Fiji

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An online cruising guide for yachts sailing around Fiji.

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Fiji
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Flag
Capital: Suva
Language: English, Fijian, Hindi
Currency: Fijian Dollar
More notes about the country
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Content - news items, etc.
Latest News
Important Announcement effective 10 April 2009

Warning: On this date, the President of Fiji has abrogated the Constitution and has announced the implementation of the Public Emergency Regulations (PER) - effectively martial law. At this instance in time, the general public is yet to be made aware of the full ramifications, however, my opinion (not a fact, just an opinion), is if you have weapons on board, whether or not you intend to declare them, is to not take the risk of checking into Fiji; there is just too much nervousness on the part of the new Legal Order, and the military (of which the police is now effectively a branch of) are empowered to do anything they feel is necessary to preserve the public order without repercussions.

Second, it has come to our attention that a visiting yacht was THOUROUGHLY searched as a consequence of failing to properly complete the form C.2.C being an indicator of a potential wrong-doer. Nothing was found, of course (maybe a lost wrench in the bilge???), but to avoid any inconvience, please do not leave blanks on the C.2.C; if something is not applicable, enter 'n/c' in the appropriate blank.

Lastly, discussions with the old/new Attorney-General has indicated that the government remains firm in its resolve to encourage cruising tourism, and I believe what was expressed was quite genuine. However, until things settle out a bit more, caution is strongly advised, as well as keeping any private opinions private.

21st Nov '08.
Yesterday, Commodore Bainimarama, Fiji's Prime Minister, announced in his annual budget that the duty-free stay for yachts is back to where it used to be-12 months with an extention to 18 months upon application.

The 9 month out of country rule has been dropped also, so if you cut your Fiji stay short to run to NZ for the summer, you can return without penalty come fall.

Further, on 1 January, there is supposed to be released a 'National Yacht Policy', which will address, amoungst other things, 'superyachts'.

This is very much a major step in the right direction in recognising the importance of yachts to Fiji's tourism sector!

Fiji (also known as the Fiji Islands), is a Melanesian country in the South Pacific Ocean. It lies about two-thirds of the way between/from Hawaii to New Zealand and consists of an archipelago of 332 islands, a handful of which make up most of the land area, and approximately 110 of which are inhabited.

Fiji lies on the 180 degree longitude line (which crosses land on a remote tip of Vanua Levu and again near the centre of Taveuni), so that the international date line squiggles east, to place the whole of Fiji in one time zone and therefore, "ahead" of most of the rest of the world.
The background and history of Fiji is best observed on [Wikipedia]

Describe the Cruising and sailing in the region here...??

Fiji Climate & Weather

The Fiji climate is tropical marine with only slight seasonal temperature variation. Tropical cyclones can occur from November to January (but not exclusively).

Fiji Navigation Charts

The charts published by the Fiji Government are quite good and are internally consistant, but WILL NOT align with a GPS position.

Special Navigation Notes

There are NO CHARTS OR CHART PLOTTER DATA which reliably aligns with GPS data. There are also strong currents that run between islands, esp. when the tide opposes the wind. Do not stick your head down below and play with your electronics! Keep a good watch at all times.

Charted lights may or may not work at any time. Some of the lights are not positioned correctly on the charts, the Point Passage light in Savusavu Bay being one of the more famous, being inside the point of the reef, ~50 meters in from the end of the reef. Light house means an aluminum pole stuck on the reef.

Important Note: See the Unmarked Hazards list for the passage between Fiji and Tonga. (Kindly hosted by sv Ocelot)

Local Radio Nets

Also see World Cruiser's Nets

  • In Savusavu, Curly Carswell of Curly's Cruising/Bosun's Locker, operates a daily VHF net in season on channel 14 at ~0830 local (2030 UTC). He first makes a call on Channel 16, then switches shortly thereafter to channel 14.
  • Jim and Kyoko Bandy, of s/v Also II, currently on shore on his island near Udu Point, Natewa Bay, Vanua Levu, runs a Marine SSB net at 1900UTC on 8173.0 MHz. He starts by reading the weather from various sources (he does not interprete or extrapolate), then procedes from there. Geography being what it is, he is often marginal copy from Savusavu.

Fiji Arrival and Departure procedures

Important Announcement effective 10 April 2009

Warning: On this date, the President of Fiji has abrogated the Constitution and has announced the implementation of the Public Emergency Regulations (PER) - effectively martial law. At this instance in time, the general public is yet to be made aware of the full ramifications, however, my opinion (not a fact, just an opinion), is if you have weapons on board, whether or not you intend to declare them, is to not take the risk of checking into Fiji; there is just too much nervousness on the part of the new Legal Order, and the military (of which the police is now effectively a branch of) are empowered to do anything they feel is necessary to preserve the public order without repercussions.

