Fiji - weather and sailing

Hey

Can anyone tell me what the weather is like in December? Does it rain a lot or is it just showers usually? Have just spent 3 weeks in Tonga and Samoa and it has rained a lot and am now reconsidering my visit to Fiji as it is driving me nuts not being able to do anything for a whole day at times. Also, are there still loads of stuff to do in low season as here most things and places are closed.... Don't want to go and get wrong impression.

Also does anyone know about sailing schools in Fiji? Prices etc?

THANK YOU!!!!!!! x

Crewing around Fiji for three seasons, didn't see a dedicated sailing 'school' either at Savusavu on Vanua Levu or Musket Cove off Viti Levu where most yachts congregate. The 'come sailing for a day' often motor along, don't teach you anything and give a wrong impression of life aboard. Sometimes you can find a yacht/skipper/small charter business that might teach you to sail if you charter a boat. As most yachts leave the South Pacific to escape the sub-optimal weather from November-April-ish, not likely that you will be able to arrange anything. Prices for all types of holiday are usualy heaps cheaper at this time of year, check rain fall curves to work out why!! I'd suggest you learn to sail somewhere near home and then go charter (Neiafu in Tonga is a good place). Because Fiji has so many reefs, it is not a centre for charter operations! In fact they say there are only two types of yachts sailing around Fiji: those who have already hit a reef, and those that will! Another option is to go and crew for a season, with the right skipper it can be a fast-track to being useful on board.