Tavarua, Fiji

[slim]

Any mags been to Tavarua? I'm getting married next year and have been put in charge of planning my honeymoon. Skiing NZ is part II but the old lady wants surfing in Fiji to be part I.

I'm a total surf jong that spends most of my time getting beat up by a longboard in the Nor Cal shore break. Is it worth the big bucks to stay at Tavarua if all I'm going to do is play with a soft-top at Kiddieland? The future Mrs. Slim is a solid intermediate but I'm not sure she's ready to get barreled at Cloudbreak.

In summary, we're going to Fiji, I'm just trying to decide if it's worth the money to hit up Tavarua as opposed to staying somewhere else for a lot less money but potentially not getting the name-brand surf that is Tavarua.

[mountainbored]

Tavarua is very pricey and hard to book. Might not get your moneys worth if you can even get on due to the fact both star waves there are pretty heavy with shallow reefs; but perfect. The next island over is Namatu which is still spendy but a little easier to get reservations.
I was on Fiji for a month and we surfed some main island reef passes as well as spending alot of time out at Frigates Pass (very much like Cloudbreak). Boats will take you out to the many "secret" reefs around the islands for a price. A really cool place we stayed is The Hideaway on the Coral Coast. Very nice, reasonable and a sweet little right straight out in front. They have a web sight.
Hope you go, because it is one of the most beautiful places w/ the friendliest people on earth; not to mention great waves.

[Superstar Punani]

Originally posted by slim
Any mags been to Tavarua? I'm getting married next year and have been put in charge of planning my honeymoon. Skiing NZ is part II but the old lady wants surfing in Fiji to be part I.

I'm a total surf jong that spends most of my time getting beat up by a longboard in the Nor Cal shore break. Is it worth the big bucks to stay at Tavarua if all I'm going to do is play with a soft-top at Kiddieland? The future Mrs. Slim is a solid intermediate but I'm not sure she's ready to get barreled at Cloudbreak.

In summary, we're going to Fiji, I'm just trying to decide if it's worth the money to hit up Tavarua as opposed to staying somewhere else for a lot less money but potentially not getting the name-brand surf that is Tavarua.

My 2 cents....

Is it on the same trip? If so it will be a bitch to haul your skis and boards....(Pulled a ski/surf trip in 96, hauling a 2-board, 2 ski quiver thru Switz, France, Canada, Tahoe, UT, Philippines, Bali....NOT fun at airports).

I'm assuming it's on the same trip since Fiji is a stopover when flying to NZ.

If it's not on the same trip., then I suggest the Maldives instead. My bud went there on his honeymoon and they said it was the best trip ever. Good varieti of waves, cool people, etc. Tavarua is hard to get into (waiting lists, etc...., expen$ive, and the waves are gnar if you're gonna be learning.)

Take your boards to NZ anyway. When you're done with skiing hit up the long-ass lefts of Raglan.

[Superstar Punani]

Holy Ass...forget what I said, just learn as much as you can between now and your honeymoon so you can score these....

http://www.photopete.com/cloudbreak/tav98_21.30a-c.JPG

The Maldivian resort my bud went to was Lofuhushi or something.....

Lohifushi...close
http://www.wavehunters.com/maldives/maldives_lohi.asp

That's a poon palace if I ever saw one
http://www.wavehunters.com/maldives/jpegs/images_lohi.jpg

http://www.wavehunters.com/maldives/jpegs/lohis_surf2.jpg

[Baconzoo]

I stashed my snowboards in a Fijian Travel office once. I was worried but they were fine. Congrats on tieing the knot! Find a shop or rep in Christchurch who will stash your surf boards because you don't want to loose them to Kia birds.

[Bluebird]

I just got back from my honeymoon trip to Fiji and stayed at a resort called Musket Cove. Cloudbreak and Wilkes were right around the corner and they had long boat trips out to the breaks for about $25 fiji(about 15 US). Great time and probably the most beautiful place I have ever visited. We didn't surf due to the fact that the only surfing I have done was getting tossed around the Jersey shore as a kid. Those breaks looked insane and I am not sure even safe for an intermediate surfer. We did use a surf travel company to book the trip and it worked out great. The best non ski trip I have ever taken. Take a look at wavehunters.com. If you give them a call talk to Henry, he is the man when it comes to Fiji. We stayed at the resort for 7 nights and spent 3 nights on a 36 foot yacht/sailboat called the Safari. The captain and his wife were some of the chillest people I have ever met. Usually they run a surf charter, or take out honeymooners. The captain is an ex surf pro/board designer/surf bum. He would fit in around here!

[Bluebird]

My bad, looks like someone already posted a link to wavehunters. Regardless, definately a cool outfit.