Second, it has come to our attention that a visiting yacht was THOUROUGHLY searched as a consequence of failing to properly complete the form C.2.C being an indicator of a potential wrong-doer. Nothing was found, of course (maybe a lost wrench in the bilge???), but to avoid any inconvience, please do not leave blanks on the C.2.C; if something is not applicable, enter 'n/c' in the appropriate blank.

Lastly, discussions with the old/new Attorney-General has indicated that the government remains firm in its resolve to encourage cruising tourism, and I believe what was expressed was quite genuine. However, until things settle out a bit more, caution is strongly advised, as well as keeping any private opinions private.

Arrival Procedures as of 21 December 2007

Warning: Your first landfall in Fiji MUST be made at an official Port of Entry. Do NOT stop at outlying islands before checking in - heavy penalties are imposed.

First, please note that there is no sense of humour about drugs, pornography, or weapons! Please be a considerate guest (we love to have visitors) by not putting yourselves and ourselves in a situation we would prefer to avoid! A Canadian cruiser spent time in jail here for failing to declare a handgun and a significant amount of ammunition.

Please note effective 1 July 2007:
Fiji Customs must be notified a minimum of 48 hours prior to arrival using the form C2C downloadable from FIRCA (Fiji Inland Revenue and Customs Administration). Fax the form to Customs at one of the Fiji ports you wish to enter (Suva - (679) 3302864, Lautoka - (679) 6667734, Savusavu - (679) 8850728 or Levuka - (679) 3440425) or email Fiji Customs. Failure to comply can attract heavy penalties.

Please note the word minimum means that you can fax it in before you depart your last port in order for it to be on record upon your arrival. This requirement was forced on Fiji by the G-8, don't blame us!

You may not leave your boat until all of the officials have cleared you. In Savusavu, Waitui Marina and Bosun's Locker will perform the clearance for you free of charge if you pick up one of their moorings, Copra Shed Marina has a minor additional charge.

Do not get caught dropping an anchor anyplace in Fiji without being cleared into the country. Heaving-to is acceptable if outside a port, just keep an eye out for small, unlit fishing boats.

Fees and charges

We distinguish Savusavu from the other three ports in Fiji, as it is the smallest and does not have round the clock officals available and is thus likely to be the most costly. In addition, since we are here, it is easy for us to verify the charges.

To make this simple, if you enter Savusavu 0800-1600 Monday-Friday and it is not a national holiday, it will cost you a total of F$53.50 to enter, if you enter on a week-end or a holiday, it will cost you a total of F$225.84.

Now, if you'd like to know this is broken down for other hours...

If you enter Fiji at Savusavu 1/2 hour after sunrise, or 1/2 hour before sunset, the three agencies concerned with clearing yachts, Health, Customs, and Agriculture, must be informed.

If you enter between 0800 and 1600, the charges that you will be assessed are a F$33.50 Hospital Fee (to be paid at the hospital) by Health, and a F$20 incineration fee by Agriculture for any garbage (food scraps) you may have on board, whether or not you actually HAVE any food scraps.

If you enter during a normal working day, but between 1/2 hour after sunrise until 0800, or after 1600 hours and 1/2 hour before sunset, Health will assess you an additional fee of F$11.46/hour with a 3 hour minimum (total F$34.38) in addition to the F$33.50 Hospital Fee.

If you enter on a week-end or a national holiday, you will also be assessed fees: Health-3 hours overtime at F$15.28/hour (F$45.84 total). Customs (who are also the Primary Line Officers for Immigrations)-3 hours overtime at F$25/hour (F$75.00 total). Agriculture-F$44.50, plus cab fare, billed at F$7.00.

There is a move afoot to have one (1) AUTHORISED yacht agent in each of the four ports of entry, but, to date, this has not materialised. Rotuma in the far north of most of Fiji and was declared as a Port of Entry in May 2008, but is still waiting for the officials offices to be opened (May 2008).

After you have cleared into one of the Ports of Entry, you may only travel to another port of entry unless you obtain a Fiji Islands Cruising Permit. For all of the islands except the Lau Group, there is no charge by the Government for this permit, however you will likely be charged a small service fee to have it processed outside of Suva (fax charges being high).

