Marinas, Anchoring, Things to Do, Provisioning and More in Savusavu
A hidden gem nestled on Fiji’s second-largest island, Savusavu, is a charming coastal town that has become a crucial yachting hub for sailors entering Fiji from the east and those keen to explore the remote Lau Group.
With its sheltered bay, excellent marina facilities, and a wealth of on-shore attractions, Savusavu offers a perfect blend of convenience and adventure for sailors.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll navigate you through everything you need to know about sailing to and around Savusavu. From marina options and anchorage spots to must-see attractions and local customs, we’ve got you covered.
So, hoist your sails and get ready to discover why Savusavu is fondly known as the “Hidden Paradise” of Fiji.
Table of Contents
5 Tips for Yachts Visiting Savusavu
Here’s what you need to know about dropping anchor in Savusavu, a charming yachting hub on Vanua Levu.
- Prime Yachting Hub: Savusavu is a crucial stop for yachts entering Fiji from the east and those planning to explore the stunning Lau Group. Its strategic location makes it an ideal first port of call.
- Streamlined Clearance Process: Gone are the days of the 400-metre rule! You can now sail straight to the clearance dock without the need to wait at a distance. This change has made the entry process much more efficient for visiting yachts.
- Join the Pacific Posse: If you’re here in August, don’t miss the Pacific Posse Group event. It’s a fantastic opportunity to mingle with fellow sailors, participate in friendly competitions, and indulge in potluck dinners. You’ll get a true taste of Fijian hospitality!
- Cruising Permit Wait Time: Before setting sail to explore the rest of Fiji, you’ll need to obtain a cruising permit. This process typically takes one to three working days (longer over weekends), so plan your itinerary accordingly.
- Marina Options: Savusavu boasts four marinas, each with its own unique offerings. We recommend comparing their facilities and rates to find the best fit for your needs and budget.
With these tips in mind, you’re all set to make the most of your yachting adventure in Savusavu. The rest of this guide will delve deeper into what this charming port town has to offer.
© FijiPocketGuide.comCustoms and Clearance Process
When sailing into Savusavu, you’ll need to navigate a few bureaucratic waters before dropping anchor. Here’s what you need to know:
First things first, give the officials a heads-up at least two weeks before you plan to arrive. You’ll also need to submit a Pratique form 12 hours before docking. As you approach, tune into channel 16 and then switch to channel 10. Keep an eye out for the tender boat that’ll escort you to the clearance dock.
Once you arrive, fly your yellow Q flag and get ready to welcome the clearance officials aboard. They’ll be looking for:
- Your completed Inward Report (don’t forget two copies of crew and passenger lists)
- Passenger Arrival Cards for everyone on board
- Valid passports
- Clearance papers from your last port
- Valid outward airline tickets for any crew or passengers disembarking and flying out.
See the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service website for more information. We also go into more detail in The Sailing Guide to Fiji.
The clearance process involves a parade of officials from Health, Biosecurity, Immigration, and Customs. A word to the wise: leave the pork and honey at home. Foods from New Zealand and Australia are generally okay, but officials are wary of malaria from other ports. More information can be found in Taking Food to Fiji: What You Need to Know.
After the officials have done their rounds, you’ll need to wait for your cruising permit. This can take one to three working days (yes, you will have to wait longer over the weekend), but once you have it, you’re free to explore Fiji’s domestic waters.
For any customs queries, head to the office on Savusavu’s main street, opposite Waitui Marina. If you need a hand with clearance or other yachting services, Yacht Help at Nawi Island Marina offers maintenance, provisions, and clearance assistance for superyachts. Alternatively, Copra Shed Marina provides a basic clearance help service for a reasonable fee.
Remember, patience is key in paradise. The process might seem lengthy, but it’s all part of the adventure. Once you’re cleared, you’ll be free to discover the wonders of northern Fiji, the Lau Islands and beyond.
© FijiPocketGuide.com5 Best Marinas in Savusavu
Savusavu’s pristine waters and sheltered bay make it a popular destination for yachties and boating enthusiasts. From well-equipped facilities to stunning natural surroundings, here are the top five marinas you’ll love in this charming Fijian town (we recommend checking them out even if you’re not arriving by boat).
