9-Hour Day, Lunch Included

Full Day Castaway Island with Lunch

★ 4.3 119 reviews

from $176.42 per person

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Duration: 9 hours
Meeting point: Port Denarau Passenger Terminal, Denarau Island
Cancellation: Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before your tour starts
Meal: Meal included
Run by: South Sea Cruises

Overview

This is a full day trip to Castaway Island, known locally as Qalito, run by South Sea Cruises with Yasawa Adventures Fiji and Blue Lagoon Cruises. The day runs about 9 hours, starting from Port Denarau at 09:30, with roughly 5 hours actually spent on the island once the catamaran has made its way there. The boat is an air-conditioned catamaran with free WiFi on board, and one reviewer described it as a ferry that cruises from one island to another. Castaway Island, or Qalito, is a resort island in the Mamanuca group and is different from Monuriki, the island used in the 2000 film Cast Away.

Return coach transfers from most Nadi and Denarau hotels to Port Denarau are included, along with a two course lunch, an escort or host for the day, and snorkeling gear.

It suits travellers who want a resort island day without staying overnight, and families fit well since there is an optional kids club for ages 3 to 12 at an extra charge. Reviewers generally describe the crew and island staff as friendly and welcoming, and one traveller wrote about enjoying singing on arrival and at departure.

Where this tour sits among 3 per-person-priced tours in Mamanuca Island Day Cruises listed here (from-price per person, USD)

Lunch And Drinks, Sailing Day$128
Sand Bar Snorkel, Monuriki Landing$136.31
9-Hour Day, Lunch Included (this tour)$176.42

What's Included

Included

Free Nadi/Denarau return coach transfers to/from Port Denarau from most hotels and resorts
Vessel transfer in an air-conditioned catamaran with free WiFi on board
Lunch (A delicious two course a la carte or buffet lunch)
Day Cruise escort/host
5 hours on Castaway Island
Snorkeling gear

Not Included

Optional kids club (3-12 years) additional charge
Infant meals are not included and are payable directly to the resort by the customers

Itinerary

Hotel coach pickupReturn coach transfers link most Nadi and Denarau hotels with Port Denarau Marina.
Check in at Port DenarauMeet at the South Sea Cruises counter in the Passenger Terminal at Port Denarau. Present your confirmation or voucher to collect a boarding pass. Start time is 09:30.
Catamaran to Castaway IslandTravel on an air-conditioned catamaran with free WiFi. One reviewer described the crossing as just under 2 hours.
Castaway Island (Qalito)About 5 hours on the island. Snorkeling gear is included, with buffet or a la carte lunch at the resort.
Return sailing and coachThe catamaran returns to Port Denarau, with one reviewer noting the journey home felt longer than the ride out. The activity ends back at the meeting point, and the coach returns passengers to their hotels.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points come up again and again in traveller feedback, and they are worth knowing before booking.

$176.42from, per person

9 hoursduration

4.3across 119 guest reviews

Getting there. The boat is effectively a ferry, as one reviewer put it. That reviewer described the crossing as just under 2 hours each way and felt the return trip was the harder leg.
Seating on shore. One reviewer mentioned having to pay for beach towels on the island.
Food and drink. Lunch is a two course buffet or a la carte meal, and reviewers generally rate it well, with one calling the fried noodles a highlight. Infant meals are not included and are paid directly to the resort.
Water activities. Snorkeling gear is included in the price. Feedback on the snorkeling is mixed: one reviewer saw baby blacktip reef sharks and rays close to shore, while others were disappointed with the fish they saw.
Weather and seasons. The experience requires good weather, and poor conditions can see the day cancelled with a different date or a full refund offered. One reviewer noted the weather turned late in the day.
Before you travel. The operator asks travellers to contact South Sea Cruises at least 24 hours ahead to confirm the reservation and arrange transport. Confirmations are sent at booking time unless booked within 2 days of travel, in which case they arrive within 48 hours subject to availability.

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Common issues. The return journey draws the sharpest complaints: one reviewer reported the boat arriving back much later than expected after stops on the way, causing a missed dinner reservation in Denarau. That same reviewer was refused buffet entry while wet from the water, and another found the transfer back to the hotel chaotic. One reviewer also reported having to pay for beach towels on the island. The tour is not wheelchair accessible, though pushchairs are fine and infants can sit on laps. Weather matters too, since poor conditions can see the day cancelled with a different date or a full refund offered.

Common Questions

Is Hotel Pickup Included?

Yes. Return coach transfers from most Nadi and Denarau hotels to Port Denarau are included. You need to contact South Sea Cruises at least 24 hours before your travel date to confirm the reservation and arrange the transport, using the contact details on your voucher.

What Is Included In The Price?

Coach transfers, the catamaran journey with air conditioning and free WiFi, a two course lunch, a day cruise escort, about 5 hours on Castaway Island and snorkeling gear. The optional kids club for ages 3 to 12 carries an additional charge, and infant meals are not included.

Where Does The Tour Start?

At the South Sea Cruises check-in counter in the Passenger Terminal at Port Denarau, Denarau Island. Check in starts with the start time of 09:30, and you present your confirmation or voucher in exchange for a boarding pass. The day ends back at the same point.

Is It Suitable For Kids And People With Limited Mobility?

Most travellers can participate and pushchairs are accessible, but the tour is not wheelchair accessible and infants must sit on laps. An optional kids club for children aged 3 to 12 is available at an extra charge.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

Cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes inside that 24 hour window are not refunded or accepted, and cut-off times follow local time. The tour requires good weather, and if it is cancelled for poor conditions you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

What Should I Bring?

Dry clothing for lunch is also worth carrying, since one reviewer was turned away from the buffet while wet. Cash or a card for extras such as the kids club and infant meals is useful as well.