Planning a surfing adventure to Fiji? You’re making a great choice! Fiji has one of the best conditions for surfing, and the waves remain consistent all year round.
Surf camps in Fiji draw plenty of visitors for their abundance of warm waters, iconic surfing spots, exciting reefs, and adrenaline-pumping swells. Many surfers comment on Fiji’s top-notch surfing camp facilities, quality of surf lessons, and welcoming learning environment.
Besides that, Fiji will also give you the opportunity to escape to tropical islands such as Taveuni and Vanua Levu rich with vibrant jungles, waterfalls, and hiking trails full of lush greenery and colorful flowers. It’s a surfing paradise and an unforgettable holiday escape.
So, read on for some of the best surfing camps in Fiji, as well as some luxurious surfing resorts!
Located just 25 minutes from central Nadi, the Rendezvous Surf Camp is considered to be one of the most affordable surfing camps in Fiji.
Ideal for travelers on a budget and a surfers paradise, each morning you’ll be able to take a short boat ride out to the best surfing spots in Fiji, and then come back at the end of the day and kick back in the surf camp’s comfortable facilities. It even has a restaurant, swimming pool, pool table, wifi and more!
The Endless Summer Camp is a true surfer’s paradise. Located right on the Coral Coast, Endless Summer is the perfect place for the surfing adventure of a lifetime.
In the day, qualified instructors will take you out on the crystal clear tropical waters where you can catch some waves, and then in the evening you can head back to the beachfront and enjoy some yoga. It’s definitely one to consider!
If you’re a beginner or looking for a surf school that can accommodate children, then the Soul Rider Camp is the perfect place for you. Equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and qualified instructors, Soul Rider Camp offers a variety of packages tailored to surfers of all levels.
Created in 1995, Shakabay Surf is the first surfing school ever created in Fiji, as well as one of the most popular! This well-respected surf school is located on one of the world’s most beautiful sandy beaches, Natadola, and boasts a team of experienced instructors that are all qualified.
Their main goal as a school is to help encourage surfing amongst indigenous Fijians as well as those who visit, so you’ll be in for a truly authentic experience with this camp.
Located inNamotu Island, the Fiji Surf School is an excellent choice for experienced surfers that are looking to enjoy some of Fiji’s most impressive waves.
Offering both lessons and camp, you’ll be able to take a short boat ride over to Cloudbreak, which is a legendary left reef pass that many surfers deem to be home to some of the most impressive waves in the world!
If you’re on the search for an affordable surfing retreat, then Funky Fish Surf is just the place. Ideal for families, friends, and even solo travelers, Funky Fish is a true water wonderland that offers a variety of different accommodations to suit all budgets.
Plus, thanks to their free boat transfer service, you’ll be able to head out and hit the waves in the morning, and then return to the resort in the evening to enjoy a variety of different social activities for a truly unforgettable experience.
If you’d prefer to skip the lessons and jump straight into the waves, you’d be making a good choice to visit Tavarau Island. This heart-shaped island situated in the Manaucas is the perfect spot for surfers of all levels and is home to some of the best surfing breaks in Fiji.
In-between your surfing sessions, you’ll be able to relax in either a luxurious villa or couples bure, and in the evening you can unwind in one of the resort’s many bars and restaurants.
Similar to Tavarau Island, the Castaway Island Resort is another great choice for those looking for the perfect balance between a fun vacation and a surfing adventure.
After a day spent surfing with your friends and family, you can then take the boat ride back to your traditionally-decorated bure, where you can kick back and relax, or even head out to one of the resort’s acclaimed restaurants. It’s a must for families and groups of friends.
If you’re looking for a once in a lifetime surfing experience like no other, you won’t be disappointed with the Tadarai Island Resort.
This adult only, five-star resort is the perfect escape for couples and groups of friends looking to enjoy some surfing while soaking in the luxurious atmosphere and facilities of the island.
If you’re looking for the perfect romantic getaway packed with relaxation and action, look no further than Lomani Island. This adult-only resort offers a variety of activities, including surfing lessons, as well as snorkeling, swimming, kayaking and more!
Budget Planning
Meal Price Range
During your surfing stay in Fiji, you’ll need to make sure that you have enough money set aside in your budget to be able to buy yourself food each day.
The good news is that food in Fiji is relatively cheap, and for an average day of three meals, you’ll be looking at spending around 70 Fijian Dollars, which is just over $30.
Alongside that, you’ll also want to make sure that you have a little leftover each day to be able to purchase any additional snacks and refreshments that you might need, especially seeing as you’re going to be spending a lot of time working out in the waves!
Equipment Rental
The prices of equipment rental will vary depending on what surf camp you choose to attend. For the most part, you’re likely going to find that all of your equipment will be provided for you if you’re planning on spending your surfing vacation at a surf camp.
