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Nananu-i-Ra Island

A small island off northern Viti Levu with beaches, hills and steady trade winds that made it Fiji's kitesurfing base.

Updated 1 September 2026

Typeisland
WhereNorthern Viti Levu
Nearest cityRakiraki
Best seasonMay to October
Time to allowTwo to three days
Getting thereBoat from Ellington Wharf near Rakiraki, about 15 minutes
EntryFree; boats and accommodation charged

Nananu-i-Ra lies a short boat ride off the northern tip of Viti Levu, about three and a half square kilometres of grassy hills, coves and beaches with no roads and no village, only a scatter of small resorts and holiday houses. The trade winds funnel past it reliably from May to October, which made it the centre of kitesurfing and windsurfing in Fiji. Snorkelling is off the beaches and the walking over the hills gives views back to the mainland mountains.

Highlights

  • The beaches and coves - a series of small strands around the island's edge.
  • The wind - reliable trades from May to October, the reason kitesurfers come.
  • The hill walks - grassy ridges crossed on foot with views to the mainland.
  • The snorkelling - reef and coral directly off several of the beaches.

When to go

May to October is the dry season and the wind season together. The wet season from November is calmer and hotter. Cyclone season runs November to April.

What to expect

There are no shops on the island: food is through the resorts or brought with you. Boats depend on weather and the crossing is short but choppy. Accommodation is simple and some properties have been slow to recover from past cyclones.

Nearby

Rakiraki is on the mainland opposite, and the Suncoast runs west from Ellington Wharf.

Key facts

Location17.3000° S, 178.2167° E · map

Source: Wikidata, item Q2048028, read on 18 October 2026.

What to pack for Nananu-i-Ra Island

Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.

  • Reef-safe sunscreen - High SPF that will not bleach the coral you are swimming over. Find on Amazon
  • Your own mask + snorkel - A well-fitting mask is the single biggest comfort upgrade underwater. Find on Amazon
  • Quick-dry clothing - Board shorts or synthetics that shrug off spray and dry fast. Find on Amazon
  • Quick-dry towel - A microfibre towel packs small and dries in minutes. Find on Amazon

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