Just decided (this morning) I want to take the missus on a holiday in September. I would also like to make it a kite trip the options are Fiji or Cocos. Just want to kick back, relax and kite.

Interested in pro's/cons of the two destinations. Keeping in mind my missus (who doesnt kite, but may take a lesson or two) is along for the trip.

The zephyr kite tour/location looks the goods, and Fiji...cant seem to find much definitive/positive info on kite locations, places worth staying etc.

Over to you...

Here is some info on Fiji
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=65549

If flatwater is your thing and you live in WA the cocos is a lay down mizare. The spot we went to in Fiji is very cross to cross off .Great for waveriding but not a beginners spot (for any beginners out there reading this) .there is a flatwater spot at Nana nu i ra .Fiji wind is not as consistent as cocos it seems .Fiji has other things to do and great cultural experiences .Not sure about cocos.Hope this helps

I've been to both.
Nana nu i ra in Fiji is good. Wind was strong and consistent for me in July a few years back. I would go back again for sure. However, I don't consider it good for learners. I was learning while there. The only location I felt comfortable was at the so called 'mud flats'. Shallow, no coral and ok for learners but a boat trip required each day to get there. I learnt boat launches before I could even ride my board.

I am leaving on the 13th Aug for my 4th trip to Cocos. Say no more. Kick back, relax and kite.

Rob

hey Guys

having an awesome WINDY season this year in FIJI.

Had SHQ in Melbourne bring 3 groups allready,
Kitepower in QLD just left last week
Kite Republic in Melbourne on there 3rd of 4th trips this year staying with us now..
Ral Innovatinos have two weeks late August, so yep plenty of fun
The WA crew just left last week.




Email westozwind for more Fiji info - 2nd year here

No mudflats here - just lovely Sandbars and Kitepoint to ride from!

PM me if you want some more info.

Rgds

Warren

What about cape range national park.
Every level is catered for and september is spot on if you also want swll.
Pm me if you want some info

2 - 10 october talk to turtle hunter some expo thing on cape range national park, got flights $310 return,running out fast to exy(learmonth) from perth Skywest and a campervan $700-800 for the week fully decked out.

Apparently had info a 4 week pass into the park $ 40 bucks, cheap holiday all round, cocos or fiji has to be more than $1100 for the week, different scene but its hot and windy up north to, good luck

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Rob S said...

I've been to both.
Nana nu i ra in Fiji is good. Wind was strong and consistent for me in July a few years back. I would go back again for sure. However, I don't consider it good for learners. I was learning while there. The only location I felt comfortable was at the so called 'mud flats'. Shallow, no coral and ok for learners but a boat trip required each day to get there. I learnt boat launches before I could even ride my board.

I am leaving on the 13th Aug for my 4th trip to Cocos. Say no more. Kick back, relax and kite.

Rob

Hi Rob,
Yea the "mudflats" are great. we call them "mudflats" cause the silt from the mainland hills has coloured the sand a grey colour. feels like sand but a darker colour .
It's one of my special Beginner spots. think of Altona but 2-3 times the area.

remember this Rob?

Hello Tony,

Best kite delivery service bar none. I was such a crap learner. I really kept you busy. July 2007. Good memories.

I still think the 'dark sandy siltly so called mud flats area' is the best spot for learners. But if you're going with Tony as a learner you can be more adventurous and go anywhere he goes.

Rob

Assuming the person in the water was RobS. That looks a long way from shore for a beginner.

Rob!!! You're going back to Cocos?? Say hi to the crew for me. I'm jealous... I have a new job and can't get time off. Thinking of heading to Mauritius next year with Mike. Did you see their pics?!!

Sorry, OT. My vote is for the Cocos, but haven't been to Fiji. Can highly recommend it for learners though, and plenty of girls go, so your missus won't be too intimidated to learn.

Have been to fiji but never again to much coral unreliable winds, If you have the money cocos is definately the place to be .

