Dramatic coral reefs have made the Yasawa Islands their home for thousands of years. These unique environments play host to a vast collection of fascinating and striking marine creatures. Snorkelling or diving to explore this world is often the highlight of any holiday in the Yasawa Islands.
We recognize that the reefs are a treasured resource, and we want to make sure they’re preserved for future generations to enjoy.
In 2010 we established the Yasawa Trust Foundation, which runs a successful Marine Conservation & Research programme via our Vinaka Fiji organisation. We continue to work very closely with this program.
The information below gives an overview of some of the projects we have underway.
Mangrove forests are crucial to reef productivity, with fish and invertebrates relying on these areas as safe zones for their offspring. The shallow, tranquil waters around mangroves offer plenty of protection from predators and rough weather.
With such widespread root systems, mangroves can steady shorelines, minimise erosion and even acrete land in the form of mudflats and wetlands because they collect loose sediments.
Vinaka Fiji plants mangroves in a nursery at Barefoot Manta Resort and once they’ve grown six leaves theyr’re transplanted to areas where mangroves have been damaged or destroyed.
Manta Rays visit the offshore channel of Nanuya Balavu and Drawaqa Islands every year between the months of May to October. They feed on plankton, clean the marine environment and carry out courtship behaviour while in the area. They are most frequently sighted during the high tide and as many as 14 Manta Rays can appear at one time. The Marine Conservation Team and a representative of the Manta Trust have set-up an official identification and behavioral study to monitor these captivating sea inhabitants.
The ongoing study will establish if the same population is returning each year, how many individuals are using this area, if their behavior is consistent with other Manta Rays around the world, whether their environment is suitable, where they go during the day during Manta Ray season, where they live outside of Manta Ray season, and what distinctive aspects of the channel bring them to the channel in the first place.
Coral is very slow-growing and easily damaged both by human interaction and weather events. The long term sustainability of the coral reefs in Fiji is dependent on coral planting projects which are underway throughout the region.
First, tiny fragments of coral are gathered from the reef and rooted onto a metal framework. They’re left to mature for approximately six months and then relocated onto any damaged zones of the reef. Extensive rejuvenation projects are underway throughout the Yasawa Islands.
Clams are one of the most striking things to come across while snorkeling or diving on a coral reef. Along with their magnificence, they play a fundamental role in the reef ecosystem because they’re the natural strainers of the ocean.
Corals need clean, nutrient-free water to grow. Giant clams help to filter water enabling healthy coral to thrive. Fiji’s clam population is quite low due to over-harvesting and in the 1960’s the Giant Clam even became extinct to Fiji. It has now been successfully re-introduced into Fijian waters and Makogai Island is culturing this clam along with several others, in an attempt to re-establish and disperse them throughout Fiji.
Barefoot Manta Island Resorts Marine Conservation team has joined this national project and hosts three distinctive clam species including the Giant Clam, which has the potential to grow 1.5 metres!
The Crown-of-Thorns Seastar (COTS) is a predatory starfish that is a native of coral reefs. It preys on the polyps of coral and has an important role on the reef by pruning fast-developing corals, allowing room for other coral species to colonise and grow.
However, in abnormally high populations, seastars can have a negative impact on a coral reef. Many areas in Fiji are currently facing a COTS infestation. Scientists believe this overpopulation is due to a mixture of contributing factors comprising of over-fishing (lowering the number of natural COTS predators), warming sea temperatures, and raised nutrient levels in the water.
Vinaka’s Fiji’s Marine Conservation & Research team monitors COTS numbers methodically. By keeping an eye on the reef, they are able to react quickly if a problem arises such as unsustainable numbers. They can also use the information gathered to share knowledge about COTS outbreaks with interested parties.
Sea cucumbers are fascinating creatures and play a vital role in the ecosystem. Like earthworms, they recycle the nutrients in the sediment that would otherwise be lost to the rest of the food chain.
Despite their ungainly appearance, they’ve made their way on to many menus around the world. Such large demand has led to severe population decline. The Marine Conservation team at Vinaka Fiji hopes to reduce fishing pressures on the ecosystem and minimise loss of life by setting up a breeding program. Three species have also been selected to investigate the possibilities of asexual and sexual reproduction.
Corals need clean, nutrient-free water to grow. Giant clams help to filter water enabling healthy coral to thrive. Fiji’s clam population is quite low due to over-harvesting and in the 1960’s the Giant Clam even became extinct to Fiji. It has now been successfully re-introduced into Fijian waters and Makogai Island is culturing this clam along with several others, in an attempt to re-establish and disperse them throughout Fiji.
Barefoot Manta Island Resorts Marine Conservation team has joined this national project and hosts three distinctive clam species including the Giant Clam, which has the potential to grow 1.5 metres!
We work closely with Reef Check Fiji who’s surveys help us in the following areas:
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FUEL SURCHARGE IN EFFECT – UPDATED MONDAY 1ST OF JANUARY 2024
South Sea Cruises currently has a fuel surcharge to take effect for customers travelling with us on a resort transfer as well as applicable day trips.
South Sea Cruises also notes that since setting the 2023/24 transfer rates, the Fiji Government has removed the 10c per litre duty concession which South Sea Cruises had factored into our rates at the time of issue and has now had to absorb.
The applicable fuel surcharges in effect for travel as of Friday, 1st December 2023 are as follows:
All fuel surcharges stated are in FJD and include applicable taxes.
ADVISORY #X, UPDATED XXXXXXX
As at x.xxam this morning, South Sea Cruises/Awesome Adventures Fiji continue to monitor the various weather models including the Fiji Met who have issued a Heavy Rain Warning for the whole of the Fiji Group. This heavy rain warning coupled with what is expected to be rough seas has resulted in some disruption to our services.
Resort Transfer services to the Yasawa Islands are cancelled today in the interest of customer and crew safety. We ask all customers for their patience and understanding in this regard.
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