Namotu
Namotu Island is a South Pacific fantasy that is considered world class for surfing, diving, sailboarding, kite surfing, fishing and standup paddle boarding but what really sets Namotu apart is the service and atmosphere. No matter what activity you may be interested in, Namotu’s attentive “can do” staff are there to make it happen on your schedule. Boat transfers go where you want, when you want, and if you want a round of golf, no problem! Helicopter tour? No problem! Scuba diving? No problem! Feel free to do nothing at all but relax in the shade with an icy cocktail, enjoy the company of friends, or rest under the beach palapa in the solitude that only a private island accommodation can deliver.
If you are interested in some pre-trip physical conditioning to make the most out of your surf travel experience, check out Andrew Blake and his various training programs designed for Namotu. Andrew has spent months of time training guests while on island, and has now made his programs available to guests prior to travel.
What looks to be barely a speck of sand in the middle of the Pacific Ocean is actually a five-acre piece of island heaven.
Namotu has three private bures, two larger VIP bures, and it’s very own “Luv Shack” all built in the classic Fijian fashion: high ceilings, hardwoods, air conditioning and lots of windows and glass to regulate the sea breezes.
Namotu also offers a house, commonly referred to as “the Villa” featuring marble floors, living room, bar, and it’s very own pool perfect for a family, a small group of friends, or sharing with other guests on the island. The master bedroom of the house, or Villa Suite, is the best room on the island. The house can also accommodate 2 other couples or 4 single men in two bedrooms called the “Blue” room and “Pink” room; both rooms share the same bathroom
Standard number of guests per week is 25.
The Surf
The below reefs are all easily accessible by the Namotu boats, giving guests a greater variety of options.
SWIMMING POOLS
If you’re thinking “playful” and “warm” and “fun” then you have the right impression of Swimming Pools, a reef-break right which has just enough of the power of a tropical wave coming up out of the deep ocean. Popular with both short boarders and longboarders, Swimming Pools has the speed, power and length to do draw any lines you choose.
NAMOTU LEFT
What Restaurants is to Tavarua, Namotu Left is to Namotu – a world-class reef break that’s more forgiving than its more famous neighbor Cloudbreak. From 6 to 15 feet, Namotu Left can be the thrill of a lifetime, but from two to six foot the wave is a shortboard, fish, longboard or SUP paradise.
When the wind is going strong side shore, Namotu Left is as legendary in the sailboard and kitesurf world as Cloudbreak is in the surfing world.
WILKES PASS
About a mile northwest of Namotu Island, across the channel, Wilkes Pass is a powerful right barrel that breaks on the southern tip of a long barrier reef. Wilkes is a serious wave that will test the skill of any surfer, especially as it approaches the 10-foot mark. Access to all the surf breaks is by boat, with a boatman and radio on board in case of a broken board or an up-close-and-personal inspection tour of the Fijian reefs.
CLIMATE
The cooler dry season is from April through October and the warm, wetter and more humid season is from November to March. Air temperatures range from the mid 70’s to mid 80’s year round, with water temperatures hovering in the same range, year around
Fiji does receive rain year round but the wet season also corresponds with the South Pacific cyclone Season. Although it is rare to have a cyclone impact Fiji directly in any given year, it can happen, and does typically every 5+ years for a short period (3-5 days) of very intense and very bad weather.
The Fiji islands also have dry and wet sides similar to Hawaii; drier on the west and south, much more rain on the east and north. The properties WaterWays has relationships with are all located on the southwest or southern end of the island chain.
WIND
As with most of the South Pacific, the seasonal “trade” winds blow from the southeast across the Fiji Islands June through September. These winds can blow relatively strong for 5-10 days at a time, and then often back down for a week before continuing the on and off cycle. These trade winds may not be favorable at many breaks, but each location with which we work has some “fall back” plan in the event of unfavorable conditions.
During the wet season winds blow from the north, which is offshore for most breaks along the south coast. The shoulder months of March through May and October through early November receive light and variable winds producing many glassy days.
SWELL
The south swell window is generally from March through November while North swells are biggest and most consistent from December through February.
South Pacific does receive southern hemisphere swells year around and it is very rare for Fiji to receive a north ground swell out of season.
To sum it up: If you’re looking for the biggest surf, March through November is the go. Surfers looking for the cleanest conditions and the least crowded time of the year should visit during wet season from December through February.
Many people prefer to travel during shoulder months of March, April, May and September, October, November, hoping to get glassy conditions with early or late south swells.