At the heart of the South Pacific and dotted in sparkling turquoise waters, 333 islands form Fiji; where happiness finds you and as Brooke Tolar discovered, Fiji all these stunning islands is the perfect place for a cruise.
Rich in natural beauty, unique culture and the friendliest population on the planet, Fiji is a the perfect getaway for all tastes and budgets, and is much closer than you think – less than 4 hours from Sydney. It boasts an abundance of activities and accommodation options amid a vision of tropical paradise, but with so much of its land surrounded by water, it makes sense that cruising the islands is one of the best ways to explore the country.
With so much of its land surrounded by water, it makes sense that cruising the islands is one of the best ways to explore the country!
What I love is that you unpack once and wake up in a different picturesque location each day on a cruise. There are a number of different cruise options with Captain Cook Cruises. There is the Fiji seven-night Yasawa Islands and Mamanuca cruise and remote Northern Discovery Cruises.
You can visit parts of Fiji larger ships cannot reach and discover Fijian culture, deserted beaches and some of the most dramatic scenery in the South Pacific aboard the 130-passenger, fully accommodated and newly refurbished MV Reef Endeavour cruise ship.
7-night Yasawa Islands and Mamanuca cruise
The seven-night Yasawa Islands and Mamanuca cruise combines the three and four-night Southern and Northern Yasawa Islands and Mamanuca cruises.
The cruise visits Tivua Island, Monu Island, Naviti Island, Brother Island, Drawaqa, Sacred Island and Mononki – the island where Tom Hank’s movie Castaway was filmed, for snorkelling, diving, swimming, paddle boarding and escorted glass bottom boating and Kayak tours in aquamarine waters filled with picturesque coral and sea life.
Explore the limestone caves at Sawa-l-Lau, and as the Reef Endeavour cruises the spectacular passage from Yaqeta Island to the Yasawa’s northern reaches, sit back and enjoy the amazing scenery.
Visit the islands of Yasawa and Waya for a guided walk through the villages and local schools.
Hike to the top of the mountains for amazing views and at Monu Island experience a special village choral service and at the Fijian village of Gunu, be part of a traditional Fijian feast, Lovo and Cultural performance, Meke.
7-night Colonial Fiji Discovery Cruise
The seven nights Colonial Fiji Discovery Cruise reveals the unique history, art and culture of the Northern Fiji Islands and allows passengers the ultimate experience of standing’ on the International Dateline.
The cruise visits the historic island of Ovalau which features 19th Century colonial architecture and waterfront promenades from colonial rule and on Makogai Island experience a traditional Fijian ceremony, enjoy a walking tour of Makogai leper colony and nursery, home to giant clams and turtles and visit a local primary school, for a song and dance performance from the children.
Explore Savusavu, positioned on an extinct volcanic crater and choose from a selection of optional tours including a visit to the hot springs, pearl farm and thriving markets.
At Taveuni Island visit Bouma Waterfall National Park for a chance to view or hike a series of natural waterfalls, and swim in the Bouma Waterfall Lagoon before visiting Naselesele Village and their handicraft markets.
For an experience not to be missed, join the special children’s choral church service at Wairiki before standing on the famous 180th Meridian – the arbitrary Dateline between today and tomorrow on Taveuni Island.
7-night 4 Cultures Discovery Cruise
The seven nights 4 Cultures Discovery Cruise is the first ever Fiji cruise to circumnavigate Vanua Levu, Fiji’s second largest island.
Living up to its name, this cruise provides the ultimate chance to discover and experience four distinctive Fijian cultures, Ellice Islanders (Polynesians), Banabans (Micronesia), Fijian and Indians and visits untouched villages and schools.
Be taken on a historical cultural journey through an amazing show of song and dance by the Polynesian’s (Ellice Islanders) of Kioa Island and discover the home and history of the Banabans people on Rabi Island before a show of dance by villagers in traditional tribal costumes.
A colourful morning will be spent at Labasa Town, home to a vast number of Fijian Indians and a town not regularly visited by many tourists. Visit a Hindu snake temple and see the growing rock, before shopping in the many stores along the main street and explore the large market which sells a range of foods, spices, fish, poultry, goats and other local products. Then be entertained by a Bollywood style dance troop (Indian).
Enjoy a Safari down the Dreketi River and visit Druadrua Primary School on Druadrua Island. Here school children will not only entertain with an amazing cultural show filled with singing and dancing, but passengers will be led by the hand around the school, visiting classrooms, being shown children’s work and seeing how a real Fijian school operates.
As well as being immersed in Fijian culture there is plenty of time on every cruise for relaxing on white sandy beaches, swimming, kayaking and paddle boarding in crystal clear waters and snorkelling and glass bottom boating over amazing coral reefs. The ship is equipped with a hydraulic platform ensuring boarding and disembarking the glass bottom boating is easy.
Experience the underwater world with mind blowing scuba diving operated by Viti Water Sports, a PADI5 Star Dive Centre Dive. Two dives are offered daily and always in different locations.
On board the Reef Endeavour boasts a pool, two jacuzzis on the open sun deck, Senikai Day Spa, a mini-gymnasium, cocktail bar, restaurant, lounge and library.
www.captaincookcruisesfiji.com
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