Namotu

Namotu Island

Overview

Namotu Island is one of the few hundreds of islands that make up the country of Fiji. More specifically, Namotu Island is in the southernmost part of the chain of islands called the Mamanuca Islands, which are just west of Nadi. Namotu is located just off the southwestern coast of the main island of Fiji known as Viti Levu. The island of Namotu has a prime location for divers, fishers, and surfers because there are a series of barrier reefs that provide beautiful sightseeing, beautiful fish, and beautiful waves. These barrier reefs consist of coral and although they can be extremely dangerous, they are an exceptionally stunning sight for divers of all types. The coral reefs also provide homes for a wide variety of tropical fish from big to small; it is a fisherman’s paradise. The reefs are not all connected meaning there are drop-offs and at these drop-offs is where perfect waves form, any surfer would love the island of Namotu.

Namotu Island Resort

The island is very small and is all part of one resort simply called Namotu Island Resort. The resort consists of beach bures, villas, a bar, and a restaurant. They have personal boats to take guests to world-class surf breaks and great fishing spots. For travelers, the closest airport to Namotu Island is in the city of Nadi which is on the big island of Fiji just north of Namotu. In order to reach Namotu Island, a short and swift transit via boat is required because it is about five nautical miles West of Viti Levu.

Water Sports

Namotu Island is very popular for all of the water activities it can provide considering that the conditions are ideal for various hobbies. The water is generally 80 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit in the summertime and 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter. The visibility under water varies in different parts of Fiji but in the Mamanuca chain the visibility is anywhere from 25 to 75 feet. The current conditions in this area are also considered mild so it is very accommodating for all avid ocean goers. The weather can be abundant with rain in the summer (December–February) and usually dryer in the winter (June–August).

Diving

Snorkeling is one of the many activities that Namotu Island offers because of its excellent reefs that are surrounding it. Any guest can witness gorgeous fish and fluorescent corals just off the beaches.

Scuba Diving is very popular in the Mamanuca Islands. Just west of Namotu is a nine-mile-long reef called the Malolo Barrier Reef that holds a few extraordinary dive sites. One of the most popular reefs in the region is known as The W because of its shape. There are more spots to dive in this region such as The Pinnacle and The Supermarket. All of these are home to an incredible amount of flamboyant fish and corals.

Surfing

This island also offers an amazing selection of waves for all types of surfers from beginners to experts. At the southern end of the Malolo Barrier Reef is a series of world famous breaks that produce nearly perfect waves. The breaks right outside of Namotu Island itself are called Wilkes Pass, Namotu Left, and Swimming Pools. There are several more breaks that are easily accessible from Namotu Island such as the world famous Cloud Break, Restaurants, Despertions, and Tavarua Rights. Wilkes Pass, Tavarua Rights, and Swimming Pools are right breaking waves, which are generally favored by regular footed surfers. Cloud Break, Restaurants, and Namotu Left are left breaking waves that every goofy footed surf dreams about. Desperations is the only right and left peak that breaks off of a point in the barrier reef. Since this reef is exposed to the open ocean it accepts mostly west swells. The best season for surfing in this area is during the winter because of the storms that generate solid swell to the region. Waves can reach up to 15 feet and greater depending on the size of the swell that reaches the reef. In this area the barrels generated are flawless. When conditions go bad for surfing, they usually are a green light for kitesurfing, making it a world-class destination for both kite and sailboarders.[1]

Fishing

Fishing is another activity that Namotu Island can provide for its guests. Because Namotu Island is located on the edge of the Mamanuca Archipelago, fishing is quality. Namotu Island Resort has a small sport fishing charter for the avid fisherman. On this vessel they accommodate rods, baits, and lures for trolling, jigging, and casting either along drop-offs or in the open ocean. Many types of fish may be caught in the area due to the rich ocean ecosystem. Anglers can fish for a variety of tropical fish such as Giant Trevally, Yellowfin Tuna, Red Bass, Coral Trout, Spanish Mackerel, Barracuda, Skip Jacks, and an assortment of reef fish as well.

Also known as Waldron Island

In July of 1840 the Wilkes Expedition named this island after Richard Russell Waldron, purser, USS Vincennes [2] [3] [4]

References

  1. ↑ WaterWays (December 7, 2012). "Namotu Island Fiji – Video by Ben Wilson". Retrieved March 16, 2015.
  2. ↑ Charles Wilkes, Narrative of the United States exploring expedition: During the ..., Volume 3, p.286 at: http://www.geology.19thcenturyscience.org/books/1845-Wilkes-Expedition/Vol-III/PDFpages/1845-Wilkes-Expedition-III-0286.pdf accessed 29 March 2014
  3. ↑ Alexander G. Findlay, A Directory for Navigating the Pacific Ocean ..., London, 1851, Part II, p.935 at: http://books.google.ca/books?id=p5tDAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA935&lpg=PA935&dq=malolo+waldron&source=bl&ots=NVHrNcKrlZ&sig=RHIkaEwFernSTWLR0kenoObKg1s&hl=en&sa=X&ei=Tak3U5_tJunuyQHGj4DIDQ&ved=0CDoQ6AEwCA#v=onepage&q=malolo%20waldron&f=false accessed 30 March 2014
  4. ↑ "Waldron Island (Namotu Island)", http://www.getamap.net/maps/fiji/western/_waldronisland/ accessed 29 March 2014

Sources

Brown, W. G. (1993). Diving and Snorkeling Guide to Fiji. Houston, Tex.: Pisces Books.

Surfline/Wavetrak, Inc. (n.d.) About Wilkes Pass, Namotu. Surfline. Retrieved (4/20/13) http://www.surfline.com/surf-report/wilkes-pass-namotu-fiji_7285/travel/

Subsurface Fiji. (2012) Game Fishing. Subsurface Fiji. Retrieved (4/20/13) http://fijidiving.com/?cat=14

Waterways Surf Adventures. (n.d.) Activities – Surfing. Namotu Island Fiji. Retrieved (4/20/13) http://www.namotuislandfiji.com/surfing-with-map