7 Night Northern Fiji Discovery Cultural Cruise
On this 7 night Discovery Cultural Cruise, you will circumnavigate Vanua Levu – Fiji’s second’s largest island. Enjoy snorkelling, twilight swims, and discovering 3 different cultures of the Ellice Islanders, Banabas and Fijian people. All meals, water activities and guided island, village and school tours are included in the price, so all you have to do is relax and enjoy this amazing journey to the remote north of Fiji.
Accommodation
All Cabins & Staterooms feature private ensuites and picture style windows.
All Rooms Feature: Private bathroom ensuite, On/off air-conditioning, Hair dryer, Serviced daily, Soaps, Shampoo
Cabins: Open to an inside passageway and have portholes facing the outside. Bedding is 2 Single Beds plus 2 Bunk Beds. Maximum room capacity is 4 Adults & Children.
Staterooms: Located on B and C Deck. Are bright and open onto outside walkways and have picture windows. Bedding is 1 Double Bed OR 2 Single Beds. Maximum room capacity is 2 Adults & Children.
Tabua Staterooms: Located on A Deck and are bright and open, allowing full appreciation of the warm tropical days and open onto outside walkways and have picture windows. Bedding is 1 Double Bed OR 2 Single Beds. Maximum room capacity is 2 Adults & Children. **This room type is no longer available from 01 April 2012.**
Tabua Suite: A bedroom with seperate lounge, chair, desk, LCD screen & DVD player, refrigerator, tea & coffee facilities and second bathroom. Bedding is 1 Double Bed OR 2 Single Beds. Maximum room capacity is 2 Adults & Children.
Dining
Superb dining specialising in fresh local produce is central to life aboard the Reef Endeavour. You will enjoy lavish buffet breakfasts, luncheons that feature fresh Fiji Islands seafood and a la carte dinners with a different menu every night.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Tivua Island: Welcome aboard with a complimentary fruit punch and welcome salusalu (lei) as you set sail for your Fiji Island adventure. This afternoon visit Captain Cook Cruises own exclusive island Tivua; where you can enjoy a twilight swim, snorkel or relax on the beach. Tonight enjoy the special Welcome Dinner and crew entertainment.
Day 2 - Nananu-I-ra, Yadua Island: Cruise the north coast of Viti Levu to beautiful Nananu-i-ra Island for a fabulous morning of sun, sand and snorkelling. After lunch, cruise north to Yadua Island for a rare opportunity to visit the Crested Iguana Sanctuary. For divers, the surrounding reefs are a natural hatchery for gentle Manta Rays where you may come face to face with these beautiful giants.
Day 3 - Kioa Island, Rabi Island: Kioa and Rabi Islands are freehold islands populated by South Sea Islanders. In 2005 Fiji granted them full citizenship. Kioa Island was settled by the people of Tuvalua Island (also called Ellice Island) after they were displaced by rising sea levels. Rabi Island is the home of the Banabas people from Ocean Island in the Pacific. Visit the school, meet the people and enjoy an introduction to the different culture and lifestyles of the Ellice and Banabas Islanders.
Day 4 - Druadrua Island, Kia Island: Crossing the Northeastern tip of Vanua Levu, cruise to idyllic Druadrua Island. Here you can enjoy the beach activities or perfect your snorkelling style before arriving at Kia Island and the world's third longest barrier reef. The Great Sea Reef's prolific marine life include extensive varieties of soft corals and fish. Take a glass bottom boat tour, snorkel or join the Dive Master for an unforgettable experience. Tonight discover the traditional Fijian culture,with a village sevusevu ceremony, meke and lovo feast.
Day 5 - Malau/Labasa, Dreketi River Vanua Levu: Labasa is the largest town on Vanua Levu and lies on a delta formed by three rivers; the Wailevu, the Labasa and the Qawa. Sugar cane is the main industry in this agricultural town. Travel by ship's tender to Labasa town and visit the thriving market of spices, fish, poultry, goat and local products. Seventy kilometres to the southwest lies the Dreketi River. Coursing more than 65km into the interior of Vanua Levu, the Dreketi River is the deepest in Fiji. This afternoon enjoy an opportunity to explore the river by ships tender passing villages and towering rainforests.