Cheers guys, going to Cocos

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=57498

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sir ROWDY said...

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=57498

relevance?

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ezza said...

Rob!!! You're going back to Cocos?? Say hi to the crew for me. I'm jealous... I have a new job and can't get time off. Thinking of heading to Mauritius next year with Mike. Did you see their pics?!!

Sorry, OT. My vote is for the Cocos, but haven't been to Fiji. Can highly recommend it for learners though, and plenty of girls go, so your missus won't be too intimidated to learn.

Hi Erin,

I saw the pics. Mauritius looks like a great option for surf and flat water. Might see you there next year or on Cocos or both!

Based on what he wants, Default has made the right decision. In my opinion Cocos is the best option for learners.

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Assymetic said...

Assuming the person in the water was RobS. That looks a long way from shore for a beginner.

The beauty of where we go in Fiji is the Boat support. That video was taken from the boat, so that is how close help is at hand.
Beginners get to practice without worry of the walk back.

The year before Robs came we had a body dragger cover nearly 3-4K which in one single body drag had him from first timer to upwind body dragging with ease in one go.
In fact he was being offered a board but refused as he was having in his words " Berko fun".
It ended in him sticking his head through Dopplegangers kite. Doppleganger forgot the rule of not crossing paths with a Berko body dragger.

This is Doppleganger's video of that trip he is the one carrying his kite to the water and launching from beach. with his repaired kite and one week after turning up as a kiter just getting up on a board fro the first time.

hi guys
i have just come back from fiji and loved it the wind was great the food was great the hospitality was great the accommodation was good but maby a bit over priced for whats its worth. but it all depends on how much you want to spend, because there is a few different lodges on the resort.

there is a few spots where you can kite sum spots beta than others but there all down winders so it saves you walking. there's is a heap of boat support and the driver of your boat will pump up your kite.

there are kites you can use but its beta if you use your own you probably wont need the 17 its to windy for that when the trade winds get up i way 70kg and was on a 9 all week, some days on a 7
over all its a nice place to stay and you can progress so quickly.

Just posted this re Egypt - also applies as an alternative to both Fiji AND Cocos

Chech out the Archive on Guru !

Lots of Euros are choosing Sri lanka over Egypt over this summer - Am surprised more Aussies havent discovered it considering it is the Aussie winter and SL is much cheaper to get to and the instructing and living costs are much cheaper as well. There is only one school in this location so the ocean and lagoon are empty - flatwater and waves and super downwinders

Its only small - 4 Double rooms - and is pretty booked but certainly worth a look - Ralph and Fabio use it for testing and remaking protos - and the Best boys Joe and Miguel have discovered it !

Mischi (swiss) and Leo (french) run a cool operation and thats some credit coming from an Aussie!

"Kitekuda" - Dedicated to accommodate Sri Lankas kitesurf community as well as international travelers looking for reasonably priced accommodation and schooling/guidance. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kappaladi/Kitekuda-Kappaladi-Sri-Lanka/128737490469672

Sri Lanka wind profile for 'Kitekuda' location
www.windguru.cz/int/index.php?sc=115722

Mischi (Swiss-speaking 5 languages) and Leo (French) run the Kite school - catering for beginners through to advanced adventure seekers. www.srilankakiteschool.com

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Ceylonsailor said...

Just posted this re Egypt - also applies as an alternative to both Fiji AND Cocos

Chech out the Archive on Guru !

Lots of Euros are choosing Sri lanka over Egypt over this summer - Am surprised more Aussies havent discovered it considering it is the Aussie winter and SL is much cheaper to get to and the instructing and living costs are much cheaper as well. There is only one school in this location so the ocean and lagoon are empty - flatwater and waves and super downwinders

Its only small - 4 Double rooms - and is pretty booked but certainly worth a look - Ralph and Fabio use it for testing and remaking protos - and the Best boys Joe and Miguel have discovered it !

Mischi (swiss) and Leo (french) run a cool operation and thats some credit coming from an Aussie!

