Fiji
Where the world falls away.
SY Radiance at dawn - Nawi Marina, Savusavu, Fiji
Queen of the Wild Northeast
Radiance found a home here, at Nawi Marina in Savusavu — the first sailing superyacht to make the marina her base. When she first arrived in May, the marina team came down to the dock and sang her in.
Her arrival was celebrated in true Fijian tradition. The island chief came personally to bless Radiance and her crew, followed by a kava ceremony on the lawn beside the marina. As darkness fell, fire dancers completed the welcome.
A Fijian Welcome at Nawi
Chief’s’Special Kava Ceremony
Fire Dancers after dark.
Viani Bay — Gateway to the Rainbow Reef.
Beyond the mouth of the bay we see the Somosomo Strait , where powerful currents from the open sea bring nutrients that sustain the extraordinary soft corals below.
Viani Bay & the Rainbow Reef
Six hours under sail. A world away.
From Savusavu, Radiance sails east along the coast of Vanua Levu to Viani Bay,
Here, relationships run deeper than an itinerary. Marina, one of the founders of Viani Bay Divers, comes aboard for dinner — bringing locally made coconut milk and Viani Bay salt with her.
Marina and Jone have built far more than a dive operation. Their work supports coral restoration and giant-clam conservation, while their diving academy trains local Fijians for careers throughout the region. Their boats have exceptional access to the Rainbow Reef, renowned for the extraordinary soft corals that have made this one of the South Pacific‘s great diving destinations.
Marina of Viani Bay Divers comes aboard Radiance for dinner.
Cabbage Patch, Rainbow Reef
One of dozens of remarkable dive sites within easy reach of Viani Bay.
Back aboard Radiance
Dinner under the stars after a day exploring the Rainbow Reef.
Kioa Island & Buca Bay
A wild anchorage. And no particular reason to hurry.
Kioa Island forms the eastern edge of Buca Bay, where Radiance drops anchor in deep blue water against a backdrop of untouched tropical forest. The tender is soon in the water — for snorkeling, exploring, or simply seeing what lies around the next headland.
This is a place where plans tend to become suggestions. The surrounding waters offer excellent fishing, reef mantas are often encountered nearby, and on our own visit we were astonished when whales appeared in the anchorage and circled Radiance for nearly two hours. The forested island is alive with rare jungle birdlife as well.
Under Sail
Leaving the shelter of Kioa Island, the waters open toward Matangi.. Here Radiance, as a performance yacht, comes into her own.
With 15 knots of wind, she is making 12.3 knots under sail — a reminder that aboard Radiance, the journey between destinations can be every bit as exhilarating as the places themselves.