Anchoring, Things to Do, Provisioning and More in the Yasawa Islands
The Yasawa Islands are the epitome of a sailor’s paradise in Fiji. Picture-perfect islands fringed with white sands, secluded anchorages and remote villages offer an unparalleled sense of serenity. What’s more, this island group boasts a drier climate than the rest of Fiji, making it an ideal sailing destination even on the fringes of the wet season.
Many anchorages are facilitated by the region’s resorts, ranging from luxurious adults-only retreats to family-friendly havens and budget-conscious options. Whether you’re looking to drop anchor near a resort for some shore-based indulgence or seeking a quiet bay for a peaceful night at sea, the Yasawa Islands cater to every seafarer’s preferences.
We’ll guide you through all the possibilities in this complete sailing guide to the Yasawa Islands.
Table of Contents
5 Tips for Yachts Visiting the Yasawa Islands
Here’s what you need to know about dropping anchor in the Yasawas:
- Official clearance is a must. Private yachts can’t clear into Fiji via the Yasawa Islands. All vessels arriving from international waters must first complete formal clearance at one of Fiji’s official ports of entry. You’ll find more details on this process in our The Complete Sailing Guide to Fiji.
- Mooring options are limited but lovely. Anchorages are scattered across secluded islands, island resorts and villages. You’re spoiled for choice when it comes to picturesque spots to moor!
- Call ahead early for dinner. Many resorts are happy to prepare meals for visitors, but they typically require a few hours’ notice to do so. Learn more about dining in the Yasawas in Where to Eat in the Yasawa Islands: Guide for Yachties.
- Stock up before you set sail. Provisioning is fairly limited in the Yasawas, aside from a few resort convenience stores and village stalls. We recommend stocking up on supplies on the mainland before you venture out to the islands.
- Respect local protocols. It’s crucial to familiarise yourself with local protocols for visiting villages and asking permission to anchor. A sevusevu (gift) is an important part of Fijian culture. Learn more about this and other customs in our guide to Fiji Village Customs & Traditions.
With these tips in mind, you’re all set to make the most of your yachting adventure in the Yasawa Islands. The rest of this guide will delve deeper into what these islands have to offer.
© FijiPocketGuide.comCustoms and Clearance Process
When sailing to Fiji, it’s essential to know that private yachts cannot clear customs via the Yasawa Islands.
All vessels arriving from international waters must first complete formal clearance at one of Fiji’s official ports of entry: Suva, Port Denarau, Vuda, Lautoka, Levuka, Savusavu or Rotuma.
The closest ports to the Yasawa Group are Port Denarau, Vuda Marina and Lautoka, all located on the west coast of Fiji’s main island, Viti Levu.
For more details on the clearance process, check out The Sailing Guide to Fiji: Tips for Yachting in Fiji.
© FijiPocketGuide.comThe Best Anchorages in the Yasawa Islands
The Yasawa Islands are home to a variety of stunning anchorages where you can explore the gorgeous islands, relaxing resorts and fabulous reefs for snorkelling and diving.
With no marinas or moorings, these untouched havens offer an authentic taste of paradise. Here’s a quick rundown of your best anchorage options in the Yasawas:
© FijiPocketGuide.comThings to Do, How to Get Around and Provisioning
The Yasawas offer a diverse array of activities, often facilitated by the resorts dotting the islands. You’ll find dive shops, cultural tours (including crafting lessons and meke performances), and more at your fingertips. For a more authentic and rugged experience, villages offer activities through their homestays, including snorkelling and cultural immersions that’ll give you a real taste of Fijian life.
Given the remote nature of the Yasawas, provisioning can be a bit tricky. However, if you’re looking for a break from sailing, regular fast catamaran ferries connect the islands to the mainland. It’s a great way to stock up or simply enjoy a change of scenery (not that you’ll tire of those stunning Yasawa views anytime soon!).
The Top Experiences in the Yasawa Islands
What are the must-dos? Here are some of the Yasawa highlights:
- Swim inside the Sawa-i-Lau Caves
- Snorkel with manta rays during the manta ray season
- Dive with sharks at Kuata and Wayasewa Islands
- Hike to one of the islands’ volcanic hilltops
- Visit or stay in a Fijian village
- Make some Fijian crafts at a resort or village homestay
- Go scuba diving at one of the amazing dive sites
- Experience kava, meke and fire dancing…
… And the list continues over in our 10 Things to Do in the Yasawa Islands for Yachties.
© FijiPocketGuide.comHow to Swim Sustainably With the Manta Rays
Best practices for swimming with manta rays centre on maintaining respectful and sustainable interactions to protect these gentle giants and their natural behaviour. When entering the water, do so quietly and calmly, keeping an initial distance of at least 10 metres to avoid disturbing them.
Ensure your fins remain below the water’s surface to minimise splashing that could startle the rays. Swimmers should never approach closer than 3 metres and must never attempt to chase or touch a manta ray.
Always approach from the side, giving the animal a clear and unobstructed path to swim freely.
Scuba Diving Etiquette:
- Hover low and stay to the side of cleaning stations.
- Avoid swimming directly over or through these sites.
- Never block the manta ray’s path.
General Snorkelling Etiquette:
- Keep a minimum five-foot distance from all marine wildlife.
- Do not stand on or kick coral.
- Avoid shallow reefs to protect both yourself and the ecosystem.
- Do not touch any marine life.
- Use reef-safe sunscreen or UV-protective clothing.
- Enter and exit the water gently to minimise environmental impact.
- Collect ocean plastic if spotted while snorkelling to help reduce marine pollution.
How to Get Around the Yasawa Islands
Want to explore the Yasawas without the hassle of steering? Ferries shuttle between the mainland and the Yasawa Islands once a day. Otherwise, your yacht will be the most useful transport option for you in this mostly boat-based landscape.
Find all the transport details you need in our Yasawa Transport Guide – we’ve got you covered!
Provisioning, Information, Shops and Services in the Yasawas
The Yasawa Islands lack general stores or supermarkets. Visitors rely on resort restaurants or village homestays for meals.
Bring essential snacks or stock up on the mainland before exploring. Some resorts offer basic items, and village food stalls exist but aren’t reliable for groceries.
For more details on provisioning and shopping options in the Yasawas, check out our article on Yacht Provisioning: Shops & Services in the Yasawa Islands.
© FijiPocketGuide.comClearing Out of the Yasawa Islands
Yes, there are even formalities for leaving Fiji via a yacht, but note that you cannot clear out in the Yasawa Islands.
You will need to berth your yacht at a Port of Entry and pay your port fees at the port office before proceeding with the Customs clearance procedures. You will need your inbound clearance papers, crew details, the details of your vessel and your next port of call. You must then leave Fiji within 24 hours.
For more general advice for cruising Fiji, check out The Sailing Guide to Fiji.
More About Yachting in the Yasawa Islands
That’s it for our guide to sailing in the Yasawa Islands. For more information about yachting in Fiji, check out the following articles:
- 10 Best Things to Do in the Yasawa Islands for Yachties
- Yacht Provisioning: Shops & Services in the Yasawa Islands
- Where to Eat in the Yasawa Islands: Guide for Yachties
Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in The 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])
- 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.
