Windsurfing in Fiji (or maybe New Zealand)

I'm traveling to Viti Levu for a friend's wedding at the end of April. I have six days before I need to head back home to the States.

I'd love to spend those six days learning to windsurf. Does anyone have suggestions for lessons (like a camp) and / or a place to stay in Fiji? The only thing I've found on the Web is info about Safari Lodge - if you have feedback about this place, I'd love to hear it - it got mixed reviews.

I'm also willing to travel to New Zealand for the same purpose, but haven't been able to find ANYTHING concrete about windsurfing camps or lessons.

Thanks for any help you can provide!!

PS - am a single gal - so please take that into consideration!

Hi! I am single girl off to Safari Lodge on Sunday! Only heard great things so will let you know how i get on.

Hi StefSeattle,

I stayed at Safari Lodge in December and while not originally planning on windsurfing I decided to learn and had a ball! The instruction is fantastic and while December is probably the worst month in terms of wind and ocean conditions to try to learn, I learnt a lot in a short period of time. There is a huge choice of equipment from beginner to advanced (the owner used to windsurf professionally) which ensures you get the hang of windsurfing quickly and spend less time hauling up huge sails and wobbling on small baords! Plus I was so impressed with the entire place I returned for a 2nd weekend a fortnight later (I was living/working in Suva for a month). The location is absolutely beautiful and the water is much warmer than NZ (an important consideration when you're learning and likely to be in the water a lot!).

Safari Lodge is really easy to get to once you're in Fiji, just a couple of hours drive from Nadi and then a 10 minute boat ride to Nananu-i-Ra. There are a couple of accommodation options on Nananu, but Safari is the only one which has an interest in windsurfing (and kitesurfing) and has equipment for hire, plus the accommodation is really a level above the others on offer. There are self-catering facilities, but the meal package is really good value with delicious food, plus everyone discusses the days events and future plans over breakfast, lunch and dinner so you feel a bit left out if you do cook for yourself.

Georgie

PS - I think the mixed reviews are a result of an incident a few years ago when a magazine was invited to do a kitesurfing photo shoot - there are always 2 sides to every story and having been there I would ignore the whole thing!
PPS - there's an interesting blog of a person learning to kitesurf at Safari at http://tracytanguay.blogspot.com/ (scroll down about halfway), the kitesurfing instructors also teach windsurfing

Hi
I love nananu-i-ra... (where safari lodge is) I have been there 6 times, but I usually stay at bethams - which is gorgeous and has really good self catering facilities... and walk the 2 minutes over to safari lodge. Its a great spot and warren who runs it is very friendly - though seems to have a bit of a thing for young girls so watch your daughters. He's always been lovely to me though. Bethams is reasonably priced (4 person dorm $25, double rooms $80 and family cottage $130-ish) all with their own kitchen/bathroom facilities etc. its clean and the staff are lovely if rather laid back. the meals are good if you choose to buy too. Safari is more expensive, but you can get packages that include the lessons etc.
enjoy !
ps safari and the other resorts on the island have a mini bus from nadi for about $25 each way. Alternatively you can get a local bus (2.5 hours) from lautoka for $6.30 and then a $10 taxi to elington wharf - where the boat will meet you to take you across to the island - its about a 10 minute trip and costs around $30 depending on the place you stay.
ps - i don't recommend nananu lodge unless you like roudy backpackers, run down facilities and cold nights in rooms without glass in the windows...

Read the reviews of Safari Lodge and you know where not to stay. I recommend MacDonalds and Bethams. They're both friendly and good value.

Hi
Me and a firend of mine stayed at the Safari Lodge on Nananu Ira Island this September and we just had the best time ever. The place itself is great and staff is really cool and friendly. The food couldn't be better and the accomodation is clean and comfortable.
The best about the place though are the water sports. Usually there is a lot of wind and a huge variety of sports equipment to choose from. You can rent the entire equipment at the lodge. It is also a good place for beginners not just for advanced ones because Warren the owner is a great and patient instructor. I took a few windsurfing lessons and it was a lot of fun. We also went for walks, island trips, great snorkeling, the swimming is awesome and we had a blast at a huge cava party organised by the staff and a few bonfires on the beach.
Everybody is more than welcome and you get to know a lot of people from all over the world.
By the way. The island is located on the sun shiny beach to the north of viti levu where the good wheather is at.
After being at the Lodge I went down to Pacific Harbour to the coral coast because I was told it was a good place to learn kite boarding. I was really disappointed because most of the time it was raining heavy and threre were not many other kite boarders around.
I preferred Safari Lodge and therefore recommend it to anyone who is into watersports because it is one of the best places for it!!!

Edited by: sis85