Northern Lau - Pacific Islands Cruise

Enjoy an afternoon of beach activities at Captain Cook Cruises’ own Tivua Private Island. As you explore the beautiful coral gardens of Tivua you’ll be surrounded by magnificent aquamarine waters and 500 acres of thriving coral gardens. Paddle, snorkel, dive to explore or join our sustainability journey by planting a coral in our coral nursery while you’re there. Return to the MS Caledonian Sky and enjoy a wonderful welcome dinner as you cruise towards a South Pacific sunset.

Discover a fascinating piece of Pacific history on your locally guided walking tour through the jungle on Makogai Island. You’ll explore the ruins of an former leper colony which was run by the Catholic nuns from 1911 until the 1960s. Patients came from all over the Pacific including New Zealand to isolate and recuperate on Makogai and sadly there are more than 2000 graves on the island remembering those who didn’t survive. Fiji’s Department of Fisheries has a research station based in Makogai where giant clams and turtles are cultivated. You’ll snorkel over giant clam gardens in the island’s turtle sanctuary. Back onshore, you’ll have the opportunity to join the island’s church service and be entertained by the local villagers and children with their traditional song and dance.

Today you’ll explore one of Fiji’s most beautiful marine parks at Vatu Vara. This majestic island rises out of the Pacific with a 305-metre-high summit, giving it the nickname ‘Hat Island’. The volcanic and limestone island is just three kilometres in diameter and home to both a bird sanctuary and a National Park. Vatu Vara is also home to the world’s largest land arthropods, the coconut crab. The traditional mythical guardian of Vatu Vara is the sea goddess or nymph named Sakulawe.

This incredible, pristine location is the northernmost outpost of Fiji's Lau islands and is the gateway to Samoa through the Nanuku Passage. Today’s visit to Wailagi Lala will include a discovery of its seabird nesting colony and marine ecosystem that make it a nationally significant island. Literally translated as "no water or rain", Wailagi Lala is famous or its crystal-clear water and many say that the tiny atoll is the only true atoll in Fiji. Dominated by its 1909 cast iron lighthouse – now abandoned and reaching some 29 metres in height - the sand island is surrounded by spectacular lagoon and coral reefs. You will feel chalky white sand between your toes as you explore this fabulous paradise.

Immerse yourself in the beautiful scenery, pristine reefs, tiny islands and hidden caves of the Bay of Islands at Qila Qila, on the northwest end of Vanua Balavu, the main island of the Northern Lau group and the third largest in Fiji’s Lau archipelago. The traditional owners of Qilaqila are the iTaukei, the mataqalis from Mavana Village. All visitors to Qilaqila must do sevusevu - a ceremony of greeting – on arrival and have received permission from the village elders of Daliconi Village to visit. On today’s visit you’ll encounter hot springs and have a chance to swim in crystal-clear waters amidst a labyrinth of mushroom-shaped rock formations and islets. Spot an endemic Fijian free-tailed bat as you explore and swim through the easily accessible caves.

Enjoy lunch onboard as we steam towards Mago Island. This is one of the privately owned islands populated by early European settlers. The island has been home to cotton and sugar cane plantations and was purchased by Australian actor director Mel Gibson in 2005. Legend has it that its early owners the Borron family became delusional, gathered the villagers in a cave on the island and blew them up with dynamite. The descendants of the survivors now live in Vanua Balavu in the village of Lomaloma. Some of them have since returned to Mago and live as part of a sun worshiping cult who have a strong focus on farming. There is a light on the hill which is kept continuously lit by the cult leader. On today’s visit you’ll have the opportunity to visit the cult village, Namalata. Mago Island is still relatively undeveloped and sustainability initiatives including coral rehabilitation and clam planting are underway. The reefs around Mago Island are diverse and pristine, making diving a must-do.

The island of Lakeba is provincial capital of Lau and is the traditional centre of power and authority in the Lau group of islands. On today’s visit you’ll discover some interesting historical sites as well as the Chiefly Village on a guided tour. Key figures in Fiji’s political history including Ratu Sukuna and Ratu Mara are buried here as are the remains of the Tongan King and conqueror of much of the Lau, Ma’afu. Next follow the path of explorer Captain William Bligh who travelled in his 12-foot boat all the way from Tonga through Lomaivit to Vatu-I-ra. Eventually, Captain Bligh landed in Yasawa where he and his crew were chased by Fijians who were still practicing cannibalism at that time! Fortunately for Bligh, visibility was poor, and they managed to escape.

Sealife and natural beauty surround you in this large conservation park where you’ll enjoy Vatu-i-ra island as well as exploring the large surrounding barrier reef. Some of the world’s best coral reef dives await here at Vatu-i-ra. The island is also a haven for breeding seabirds, earning it the nickname “Bird Island”. Black noddies, red-footed and brown boobies, lesser frigatebirds and several species of tern all call Vatu-i-ra home. Dolphins, whales, sea turtles and more than 100 species of fish populate the diverse marine ecosystems surrounding the island. It’s a natural treasure trove just waiting to be discovered!

Today we’ll visit the northern coast of Fiji’s largest island Viti Levu for our customary swim, snorkel and beachcombing or the chance for a lazy morning enjoying a beach visit and possibly take a hike. After lunch we take our last visit ashore before we begin our homeward journey. Don your favourite island attire and join all the celebrations of our Pacific Island Night Finale.

Return to Nadi for 9:00am disembarkation. After breakfast, the crew will bid you farewell in song including their traditional Fijian ‘Isa Lei’ as they say ‘sototale’ or ‘see you again’.

Itineraries subject to change due to weather and other operational requirement.