This permit is written in the Fijian Language and requests that the Turaga Ni Koro (mayor, not chief!) to extend courtesy to you and allow your vessel and yourselves to enter the villages (this is different and seperate from the sevusevu, a presentation of yangona (aka, grog or kava) to the Turaga Ni Vanua, the senior-most chief of the families living in the village.

Departure

To depart the port you entered at to a destination within Fiji, you need to present your customs clearance, along with your copy of the Cruising Permit, to the Customs office and give them an intinerary of where you wish to travel to/from.

Even if you do not intend to stop at any destination within Fiji (which requires a Cruising Permit, see below) and intend to only move between a Port of Entry (Suva, Levuka, Lautoka, Savusavu), you STILL must clear with Customs before departure from YOUR port of entry, and check in with the next port. The documentation you have to complete for this type of movement is identical to that of departing the country. Failure to do so will result in a F$5000 fine, with, strictly at the officials discretion, be reduced to 25% (F$1250) at the first offense, 50% (F$2500) at the second, etc.. You have been warned!

If you would like to visit the Lau Group, the least expensive way is to do the leg work yourself in Suva. Per Rich and Jude: Lau is easy. You will need a police clearance from central police headquarters at 4 Mile (a suburb of Suva), or current police clearance from your own country (this will save time). Make an application to the Lau provincial council which has a little office up the arcade opposite the Suva bus terminal. You need to provide personal and boat details,explain why you want to visit the area and state specific dates at each island. Cost is F$50 for the permit plus $5/day monitoring fee (all vessels need to be tracked). Some vessels have previously done the wrong thing with supplying drugs to locals so if you 'look acceptable' (ie; match a druggie physical profile) you will pay for previous misdemeanours. Clean wake always

Do not think about trying to cheat. There is an active coast watch system with the Turaga Ni Koro's. In times past, some yachts have received a scolding the first time, large fines on the second. Some have received large fines and expulsion on their first flaunting of the law.

You may not depart Fiji from somewhere else besides a Port of Entry. In years past, Musket Cove has arranged to have officials come out before the start of the 'race' to Vanuatu, but this is subject to the whim of the government.

Vinaka vaka levu.

Immigration FAQs

The following FAQ's are posted on the Inland Revenue Web Site and appear here with their approval. I've taken the liberty to comment on them, with my comments in italics.

  • Where do I have to go to enter my yacht if I am coming to Fiji?
    • You can enter at any of the following sea ports of entry:
      • Suva-FIRCA FAX Number 67-93-302-864
      • Lautoka-FIRCA FAX Number 67-96-665-961
      • Savusavu-FIRCA FAX Number 67-98-850-728
      • Levuka-FIRCA FAX Number 67-93-440-425
  • What authorities do I have to see in Fiji upon my arrival?
    • You have to see Ministry of Health, Customs Department, Ministry of Agriculture (Quarantine Dept), and Immigration.
  • What are the papers that I have to submit to Fiji Customs?
    • Papers that you have to submit are:
      • Clearance from last port of call
      • Inward Report C.2.C (click here to download FIRCA Form C.2.C).
      • Store List C11 (Given to you by Customs when they board your vessel).
      • Passenger List C10 (Given to you by Customs when they board your vessel).
      • Parcel List C4 (Given to you by Customs when they board your vessel).
      • Crew List
      • Crew Declaration List C12 (Given to you by Customs when they board your vessel).
      • List of Dangerous Drugs
      • List of Arms and Ammunition
      • Declaration of Nett and unregistered tonnage and maximum draft on arrival
      • Declaration of explosive on Board (Form D)(Given to you by Customs, if needed) (EXPOSIVES, ON A YACHT? GIVE ME A BREAK! IF YOU HAVE THEM, DON'T COME HERE!), when they board your vessel.
  • What is the procedure of high dutiable stores which I have in my yacht?
    • High dutiable stores example: liquor, cigarettes, tobacco
      • Procedure: Once you arrive at the port of entry the customs will seal all your high dutiable goods on board or it will be detained and brought to our warehouse for safe keeping. Once you are finally departing customs will place the dutiable goods on board.
        (Note: This is bunk for small yachts. From memory, similar to airline passengers, you are allowed 200 cigarettes, 500gms tobacco, 5 liters of booze, and a similar quantity of wine and beer. If you have greater than that, be prepared to pay tax on it.).
  • I am carrying arms and ammunitions on my yacht. What authorities do I have to see upon my arrival in Fiji?
    • You have to declare to customs upon your arrival which will be detained and handed over to the police for safe keeping.
  • How will I obtain my arms and ammunitions from police when I finally want to depart from Fiji?
    • You have to give customs 24 hours notice for your departure so that arrangements can be made from Fiji Police to place them on board.
  • What is the procedure of bringing animals and birds on my yacht?
    • Animals and birds should be caged until seen and cleared by Quarantine Department of Fiji. (note: Cats and dogs are no problem, birds, primates, and other animals may pose a problem. As Fiji has two major introduced 'pest' species, your reception may be affected by other animals. You might want to consider contacting Customs, the agency charged with frontier control, to avoid emotional trauma).
  • When I finally leave Fiji with my yacht, what do I have to do?
    • You are required to obtain outward clearance from Fiji Customs at the port of entry.
  • What if I have some problem with my yacht and cannot leave the port?
    • Inform the customs authority within 24 hrs from the time of your clearance.
  • Do I have to obtain another clearance for my departure?
    • Yes.

