Firstly, glowing review ahead and as much as I wanted it to be, this is not a sponsored post.
Secondly, WOW, we’re back at it. We booked flights to Fiji soon as we found out we could (with a nudge from Rebel Wilson via Tourism Fiji’s newest campaign), faster than you can say COVID-subvariants-BA.4/BA.5, BA.2. But trip planning wasn’t without a hitch, Australian passport pandemonium challenged my sanity and faith in the gods of travel. Fortunately (“fortunately” also meaning sending emails to the DFAT client services every day from the 6th week of processing and finally getting a reply in the 8th week), my daughter and I were two of the lucky ones who got our passports in the nick of time.
Because everything was uncertain until about a week before departure, we booked half of the accommodations at the last minute — not ideal during Australia school holidays as Fiji’s peak travel seasons coincide with this sched. And to my disappointment, after finally finding a kid-friendly cruise (or so the reviews claim) that includes Monuriki Island (that island where Tom Hanks’ movie Cast Away was filmed), I could no longer see any availability for our family of four on our preferred date.
I thought it wouldn’t hurt to shoot an email I got from their website Cruisin’ Fiji.
Booking With Cruisin’ Fiji
Long email correspondence story short, we got confirmation that they can take all of us onboard on our preferred date. I was just made to book the last single seat available online, like it was some form of downpayment. Cruisin’ Fiji’s website is very straightforward, unfussy. Prices are published in FJD and NZD. The website also clearly states what is included and what you need to bring, and gives you a general idea of the itinerary. I say “general” because it is dependent on weather and tide, therefore is not set in stone.
Cruisin’ Fiji offers free pickup from hotels on Denarau Island, additional charge for passengers who stay elsewhere. We took a taxi instead of arranging transport through them (from our accommodation on Wailoaloa Beach), as they honestly recommended that it would be cheaper.
The Boat Ride
On the day of our cruise, with a screenshot of the email confirmation and conversation regarding booking for the rest of the family in my phone, we weaved our way in and through the busy main terminal of Port Denarau and out the back to find Booth 6. It was manned by a lone person who, to our relief, confirmed our booking for 4. We paid for our outstanding invoice and were ushered to a nearby cafe to wait for further instructions (when you’re sent to a cafe to wait, you know something is up).
After a while, were informed that we were to leave at 10am instead of 9 (majority of island cruises depart at this time) because of some repair being done on the boat. We learned later on that it was the toilet they had to fix, something that unfortunately they have to work on quite often because of passengers ditching random stuff in it (so this is a reminder for you too).
We boarded a bit before 10, with a big “BULA!” welcome bellowed in unison by the crew. Safety instructions were stated as our boat set out for the Mamanuca Islands. We were to cruise for about 45 minutes to our first destination, a sandbar. The ride wasn’t rough going there. We got to see a few islands along the way including picture-postcard Malamala Beach Club as seen below. Dubbed as ‘The World’s First Island Beach Club’, it’s a destination in itself, and daytrippers can also catch a (pre-booked) boat from Port Denarau.
The Islands
Island number 1, the sandbar. The kind that’s unnamed and disappears when the tide is high. There were three couples on loungers, under beach brollies when we got there. They seemed to be on a proper picnic, and with a butler. Then there were us, 25-strong, about to disrupt their idyllic and probably pricey picnic.
Everyone aboard — except Soleil (seemingly groggy from travel sickness prevention tablet) and I — donned with snorkeling gear, jumped off for a guided snorkel tour around the sandbar. Noodles and life jackets were available to non-strong swimmers.
Bae and Luna didn’t swim along with the group but said there were quite a bit to see.
Finale of the guided snorkel tour was being herded ashore on the sandbar for a group pic. Because social media (note, nobody asked for permission regarding posting our photos online, so politely let them know if you don’t want your face in them).
Snack platter of banana and sponge cake slices with some cookies went around as snorkelers clambered back on the boat one by one. There were free-flowing drinks. Beer included.
BEER.
Second stop was Monu Island. The ride to here was about 30ish minutes and was choppy (maybe I shouldn’t have had that extra cake). We anchored just off the island and whoever else was interested to get in the water again
was encouraged to jump off the second level of the boat for added entertainment. The jumping/diving interested people more than snorkeling again. Only bae and Luna (proud moment to watch her bravely swim across the deep blue unassisted in the photo below) and a couple other people ventured further.
We didn’t stay as long here as we did at the sandbar.
The Cast Away Island Experience
Cruisin’ Fiji saved the best for last. Monuriki Island or Modriki island or that-island-from-Cast Away-movie but not to be mistaken for Castaway Island… Confusing, I know.
It’s just across Monu Island, so we merely drifted for a few minutes til we’re a bit closer to the beach. A smaller boat was waiting to ferry us ashore. Under a big hut, our lovo lunch was served. “Lovo” refers to the Fijian method of cooking food underground. The buffet spread included: Bread roll, salad, roast chicken and fish, taro leaf in coconut cream (my fave!), and slices of taro which was the least popular item but I suggest you try as it is traditional food.
Drinks were still free-flowing. Ice-cold Fiji Bitter never tasted better elsewhere.
Wilson the volleyball watched us as we ate. Yes, the crew brought one to complete the experience. Some songs were played by one of the crew on the guitar and Men At Work’s Down Under just had to be part of the repertoire. It was a splendid rendition.
After lunch, there was a short guided bushwalk by none other than the grandchild of the owner of the island. Scenes from the movie Cast Away were recalled and locations where they were filmed were pointed out. We were not allowed to go to the cave featured in the movie because reality-competition Survivor was being held where it sits on the island.
We were given an hour of free time after the bushwalk. Time we whiled on the other side of the island where nobody else was (we weren’t allowed to swim there cause either: the undercurrent was actually that strong on that side or the crew simply can’t oversee us there cause they were all hangin’ out under the hut).
Our drone shots made it seem as though we had the island to ourselves. Like a proper Cast Away experience.
A little past three, we boarded our boat once more for our trip home (which was, by the way, very wild—dunno how the girls napped through that!) . We started late in the morn, yet still heading back in the arvo on time. Nobody opposed. Our motley lot was pleasant as a whole, and seemed content if not filled to the brim with satisfaction.
We may have lost an hour, but experience didn’t fall short — even when our toddler Soleil was a sook throughout the jaunt. Only Wilson made her happy.
Speaking of which… “The most beautiful thing in the world is, of course, the world itself.”, says on the birthday card in the movie Cast Away that accompanied the volleyball gift Wilson. This cruise just reminded us that.
