Mamanuca Island Explorer

A relax & chill 3-hour sightseeing ride around the islands

Rating - 3.5/5 I booked with my eyes open that this will be a 3-hour sightseeing ride around the islands whereby they dropped off passengers going to the various islands for day trips or overnight stays at the resorts. And we were not allowed to disembark. We did this more as an introduction to see the outlaying islands as we wanted to spend more time in our hotel and not do a full day cruise. The catamaran is clean and we sat on the open deck to enjoy some sea sprays. Overall, we enjoyed the ride and will return one day to an island of choice to stay and do some water sports. Tips: 1. Advance booking is not essential. 2 departures per day - 12.15pm & 3.15pm 2. If you are doing a half day cruise, you could spend the other half day in Nadi town which is about 15 minutes drive away from Port Denarau. 3. Souvenirs shopping is available at Port Denarau as well as F&B outlets.

South Seas Cruises resort transfer

Our South Seas Cruises resort transfer to/from Port Denarau to Likuliku Lagoon Resort was horrible!!! Their website says “Our fleet of modern catamarans has air-conditioned lounges, outdoor viewing decks, and licensed bars meaning you’ll feel on holiday as soon as you step on board” which is TOTALLY misleading. There was no air-conditioning (if there was, it was either not working or they did not have it turned up high enough) making the indoor area (which is far from a “lounge”) almost unbearable: we honestly thought a few of the kids on the ferry were going to pass out from heatstroke as they were so red in the face and sweating profusely (their parents kept feeding them salty snacks and making them drink water as they mopped the sweat from their heads). The “licensed bar” is basically a very small concession stand with extremely limited choices. We dreaded the transfer back from Likuliku the whole time we were at the resort. On the way back we were able to get seating upstairs outside, but in front under cover there was no air flow and not under cover we were in the blaring sun – but with the breeze we chose that over the sweatbox “lounge”. Seriously, if you can afford a different way to get to/from the resorts, do it! The next time we go to Fiji there is NO way we are ever getting back on the “floating vehicle of despair” (my husband’s nickname for this ferry).

Disappointed

Paid 500+ just for a return boat ride. In description it said we would hop of on beachcomber beach which was not apart of the cruise.

Marketing Scam

A clever spin on marketing, photos show food, the ability to get off the boat and swim. It says return transfers. Reality is you get on a transfer (7am ) arriving at 8am, for a 9am depart. On arrival your told the next transfer back is 6pm. The boat arrives back at 12pm.... The "cruise" it's self is simply an adhoc tour created to fill seats. The boat is travelling past the islands whether you book or not. The aircon room is nice but the lack of offers to upgrade is disappointing. Avoid this trip unless you want to sit on a boat for three hours.

Relaxing cruise through the islands.

Really well-appointed vessel. Comfortable and nice sightseeing trip. The crew was happy and helpful. We really enjoyed it.

Sightseeing Joke

The cruise is marketed as a sightseeing tour of some Mamanuca Islands on a high speed catamaran lasting 2.45 to 3 hours. While the trip is comfortable enough with various spacious viewing deck options such as air con Captain lounge, mid deck seatings and sun deck, it is essentially a resort transfer cruise where people get drop off and pick up and you are there for the ride except you don’t get off at any of the islands, even for a short photo op. It is just a piggy back money spinner for them! You are better off spending the cost of FJD$129 (for an adult) on something else better value for money; plus you also get hit with a fuel surcharge of FJD$20 pp on check in at the counter. The other thing you should be aware of is that unless your accommodation is located in or near Nadi you will have to pay your own way to the Port Denarau Marina where the cruises leave from; as complimentary transfer will not be available. So if you are located on the Coral Coast, it can be an expensive logistical exercise to get there,particularly if say, you booked the 9 am cruise as it is a long drive to get there before the departure time!

Beautiful cruise

Was beautiful. We loved the history and imfo from the crew. The crew was very friendly and enjoyable. My husband and I really enjoyed our time. This was our first trip to your beautiful country. My husband is Austrian and I am american.

Sabre - South Sea Cruises, the catamaran not to miss

A great fun cruise that included sailing, paddle boarding, snorkeling and brunch and lunch. Great crew, especially Sai, which made the day fly by. Definitely not one to miss out on

What a waste of time and money...

<p>What a waste of time and money. Cruise? You're sitting on a full commuter boat making stops along the way. Nothing like the pictures on the internet</p> <p>If you have been to one island you have already doing this cruise. So spend the money going for a day trip or half day trip to any of the islands instead and enjoy some swimming etc.</p>

Nice way to see the various islands...

<p>Nice way to see the various islands but we did not get off of the boat. i would recommend planning extra time and allocating money to getting off at one of the islands. Nice trip overall and still allows you to have the rest of the day.</p>