Fiji Immigration & Customs

Effective 21 November 2008:
Commodore Bainimarama in his annual budget address, announced that the length of duty-free stay for yachts has been increased to 18 months. The pre-coup standard was 12 months, plus a six month extention. The supplimental budget information published on 24 November 08, only mentioned 18 months. I would guess, but don't know, that there are no longer any extentions. This probably will not be addressed until August 09, when the first boat tries.

The length of time out of the country restrictions have also been removed, thus allowing a yacht arriving late in the cruising season in Fiji and summering over in NZ, to return in the fall.

He also has announced that a 'National Yacht Policy' will be implemented on 1 January 2009, addressing amoungst other things, 'superyachts'. The relatively newly formed Marine Tourism Group is giving input to the government. When this becomes finalised, we will publish relevant sections here, also.

The import duty (if you decide to import your vessel) is charged based on a surveyors evaluation (paid for by the applicant) and is 38% of the value of the yacht. In addition, there is a 12.5% VAT charged on the total of the value of the vessel and the duty.

As per a memo issued by FIRCA, the import duty, VAT and fees will be assessed on vessels returning in less than 9 months as follows:

  • You will need to have an independent survey by a FIRCA approved surveyor (for planning purposes, ~F$600).
  • You will need to retain a customs agent (again, only for planning purposes ~F$400).
  • Based upon the assessed value of your vessel, you will be charged at a rate of 1/60 of the total duty and VAT assessed on your vessel per month of stay, but the entire duty and VAT amount must be paid 'up front', to be refunded after your departure from Fiji.

You might want to enquire how long it takes to process the refund before paying the deposit.

ANY sort of work is strictly prohibited, including work at no pay. My wife was given a caution by Immigrations for organising (with other accredited teachers) for trying to tutor English language for free.

If you need to leave the country for whatever reason while your vessel remains in Fiji, you need to obtain a letter from Immigrations to allow you to return to Fiji to rejoin your vessel. Simple and easy to obtain before you leave, difficult/impossible from abroad.

Similar applies to arriving crew members, get a letter first from Immigrations for them to have in their hands for when they arrive at the international airport in Nadi (pronounced nan-dee if you don't want to sound like a tourist)

Fiji Visas

For the tourist visa, for most nations, you are granted a 4 month visa upon entry. Sometimes (in error?) the date given is less, please check the stamp in your passport after you receive your clearance.

If you wish to stay up to six months, you may apply for an extention for a small fee. Between six months and one year, you may apply for 'Temporary Permanent Residency', which is quite a bit more dear. (I'll post the exact fees after the new budget information filters down). You will need to provide proof of income.

Health & Security

Health

  • Outbreaks of dengue fever during the summer months are common. As there is no vaccine for dengue, the only recourse is to avoid getting bit by mosquitos.
  • During heavy rain periods, the fresh water supply can become contaminated and there are sporadically typhoid outbreaks. Besides vaccines, hygene and boiling water takes care of those problems. Your own fresh water catchment system is the best, watermakers are an expensive alternative, and many manufacturers do not recommend running them in the contaminated water found in the major ports.
  • Malaria is non-existent at this time.
  • For whatever reason, aspirin tablets are not stocked at the chemist shops. If you need to use aspirin, lay in a stock sufficient for your stay before arriving.
  • Medical care can be obtained either from private practitioners or from the public health system. Public health is actually quite good, considering the resources of the country, but the private practitioners are a cut above and are very reasonable compared to the US and Europe.
  • There are two excellent dentists that I can recommend, Dr. Kumar in Labasa and Dr. Khan in Suva. New Zealand citizens needing extensive dental work sometimes fly up to have it done by them.
  • The Suva Private Hospital on Amy Street in Suva is also very, very good, with board certified staff, again with very reasonable prices.
  • Suva Private is also where the recompression chamber is located. Dr. Ali in Lami is the managing physician for it. He is also the local expert in removing skin cancers (more to follow about the diving medicine network here).

