Testimonials
Subject: Cyclone Tomas
To the management,
I would like offer my thanks and also praise to all the Vuda Marina team for the excellent cyclone preparation leading up to and the threat from TC Tomas. It was very heartening to see that early preparation took place and also the professional way staff conducted themselves during a very busy few days.
In particular I would like to thank Mo, George and Jerry for their hard work on the water offering advice and assistance while boat owners including myself were making our own preparations. The management of the marina should be very proud of all staff and local management for their outstanding effort.
Kindest regards
Steve Phillips
"SY Apogee"
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First, the design and concept of Vuda point marina is truly brilliant. We've never experienced a marina so well devised. We have everything we need in one convenient location: the office, showers, laundry, well stocked chandlery, sumptuous cafe and complete grocery store. Then, only a few meters away, there is the beautiful yacht club with its exotic bar and restaurant overlooking the sea and offshore islands. All of this is then landscaped to perfection. Your marina is not just a yacht refuge, it is also just a very nice place to spend time.
Second, the engineering of the yacht haven, with its round design, narrow entrance and med-moorage to a central cyclone mooring is like none other. It is the best conceived storm shelter for boats we've ever seen. The concrete perimeter and individual finger platforms, complete with power and water, are a joy. The presence of robust "dead head" storm moorings ashore also make us feel safe.
Third, your haul out facility, with two large travel lifts, sturdy hard stands and plenty of space for work, made our haul out and repair as convenient for us as possible. In this regard, let's not forget your amazing boat storage in the hurricane "holes" on dry land. This is truly unique and the most secure system for hurricane season storage we've ever seen.
Finally, as wonderful as all this is, it is your incredible staff that really sets your marina apart and makes the place "work." Your people are the nicest, friendliest and most thoughtful collection of good people we have known in our far-flung travels. They also know their jobs very well and are always "at your service." How did you find them? It is truly a wonder and, in our opinion, your finest accomplishment.
Thank you so much for an awesome experience and memories we will cherish the rest of our lives.
Dave and Rhonda Mancini
In 1996 we sailed into Vuda Marina for a short visit and never left. Well, that is not quite true; Vuda Point Marina became our base of operation. We sailed Neeleen throughout the South Pacific but returned to Fiji and Vuda for the hurricane season nearly every year up to 2007 when Neeleen was sold.
Why did we pick Vuda Point Marina? That is easy; it is one of the safest hurricane holes in the South Pacific. I know we sat through hurricane Gavin in the marina with a reported 105 knots of wind as the eye of the storm passed just off shore. No damage except from a missing VHF antenna that was taken off from a flying tree. The marina staff checked every boat and there lines constantly throughout the duration of the storm. Security and safety was there top priority throughout.
The marina offers out of the water storage that is unique in Fiji and a storm safe shelter for those that leave their yachts and travel home. Security of the yachts is a high priority with the friendly and professional staff.
Vuda Point Marina is located in a convenient location for cruising the other islands. Provisioning is easy and convenient with Lautoka, the sugar city, just 15 minutes away and Nandi and the international airport just 20 minutes away. Plus there is an onsite convenience store and ship chandlery. Professional help is available for these projects that the owners would prefer not to do themselves.
Adjoining the marina is the four stars First Landing Resort for a night out of dinning under the stars or a quick pizza at the bar. They also have excellent accommodations for your guest flying in or when the boat is uninhabitable. Their king size swimming pool is one of the best I have seen. Tours and other activities can be booked at the resort. It is one of my favorite places to relax listening to the surf while dining.
Fiji is safe, friendly and economical. Just good living....
Capt. Ralph Neeley