The sixth Australia Fiji Rendezvous took place in Fiji recently (12 to 14 August), bringing together Australian, Asia-Pacific and South Pacific marine representatives with captains and crew cruising the region. The three-day event provided an opportunity for the marine industry to connect, build relationships and strengthen links between Australia and Fiji’s growing superyacht sector.
The program combined industry networking with social events, beginning with participating members flying to Nawi Island for a Marina Mingle, followed by the Echo Yachts Captains’ Lunch and concluding with the Investment Fiji-sponsored Crew Cocktail Competition and Australian-Themed Networking Party.
Superyacht Australia Members represented at the Rendezvous included Echo Yachts, Eighth Degree South, Penske Australia, Southport Yacht Club / Mega Yacht Berth, The International SeaKeepers Society, and the Yard Brisbane.
The inclusion of Eight Degree South, a Superyacht Australia member based in Indonesia, added an important regional dimension, highlighting the collaboration between Australia and the wider South and Asia-Pacific regions in both service offerings and cruising grounds.
David Good, CEO, Superyacht Australia commented: “Superyacht Australia values its strong relationship with Fiji and the opportunity to promote the South Pacific as a regional cruising destination, with Fiji’s cruising grounds complemented by Australia’s world-class refit and maintenance capabilities. The growing number of vessels currently operating in the Pacific demonstrates the strength of the region as a whole and the impact of our collective efforts to attract more superyachts.”
Superyacht Australia members began their visit to the region with a flight to Nawi Island Marina in Savusavu, Vanua Levu, to meet with visiting captains, crew and owners at a Marina Mingle, alongside Nawi Island Marina management and staff. The visit provided an opportunity to better understand the potential for Fiji to form part of their wider regional operations.
Members explored the facilities available, including 21 dedicated superyacht berths for vessels up to 85 metres, floating pontoon infrastructure built to Australian standards and Category 5 cyclone certification. The nearby Balaga Bay boatyard, with its 75-tonne travel lift and expanding dry-dock and hard-stand capacity, also offers an additional option for vessels requiring refit and maintenance services while operating in the region. As a declared port of entry, Nawi Island also provides on-site Customs and Immigration clearance.
During the visit, the delegation met with marina management and staff to share their experiences and feedback, contributing to the ongoing development of Nawi Island Marina and its offering within the regional market, while also providing the Australian superyacht supply chain with a greater understanding of Fiji as an extension of their wider regional operating footprint.
Returning to the mainland, attending members joined a dock walk at Port Denarau Marina, connecting with 23 vessels and meeting crew from yachts currently cruising Fiji, while inviting them to join the Rendezvous events. The vessels in the marina included some remarkable superyachts, including M/Y Ethereal, the pioneering 58-metre Royal Huisman luxury ketch, 77m Feadship M/Y 818, 65m Lürssen M/Y Polar Star, 58m Alloy Yachts S/Y Kokomo, 55m Picchiotti M/Y Galileo, and the impressive 74 foot Sunreef S/Y Diana.
Thursday’s Echo Yachts Captains’ Lunch was a key inclusion of the Australia Fiji Rendezvous, bringing together visiting captains with participating Australian and South Pacific marine businesses in a relaxed setting. Generously sponsored by returning member Echo Yachts, the lunch provided an opportunity to connect directly with captains, exchange insights and discuss Australia’s marine capabilities and the cruising opportunities available across the region.
Several vessels indicated they may look to Australia and Brisbane for upcoming events, including the Rugby World Cup and Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, with some proactively requesting further information.
On Friday, crews filled Sails Restaurant overlooking Port Denarau Marina for the always-popular Aussie-inspired crew cocktail-making competition and party, gratefully sponsored by Investment Fiji. With 86 crew attending, five teams competed for the coveted title of best cocktail, representing M/Y Polar Star, M/Y 818, M/Y De Lisle III, S/Y Kokomo and S/Y Diana. The win was claimed by the crew from S/Y Kokomo, who impressed the crowd with their creative cocktail creation served from two coconuts. Crew continued socialising into the evening with entertainment provided from a local band.
Dominic White, Sales Manager Marine from Penske Australia attended the event for the first time and commented: “Joining together with Superyacht Australia & the greater team of members attending the Australia Fiji Superyacht Rendezvous was productive from gaining access to vessels, visiting the area and meeting with member businesses focused on supporting the industry in the South Pacific. The Echo Yachts lunch was a great way to meet and interact with captains from a broad origin base. The crew event was a fun way to meet everyone involved and certainly showed the Superyacht industry has a vibrant and positive culture and great place to work and support. We are looking forward to the next event in the Pacific.”
The Australia Fiji Rendezvous provides an important opportunity for Australian businesses to build relationships with the increasing number of international superyachts operating throughout the South Pacific and strengthen connections with the captains and crew visiting the wider Asia-Pacific region.
Over three busy days, the Rendezvous delivered valuable updates on Australia’s marine capabilities, from marinas, shipbuilding, refit and maintenance facilities to service providers and cruising routes along the vast coastline.
Superyacht Australia extends its gratitude to Australia Fiji Rendezvous sponsors Echo Yachts and Investment Fiji, as well as each of the members who made the journey to Fiji and the superyacht captains and crews who participated in the networking events.
The Australia Fiji Rendezvous was supported locally by Nawi Island Marina and Port Denarau Marina, along with the on-the-ground agents Yacht Help Fiji, Yacht Services Fiji and SEAL Superyachts.
For more information, visit superyacht-australia.com
