Exploring Fiji with South Sea Cruises is probably our best-kept secret to date, as it took us waaaay too long to blog about it (or about our incredible trip to Fiji in general)!
Now it’s -finally- time to share our stories and tips with you, starting off with a review of a full day sailing experience.
TEST REPORT: FIJI SOUTH SEA CRUISES
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WHAT DOES IT SOUND LIKE?
The South Sea Cruises Group is the leading company when it comes to cruises around the Fiji islands. From Mamanuca and Yasawa Island resort transfers to complete day trips, Fiji’s white sandy beaches, reefs and picturesque islands are all easy to reach by their efficient high-speed catamarans from Port Denarau.
There are a few brands that fall within this group, including: Awesome Adventures (tailored and hop on/hop off South Sea Cruise transfers packages, we’ll write a blog about this soon!), Blue Lagoon Cruises (3, 4, and 7-night itineraries), Malamala Beach Club (we’ll also blog about this soon), Vinaka Fiji (voluntourism programmes), South Sea Cruises Fiji (day trips and island resort transfers to the Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands), and South Sea Sailing (a day trip on a custom-built 78ft day sailing catamaran).
Sounds good, right?
When we did a day sailing experience back in 2017, it was on board a 15 metre vessel under the name of “Seaspray Day Adventure“, as part of South Sea Cruises. Besides a full day on the water snorkeling the crystal clear waters, and exploring the beaches and lagoons of the Mamanuca Islands, it included a visit a Fijian village (on Yanuya island) and the island of Modriki (featured in the Tom Hanks movie ‘Castaway’).
While this tour is no longer available, South Sea Cruises offers no less than 14 different types of half- and full-day trips, suitable for all types of travellers. Keep on reading to see them all >>
Enjoying our South Sea Cruise Fiji
WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?
So, which trips can you choose? Here is a short overview:
- South Sea Sailing – A full day sailing experience around the Mamanuca Islands onboard a custom-built sailing catamaran including lunch and drinks.
- South Sea Island – Spend your day on a tiny tropical island. Including drinks, lunch, snorkelling gear, SUP’s and kayaks. Full day and half day options available.
- South Sea Island Finding Nemo – This family-friendly tour has an early start and midday return. Swim in the crystal clear waters and take the kids to see the underwater world in a semi-submersible coral viewer.
- Combo Cruise – Spend the morning at South Sea Island and after lunch board a vessel for a tour around some of the other Mamanuca Islands.
- Mamanuca Island Explorer – A half-day sightseeing cruise where you get to relax onboard a high-speed catamaran vessel for 3 hours.
- Yasawa Island Explorer – A full-day sightseeing cruise where you can take in the stunning Yasawa Islands onboard a high-speed catamaran.
Looking for more adventure? Then these trips might be a good fit for you:
- Ultimate Encounters: Snorkel With Sharks – Get up close and personal with reef sharks in their natural environment in the Yasawa Islands. Includes lunch at Barefoot Kuata Island Resort.
- Manta Ray Experience – Journey to Mantaray Island Resort on select dates from May to October for the chance to swim with these majestic creatures.
Finally, they offer day trips to the following island resorts:
- Malamala Beach Club – The world’s first island beach club. Full day and half day options available. [Nick and I visited this beach club, review to follow soon!]
- Barefoot Kuata Island Resort – A 2 hour cruise (each way) to this island. Lunch is included. [Nick and I stayed here one night and it was our favourite of the trip!]
- Castaway Island Fiji – A day trip where you get to spend the day at one of Fiji’s most popular resorts. Lunch and snorkelling gear are also included. Optional Kids Club.
- Serenity Island Resort – This resort is located on Bounty Island. Here you can swim, laze around the pools, or snorkel. Lunch and non-motorised water sports equipment are included.
- Mana Island Resort & Spa – Visit this popular and expansive resort with lunch included. Swim in the lagoon or explore the three different beaches. Full and half day options available.
- Malolo Island Resort – Take in the sights en route to this award-winning resort. Swim, laze around the pools, or snorkel on this day trip. Lunch and non-motorised water sports equipment are included.
GOOD TO KNOW: The trips offer complimentary pre-booked return coach transfers to/from Port Denarau and most hotels and resorts.
WHAT DOES IT TASTE LIKE?
While there is no trip really quite similar to the full day sailing trip that we did, the South Sea Cruises “South Sea Sailing“ option is the only one featuring a sailing experience. A perhaps a much better one too, because our 15-meter (about 49 feet) vessel has since been upgraded to a 24-meter (78 feet) custom-built sailing catamaran!
While we didn’t have much space on the boat, the catamaran has large shaded canopies with a range of seating options from bean bags to booths, so there is plenty of room.
