Kevin Rush says:
Jan 18, 2019 02:16 PM

Vuda Marina, I am happy to give a very positive recommendation to Ritesh Kumar, an independent mechanic. For us, he did an excellent job servicing and repairing diesel engines and finding an issue with an outboard that the local authorized dealer had not been able to diagnose. He stays with the job until it is complete, working late and on weekends if necessary. His rates are very competitive and he is straightforward to deal with. See listing above for contact details.

We have been in Fiji for 3 years. Vuda Marina is our home base and we love it. However, it is unique in its design with all the boats being moored in a circle. When entering you will be met by staff in a long boat to guide you to your spot. You will need 2 EXTRA long stern lines, in addition to 2 bowlines. Give the stern lines to the guy in the boat. He will attach then to the mooring ball in the centre. Give the bow lines to the dock staff who will tie them to rings on the wall. Boats are very close together to put out all the finders that you have

Just returned from delivering a J133 from Melbourne (Aust) – cleared at Lautoka (Saturday, so no clearance at Vuda)and made our way to Vuda, who were expecting us (radioed ahead)- clapped and cheered by restaurant & bar staff as we were escorted into the small marina – staff took our lines and snugged us in.

These guys were fantastic – nothing was too much trouble – they even arranged for our laundry (13 days of serious weather meant everything was wet!) and had it washed, ironed and folded back to us within 3 hrs!! (3 lots of gear for $40!)As stated – staff were really attentive and helpful, organising airport transfers and refuelling without an issue. The restaurant was great, beer was frosty and prices very reasonable – The owner is thinking of leaving the boat there over the cyclone season in the pits – rates were very attractive. Good facilities.Friendly. Helpful. Reasonably priced. Best I’ve marina I’ve encountered in….a long while.

After 3yrs in and out of Vuda Marina, as we tour Fiji, we have found it nothing short of Wonderful. In response to the listed comments about contractors, we have found them to be the same as in the states, you must watch and supervise them all. Yep, parts can be difficult, but aren’t we in the middle of the Pacific on somewhat remote islands? We have had many parts shipped in and found the customs and revenue departments to be honest and forthright about any fees. The layout of the marina can be a challenge if you refuse to listen to the harbour staff, but with their guidance and support, even on weekends, we have never had any issues coming and going from the docks.

Our personal experience while coming and going both on weekends and even after hours has been wonderful, as long as we call in to let them know our approximate time of arrival. I witnessed the incident that Alex is referring to; the lines on the well-marked bouys were not the issue. I do hope they win the awards for service and value because the staff here is one of the best we have encountered in our travels from the states.

The statement made on another post about “family” couldn’t be more accurate. They will always call you by name and give you a heartfelt BULA when they see you and help you with anything you can think to ask. Apologies for the rants, but I felt obligated to reply to such a partial, unfair post about a marina we have fell in love with.

The place is nothing short of disappointing. There are some “contractors” which are incompetent even for the simplest jobs, to get one of them to sand some rust and paint over is impossible, better do it yourself, you will save some money, you will do it faster and most importantly, you will do it right! Feels like everyone is just trying to get their hands in your pockets.

The marina itself is not all that good, instead of having fingers for the boats, all the boats go head on to the wharf and the boat is secured by ropes hanging in the water from buoys. There are plenty of leftover ropes for the propellers to get stuck on and if that happens on a weekend, you will have to wait until Monday for someone to come and get the rope out. To get spare parts means to order them from either New Zealand or Australia and that waits a week if you are fortunate. Fiji may be a nice place, but in my experience, feels like a very slow moving version of hell