South Sea Cruises will now be operating all of Beachcombers' maritime servicing needs. Commencing April 1st 2008 South Sea Cruises will take over the operation of all resort transfers and day cruises for Beachcomber Island Resort. The company will integrate Beachcomber's services into their existing Mamanucas network and passsengers will be transferred on both the South Sea Cruises and Awesome Adventures vessels.

In the continued expansion of ferry services to Fiji's Northern Island group, Patterson Brothers Shipping are about to introduce two additional routes on its new ship, the Spirit of Harmony.

The first route is from Natovi (on the east coast of Viti Levu) to Savusavu and the second is Ellington to Nabouwalu. The latter route connects Ellington Wharf (near Rakiraki on the north-east tip of Viti Levu, with Nabouwalu, located on the south-western tip of Vanua Levu, Fiji's second largest island.

Earlier in 2007 a new vessel began servicing the inter-island routes Lautoka to Savusavu and Natovi to Savusavu routes, so the latest announcement has further increased ferry services to the North.

While this means greater flexibility for passengers (both local and tourist) and cargo, and improvement of quality due to competition, some ferry operators fear the increased supply of ships and routes will only be servicing the same pool of consumers. Combined with fuel price rises over the past few years, they feel that this could lead to some operators being forced to drop out, or to increase fare and cargo prices.

Suilven Shipping will begin servicing Savusavu from Lautoka soon, with their new roll on roll off ferry the Westlander. This combined with the Beachcomber ferry departing every Saturday & returning Sundays is great news for those wishing to adventure North, at very reasonable rates.

Savusavu is a popular tourist destination in Fiji's northern island group, located on Vanua Levu (Fiji's second biggest island). Savusavu has a lot of freehold land options, and is therefore also popular as a vacation home or permanent residence for overseas expatriates. This combined with a beautiful marina, views of tranquil Savusavu Bay, adventure activities including scuba diving and fishing, and so on mean that Savusavu is certainly a hidden paradise.

Accommodation options in Savusavu are varied, from luxury resorts such as Namale and Cousteau Resort down to budget resorts and backpackers. There is also the well-known Hot Springs Hotel, perfectly sited on the Savusavu town hillside and capturing some of the best views of the bay, marina, and Nawi Island. For more information or to contact Hot Springs Hotel direct, please visit this link.

A day cruise to Beachcomber Island is an experience not to be missed. Once known as Fiji?s barefoot island paradise, if you are feeling energetic try one of the many activities or simply lie under the shade of a beach umbrella, sipping one of Beachcomber?s famous cocktails. Eat to your hearts content from the beautiful buffet island feast. Available are coral viewing and fish feeding, morning and/or afternoon tea, snorkeling, beach volleyball. Motorized activities like jet skiing, tobogganing, water-skiing, diving and game fishing are also available.

There is a range of options available for transfers? to/from Beachcomber Island. Beachcomber also has two catamarans which services the island ex Port Denarau.

A 50-feet high speed catamaran is now transferring visitors to Nanuya Lailai Island in the Yasawa group. The Nanuya Belle departs three times daily out of Lautoka Fisheries Wharf on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 9am and departs Nanuya at 1pm.