Wingfoiling Fiji?

Hey Andy,

I lived in Fiji some years ago, so hopefully my info can help you figure out some options. Though I didn't do any wind sports there, I was hyper aware of the wind due to my RC slope glider obsession (as well as being a pilot).

First off, where are you planning to be in Fiji? The windward side is on the East, so any islands in Fiji will see the most consistency there. There are some daily seabreezes from the west (which was what I mainly worked with for slope flying, as the west side is much drier and has lovely grassy slopes).

As for good spots to foil, should be fairly easy to find, studying google earth will show where the reefs are and anything else is going to be sandy bottom. Now that I think of it, there was an awesome little place that some expats set up for kite boarding (lodging, rentals, lessons, etc) off the north end of Viti Levu (main island where Nadi and the international airport is). It's called Safari Lodge, on Nananu-i-Ra island. seems to still be going.

Otherwise, can't help you too much. Fiji is a great place though, and I should love to go back for some winging some day! Definitely has very consistent winds, just avoid Cyclone season.

Clarke

Wondering same thing, we are going to Malolo island in September, not sure if it's worth taking gear

Having just bailed on a nz snowboarding trip next week (bugger all snow ??) me and the Mrs were looking at other last minute potential options also and fiji did get a mention.

Issues seem to come down to not blowing budget massively and getting conditions to suit both of us.

I'm into wave foiling - either wing or sup and although the Mrs sup surfs and wings she wouldn't be chasing the same as me. Difficult I know.

Anyone shed light on the above spot with regard ro waves as it seems to be in the wrong area and I would think only offering flat water/wind chop - is this the case and if so can someone advise on potential spits for either wing and surf foil or just one of the two.

Have obv researched the obv spots around namuto but all in with the potential swells this time of year and daily boat trips I'm not convinced they will get the nod of approval from the other half

Cheers Ry

We have windsurfed at Nanana-i-ru about 10 years ago. The winds were light while we were there however wind is always hit and miss. We went to Aitutaki and on the way in we met a guy on the way out, kited once in 2 weeks, we missed 1 day over our 2 weeks. The bay Safari Lodge is on is very shallow at low tide and even at high tide you had to dodge the small coral reefs around the bay. You could go further offshore if the wind is good, check on a rescue boat. We saw people kiting in the middle of the waterway between the island and mainland. There isn't much else to do on the island if you can't sail / wing. I would check the wind forecast and go from there. Take repair kit to fix bladders etc, coral is murder on wings.

I wouldn't recommend Safari, it appears some people like the way it is run, others not, very polarising.

This shows the general strength and direction. windy.app/forecast2/spot/349097/Nananu-I-Ra+Safari+Lodge/statistics

hope you enjoy your time there

I'm heading for Nanui-I-ra in a week & staying at McDonalds Cottages. V reasonably priced clean cabins a 7 minute walk from the bay you launch from. Wind was v consistent at 15 knots every day this time last year.
Don't fly air Fiji as they only allow one bag & charge $240 each way for a second bag plus $65 oversize fee.

My mini-review.

I just spent a week at Safari Lodge with a mate who wings. We shared a waterfront Bure. It was basic, clean, and a good size, only 20m from the water's edge. Exactly what we needed. The property is on the waterfront, with direct access to the beach. Plenty of hammocks and lounge chairs for those who want to take it easy. A massive lawn for rigging and drying gear. We also had a pair of kiters from Goldie and a family from Auckland (the husband was a beginner wingers). Plus, another kiter and winger who travelled on their own and stayed in the dorm. The rest of us stayed in the beachfront Bures.

Most importantly, we had wind every single day. Mostly in the 12-15 knot range, which increased to 20 knots by mid-afternoon. Mostly used 5.5/6m2 wings and 12/15 kites. We went down to 4.4 wings and 9/11 kites in the mid-afternoon.

The bay in front of the lodge is massive. As others have said, the coral is exposed at low tide. And then you need to walk a couple of hundred metres to a safe launch spot, no drama. We used the boat every day. We had a skipper's meeting at 11 AM and then decided on the plan for the day. Usually, there were some freshly baked treats and coffee/tea at the same time. We chose the option of a boat trip to a spot, either 5 km or 8 km upwind. The spots offer butter-smooth water behind the exposed coral when the tides drop sufficiently and only light ripples once the water covers the coral. The anchor spots were chosen to optimise for wind direction. The 5km anchor spot offers a 5 km long reef if you really want to ride for such a long time in one direction. Both spots offer a vast, vast terrain for sailing. The spots also have channels in the coral, so you can link different parts of the "park" and find channels with wind chop. At the end of the flat water session, we would sail DW home and stay in a channel to ride the wind swell.

In terms of wind, this spot is exposed to the SE tradewinds. The wind blows in cycles of several days on, a couple of days off. We were told the cycle is typically nine days on and two days off. We had 7 days of wind. The wind stopped blowing the day we left and two days later, the forecast was one for another several-day run, just a much stronger wind forecast than what we had. Windy.app is very accurate in terms of forecast.

We liked it so much that we have already put our names down for the same week next year.

The place and experience met and exceeded my expectations. As I wrote last time, I hoped for "warm weather, high confidence in the forecast, all-day winds, warm water and sunshine during the AU winter at a reasonable price with friendly locals and not too far away." I got all of that and more.

Anyone know what Fiji winds are like in February and March?

Anyone know about the conditions around Pacific Harbour for wingfoil (Jan to Apr)? Wind, entering the water, shallow or not, surf?
If I search it on Windy app it shows up with a 'kite icon' next to it.