Fiji Islands Travel Guide | Discover the Islands | Mamanuca Group | Regional Highlights

Lying Low in the Mamanucas

There are three of them. They are ranked high among Fiji’s finest entertainers. They perform conveniently around some of the most popular tourist destinations islands in the entire South Pacific. They are scheduled and appear twice daily, 365 days per year, and on cue, they never, ever miss a performance. They are the Sandbanks of the Mamanucas.

Your first question might be… “Why are these sandbanks so special?” Well there are as many answers as there are daily enthusiasts who visit and play on one of these natural wonders. You could ask the swimmers who dive into the turquoise waters that surround them, because they have their own answer.

You might ask the snorkelers who explore the colorful reefs teeming with bright tropical fish and soft coral and they will tell you about their experiences. Perhaps you could ask the lovers who walk along the white sand surrounded by sun and islands discovering romance at every glance. The wind surfers might tell you about the fabulous launching spots and calm waters. The fishermen could go on and on and tell you some very fishy tales.

The sun worshippers claim that the sun is even better than being in the middle of a 360° degree reflective natural tanning salon. The parents can tell you about how much fun they had with their kids. The really young kids can tell you that this is one of the “bestest and most funnest “places they have ever seen … the older kids will probably just say that it was “really cool”.

You can bank on romance

You might also ask, “How hard are they to get to?” The answer is that almost every nearby resort can take you to them; many of them will even provide a free or low cost boat ride. From most of these resorts the boat ride will take less than a couple of minutes.

You might enquire and ask, “How do they just appear and disappear the way they do?” The tides deposit the sand and everyday it looks a bit different. Your sandbank visit will never be the same as anyone else’s… and that’s uniquely cool.

Destination Sand bank!

Appearing 2X’s daily

You can ‘bank’ on excitement

Fiji banking pays dividends

Where to find them?

You might ask, “Where are they because now I’d really like to go?” One is between Malolo and Malololailai Islands which is near Musket Cove, Plantation Island and Lomani resorts. Another is close to Mana Island and yet another is near Beachcomber Island, Bounty Island and Treasure Island Resorts. If you’re not that close you’ll still be able to find a boat that can take you there.

A visit to a Mamanuca sandbank will be one of those unforgettable experiences that you just didn’t expect to turn out to be so great. Deep down you’ll say, “It’s just sand in the ocean surrounded by more oceans - right?” But you also know it’s a bit of magic that will disappear right before your eyes and then reappear again … and then it again and again.

When the magic of the sandbanks first appears you feel anticipation followed by exhilaration as you indulge in all that they have to offer followed by a sense of loss when they start to fade away. But from this experience you will develop a deep respect for Mother Nature and give thanks for her inscrutable magic with the disappearing and reappearing beaches.

Quote

“Ever wondered why the sand slips through you fingers, as do the seas that wash the shores, never to be held by one person? Always there for the next person, or creature, that comes along to enjoy it….

That’s how it’s always been and how it should be!”

Gavin Logan, 2005.