Traveling along Viti Levu's Coral Coast

Sigatoka Market
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After arriving in Nadi, which is located on Fiji's main island Viti Levu, we caught a local shuttle bus which transfered us to the southern part of the island, which is referred to as Coral Coast. Our accomodation for the first seven nights were the Tubakula Beach Bungalows in Korotogo. After having passed some of the larger resort developments along the Coral Coast like the Shangri-La's Fijan Resort, the beach bungalows are located approximately halfway between Nadi and Suva. except the Outrigger Reef Resort and several small bungalow properties there was nothing else around. Eventhough we entered Fiji right in the rainy season, we were quite lucky in the first days and could enjoy some stunning sunsets over Viti Levu.

Sigatoka Sand Dunes
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Sigatoka is the only real city along the Coral Coast. Several local busses connect all villages and hotels along the Coral Coast from here. Express buses stop only at a limited number of stops, but cost a little more than regular buses, which can be flagged down. Sigatoka is a good place to go shopping for fresh vegetables and fruits as these are very cheap compared to imported canned products and instant meals. The famous Fiji Water, which is heavily marketed as a design water all over the world, is the cheap drink of choice here. There are several shops in Sigatoka that sell the standard tourism souvenirs as well as clothes and music Cd's. The market is a good place to buy another product which Fiji is famous for: Kava. Kava is sold as whole roots as well as in a pulverized form. All vendours will offer you a sample if you like.  

We were really lucky to get to see this unspoiled piece of paradise before mass tourism invades soon

Tubakula Beach Bungalows
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The Sigatoka Sand Dunes are large windblown dunes which can be accessed either via the visitor center and along paved trails or individually, which is even more fun. The coastline along the Sand Dunes is full of driftwood and the current is quite strong. Apparently this part of Viti Levu has one of the best surfs. We met a couple of Australians kids, who just got out of the water surfing and were unhappy with the conditions of the day. Another famous site around the Coral Coast is the Tavuni Hill Fort which we have not visited though.

Nadi Airport
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The white-sand Natadola Beach is located between Momi Bay and Sigatoka and is supposed to be Viti Levu's most beautiful mainland beach. As there is no real bus route going somewhere near the beach one must organize its own transportation. Once we entered a small unpaved turnoff we were accompanied by dozens of motor trucks and construction mashinery. The Natadola Beach is the current construction site of one of Fiji's largest tourism projects including several hotels, golf courses and a conference center. We were really lucky to get to see this unspoiled piece of paradise before mass tourism invades soon.

Coral Coast Sunset
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The beach is really beautiful and white compared to most coarse-grained beaches along the Coral Coast. Other than us there were only a handful of people relaxing in the sun and local kids and dogs were playing near the ocean. There is good snorkeling right off the beach and local fisherman offered to take us to the outer reef for a small charge. We walked to both ends of the beach and swam over to a small peninsula, which will be the location for a small luxury resort development. We spend a couple of hours at the beach and had lunch at the adjacent Natadola Beach Resort. The Resort looked rather solid, eventhough it charges upmarket prices due to its prime location at the beach. Next to the Resort is the station of the Coral Coast Scenic Railway, an old train that operates sightseing tours along the Coral Coast. Shortly before we left Natadola Beach, a number of tourists arrived by train and traditionally dressed Fijian women performed local dances and songs and kids tried to sell souvenirs.