Mamanuca Islands

The Mamanuca Islands (Fijian: [mamaˈnuða]) of Fiji are a volcanic archipelago lying to the west of Nadi and to the south of the Yasawa Islands. The group, a popular tourist destination, consists of about 20 islands, but about seven of these are covered by the Pacific Ocean at high tide.

Mamanuca Islands
Mamanuca Islands from the air
Geography
LocationPacific Ocean
Coordinates17°40′S 177°05′E
Administration
Bounty Island
Beach on Kadavulailai (Bounty Island)
From left to right - Mana Island, Beachcomber Island, Treasure Island and Tokoriki Island (behind Treasure Island)
Tivua Island

The islands offer crystal clear waters, palm fringed sandy beaches and live coral reefs. There are islands, villages, resorts to visit, snorkel and swim.

The coastal/marine ecosystem and recreation value of the archipelago contribute to its national significance as outlined in Fiji's Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.[1]

Since 2016, the islands have been the filming location of the television series Survivor. One of the islands, Monuriki, was made famous as the anonymous island that featured in the 2000 Robert Zemeckis film, Cast Away, starring Tom Hanks.[2]

Islands

Islands in the Mamanuca chain, not all of which are inhabited, include:

  • Yanuya

Resorts

The resorts located in the Mamanucas run the gamut from high-end luxury accommodations to less expensive options targeted towards backpackers and budget-conscious travelers. Some of these are:[3][4][5]

  • Plantation Island Resort
  • Malolo Island Resort
  • Likuliku Island Resort
  • Musket Cove Island Resort
  • Lomani Island Resort
  • Malolo Lailai Lagoon Resort
  • Six Senses Fiji Island Resort
  • Amanuca Island Resort
  • Beachcomber Island Resort
  • Bounty Island Resort
  • Castaway Island Fiji
  • Navini Island Resort Ltd
  • Mana Island Resort
  • Matamanoa Island Resort
  • Tadrai Island Resort
  • Tokoriki Island Resort
  • Treasure Island Resort
  • Tropica Island Resort
  • Vomo Island Resort

Activities

Port Denarau is the gateway to the Mamanuca and Yasawa islands. One may take day trips from Denarau to the Mamanuca Islands or find a resort to stay overnight.

Activities in the Mamanucas include sailing, swimming, snorkelling, kayaking, semi-submersible coral viewing, diving, swimming with reef sharks, windsurfing, hiking, visiting villages, mini golf and discovering secluded beaches.

Survivor

The American edition of Survivor has used the islands as the location for filming, beginning with its 33rd season (Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X) in April 2016. Typically, two 39 day competitions will be filmed back to back, with the first season airing in the fall of that year, and the second airing in the spring of the following year. This marks the longest consecutive period that Survivor has filmed in one location.

Before the airing of the 35th season (Survivor: Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers), host Jeff Probst said in an interview with Entertainment Weekly that the Mamanuca Islands is the optimal location for the show and he would like to stay there permanently.[6]

The following seasons have filmed in the Mamanuca Islands:

References
  1. Ganilau, Bernadette Rounds (2007). Fiji Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (PDF). Convention on Biological Diversity. pp. 107–112. Retrieved 28 May 2017.
  2. Fiji. Korina Miller, Robyn Jones, Leonardo Pinheiro. Lonely Planet. 2003. p. 54. ISBN 1-74059-134-8.CS1 maint: others (link)
  3. "Accommodation". Tourism Fiji. Retrieved 6 October 2018.
  4. A Fiji Vacations Company
  5. Trip Advisor Website
  6. Ross, Dalton (12 September 2017). "Jeff Probst wants Survivor to stay in Fiji permanently". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 6 October 2018.


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