We left our slip in Denerau at 11:00am to fill our fuel tanks and then make the grand 6 mile voyage to Vuda Point (where we can check out of Fiji and leave to New Zealand). You CAN check out from Denerau, but you need to hire an agent which costs $600 Fijian as there is no customs office in Denerau.
It was an easy 6 mile trip north to the Vuda Point Marina, which is the most crowded marina I have ever seen. They cram so many boats into such a tiny space, it's unbelievable.
The boats are all moored in a ring on the outer edge of their pond-like marina. You are expected to pull in and immediately hook onto the sole mooring ball in the centre while they direct you to your spot. This is because there is so little space, you would just drift into another boat without it. Then they point out your spot, being much narrower than your boat, which you are expected to plow into it and push the other boats out of the way as you nose (or stern) in.
They secure your stern lines to these anchored mooring lines so you don't drift into shore. But good luck getting off your boat, you have to haul on your bow lines to pull your boat (and the six other boats attached to you) closer to shore for a death-defying leap of faith to the world's smallest finger pier.
The bar is really nice though for those who make it ashore.
It has great views of the channel into the marina (so you can watch boats motor on by), and a nice outdoor eating/picnic area.
Here is Peggy West making their way in (owned by a friendly Irish couple).
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