Fiji

Why Fiji

Cloudbreak. A left reef pass breaking a mile offshore over shallow coral, in the middle of the ocean. It is one of the genuinely great waves in the world and, on size, one of the most dangerous.

The Mamanucas are set up around it. You stay on a small island — Tavarua, Namotu, or the more affordable Malolo — and boats run out to Cloudbreak, Restaurants, Wilkes and Namotu Left. Namotu Left is the forgiving one and works for solid intermediates; Cloudbreak and Restaurants do not forgive anything.

This is not a learn-to-surf destination. There is essentially no beginner product here, and the resorts don't pretend otherwise. If you can't confidently surf a reef break, you will spend the week on a paddleboard.

When to go

• **Apr–Oct:** the southern-hemisphere swell season. May to September is the heart of it.Apr–Oct: the southern-hemisphere swell season. May to September is the heart of it.
• **Nov–Mar:** the cyclone season — smaller, wetter, and the resorts go quiet.Nov–Mar: the cyclone season — smaller, wetter, and the resorts go quiet.

Getting around

Fly into Nadi (NAN). The islands are a short boat ride from Denarau or Vuda Marina, and every resort runs its own transfer. Weeks are typically locked Sunday to Sunday — you cannot easily book a partial week.