Fiji is surrounded by barrier-style, cloud-break reefs that can only be accessed by boat. The swells that tend to hit the Fijian Islands best are those coming from southerly fronts in the Roaring Forties south of Australia. The fronts push up the east coast of OZ, through the South Pacific Ocean between New Zealand and Australia, then onwards toward Fiji. These southerlies occur year round, though are most frequent from March to November, during the southern hemisphere fall, winter and spring. Tropical storms passing to the south of the islands also produce swell during the summer, from December through March. Also during the summer, north swells from the North Pacific Ocean can provide waves on the northern reef passes, usually arriving 3-5 days after hitting Hawaii. Water temperatures range from 75 - 80 degrees year round and wetsuits are not necessary, only rash guards and plenty of sunscreen.

SURF SPOTS
Desperations: A two way peak situated on a point in the barrier reef. It is the best place to go when the waves are smaller as this is a magnet for swell.

Wilkes Pass: A cloud-break right that peels down the reef pass just west of Namotu Island. Mellow take-offs with long walls and occasional barrel sections. Best on medium to high tides.

Namotu Lefts: A left reef wrapping around Namotu island. Often short rides that can be sectiony. (limited access, only on changeover day- Saturdays)

Swimming Pools: A short right reef just east of Namotu that often produces perfect peeling rights that are usually a couple feet smaller than the surrounding reefs. Low tide only. Usually the last place to blow out and only on south winds. (limited access, only on changeover day- Saturdays)

Cloudbreak: Long lined-up left barrels off a cloud-break reef south of Tavarua. Works on a south or southwest swell from 2 feet and up. Often a few feet bigger than most nearby reefs. (limited access, only on changeover day- Saturdays)

Frigates Pass: "The Fijian Pipeline". A world class lefthander located 15 miles offshore of Pacific Harbor (2.5 hrs East of Nadi) on a distant reef sticking up in the middle of ocean. Never crowded. The wave is an extremely consistent lefthander bending around a shallow, but fairly forgiving reef. Frigates is well exposed to all swells from the South and enjoys prevailing offshore winds. Frigates is the most exposed to swell and least crowded of all the surf breaks in Fiji. It will break anywhere from head-high to triple overhead (4-18ft), never closing out, and is for experienced surfers only.

The wave consists of a big bowly take-off section, followed by a fast, hollow freight-train section, and a dangerously shallow inside section. Emotional Rescue can sail here overnight (approx. 70 miles). Another option is the Marlin Bay Resort on nearby Beqa island (approx. 8 miles) which provides surf transfers by speedboat on its resort packages.

EQUIPMENT
Two boards would be ideal for surfing the islands, a 6’ to 6’2" short board and a 6’6" to 7’ big-wave board as a backup for larger surf. No wetsuit is necessary, though a rash guard and plenty of waterproof sunscreen highly recommended. Also reef booties and helmets are recommended for bigger days and when the tide is low. In general, the reefs are not as shallow as G-land, or nearby Samoa or Tahiti, with waves breaking in somewhat deeper water and over much more forgiving coral. Surfers of all ability levels should feel welcome here.