Pacific Island Paradises

– 49 – www.paradises.com — F i j i — The Mamanuca 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 of islands. 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 inf luence of the trade winds. The Mamanuca Islands (pronounced Mah-mahnoo-tha) are essentially volcanic outcrops pushed up from the ocean f loor in a gigantic earthquake thousands of years ago. Some are especially significant in Fijian folklore. From the air you can see that the Mamanucas islands are two clusters known as Mamanuca-i-ra and Mamanucai-cake. Within the Mamanucas is the Malolo group, f ive 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, f ishing trips and watersports including waterskiing, windsurf ing, snorkelling, diving, sailing, speedboat rides and coral viewing. The islands of Malolo are the centre for most tourism to and from the Mamanucas. It has safe anchorage, a cosmopolitan community and an airstrip. 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 northeast direction off the west coast of Viti Levu. They are special because their beautiful, isolated beaches, cliffs, bays and reefs are unspoiled by much tourist development. The Yasawas Islands are dry and sunny with crystal clear waters. The islands in the group include Waya Island, he highest in the Yasawas; Tavewa Island, a strikingly beautiful small island about two kilometres long. Turtle Island owned by Richard Evanson who bought the island in 1972; Yasawa Island; Sawa- i-Lau Island with its large limestone cave illuminated by a crevice at the top; Naviti Island that is the largest of the Yasawa islands; and Viwa, the most remote, squatting alone 25 kilometres northwest of Waya. M A M A N U C A I S L A N D S — F i j i —

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