Coral Coast Fiji?

[meoweth]

How consistent would I be surfing from April to July in Coral Coast Fiji, was thinking of staying in an airbnb near Waidroka. Not planning to go to Cloudbreak, and rarely to Frigates. Just want to surf the closer reef breaks. I'm fairly experienced with reef breaks, but not a pro, so nothing too crazy. Hear alot of negatives about the Coral Coast.

Another option would be to check out South America (Chile, Peru) instead.

[jaffa1949]

If the Fijian coral coast is your plan of attack for most of your surfing, it is not a particularly good option.
Waidroka is on a mud flat behind the Reef as is most of the coast from the sand dune around the Sigatoka river mouth, surf there, quite bull sharky. Virtually the only true beach break.

Every fresh water stream along the coral coast has made a hole in the reef, some are big enough to have short surfable waves, Frigates and and Cloudbreak and nearby breaks are on island reefs at the opposite ends of the coral coast and are only accessible by boat.
That presents a problem if you are staying at a random BnB as they may not have a boat to take you out to frigates, Tavarua and Cloudbreak are not quite exclusive anymore , at least cloudbreak isn't, Restaurants in still a spot you are best served by staying on Tavarua.

You also need to know that the coast reefs are tribal land and food sources and you need to ask for and get permission to surf.
Doing otherwise is likely to cause you major problems.
There are one or two open spots but you will need a car, one is Hideaway near the resort of that name, there is access outsidethe resort!

Check all the websites of your possible stays, see what they offer inaccess to surf.
You needed have good of skills and ability to handle coral reef power!
The Fijians arevery welcoming, Bula vinaka!

[meoweth]

Thanks, what are your thoughts on staying at Funky fish? Im planning this to be a long trip, so April through October, assuming I can get visa extended to 6 months. My concern is that during the prime swell months (june/july?) the waves will probably be huge everyday, is there somewhere sheltered I could surf thats under DOH? I also don't plan on surfing cloudbreak or the heavier waves, as I'm only an intermediate surfer.

[jaffa1949]

Meoweth , I really encourage to look beyond the words “ surf resort” funky fish is inside two chains of barrier reef and island and their website does not even mention surfing as an activity! The outer not the next chain of island takes the brunt of the swell and then they are diluted again.
Outer chain Tavares, Cloudbreal , lighthouse Namotu lefts and right and swimming pools and others, you will need a boat ride to each or any.
A really good way to review potential anywhere is using google earth and google maps in tandem with the name of your potential resort.
I then read reviews on something like trip advisor and check my thoughts that way. I then overlay stuff like our surf map page and maybe wanna surf! Read their reviews, check what they say about your home break ( gives you an idea of their bias.)

Given several trips to Fiji and nothing of great accessibility from the inner island or much on the coral coast, I wouldn’t go back for surf!

Mentawais, if I was cashed up there is one resort I’d go back to in the Playgrounds area. At over US $ 2500 per 10 days.

Cheaper I would consider Krui for a longer stay or the other extreme eastern end of Indonesia at Rote there are a number of cheaper stays but an epic reef break with quieter days.
A place you could review is New Caledonia, offshore reefs but a couple of places the swell gets to the main island .

With a little nous it can be cheapish!
The further out I recommend to you, I would like to know how self sufficient you are in surf safety, as the outposts of surfing have no,lifeguards.

[meoweth]

Funky fish resort is a surf camp and backpackers, they go surfing twice a day using boat, 40 min each way. Boat cost is about 50 bucks each surf. All in all, it would cost about the same as a slightly upscale Mentawai resort around 3k a month. But the benefits of fiji is one less flight each way, less of an issue with visa extension, and it seems like it would be way less crowded as there is only one mainland camp(rendezvous) and funky fish. I'm guessing the lack of affordable accomodation and lack of affordable boat trips cut down the crowd alot.

Not trying to argue with you, as I appreciate your knowledge, I just want to get to the bottom of this. Im also probably closer to advanced intermediate than beginner intermediate, been surfing 5 years and it's my third time in tahiti surfing the reefs here and I'm comfortable with anything under DOH. I dont pull into barrels yet I can make the takeoffs.

[jaffa1949]

Ok the cost is always your own budget call as is choosing the breaks... nail it and you will have had the Surf of your life!
So an on hand travel report, I am happy to have fresh first hand information, you can also add your experiences to our surf map and your recommendations!
a Full Description of your Adventures please!