Cruise Tours to Southern Lau Islands

1. • The Southern Lau Islands, the southeastern archipelago of Fiji, are home to hundreds of tiny, mostly uninhabited islands spotting the South Pacific. Off limits for decades by the Fijian government, these islands are now open to visitors traveling with a permitted company. Cruising by sea is the only way to reach most of these tiny islands, and some vessels offer the traveler some modern comforts on-board. Due to the low demand for tourism to these islands (mostly due to heavy government restrictions), travelers lucky enough to be granted access will experience the almost completely unspoiled nature and culture of Fiji.

   Traditional Cruises

   • Due to the shallow waters and lack of tourism demand, the Southern Lau islands are impossible to navigate in one of the modern cruise vessels. None of the major cruise lines offer an itinerary to this region, which is virtually untouched by modern civilization. Many travelers are drawn to these islands for this reason---the lack of crowds of tourists.

   Private Vessel Rentals

   • Adrenalin Fiji offers a full yacht rental, including captain and crew, which cruises through the uncharted waters of the Southern Lau Islands. This is a very pricey option with a nightly rate of $ 7,998 USD as of 2010, not including fuel, food or other incidentals. However, for a discerning traveler more interested in intimacy and luxury, the private yachts of Adrenalin Fiji offer exactly the thrill you may be looking for. Two yachts, MV Bell'mare and MV Opulence, are available for rental.

     Adrenalin Fiji

     P.O. Box PD 29 Denarau Island, Shop 08

     Port Denarau, Nadi, Fiji

     +1-679-675-0061

     adrenalinfiji.com

   Dive Cruises

   • Divers will be amazed at the diversity of sites located throughout the Southern Lau Islands. Most sites are recommended for experienced divers only; however, there are certified dive cruises that give less experienced divers the chance to explore the region with a personal guide. Fiji Escapes Travel offers five-day dive trips aboard their vessel, Fiji Agressor II. These dive cruises cater especially to dive photographers, with an on-board photo lab. Quotes are provided on an individual basis.

     Fiji Escapes Travel

     +1-213-784-6143

     mccoytravel.com

   Cruise Tours

   • Calidex, a tour company specializing in Australasia and Oceania groups, performs annual tours to the Southern Lau Islands each year in September. This 10-night cruise will take you to some of the most isolated islands in Oceania. Calidex boasts that many of their guests are the first to have stepped on many of the Southern Lau Islands, granting a unique opportunity to visit uninhabited islands in the same state they have been in for thousands of years. Not to mention that their tour is limited to only 18 guests, making it a very intimate tour of the islands.

     Calidex Tours

     20979 Saraview Court

     Saratoga, CA 95070

     +1-408-867-3586

     calidex.com

   One-Way Cruises

   • Travelers with a bit more adventure in their hearts can find cheaper fares on cargo/passenger vessels that transport goods between the islands in Southern Lau. Lonely Planet recommends using the MV Tunatuki from Saliabasaga Shipping, which makes trips twice monthly to the Southern Lau Islands. Lonely Planet warns that these trips can take upward of a week to reach the farthest islands, therefore planning ahead is necessary.

     Saliabasaga Shipping

     Walu Bay

     Suva, Fiji

     +330-3403

Posted in: Cruises and Ferries