Savusavu via P&O cruise boat

Hi,

We are visiting Savusavu on 13 Feb on via a P&O cruise ship. That day is my wife's 40th birthday, so we like to find something interesting to do (we also have kids 7&8y.o.)

a few questions...

How close does the cruise ship (Pacific Dawn) dock to town (walkable in hot weather with 2 fit kids)?
My 2000 L.P. map has a "government wharf" is this where the cruise ship docks?
Has anyone done the morning pearl farm tour? What did you think?
where in town is the pearl farm office (in relation to where the cruise ship docks or the MH supermarket/customs house/planters house)?
Any local problem with the recent flooding?
Other suggestions ?

Thanks in advance.

Michael :o)

I think the floods only affected the west coast of Viti Levu, far away from Savusavu on Vanua Levu. Do be on deck as you come through the reef pass - the marker beacon lies a deceptive mile from the point. You will be sailing in the caldera of a very large and ancient volcano, the views are lovely as you pass the Cousteau Resort out at The Point and approach Nakama Creek where Savusavu lies. We saw whales there once. You must take a quick look at the Hot Springs behind the main MH supermarket (just ask), sometimes the locals cook stuff in the hot water, you might see steam in a few places where the water enters the creek.

Yes, the boat will dock at the - very small - main wharf, a stroll in to 'town'. Savusavu is very compact, easy walking for children with plenty of places to buy a cold drink or ice cream. It is based around the market and bus station. The market is fascinating for a wander, little piles of edible seaweed, freezers full of reef fish, displays of spices, yummy fruit; the cheerful stall holders will answer any of your question. Why not challenge the children to buy something they've never seen before, not hard at all. We all got a laugh from a (delicious) jar labelled 'wee jelly' made from a fruit I'd never heard of, but now know as 'wi' or Ambarella. Many of the shops are run by Indians so the goods on sale can be an unusual mix. You can buy basic snack-items at any of the small supermarkets; buns and cakes and pies at the couple of bakeries.

There will be heaps of children and smiles around, there is a small playground hidden by the water behind some buildings further on than the market, yours would be the only pelangi kids there. With luck you'll see kids out on a bilibili - raft made of bamboo known locally as the 'no come back' boat. If you want to swim or snorkel, there are no really good beaches. You can catch a local bus (infrequent service but a taxi isn't expensive) out towards the Cousteau Resort, ask someone where its marker buoys are, they take their guests out to snorkel every day. The road runs beside the water, the beach is very narrow, there is a reef right at the shore, wear reef shoes and take cold drinks as there are no shops but the children could take a dip.

I haven’t done the pearl farm tour, just came across a bunch of locals working beside the creek out of town a bit, trying to get the strands of oysters out of the sun and back into the water. Not sure where the Pearl Farm Office is but - no matter what they say - last I heard the local pearls were not up to production or ready for sale. Many places in the South Pacific sell 'local' pearls that are neither local nor cheap, look at prices and quality before you go.

There are nice places to eat, probably more have opened since I sailed out last June. The Copra Shed Marina is the centre for cruising yachts, most head south for the cyclone season but there are a few long-stayers to brighten up the view. The water side bar is cool and shady for a beer (guys – take your cap off or you’ll be asked to buy a round), children enjoy watching tropical fish around the pilings. Good meals and ice cream at the café section roadside, the main restaurant overlooking the water is more expensive but great for a special 'night out', or lunch even. And the Planters Club is a quaint time-warp place for a drink on the way back to your boat.

Have a great holiday - and birthday.

thanks angela :)

There was significant flooding in the north as well as the west but I was in Savusavu while it was all going on (9th-15th) and the town escaped pretty well untouched. Labasa in the north of Vanua Levu was flooded quite badly and may still be inaccessible in places.

All that happened in Savusavu during the flood (while I was there) was that the airport was closed and water supply was unreliable in a few suburban areas.

I reckon the tours would all be up and running again.