1. Nawi Island Marina
For those seeking a touch of luxury, the Nawi Island Marina is your go-to destination. With 137 marina berths, including 21 dedicated superyacht slips up to 85 m (279 ft), this marina caters to vessels of all sizes.
Built to Australian standards and expected to be certified for category 5 cyclone resistance, it offers top-notch security and facilities. Yachties can enjoy amenities such as water, sewerage pump-out, power, fuel gas facilities, 24-hour security, a laundromat and WiFi. The marina also boasts plans for an exercise area, pool, and mini spa.
Don’t miss the Nautical at Nawi Restaurant, where you can participate in kava sessions with staff and local bands on Fridays, and enjoy live music on Saturdays.
A shuttle between Nawi Island and Waitui Marina on the mainland operates every hour daily.
2. Copra Shed Marina
Welcome to the iconic Copra Shed Marina, your ultimate hub in Savusavu! This historic structure, built in 1906, offers 24 berths and 20 moorings at just over FJ$20 per day.
You’ll find all the essentials here: electricity, fresh water, and laundry services (approx FJ$20 per load for wash, dry and fold). The marina arranges customs, health and biosecurity clearance for a similar fee, available daily.
Upon arrival, you’ll receive a welcoming package with local information.
Don’t miss the free membership to the yacht club bar, where you can enjoy drinks and mingle with fellow sailors. Live bands perform every Sunday evening, adding to the vibrant atmosphere.
With comprehensive yacht services, provisioning, and maintenance facilities, Copra Shed Marina ensures a comfortable stay for all yacht owners and crew.
3. Waitui Marina
The budget-friendly Waitui Marina offers 18 moorings at around FJ$18 per night.
While some services like laundry and kitchen facilities are temporarily closed, you can still enjoy showers, garbage disposal, water use at the dock, and electricity.
The marina staff can assist with processing cruising permits and arranging government officials for yacht clearance.
4. Savusavu Marina
Nestled opposite the Police Station, the Savusavu Marina offers yachties a convenient base with easy access to town amenities.
Tucked away at the end of Nakama Creek, this marina is well-protected by land, a reef, and a ‘dog’s leg’ reef, ensuring a safe haven for visiting yachts. Accessing the marina is a breeze via a marked channel, and you can count on the ever-helpful marina pilot, Beni, to guide you through the entrance on VHF Channel 16. (We love a bit of local expertise!)
Once you’ve moored up, you’ll find all the essentials at your fingertips: WiFi to keep in touch with loved ones, electricity to power up, fresh water supply, hot showers to freshen up, a freezer for your catch of the day, and laundry facilities to keep your sailing gear ship-shape.
For those concerned about the occasional bout of wild weather, the marina boasts cyclone moorings with enhanced strength.
5. Viani Bay Anchorage
Although not directly in Savusavu, the Viani Bay Anchorage is worth mentioning for yachties sailing between New Zealand and French Polynesia.
This popular anchorage offers basic amenities through the Viani Bay Resort, including a bar, diving and snorkelling opportunities, and informal kava drinking sessions.
It’s an excellent spot to experience local Fijian hospitality and stunning natural beauty.
Savusavu, Vanua Levu and Navadra Islands: Marina and Moorings Quick Guide
Now that we’ve shared our favourite marinas in Savusavu and Vanua Levu, here’s a quick rundown of all your marina and mooring options (that we know of):
© FijiPocketGuide.comThings to Do in Savusavu, How to Get Around and Provisioning
With a few days to wait before you’re issued a cruising permit, you’ll have to explore Savusavu whether you like it or not. But don’t worry, this charming town and its surroundings offer plenty to keep you entertained!
The Top Experiences in Savusavu
What are the must-dos? Here are some of the Vanua Levu highlights:
- Snorkel at the accessible yet breathtaking Split Rock
- Swim and experience cultural immersion at Vuadomo Waterfall and the Muanivatu Trails
- Witness the mysterious Sacred Red Prawns of Naweni
- See cooking demonstrations in the natural Nakama Hot Springs
- Kayak or river tube down the river to Salt Lake
- Scuba dive and see dolphins in Natewa Bay
- Try your hand at sport fishing in the Koro Sea
- Explore the vibrant coral gardens of the Namena Marine Reserve…
… And the list continues over in our 10 Things to Do in Savusavu & Vanua Levu for Yachties.
