Matt and I have had the extreme pleasure of swimming with manta rays in French Polynesia many times.  But it was usually 2-3 at the most and they were no bigger than 3 meter wing span.  Still incredibly impressive!  However, we take the Konis family to Dawaqa island to the famous manta ray feeding area and are overwhelmed with our Fijian Manta Ray experience!

Day 5: Waya to Drawaqa & the Manta Rays

 A 2-hour motor sail from Waya island to Drawaqa Island. Kimberly woke up feeling sick unfortunately, but she weathered thru the short passage really well.  We managed to arrive right at high tide which was perfect timing to go find the manta rays in the pass between Drawaqa Island and Naviti Island.  They feed in this pass during this time of year.  Matt and Kimberly stayed in the dinghy and dropped the rest of us off to drift the pass.  The first time we saw about 4 manta rays circling around us with their giant mouths wide open trying to catch the plankton.

Matt picked us up and we swam the pass a second time and this time we saw 7/8 mantas!  Two of them had a wing span of over 5-meters!  They were enormous.  And they treated us to a spectacular underwater acrobatic flipping show.  They flipped upside down and all around each other!

It was by far the most magnificent manta experience I have ever had.  I think the Konis boys were super impressed as well.

In the afternoon we walked the beach in search of sea shells and other treasures.  Remarkably, we found two nautilus shells.  I had been looking for one of these shells for years and was so darn excited to find one.  Later, Cole found a smaller one for Kimberly.

Matt fixed tuna four different ways for dinner.  Seared, poison crew, poki and cooked/blackened (for me).  Spoiling our guests.

Day 6:  Drawaqa Island to Nanuya Lailai (Blue Lagoon)

Our sail was a bit “challenging” for the Konis family.  It was really bumpy and uncomfortable as we were pinching into the wind to get from Drawaqa island to Nanuya Lailai.  Not a good way to endear our family to boat life, but they weathered it through (mostly sleeping).

We took it easy once we arrived.  A little swimming around the boat, some baking and dinner preparations.  We actually watched “Blue Lagoon” while we were anchored in Blue Lagoon – right where the movie was filmed oh so many years ago.  I completely forgot how much nudity was in this movie!!!

Day 7: Nanuya Lailai to Saw-I-Lau (caves)

Up early the next day to walk the beach.  We presented kava to the local villagers who are the caretakes of this private beach to allow us the opportunity to walk on their beach.  It was a super pretty day and the beach was soft and white while the waters were a stunning turquoise blue.  Yep, that is Sugar Shack in the background on the lower left photo.

The beach seemed endless and was simply gorgeous.  The tide was going out so the Konis men took a stroll deep into the shallow waters.

Kimberly decided to stand under a coconut tree to read the sign that says “Do not stand under the trees due to falling coconuts”

We were all thirsty after our walk so we stopped off at The Boathouse for some drinks prior to our lunch. We had lunch at the Nanuya Lailai Resort restaurant. It was a flat $45F per person and you had a choice between 3 plates.  It was not bad, but not particularly great either.

After lunch we hopped back on the boat and headed to Sawa-I-Lau which was a 2-hour motor sail.  We dropped the hook and quickly hopped in the dinghy to Nabukeru Village to present sevusevu.  I was so excited at the opportunity to show my family a traditional sevusevu, but we were denied again.  It was Sunday and the chief was resting.  He did accept us into his home where we presented our kava and he blessed us and welcomed us into the village.  However, it was far from a traditional sevusevu.  It was a clap, clap, thank you for the kava, you may walk the beach.

We bought a fabulous stalk of bananas and some lovely sea shells from the locals. I then took everyone on a dinghy ride to admire the rock formations.

Events from this blog occurred during the first two weeks of August.  Our blog posts run 6-8 weeks behind actual events. Coming up next we swim inside the limestone caves! In our last blog we take the Konis family to Waya Island (Octopus Resort) where we do a crazy hike to the summit.