The Yasawas, Fiji

Aug 17th, 2026 Jayne Destinations, Sailing

After the Lau group, we made our way to western Fiji in late July, and settled in for a week at Musket Cove in the Mamanucas. From there, we headed north into the Yasawas.

The Yasawa chain runs up Fiji’s western side, with blue-sky sailing, easy passages, and villages on every island. They’re the more popular end of Fijian cruising, and yet the welcome we got in each village was genuine and warm.

Ashore at Musket Cove, we were lucky enough to attend the launch of “Fifteen Years to Hiva Oa”, a thought-provoking story about the dreams and realities of the life we try to make for ourselves on the sea - or indeed, of any life worth living. Highly recommended!

The launch of Fifteen Years to Hiva Oa.
The launch of Fifteen Years to Hiva Oa.

This leg was extra special, as we had family aboard. We sailed, snorkeled, hiked the island ridges, and ate well, and of course the sunsets were unforgettable.

The doughnuts at Lo's Teahouse were very tasty.
The doughnuts at Lo's Teahouse were very tasty.
Kava delivery on Waya Island.
Kava delivery on Waya Island.
Fresh coconut on the beach.
Fresh coconut on the beach.
Blue-sky sailing along the chain.
Blue-sky sailing along the chain.
A manta ray gliding overhead.
A manta ray gliding overhead.
Family guests paddle boarding beside Scout.
Family guests paddle boarding beside Scout.
Fish swarming over the coral.
Fish swarming over the coral.
Windswept trees on a ridge hike.
Windswept trees on a ridge hike.
We ate very well, too.
We ate very well, too.
One of those unforgettable sunsets.
One of those unforgettable sunsets.

At the far north-western tip of the chain is Yasawa-i-Rara, the last little village, and remote enough to feel like the edge of the world. We had untouched talcum-powder beaches all to ourselves, epic sea colours, and rock pools to snorkel. We also met the villagers, including Willy, the proud maintainer of the national meteorological station up on the tip of the island. It was one of our favourite stops in all of Fiji.

Yasawa-i-Rara, at the edge of the world.
Yasawa-i-Rara, at the edge of the world.
Talcum-powder sand and turquoise water.
Talcum-powder sand and turquoise water.
A long jetty over the shallows of Yasawa-i-Rara.
A long jetty over the shallows of Yasawa-i-Rara.
Local lady Sulu kneading dough in a village kitchen.
Local lady Sulu kneading dough in a village kitchen.
Snug under a blanket for the night.
Snug under a blanket for the night.
Willy and his meteorological station.
Willy and his meteorological station.
Floating in a crystal-clear rock pool.
Floating in a crystal-clear rock pool.
Soaking up the view from the beach on Yasawa-i-Rara.
Soaking up the view from the beach on Yasawa-i-Rara.

The Yasawas were our farewell tour of Fiji. Next stop: Vanuatu!

Read the previous post: Fiji's Lau Group