Surfing Tournaments + Surfing Decree
Several international surfing tournaments held in Fiji over the last few decades have placed the pristine Fijian Islands directly into the homes of millions via their TV and sporting networks, from the Red Bulls Surfing Tournament held in 2023 to the Fiji Pro (WSL Championship Tour) held between 1999-2008 and 2012-2018, the Kelly Slater International in 2016, Globe Fiji (2006), and the Roxy Fiji Pro going all the way back to 2005.
As the popularity of surfing increased over this time period, the national government signed into law its Surfing Decree, which became effective in July 2010. This decree removed restricted surf spots, enabling anyone with a surfboard and a boat to have access to Cloudbreak and Restaurants on Tavarua, swimming pools on nearby Namotu, and any other surf spot that previously may have been restricted. The decree defined “surfing area” as the “reefs or other foreshore or offshore areas, which are used for surfing or any water sport.”
With these restrictions removed, the local surfing scene started to flourish, with many local talents taking to the sport. You can discover more about the local surfing scene and the latest news at the Fiji Surfing Association.
Surfing Resorts
The Mamanuca Islands in Fiji are rated as one of the world’s premier surf destinations, with surf breaks to suit all ages and levels of ability, providing a breathtaking surfing experience for every visitor, ranging from the infamous Cloubreak for the elite athletes in the sport to the intermediate and beginners who are opening up a deeper level of mastery. The archipelago of islands is dotted with resorts, each with a unique character and accompanying atmosphere, all simply a stone’s throw from your bungalow to the surf breaks of your choice, normally within 5–20 minutes by boat.
Here is a list of seven resorts you should consider when circumnavigating the many options available, as the community atmosphere when you wake up in the morning and the entertainment provided in the evening are nearly equal to the surfing itself.
- Funky Fish Beach and Surf Resort
- Plantation Island Fiji
- Tavarua Island Resort
- Namotu Island Resort
- Musket Cove Island Resort Fiji
- Six Senses Fiji
- Lomani Island Resort
Surf Destination: Nadi
On the border between Nadi Town and the Coral Coast, there are a couple of Surf breaks that should be on your list of considerations. The Brothers Surf Tours operator is a well know tourism company that teaches surfing and will have you surfing the waves of your life in no time. They will handle all transportation, picking you up from your hotel, taking you directly to the best waves on the day, and returning you back to your hotel.
Surf Destination: Taveuni
There are two recommended Surf Resorts, you should consider on the island of Taveuni, The Maqai Beach Resort and the Qamea Resort and Spa. Whether you’re a weekend surfer, beginner, or advanced level, Maqai Beach Eco Surf Resort has waves for you in Fiji! The advantage of Maqai Resorts location is that you can see the main breaks anywhere from the resort. Qamea Resort & Spa is your unrivalled luxury surf resort, they offer you undiscovered, uncrowded, and untapped surf breaks, with world-class 4.5-star accommodations. Adventures by fellow explorers that are worth a glance: Luke’s Report – Maqai Eco Resort, Qamea Island – Fiji
Surf Destination: Suva
Surf Destination: Coral Coast & Pacific Harbour
The Coral Coast and Pacific Habour is a paradise for package vacations, a destination ideal for those who wish to have an adrenaline-pumping holiday that neighbours the tourism hub of Nadi, far enough away from the tourism crowds but close enough to enable you to dip your toe if you wish. The Matanivusi Beach Eco Resort Surf and Waidroka Bay Resort have the most dedicated team of surfing professionals, with highly experienced staff who know the surf breaks like the back of their hands. They are dedicated to ensuring the best surfing experience for all their guests, providing you with the right time every day to set out for the waves of your life.