Security

  • For security, Suva in particular, has a street crime problem, minor compared to large European cities, but it exists nevertheless. Against tourists, it generally amounts to 'snatch and run' type crime. There are occasional muggings also. Cabs are quite reasonable and I would suggest taking them at night rather than walking.
  • There has been no change in how tourists have been treated since the military coup on 5 December 2006. I would strongly advise against being vocal in public if you are a pro-democracy supporter, especially in the large cities. There have been no (zero) outbreaks of violence as a result of the coup, but if it's going to happen, it will happen in Suva.
  • There was an instance in May 2008 of a yacht being boarded and robbed in Northern Viti Levu, with the occupants being beaten up. This received world-wide publicity and was taken very seriously by the government and by the traditional leaders. The culprits were very quickly rounded up by the authorities and strong efforts have been made to recover their possessions. I believe this to be a single, isolated, crime of opportunity, and in no way politically or racially motivated. I do feel compelled to caution that rubber slippers are colloquially known as 'taxis', and untended pairs are picked up and used as such with no guilt whatsoever!

Fiji Ports & Anchorages

Vita Levu Vanua Levu Olavau Kadavu Yasawas and
Mamanucas
Taveuni
Suva (Port of entry)
Lautoka (Port of entry)
Port Denerau
Savusavu (Port of entry) (Has data)
Viani Bay
Levuka (Port of entry)
Daku Bay
Vunisea
Musket Cove
Somosomo

Add additional ports/islands here for inclusion in the above table

Cruiser's Friends

  • Michael Homsany lives in Fiji, is VERY informed and is ALWAYS willing to assist cruisers with any information. PO Box 814, Savusavu, Fiji.Phone: 67 9 885 3031. Mobile: 67 9 997 2558. Fax: 67 9 885 3031. Email. Website
    Michael is truly the "Cruiser's Friend" in Fiji. Lighthouse 08:13, 21 December 2007 (MST)

Links to Forum Discussions

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

External Links

Local Custom

  • A short note about the generally misunderstood chiefly system of the Pacific.
    • The traditional government system is very similar to the pre-christian nordic model. It is feudal and some of the titles date back over 2 thousand years. The hierarchy of peerage is a very well defined, but is largely undocumented and can be quite confusing to someone trying to just pop in and out of the country. To keep out of trouble, try to follow the respect accorded to certain people by other Fijians and you'll have a fair idea of where they happen to stand.
    • Great respect is given to age.
    • The titles are tied into families and thus into the land. Succession of titles can be to either men or women although is based largely on lineage of both parents, other factors come into play, such as knowledge of tradition and community service.
    • The sevusevu ceremony, although abused as a source of free grog in the more 'touristy' areas, is not to be taken lightly in the regions less frequently visited. In a nutshell, you are becoming a vassel to the Turanga Ni Vanua (chief of the major family in the village) and as your liege lord, he/she extends the privilege to you of being part of the village, as well as the waters of the village, the qoliqoli, the aquatic version of the village commons.
    • You cannot present the yagona to the Turaga Ni Vanua, another person must speak for you. You will notice that the bundle of grog is placed in front of, not given to, the Turaga, to allow him/her the ability to refuse it. If you cannot sit cross-legged, fold your legs behind you. In tradition, showing the soles of your feet to someone implies that they are your slave (there was a scandal in American Samoa when a Vice-President of the United States did this to the highest ranking chiefs of the islands!).
    • To help understand the seriousness with which this ceremony is viewed, part of the feud between the military government and the traditional government is based on the Interrum Prime Minister, Commodore Bainimarama, having his sevusevu refused and not being allowed to enter certain villages before the December 2006 coup.
    • If you want to have a chat and get to know the people, if you bring a sack of pre-pounded grog, offer it up after the ceremony, a young person will be dispatched to fetch a basin and some water, everyone will let their hair down, and you can have a pleasant afternoon chatting.
    • In most villages, Monday is 'village day' and everyone must take one day from their work for village service. The village council will also usually meet on the same day. Although the 'chief is the chief', few decisions are made in a vacuum and are usually discussed, at great length, until a concensus is reached (if ever).
    • If you catch a pelangic fish on your way into a village, you can become quite the hero by either giving away the fish to the villagers, or even the head and spine (if you fillet the fish) for soup.

References & Publications

Books, Guides, etc.

Personal Notes

Personal experience


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