Day 6 - Galoa Island, Yaqaqa Island: Before rounding the western coast of Vanua Levu, spend a day enjoying the beach and marine beauty of Galoa and Yaqaqa Islands and the surrounding cays and reefs. Today is yours to do as much or as little as you like. Swim, snorkel, beachcomb or laze on the beach. Take a glass bottom boat tour or enjoy a cocktail by the pool.
Day 7 - Manava Cay Sali Sali Island: Bid farewell to Vanua Levu and make the journey across Bligh Water. This body of water is named after Captain Bligh of Mutiny in the Bounty fame. Bligh, through courage and excellent seamanship - and arguable a return of his good character and leadership qualities - successfully managed to navigate from Tofua, through the Fiji Islands to the Dutch East Indies on a small 7 metre open launch. A harrowing journey over 47 days. The final destination is Manava Cay Sali Sali Island off the north coast of Viti Levu for a customary swim, snorkel and beach activities. This evening don your sulu (sarong) and join all the celebrations of our Pacific Island Night Finale. Pre-dinner cocktails and appetisers are served in the lounge before our gala farewell dinner featuring the music and dance of the South Pacific.
Day 8 - Nadi: Enjoy breakfast before you return to Lautoka Wharf with farewell Isa Lei, disembarking 9.00am
*Please note* Itineraries subject to change due to weather and other operational requirement.
Highlights
- Meet the people of 3 different cultures
- Explore Labasa town and markets
- Circumnavigate Vanua Levu
- Snorkel the Great Sea Reef
- Travel up the Labasa & Dreketi Rivers
- Visit Yadua Iguana Sanctuary and manta ray natural hatchery
- Snorkelling
- Glas bottom boat tours
Inclusions
- Daily island stopovers & water activities
- Guided island, village & school tours
- Snorkelling & glass bottom boat tours
- Use of snorkelling equipment & mini gym
- Tropical island lovo feast & kava ceremony
- Entertainment
- All meals
- 24 hour self-service tea & coffee bar
Vessel Details
MV Reef Endeavours small size and shallow draft make it uniquely suited to navigate the sheltered waters of the Yasawa Islands where coral reefs abound. There are big ship comforts too, including a swimming pool, extensive outdoor leisure decks and an embarkation platform with a lift from water level to the main deck.
Shipboard features include a purpose-built conference room and single sitting dining room. The onboard atmosphere is casual and relaxed. Sarongs and shorts are the daily attire for lazing around the pool, coffee bar and sun deck. At sunset the mood changes to champagne and cocktails in the panoramic lounge, as the dining saloon converts to a sea of white linen, a la carte dining and island entertainment.
Facilities: Swimming pool, Spa, Sauna, Two bars, Lounge, Single sitting dining saloon, Conference room, Sun deck, Chart house, Glass bottom boat, Snorkelling and dive vessels, Library, Video, Guest laundry, Gift shop, 24 hour tea & coffee facilities, Onboard Dive Master
Departures
Departs: 1.00pm (Check-in 12.00noon from Tanoa Waterfront Hotel) Tuesday from Lautoka Wharf on selected dates (see below)
Returns: 9.00am Tuesday
2012: 07Feb, 03Apr, 05Jun, 07Aug, 02Oct, 04Dec
2013: 05Feb
Additional Information
Children: 5-17 years are charged at the child rate. Children under the age of 5 years are not recommended for this style of cruise and are carried at Captain Cook Cruises absolute discretion (existing bedding). Nanny charges are compulsory
Excludes: Drinks, optional tours, personal purchases
What to Bring: Soft sole shoes for walking, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, smart casual clothing
Cancellation Fees: Cancellation fees and conditions apply for bookings cancelled inside 60 days of travel
Fit to travel: A Certificate of Fitness to travel by the clients doctor is required for passengers over 75 years of age and/or passengers with limited mobility
Operated By: Captain Cook Cruises