What has remained the same, is that you still get plenty of time to snorkel, swim at a tropical reef and relax on a sand cay. Perhaps even more time still – because the village visit that we did (and was really a bit touristy) has been taken off the itinerary. Now you have more time to relax in the water and on the beach itself.
Another similarity is that on this day trip you have access to a gourmet morning tea and buffet lunch with tropical fruit, complimentary soft drinks and bottled water all day, as well as local beer and house wine served from lunchtime for 2 hours. From what I can see on their website, they have improved the lunch as well, and you get welcomed onboard with a complimentary mimosa or juice, which we didn’t have.
All seems super tasty to me!
WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE?
The sailing route is the one thing that has changed the most from the day trip that we experienced. As I already mentioned, they no longer visit the village at Yanuya island, but they also don’t make a stop at Monuriki Island anymore.
Now, you might think: Monu-what-now? But if you look at the pictures below, you might be able to guess why this little island became famous… Yes – it featured in Tom Hanks’ iconic movie Castaway! Someone even spelled ‘Help Me!’ with coconuts in the sand, haha.
While it was a fun stop, time was limited, so we did a bit of snorkelling and then returned to the ship. I don’t think you will miss it on your day trip, but if you’re a massive movie-fan, then of course it can feel as a bit of a disappointment that you no longer make a stop here.
The route we did was: Denarau Marina > Bounty Island (pickup) > Treasure Island (pickup) > Mana Island (transfer from hop/on, hop/off catamaran to the sailing boat) > Yanuya Island (village visit) > Monuriki Island > Mana Island (transfer back to the catamaran) > Denarau Marina.
The route the new tour is doing: Denarau Marina > Malolo Island (Malolo Sand Bar)> Denarau Marina.
The Seaspray day sailing adventure Fiji brought us to Monuriki Island – As seen in the Castaway Movie!
OLD ROUTE 
NEW ROUTE
WHAT DOES IT SMELL LIKE?
Easy: this trip is a day full of fresh ocean breeze, what else do you need in life?
Below you can see some of the photo’s we shot on the boat and under the water surface. The only thing I must say is that unfortunately, the reefs in Fiji are pretty damaged. While Fiji is surrounded by the largest coral reef system in the Southwest Pacific, its coral reefs are facing a global threat as acidity and temperature of oceans increase, leading to coral reef bleaching causing them to appear white and colourless.
You might not be aware of it, but in the last 30 years, over 50% of the world’s coral reefs have died. And it is predicted that up to 90% may die within the next century, due to global warming. [source]
Organizations such as Manta Trust, WCS and Marine Ecology Consulting have taken part in restoring the lost coral reefs in Fiji.
South Sea Cruises is a member of the Mamanuca Environment Society and they work together to develop sustainable environmental practices and projects.
SOUTH SEA CRUISES TEST RESULTS
APPROVED!
We had a great day out on the water with South Sea Cruises and were well looked after. Of course I cannot speak for the quality of the tour in its current form, but I can see they’ve definitely upgraded some important elements, such as the boat itself and the lunch (which we already though was good!).
While I will certainly recommend this company, I will say that if you’re in Fiji for longer, and you’re already doing some island-hopping with for example the Awesome Adventures Bula Pass (more about this in a future blog, but basically it’s a hop-on hop-off island pass including accommodation), this tour might not add much more to your experience.
In that case, would probably recommend to spend a day longer at one of the resorts you’re already visiting, or choosing to do something completely different and instead of the sailing trip opt for a day at the Malamala Beach Club (a just relax by the pool) or go for the more adventurous shark encounter or manta ray experience.
Accessibility scored low in our rating, because this trip requires you to board and disembark a vessel that is not wheelchair accessible, and might be a challenge if you have limited mobility.
I have also scored ‘tour guide’ a bit low, because while the staff was friendly and accommodating, there wasn’t any particular information about the islands shared that could have added some more value to the trip.
For the most current South Sea Cruises prices check their website >>
TOUR/ACTIVITY REVIEW RATING
Accessibility: 4/10
Tour Guide: 5/10
Uniqueness of Tour / Activity: 7/10
Contribution to Self-Development: 6/10
Value for Money: 6/10
Click here for more information about the review ratings we use on The Travel Tester.
The Seaspray cruises brought visitors to a local Fijian village (not in current cruise)
WHICH ACTIVITIES TO DO ON YOUR TRIP?
The Travel Tester loves to review different types of tours and activities around the world.
From well-known tourist attractions to bucket list experiences and from guided tours to self-guided visits of historical places, interactive museums, viewpoints, local events and much more… if it looks interesting to us, we’ll test it!
No matter where you’re going, with our reviews you’ll know exactly where to find fun activities!
WHERE TO TRAVEL NEXT?
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