| Thumbnail | Title |
|---|---|
 | 80 Waves – 2010 Filmed in glorious HD over 5 years and in 10 locations, 80 Waves is a collection of huge waves and big-name riders from across the globe. |
 | Come Hell or High Water – 2011 Come Hell or High Water travels to oceans around the world showcasing body surfing’s characters, pioneers, innovators along with the simplicity and beauty of the sport. It’s about taking a breath and kicking your feet in the big blue sea. The movie, shot mainly on 16-millimeter film spans the globe from Tahiti to Fiji, to Montana, Hawaii, and California. |
 | Immersion the Movie – 2012 Immersion in the movie is a journey of what is surfing now. 7 years in the making, Immersion features some of surfing’s greatest talents and personalities and takes you to some of the world’s most isolated, notorious, and picturesque surfing locations – Australia, Hawaii, Fiji, Tahiti. |
 | Waverider – 2013 In the early ’90s, an iconic photo of a young boy dropping in on a huge unknown wave made the cover of Surfing Life. 20 years on, in 2013, the boy the world had never heard of earned his chance to compete against the best surfer the world has ever seen. |
 | White Rhino – 2019 A professional surf photographer chases down the largest surf ever seen in hopes of capturing a once-in-a-lifetime image. What he receives is much more than that. |
 | 7 Girls – 2001 7 Girls is a year in the life of women’s surfing. Experience a luxurious boat trip to Fiji, The Quicksilver in Indo, a month in Hawaii at it’s most famous breaks, the ROXY Pro in Tavarua, famous Tahitian wave Teahupoo, and more. |
 | Tavarua – The Surfer’s Journal Great Waves – 1998 This special edition of the Surfer’s Journal looks at the prime surfing destination of Tavarua In Fiji. 1970s surfers recovered past glory in a first-of-its-kind Masters event at Tavarua in 1997. |
 | Gone Surfin’ – 1987 The Ultimate Surfing Film – by Scott Dittrich and his network of cameramen around the world. Six action-packed stories that capture the essence of the surfing experience. |
 | Ticket to Ride – 1987 Everyone dreams of the South Seas. Is it a dream or is it real? Well surprisingly its as real as ever. In every way! A step back in time and a step forward in adventure! Soderberg traveled to the Islands of French Polynesia, Fiji, The Cook Islands (Rarotonga), Samoa, New Zealand, and Tonga to find out… |
 | Pacific Island Paradise – 1998 The Surfer crew hits the South Pacific for Tahitian reefs and Fijian hospitality. The “Elder Statesman” of Tahiti, Arsen Harehoe is profiled along with fellow islander and Rookie of the Year, Vetea David. The surf freport finds the “bula” ethic alive and well on Fiji’s Tavarua surf camp. |
 | The Masters – 1997 Dateline, Tavarua, Fiji: It had never happened before. And it will be hard for any subsequent event to match it: 24 legendary surfing competitors were spirited away to a private island for a Masters contest in 6-8 spitting barrels. |
 | 2006 Globe WCT Fiji – 2006 Dubbed the sickest event on the planet, the contest went down between May 21st and June 1st, 2006, with Damien Hobgood taking the top honors. |
 | Sea Level Pressure – 2006 The major conflict that arises from our absolute need to surf every dayand how we as individuals in the water every day deal with this issue. “Sea Level Pressure” seeks to offer solutions through maintaining appreciation, perspective, focus and balance… |
 | 2005 Globe WCT Fiji – 2005 Pig Dog Pirates in the land of lovely lefts is an event video like no other. Hosted by Transworld’s Chris Cote, the video shows you how it all went down, from behind the scenes, in the barrel an on the podium. |
 | The Mystic – 2004 Shot entirely in film, the movie blends 16, super 16 and 35mm beautifully to bring this imagery-based movie to life. Along with world class water cinematography this surreal film will need to be watched many times to take in all of the amazing film shots. |
 | Secret Machine – 2006 Secret Machine is an exploration into the minds of the Globe team riders, exposing a world of magic, mystery, science and the utmost in performance for the benefit of the entire surfing world. |
 | 2008 Globe Fiji Pro – 2008 The Sickest Event on the Planet returned, and lived up to its reputation as competitors were treated to pumping 6-8 foot surf. |
 | Claire Bevilacqua – 2005 Pro surfer Claire Bevilacqua drops in on her hometown breaks in Western Australia before competing in the Roxy Pro in Fiji. |
 | Clay Marzo: Just Add Water – 2008 Just Add Water is an epic film that dives beneath the surface of one of the most gifted and creative surfers in the world. The film provides a never-before-seen look at Clay Marzo’s mind-blowing skills in the water and the challenges he faces on land. |
 | Megan Abubo – 2008 Top ranked female surfer, Megan Abubo takes us to Fiji where she competes against the best in the Roxy Fiji Pro. |
 | That First Glide – 2011 The first full length, feature film on the history and craze of SUP. That First Glide is a must see movie for everyone and features most of the premier athletes that got the sport off the ground. |
 | Xpress Yourself – 2014 Follow surfing’s elite on the 2013 ASP World Tour through Australia, Hawaii, Indonesia and Fiji. |
 | Surfer Girl – 1994 Tavarua, Fiji, 30 acres surrounded by an incredible reef break. Where the water is deep blue, crystal clear, and the waves are world class. Against this backdrop, charging ten foot waves that pound the coral bed beneath, or inside the hollow of a perfectly shaped tube, Surfer Girl captures images of women that are unique, groundbreaking, and sometimes spellbinding. |
 | On It: The Art of Scoring – 2019 How do the world’s best surfers chase waves? The ON IT project follows a group of freesurfers over the course of a full year to learn how they use forecasting, local knowledge and educated guesswork to score waves at home and around the world. |
 | Shimmer – 2006 When the Roxy girls light up the best surf spots on the globe, the Shimmer is blinding… Join superstars Megan Abubo, Chelsea Georgeson and Sofia Mulanovich as they create sparks in Indonesia, Fiji, Australia, and Hawaii. |
 | Spirit of Akasha – 2015 Spirit of Akasha is a film by Andrew Kidman, made to celebrate 40 years of Albe Falzon’s surfing masterpiece Morning of the Earth. |