Explore: Port Denarau
General Info
Description
Denarau Island with its integrated marina and boatyard, lies on the western side of Nadi Bay, about 15nm south of Lautoka. This is the main tourism hub for Nadi with a busy ferry terminal, shopping center, several resorts, a water park and a golf course within walking distance of the marina.
Cruiser Highlights
Only 20 minutes drive from Nadi International Airport, the marina offers good protection from all weather and is accessed via a well-marked channel that is 5 meters deep at zero tide. There is a natural cyclone protection area in the mangroves adjacent the marina (see details below under docking).
Has a variety of cruising amenities including a boatyard with haulout facilities; skilled tradesman; chandleries; provisioning; shopping.
This is now an official Port of Entry for Fiji.
Position: 17º 45.73’S, 177º 23.16’E (entrance channel)
Clearance
General Clearance
All authorities come to the marina for inward clearance, Customs, Health and Immigration and are reported to be very efficient. Fees must be paid in cash – there is an ATM close by.
Operation hours for Port of Entry clearance are: Monday to Friday 0800hrs – 1600 hrs. Contact the Port Control on Channel 14/16 and request entry into port.
International Clearance
Ensure you fly the ‘Q’ flag. Refer to the main Fiji Formalities page for detailed clearance information.
Port Denarau was granted Port of Entry status in 2017 and can provide clearance for yachts with a booking at the marina. Send a copy of your pre-arrival paperwork to the marina to smooth the way for your arrival and clearance.
For outward clearance, only Customs and Immigration are required, however, an overnight booking at the marina with a prior notice of 48hrs before departure is still required so that officials can schedule accordingly.
Domestic Clearance
It is no longer necessary to clear in and out of each Customs region visited, (Suva: Levuka: Savusavu: Lautoka: Lau Group: Rotuma:). Yachts can now clear out of the port of entry with a permit to cruise all Fijian coastal waters within the bounds of their cruising permit. There is however a requirement to report your position and current cruising plans once a week. This can easily be done by:
– VHF Ch:16
– Telephone: 324 3782/3747/3315
– Customs Hotline: 324 3666
– E-mail: [email protected]
Last updated: April 2019
Docking
Anchorages
It is possible to anchor just outside the marina channel. There is also an anchorage just south of Akuilau Island in the southern end of Nadi Bay.
Moorings
There are swing moorings managed by the marina that hold yachts up to 15m in length.
Dinghy Docks
There is a dinghy dock located next to Rhum Ba restaurant on the private dock. It is also possible to tie a dinghy at the commercial dock near the Hard Rock Cafe and behind the fuel dock.
Cyclone Season
During cyclone season the marina works hard to have procedures in place to ensure that all vessels needing protection have access to the cyclone hole in the mangroves. For yachts that need deeper water, it would be prudent to plan to head in a tide or two before the last high tide before the storm, to make certain entry is possible before the local commercial operators block the entrance (they tend to position themselves closest to the exit so they are ready to resume operations as soon as the bad weather passes).
The marina holds a meeting at the start of every cyclone season with all commercial and private yacht owners to discuss the procedure and positioning of all yachts that are planning to be in the area (whether they are marina guests or not). There is quite a bit of space as long as everyone works together.
See news item: Fiji: Viti Levu – Cruisers Prepare for 2018/19 Cyclone Season
Marinas:
Port Denarau Marina has private berths with power and water for monohulls, multihulls, and super yachts. It is advisable to book in advance during the busy season from May to September. There is good provisioning here with a supermarket, pharmacy and bakery at the end of the dock and Nadi and Namaka towns only a short bus or taxi ride away.
Last updated: April 2019
