Port Denarau, Fiji Cruises

Port Denarau, Fiji Cruise Port

Cruising through the South Pacific Ocean to the small, private Denarau Island is an adventure in itself, and the cruise port of Port Denarau, Fiji is the first stop on the way to paradise. A resort area famous for upscale hotels and the immaculate Denarau Golf & Racquet Club, it used to be a mangrove swamp before its transformation. Port Denarau was created in 2007 to take care of embarking or disembarking ship passengers. It’s a great place for supplies if touring other islands around Fiji's west coast, as well as a place to hang out other than the swank resorts (although those are only a ten-minute walk from port). While having a bite in the sunshine, you can enjoy live entertainment in the main square or gaze at the luxurious private yachts in the marina. Here are some of our favorite experiences when cruising to Port Denarau, Fiji:

• A major draw is the lovely Port Denarau Retail Centre. Although not an authentic Fijian “experience,” it caters to tourists looking for clothing shops, as well as grocery items, a pharmacy, souvenir shops, and a post office. You’ll find a duty free shop here as well.
   
• While the shopping may be more “mainstream”, finding Fijian cuisine is a little bit easier. Of course, the emphasis is on seafood dishes (cooked with local produce and herbs) available at restaurants within the center. Try the raw tuna or snapper Fijian kokoda, whimsically served in a coconut shell.
   
• Although many of the resorts offer a beach experience, it may be hard to find a public beach. If you buy a day pass on the Bula Bus, you can visit all of the resorts and ask for passage to their beach. For a more surefire way to get some sun and sand, catch a charter to the Mamanuca Islands, offshore from Port Denarau.
   
• If you want to see something different, visit the Hindu Sri Siva Subramaniya temple. Fewer than seven miles from Port Denarau, the largest temple in the southern hemisphere in nearby Nadi is sure to create a little inner peace.