Pacific Island Paradises

FIJI Mamanucas, Yasawa & Outer Islands The Mamanucas Islands lie in a majestic arc only a short distance from the mainland of Viti Levu, curving to the northwest, and almost touching the Yasawa chain. There are 13 islands in all, not counting those covered by the Pacific at high tide and they all share in common pristine white sandy beaches, waving palms, crystal blue waters and, at night, the cooling influence of the trade winds. The Mamanucas (pronounced Mah-mahnoo-tha) are essentially volcanic outcrops pushed up from the ocean floor in a gigantic earthquake thousands of years ago. Some are especially significant in Fijian folklore. From the air you can see that the Mamanucas group is two clusters known 50  www.paradisesonline.com as Mamanuca-i-ra and Mamanucai-cake. Within the Mamanucas is the Malolo group, five kilometres inside the barrier reef, extending in a curve for 120 kilometres. A number of resort islands are scattered throughout the Malolo group, each offering bure accommodation, a relaxing holiday atmosphere and a range of water activities. There are boat excursions, fishing trips and watersports including waterskiing, windsurfing, snorkelling, diving, sailing, speed-boat rides and coral viewing. Malololailai is the centre for most tourism to and from the Mamanucas. It has safe anchorage, a cosmopolitan community and an airstrip serviced regularly from Nadi. Other resort islands within the group include Bounty Island, Amunuca Island Resort, Yaqeta Island, Beachcomber Island, Castaway Island, Malolo Island, Mana Island, Musket Cove, Nanuya Balavu, Plantation Island, Tavarua Island, Namotu Island, Vomo Island, Lomani Island Resort, Treasure Island, Matamanoa Island Resort and Tokoriki, which is located the furthest from the mainland. The Yasawa Islands have a different ambience. They are a chain of 16 volcanic islands and dozens of tiny islets stretching 80 kilometres in a northnortheast direction off the west coast of Viti Levu. They are special because of their beautiful, isolated beaches, cliffs, bays and reefs, unspoilt by much tourist development. Because they sit in the lee of Viti Levu, the Yasawas are dry and sunny with crystal clear waters. It was from the north end of the Yasawas that two canoe-loads of cannibals appeared in 1789 and gave Captain William Bligh and his 18 companions a chase, less than a week after the famous mutiny. Two centuries later, cruise ships ply

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