There are archipelagos made for superyachts, and Fiji’s Mamanucas and Yasawas sit at the top of the list: short passages, clear sand‑bottom anchorages and nights where the sky feels close.
For a refined Fiji yacht charter, this 7–10 day Mamanucas & Yasawas itinerary from Port Denarau balances easy lagoon days with signature moments—Drawaqa Pass mantas in season and the Sawa-i-Lau caves at slack tide. We manage clearance, cruising permits and sevusevu protocol; you choose the pace. Expect pool-calm anchorages, short passages and sand-only moorings. May–October brings the most reliable conditions, with April/November as gentle shoulders. Read on for the day-by-day plan built for a term charter.
The route: 7 days (with 10‑day optional extension)
Day 1 — Denarau → Malolo / Musket Cove (Mamanucas)
Cast off from Port Denarau and slip into the Mamanuca lagoons. Anchor over pale sand off Malolo Lailai/Musket Cove; the water is pool-calm and toy-ready. A gentle first swim, paddleboards at golden hour and dinner on the upper deck to the soft thrum of the reef.
Best for: a relaxed start to your Fiji yacht charter with short passages and easy tender access.
Day 2 — Malolo → Monuriki & Tokoriki
A tender run to Monuriki sets the tone: white-sand arc, reef edge glowing cobalt. After a barefoot beach set-up and snorkel, cruise to Tokoriki for glassy water, light fishing and a sunset that lingers.
Best for: postcard beaches and gentle snorkelling in the Mamanucas.
Day 3 — Tokoriki → Navadra (remote Mamanucas)
Thread past coral bommies into Navadra’s natural amphitheatre and drop on sand in water so clear the chain draws a line on the seabed. Spend the day between Seabobs, tender laps and long, lazy lunches. Night falls to a sky full of stars and the soft slap of the tide.
Best for: that private-island feeling on a Fiji superyacht itinerary.
Day 4 — Navadra → Yalobi Bay, Waya Island (Yasawas begin)
Leave the Mamanucas for the Yasawas and watch the scenery lift—volcanic ridges, green folds, a bay that holds the trades. Yalobi Bay is a favourite: swim off the stern, hike ashore if you wish, and end with dinner under the cliffs.
Best for: dramatic Yasawa backdrops and calm, sand-bottom holding.
Day 5 — Waya → Drawaqa / Naviti (manta channel, in season)
Time the tide for Drawaqa Pass and brief for respectful manta encounters—slow, still, plenty of distance. Between snorkels, explore by RIB through jade water and picnic on a sand spit that vanishes with the afternoon tide.
Best for: signature wildlife moments on a Yasawa Islands yacht charter (May–Oct typical).
Day 6 — Naviti → Blue Lagoon (Nanuya Lailai / Nacula)
Slide into the Blue Lagoon and settle on talcum-soft sand in the lee. Kayaks skim shallows, kids chase hermit crabs along the beach, and the tender brings back still-warm coconut bread from the village. The lagoon turns liquid gold at dusk.
Best for: family-friendly water days and iconic Yasawa scenery.
Day 7 — Blue Lagoon → Sawa‑i‑Lau Caves → Denarau (overnight run or scenic day legs)
Take a morning swim through the limestone Sawa-i-Lau caves when the light cuts down from the roof, then begin the return south. Break the passage with a last swim off Kuata or Naukacuvu before an easy run back to Denarau for disembarkation.
Best for: ending with a sense of place – reef, rock and open water in one day.
Extend to 10 Days (recommended)
Day 3a — Sacred Islands add-on (between Days 2 & 3)
Pause among the Sacred Islands for a true at-anchor day: tender-only beaches, drift-snorkels along the reef shelf and a long lunch shaded by the awning.
Why add it: unhurried Mamanucas time without increasing passage lengths.
Day 5a — Second manta window (Naviti/Nanuya Balavu)
Hold an extra day in the area to catch the right tide and light for manta activity, or swap in a guided dive on the outer reef if conditions call for it.
Why add it: flexibility increases the odds on wildlife and visibility.
Day 8–9 — Tavewa / Nacula outer-reef arc (after Day 6)
Push a touch further north for clear walls and sand tongues perfect for RIB photography. Evenings are wonderfully quiet up here.
Why add it: a hint of expedition while staying within a gentle Fiji yacht charter rhythm.
Final Day — Slow southbound with a Malolo sandbar swim
Break the return with a last swim on the Malolo sandbar before sliding back into Denarau with the deck gear dry and stowed.
We have the largest selection of yachts available for charter in Fiji.
Who this route suits (and how we tailor it):
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Families: Short hops, sand bottom bays, easy tender access, shaded deck dining, & crew who love teaching water skills.
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Divers & ocean lovers: Add dives with licensed guides, night snorkels and RIB photography sessions.
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Wellness‑first groups: Quiet coves, sunrise SUPs, on deck treatments, market led menus.
Season, weather and when to go:
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Prime months: May–October (dry season, reliable south‑easterly trades).
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Shoulder weeks: April and November offer warmer seas and lighter winds; we adapt anchorages accordingly.
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Cyclone season: November–April; charters can still run, but routes are built conservatively and subject to weather windows.
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Water temps: ~26–28°C; visibility is excellent around the atoll passes and reefs.
Next steps
Share your preferred dates and guest profile. We’ll hold the ideal yacht, confirm permits and design a route that matches your pace—7, 9 or 10 nights.
Enquire now for Fiji availability and a tailored Mamanucas & Yasawas itinerary.