Yachts Welcome
Viani Bay offers sheltered anchorage in the heart of the Rainbow Reef. Dive Academy Fiji has welcomed yachts since we started building here in 2017. Stay a night or linger for weeks — you'll find the shortest boat rides to the Rainbow Reef, diving in small groups, food worth staying for, and a community that means it when they say Bula.
Here is what we hope is useful for your time in Viani Bay. We are just a WhatsApp away.
Before you drop Anchor
ANCHORAGE Viani Bay has good options for most boats. The main anchorage is in front of the resort — sandy bottom, 15–20m. In sustained southerlies it can get rolly; tuck in behind Yanuyanu Island to the east for shelter, but expect rocky bottom and limited mobile coverage there. Superyachts typically anchor further out towards Yanuyanu in around 40m — clay-like sandy bottom. We know this bay well. A few times each season we help with stuck anchors . As you enter, the reef around Tivi Island to port is a protected marine area — home to our coral farm. Please give it a wide berth.
COMING ASHORE There's a sandy passage between the resort and the school. Come in parallel to shore in deep water, turn in towards the school sign, and keep the red buoy on your right. At low tide the reef blocks access to other parts of the shoreline. GPS: 16° 44.691' S / 179° 53.561' E
MARINE PROTECTED AREA The reef surrounding Tivi Island is a tabu — a protected marine area, home to our coral and giant clam nursery. Please give it a wide berth.No fishing, no anchoring on the reef, no independent snorkelling or diving. We offer guided visits every Wednesday.
HULL CLEANING Please do not clean your hull in the bay. This helps to keep Viani Bay free from organisms and contaminants introduced from other areas - in Fiji or beyond.
FISHING On the Rainbow Reef, reef fish are safe to eat — no ciguatera here, which cruisers coming from French Polynesia will appreciate. Please leave fish within the bay for the local community — they depend on it. Spearfishing with scuba is not permitted in Fiji. Please respect Fijian fishing regulations on sizes and species, and ask local fishermen if you're unsure what's safe or what's in season.
INDEPENDENT DIVING It's not prohibited to dive the Rainbow Reef independently. But the Somosomo Strait deserves respect. Blocks of reef that narrow the channel in ways that aren't obvious from the surface can create strong currents. Timing matters. The right site, the right tide, the right moment makes the difference between an average dive and an exceptional one. For your safety and the reef: — Don't anchor on the reef. If currents change, you won't be able to swim back and the anchor can damage coral. — Don't tow your dinghy. Strong currents can take it, and shallow reef areas will do the rest. — Always have surface support on the dinghy. — Know your experience level and the conditions before you go in. Local knowledge of the sites, the currents, and the timing lives with the people who dive here every day. We're happy to share it.
SNORKElLING IN DINGHY REACH We are happy to point out nearby snorkelling sites, easily accessible by dinghy or even with your paddleboard.
Viani Bay Community
CHURCH The Methodist Church next to the school holds a service every Sunday at 10:30am — visitors are welcome. The Seventh Day Adventist community observes Sabbath from Friday 6pm to Saturday 6pm.
RUBBISH AND WASTE We're happy to help with rubbish disposal. The pigs indulge in your food scraps, we gladly take glass jars with lids, and cardboard goes on the bonfire where we share stories and kava. For household rubbish, use the blue drum on the beach — 30 FJD per bag. Two favours: please take chemicals, batteries and glass bottles to the next marina. And don't leave bags outside the bin — the dogs will find them before we do.
SEVUSEVU Viani Bay has no central village — just scattered settlements around the bay. Sevusevu is not required for anchoring in the bay. That said, if you have kava and find yourself at a grog session, you'll be very welcome.
STROLLS AND HIKES The shoreline of Viani Bay is yours to explore. Great for jogging at low tide, Once you head up into the hills, you're crossing private property and native land — please ask permission first and consider bringing a small sevusevu. The locals are welcoming and will often go out of their way to help. We offer guided hikes if you'd like company and local knowledge. Details in Experiences.
SCHOOL VISITS Ucunivatu Primary School and kindergarten is home to around 60 kids who arrive by foot or school boat. Visitors are welcome — please ask permission before dropping by. The school always appreciates donations of pens, exercise books and basic stationery. Simple things, cheaply bought at the post office, yet still out of reach for families living off the land. Worth picking some up before you leave your last port.
GIFTS FOR THE COMMUNITY Many cruisers arrive with gifts for local families and that tradition is warmly appreciated. Things that are genuinely useful — and don't need to be new: polarised sunglasses, waterproof phone cases, dry bags, hats, sports shoes, rugby boots, swimwear, bras, reusable water bottles, warm clothes (yes, we Fijians do freeze in winter), and socks.
Welcome Ashore
We offer visiting yachts good Fijian food, a cold drink at sunset, and a place to actually unwind.
Happy Hour & Fijian Tapas - Daily from 4–6pm
Enjoy the sunset with cold beers, wines or our cocktail of the day. Our kitchen puts out a spread of Fijian tapas — fried waci or tubua baci with homemade salsa, kasava, dalo or breadfruit wedges with fresh dip, warm eggplant salad, curry sausages, whatever the day brings.
Dining (RSVP Dinner by 12pm, Lunch 6pm the day before)
Artisanal Fijian food, fresh from scratch with local ingredients.
For birthdays, anniversaries or anything special, give us a day's notice. Last minute? We always try our best.
Lovo Nights
A traditional Fijian earth oven — food slow-cooked on hot stones, wrapped in leaves. You are welcome to participate in the preparations. Arranged on request for groups of ten or more.
Cruisers Potluck with Fiji Sea Salt Tasting - THU at 6pm
EEveryone brings a dish — roughly what you'd eat yourself. We set the tables, our chefs contribute one of their own specialties, and happy hour runs all night. A floating community around a shared table. Reserve by noon. 15 FJD per person service fee.
Coral and Giant Clam Nursery Tour - WED 2p
Details on our Conservation page.
Bakery: Fresh bread, cinnamon rolls and cakes made to order.
Practical Support
Laundry 30 FJD per load (subject to water supply), provisioning support, and transfers to Taveuni or Savusavu — just ask.
Dive and Freedive
Dive Academy Fiji — our PADI 5★ Eco Dive and Freediving Center — operates small boats with a maximum of four guests. For visiting yachts we offer:
• Pick-up and drop-off at your vessel
• Single tank dives or scheduling over several days
• Great White Wall possible almost daily
• Night dives when tides are suitable
• Snorkelling trips on the Rainbow Reef
• Manta snorkelling at Rabi Island
• Visits to our coral and giant clam nursery
• PADI Scuba and Freediving courses
Our proximity to the sites allows us to return to shore between dives. Surface intervals are spent at the beach with tea, cake and fresh fruit — not on a boat.
From fellow cruisers
Marina and the team made us feel very welcome from the start. They extended the program an extra day to accommodate our 11-year-old, and it never felt rushed. Her calm, clear instruction made it a remarkable experience.
An incredible team. Yachts are truly welcome. The table setting and meal presentation is top class — Matthew's attention to detail and table decorations were something else. Great place to discover Fijian food.
Jone and Marina do a great job of educating guests and local residents about the importance of the reefs. We attended a presentation and then planted coral where they are working to establish a new reef."