Captain Cook Cruises Fiji Explores Southern Lau Islands
Captain Cook Cruises Fiji Debuts its Southern Lau Expedition
Fiji’s expedition specialist Captain Cook Cruises Fiji has just returned from its inaugural seven-night voyage to the Southern Lau archipelago. The Southern Lau itineraries now feature on the cruise line’s program with departures each month for the remainder of the 2024 season.
On an extraordinary journey, expedition small ship MS Caledonian Sky’s inaugural Southern Lau voyage featured many ‘firsts’ with several stops visiting destinations tourists had never before visited. Each morning, the ship’s cultural delegation went ashore for the traditional sevu sevu with the village chiefs and elders, and the ship’s guests were then officially welcomed ashore.
Every land-stop along the voyage offered wonderful experiences, from the warm welcome at Buliya village and a discovery of the rich history at Matuku to Fulaga’s extraordinary aqua blue beauty and Totoya which delighted guests with its culture and thrilling dive spots. Beqa wowed with traditional ceremonies and firewalking while Vatulele captivated guests with its gorgeous lagoon, ancient rock paintings, caves and vibrant cultural encounters.
With generously inclusive rates from $7,693, the Southern Lau departures are detailed here and a summary follows:
Buliya: The journey began with a warm reception at Buliya village. This was the first ever visit of its kind to the village and the ship’s guests and crew were greeted with enthusiastic singing. It was Easter Sunday and the special church service with its incredible choir was followed by a village tour and a refreshing swim.
Matuku Island: was the only island in Lau not to have been conquered by the Tongans. As the first organised tourism visit to the island, the ship’s guests discovered rich Fijian history, a significant cultural site and thrilling surf breaks. Despite its warlike past, the locals welcomed the visitors with vibrant dancing and cultural experiences.
Fulaga: Located halfway to Tonga, Fulaga revealed its heavenly beauty, with welcoming villagers showcasing their renowned wood carving craftsmanship and hospitality. Passengers basked in the island’s idyllic charm, dubbed “heaven on earth”. Fulaga’s aqua blue waters seem to go for on ever.
Yagasa: At Yagasa the ship’s guests enjoyed the picturesque scenery, with time to relax and swim or kayak.
The ship arrived in Totoya to the news that they had no contact for a month as the supply barge that usually comes once every two weeks had not come for four. Despite this, Fijian happiness abounded and Totoya’s well organised village showcased its trade in copra and coconut, offering enriching experiences like copra demonstrations and a fabulous cultural performance by the school students. Passengers explored its underwater wonders and top dive spots, ending the day with excellent surfing adventures.
Beqa: After the traditional welcome by the locals, Beqa Island treated passengers to an awe-inspiring firewalking display. Passengers immersed in village life, enjoying warm hospitality and sampling delicious local cuisine.
VATULELE: Hidden gem Vatulele revealed its beauty and vibrant cultural heritage. From its magnificent lagoon, white sandy beaches, caves and hidden canyons to an experience of 3000-year-old rock art, sacred red prawns and immersive cultural encounters, the island captivated all with its charm, a fitting wrap to a Southern Lau adventure.
Captain Cook Cruises was founded in 1970 by Trevor Haworth AM and his wife Geraldine with the family business growing from an original single boat with twice weekly departures to 30 departures a day. At its peak, the Captain Cook Cruises group included more than 29 ships in four destinations and carried over one million passengers a year.
In 1997 the family expanded into Fiji. In 2011 the Australian operation was sold. Today, the company’s cruises visit more than 90 of Fiji’s 333 islands. All cruises offer water and beach-based adventures with daily swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, snorkeling, and glass bottom boat tours over pristine coral reefs. With a firm commitment to marine science and sustainability, the company’s onboard marine biologists provide expert knowledge through guided activities and lectures to help educate passengers on how to best protect and preserve Fiji’s natural environment.
FURTHER READING: For those interested in exploring this topic further, additional resources and in-depth materials are provided below when available; otherwise, no further reading is included at this time.:
REFERENCES: This guide is based on over a decade of research and firsthand experience living in Fiji. It incorporates extensive knowledge gained through long-term residence and ongoing engagement with the region. Images and text have been sourced from official references, which are acknowledged below, to ensure accuracy and comprehensiveness.
FOOTNOTES: Additional details, clarifications, or sources referenced in this article are included as Footnotes below the text when applicable; otherwise, no Footnotes are provided.