How to Get Around Savusavu
Savusavu’s main town is easily walkable, perfect for exploring on foot.
For ventures beyond the town centre, taxis are readily available and use meters within a 16 km (10 mi) radius – see The Guide to Taxis in Fiji. If you’re feeling adventurous and want to travel further afield, you can negotiate a flat fee with the driver.
For a true local experience, hop on a bus at the bus station – it’s a great way to immerse yourself in Fijian culture – see How to Travel Around Fiji by Bus.
If you prefer more independence, car rentals are also available, allowing you to explore Savusavu and its surroundings at your own pace – see The Best Car Rentals on Vanua Levu.
Don’t miss our Vanua Levu & Savusavu Transport Guide for a comprehensive guide to getting around.
© FijiPocketGuide.comProvisioning, Information, Shops and Services in Savusavu
Savusavu is well-stocked with everything you need for your stay. The town boasts a vibrant produce market, perfect for restocking after losing your fresh fruit to customs, along with supermarkets and convenience stores to cater to all your needs.
Don’t miss Sea Lover’s Wines & Spirits Gourmet Grocery on Savusavu’s main road – it’s a treasure trove of European and Asian fine foods for those missing a taste of home. They even offer delivery services to yachts, making provisioning a breeze for sailors. (Just remember to email them before you arrive!)
For all your practical needs, from medical services to phone networks, banks, and fuel stations, you’ll find comprehensive information in our guide to Yacht Provisioning: Shops & Services in Savusavu & Vanua Levu. It’s your one-stop resource for settling into life on this beautiful Fijian island.
© FijiPocketGuide.comClearing Out of Savusavu
When it comes to clearing out of Savusavu, you’ll only need to do so if it’s your last port before bidding farewell to Fiji. The clearance process is relatively straightforward, taking about an hour, but remember to inform customs of your intended departure time and date. Otherwise, this process can be much longer than it needs to be.
The good news is that you no longer need to clear in and out of each domestic port. Once you’ve secured your cruising permit, you’re free to explore the stunning regions of Suva, Levuka, Savusavu, Lautoka, the Lau Group, and Rotuma without the hassle of repeated clearances. Just remember to report your position and cruising plans weekly via VHF Channel 16, telephone, fax or email. It’s that simple!
For more general advice for cruising Fiji, check out The Sailing Guide to Fiji.
More About Savusavu and Sailing Fiji
That’s it for our guide to sailing Savusavu. For more information about exploring Fiji’s hidden paradise, check out the following articles:
- 10 Things to Do in Savusavu & Vanua Levu for Yachties
- Where to Eat in Savusavu & Vanua Levu: Guide for Yachties
- Yacht Provisioning: Shops & Services in Savusavu & Vanua Levu
Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in The Complete Sailing Guide to Fiji: Tips for Yachting in Fiji.
Sources:
The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across Fiji and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:
- Tourism Fiji (General travel advice - Updated [2025])
- Fiji Immigration (Visa and immigration advice - Updated [2025])
- Fiji Revenue & Customs Service (Customs and visitor taxes - Updated [2025])
- Biosecurity Authority of Fiji (Biosecurity advice - Updated [2025])
- Fiji Meteorological Service (Weather forecast and warnings - Updated [2025])
- Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (Tourism statistics - Updated [2025])
- SPTO (Pacific tourism advice - Updated [2025])
- Safe Travel (New Zealand travel advisory for Fiji - Updated [2025])
- Smart Traveller (Australia travel advisory for Fiji - Updated [2025])
- Travel.State.Gov (U.S. travel advisory for Fiji - Updated [2025])
- Savusavu Tourism Association (Regional tourism website)
- SV Soggy Paws (Sailing resource for the South Pacific)
- Ocean Posse (Mooring data for the South Pacific)
Our editorial standards: At Fiji Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.