However, if you’re planning on only taking a few surfing lessons and then spending the rest of your vacation exploring some surfing spots by yourself, then you’ll need to factor into your budget some spending money to pay for all of the surf equipment rentals.
To give you an idea of what you might be spending, the average price to rent out a surfboard for the day costs around 40 Fijian Dollars, which works out to about $19.
Prepaid SIM Cards
Regardless of whether you’re traveling to Fiji alone or with a group, it’s a good idea to consider purchasing a prepaid SIM card. These are available to buy at Nadi International Airport, supermarkets, and even convenience stores, and are a variety of different prices to cater to all budgets.
If possible, we recommend that you purchase your prepaid SIM card at the Nadi International Airport as soon as you land for your safety.
Public Transport
When traveling to Fiji, many travelers opt to take public transport as it is extremely affordable. All of Fiji’s main islands have an expansive public transportation system that makes getting around as easy as can be.
One of the most popular types of transport is Fiji’s express buses, which operate between all of Fiji’s major towns and cities. Prices vary depending on the length of the journey, however, as an example, an express bus will be able to take a passenger from Nadi to Suva (in under six hours) for a price of around 20 Fijian Dollars, which is just under ten dollars.
Short-hop journeys are a lot cheaper, with the average price for an adult single costing around 1 Fijian Dollar. Besides taking the bus, you could also choose to get around via taxi, although prices can be a little more expensive and work out to around 1 Fijian Dollar per mile.
As a side note, it is acceptable to negotiate taxi fare in Fiji so long as you are traveling between town areas, but it is not acceptable to negotiate taxi fare for long distances, such as traveling from the airport.
Gas Prices
If you are considering renting a car for the duration of your stay in Fiji, then it’s important to make sure that you have set aside enough money to be able to pay for gas. Though rates may vary from region to region, the average cost of a liter of gasoline in Fiji is around 3 Fijian Dollars, which works out to around 1 dollar and 50 cents.
Types of Risks
Generally speaking, Fiji is a super safe place for travelers to visit. However, it is important to ensure that you are always using your common sense to ensure that you are able to enjoy your surfing experience safely.
Though the majority of people have a positive experience during their time in Fiji, it’s important to note that Fiji does have crime rates and that sometimes tourists can be the target.
Burglaries are not out of the ordinary, so make sure that you always keep your valuables safe, especially if you’re staying in Fiji for a few months. Although, if you’re simply vacationing in Fiji and staying in a hotel, there is a much lower risk of any of this happening.
In addition to this, you should also make sure that you always keep your wits about you. Though Fiji’s populated tourist spots are generally very safe, it is not recommended that you walk around at night in Suva and Nadi, as it is not safe to walk once it gets dark.
All of the locals that live in these areas catch cabs or take another form of transportation, so it is recommended that you do the same for your safety.
How to Prepare for Your Surf Trip
Visas
If you’re planning on entering Fiji for the surfing adventure of a lifetime, chances are that you won’t actually need to apply for a visa.
At the time of writing, there are 109 countries that do not require a visa to visit Fiji, and that list includes countries such as the USA, the Uk, all European countries, and more. However, prior to departure, make sure that you double-check whether your country is exempt from Fiji’s “no visa requirements” list, just to be on the safe side.
Additionally, regardless of this, if you are planning on staying in Fiji for longer than 4 months, you will need to apply for a tourist visa.
However, in the circumstance that you decide you’d like to stay in Fiji for longer than four months while you are already there, you may be able to apply for an extension on your visitor permit which is allocated in two months increments for a six month period.
Language and Currency
In Fiji, the three official languages are Fijian, Hindi, and English. Although Fijian is the most common language spoken around the country by its indigenous people, English is also widely used, especially in central and tourist areas.
A smaller amount of the population also speaks a variant of Hindi, which is more commonly referred to as Fiji Hindi. The official currency of Fiji is the Fijian Dollar.
Checking Surf Forecast
Even though you’ll be spending your time at a surf camp, you should also make sure that you double-check the surfing forecast each day for your safety. You’ll be able to get daily surfing forecasts via the web, so you’ll need to make sure that you have access to the internet via your cell phone or internet cafe.
Travel/Surf Insurance
Just in the same way you would any other type of summer or winter vacation, you’ll need to make sure that you’ve got proper travel insurance.
Your travel insurance will be able to prevent you from being stuck with a hefty bill in the event that you needed to attend the hospital due to a medical emergency, or if you accidentally happened to lose any goods while abroad.
Additionally, even though pretty much every type of travel insurance will cover surfing by default, make sure that you are reading the fine print and double-checking prior to purchase, otherwise any accidents that might happen while you surf may not be covered by your insurance.
