SAVUSAVU, VANUA LEVU, FIJI

July 25-August 11, 2013

I just realized that I never did post anything on Savusavu (16-46.6' S; 179-20.1' E)- so here goes.   The town is an official port of entry into Fiji  so many cruisers coming from New Zealand and Tonga make it their first port of call.  It is nestled in Nakama Creek with many safe mooring balls for cruisers convenience.  Some cruisers choose to leave their yachts here during the cyclone season on "cyclone proof" mooring balls.  There are three marinas in Savusavu:  Copra Shed, Waitui, and Savusavu Marina.  Because the town provides most things a cruising yacht needs, from fuel, water and groceries, to banking, general hardware and electrical, Savusavu is bustling with yachts coming and going.

We picked up a mooring ball from Copra Shed Marina at a cost of $4 US per day.  There are lots of restaurants along the one street town and a great farmer's market.  Additionally, supplies from the States can be shipped in rather quickly.  We ordered a new bilge pump from West Marine and had it shipped DHL Express and it arrived in 7 days.  That's fast for this part of the world.

Because the city is dedicated to yachts and tourism, it isn't that interesting outside a place to launch bus trips and hiking activities to other parts of the island.  Transportation is cheap and frequent.  You can get to just about anywhere on the island by arriving at the bus station by 0700 hrs in the morning and returning in the afternoon.  Taxis are affordable but you don't get the interaction with the locals as on an open air bus.

The town is famous for its hot springs and at low tide you can see the steam from numerous small outlets all along the foreshore.  It is not uncommon to find pots of food being cooked over the bubbling waters.  Phyllis has posted some pictures of one of the hot springs where locals cook their food.  It has been estimated that the geothermal energy could be used as a resource to generate enough power for the entire island of Vanua Levu.

All in all, I found Savusavu a good place to drop anchor and stock up on needed supplies.  We ended up staying here for 17 days which says a lot.  If one needed serious mechanical, electrical or sail  repairs, Suva would be a better port of call.  Savusavu is the best place for launching voyages to the Eastern part of Vanua Levu and the less explored Northern islands of Fiji.  Essentially, this is what we are doing.

One of the well known personalities in Savusavu is Curly Carswell.  He hosts a morning VHF radio net for cruisers at 0800 hrs everyday except Sunday.  Additionally, he holds a weekly seminar for cruisers with important information, chartlets and waypoints.  He reviews all of the most important cruising areas on the Eastern side of Fiji and provides his vast knowledge of how to do it safely.  Curly makes fishing lures that are very effective at bringing them in.  he has lived in Fiji for 38 years and was a Dive Master and delivery boat Captain.  There aren't many places in this area that he hasn't been to.