by a staircase of 3 large waterfalls. You can paddle your kayak right into the bottom-most waterfall.
After a swim at the Nacawa River Falls, we'll kayak back out of the river, about 10-minutes to a landing site on a black-sand beach. From here, we'll set out on foot hiking the Lavena Coastal Walk. 20-minutes of moderate trail takes us to a river lagoon. From here we have to swim, about 100 feet, to get to a cathedral-like pool with 2 waterfalls emptying into.
On the return hike you will see a variety of beautiful landscapes that make the national park such a treasure: rainforests, waterfalls, rivers, white sand beaches and more. Our naturalist guide will point out some of Fiji's exotic birds, herbal medicines and important wild crops.
Activities: Sea Kayaking "Lavena Coast," Hiking "Lavena Coastal Trail,"Scuba Diving (3): "Stillwater," "Black Rock,"
Sunday: Albert Cove, Rabi Island
We return to the island of Rabi, but this time to a different side. Albert Cove is a beautifully protected harbor featuring one of the best white sand beaches in all of Fiji.
This is a great spot to enjoy an idyllic tropical playground. Imagine you were stranded on a deserted tropical island and all you had was - well, everything! You can kayak, snorkel, scuba dive or just take in a private, remote beach. Swim, relax, play volleyball, have a massage on the beach.
Activities:Guided Snorkeling "Albert Cove," Sea Kayaking "Albert Cove"Scuba Diving (3):"Albert's Wall," "Fat Albert," "Hard Coral Cafe"
Monday, Savusavu
Time to say good-bye (and start plans for your next Tui Tai voyage, maybe next year?). Here; are a few words from the farewell song: "i levu tu na ua "mai na Tui Tai, nanuma tiko ga." This means "Soon you'll be sailing far across the sea; but please sometime just try and remember us and remember the Tui Tai." Activities: Singing of the farewell song "Isa Lei"
Optional Activities
Includes
- All activities (see below)
- Meals
- Taxes
- Transfers
- Sea Kayaking: Natewa Bay Coastline
- Guided Snorkeling "Pipedream"
- Dolphin Viewing
- Salia Village Visit
- Cobia Island, Ringgold Island Atolls
- Hike to Cobia Island Volcanic Summit
- Mountain Biking:"Tabiang to Nuku"
- Dolphin Viewing
- Micronesian Village Visit
- Medical Supplies Distribution, Education and Assessment
Not Included
- Spa treatments
- Bar purchases
- International airfare
- Tips and gratuities
- Visa and passport costs
- Travel insurance
- Domestic Flights
- Vaccination Costs
- Personal Spending Money
- Meals where not listed
- Drinks
- Airport departure taxes
- Border taxes or fees
Joining Instructions
This program is a cruise only. Pre and post accommodation is available. transfer to and from the cruse start /finish point can be arranged based on chosen accommodation.
Please ask for more details.
Notes
From price based on 7 day itinerary
5 Day Itineraries available
Dive Itineraries available
Getting There
Air Pacific is Fiji,s international carrier that has direct flights from Auckland, Christchurch, Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, Honolulu, Los Angeles, Vancouver and Narita (Japan). Air Pacific is a full partner of the Qantas Frequent Flyer programme and has code-share arrangements.
Other airlines that fly into Fiji are Qantas, Air New Zealand, Korean Air and Pacific Blue.
Currency
Name Fiji Dollar
Symbol F$ Bank notes come in denominations of two, five, 10, 20 and 50 dollars. Even though Fiji is now a republic, notes and coins still have a picture of England's Queen Elizabeth II on one side.
The dollar is broken down into 100 cents. The following coin denominations exist in cents - one, two, five, 10, 20, 50. There is also a F$1.00 coin.