"Kitekuda" - Dedicated to accommodate Sri Lankas kitesurf community as well as international travelers looking for reasonably priced accommodation and schooling/guidance. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kappaladi/Kitekuda-Kappaladi-Sri-Lanka/128737490469672

Sri Lanka wind profile for 'Kitekuda' location
www.windguru.cz/int/index.php?sc=115722

Mischi (Swiss-speaking 5 languages) and Leo (French) run the Kite school - catering for beginners through to advanced adventure seekers. www.srilankakiteschool.com

wow the wind forcast is awesome .Looks like some waves too nearby.Too bad its a mission to get there ,Airfares look kind of exy too

Yeah - The wind is pretty much that way from May till October - After a week you are looking for a break but it doesnt come - down side is it blows harder at night - although we had a great full moon session last time I was there.

Airfares are a bit more than Fiji but East Coast to Cocos ? All the major airlines fly in to Colombo - Using expedia I got a $750 return Melb - Colombo - Melb. Air asia was quite a bit cheaper but gear was a problem - Its a North Station and the guys are agents so I bought some Rebels at a pretty good price - Was great to see North guys Fabio and Ralph doing their stuff.

No night life other than with the group that is in at that time but that was ok after 6-7 hours at the beach .

how did you get the $750 fare ? Does expedia have a best price hunter for a given time frame (If so I couldn't find it)

Found an $844 ex Sydney.
But then when you click on the link it goes to $914

The next best was $1288

A random date in January was picked

You guys have got it all wrong.

You can stick your tropical paradise islands.

You need to get to Dungeness



Two Nuclear Power Stations, Two Lighthouses, 40 Residents and 12.5 Square Miles of Shingle.

What more could you possibly want??

BTW

^^^ dont watch the video unless you are:

A. Bored

and

B. Have unlimited download.

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Mr float said...

how did you get the $750 fare ? Does expedia have a best price hunter for a given time frame (If so I couldn't find it)

I use a few different online ticketting sites - Expedia is generally the one that gives me the best results - Unfortunately you have to go day by day - On this occassion I actually broke my trip in two because the consolidated trip was expensive so I searched Melb - Sing - Melb then Sing - Cmb - Sing. There are no direct flights - My dates were flexible by a couple of days either way at each end. Cathay had a Melb Sing return for $238 and a bunch of airlines had Sing - Cmb - Sing at $500-550. so I just picked the one that had the best connection - Sri Lankan with a 3 hour transit. Expedia was actualy cheaper than Sri lankans own on line booking. Takes some time but I saved some $ and both were great with sports gear - UNLIKE Quantas !

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junglist said...

BTW

^^^ dont watch the video unless you are:

A. Bored

and

B. Have unlimited download.

How about you watch some "Land of Lahara"

no download and 0 boredom for 40mins. after that you will prolly be pretty keen for a kite..

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Warren Francis said...




hey Guys

having an awesome WINDY season this year in FIJI.

Had SHQ in Melbourne bring 3 groups allready,
Kitepower in QLD just left last week
Kite Republic in Melbourne on there 3rd of 4th trips this year staying with us now..
Ral Innovatinos have two weeks late August, so yep plenty of fun
The WA crew just left last week.




Email westozwind for more Fiji info - 2nd year here

No mudflats here - just lovely Sandbars and Kitepoint to ride from!

PM me if you want some more info.

Rgds

Warren

I was just in Fiji staying with Warren , I was with the Kitepower group.
The Kitepower instructor was hot and the best ever (hehe that would be me )
We had wind EVERY SINGLE DAY, the water is crystal clear, we had learners, we did boat launches, we did down winders of varying lengths, there is even a 13k if you are daring. There are others there that spur you on to try something new.
I couldnt walk I kited so much.
Its true that they pump up your kite, you dont have to walk and beginners are in good hands because they can go strait down wind and not have to walk back.
The view from our lodge was amazing.
The food was great, two little Indian women making all our food, lip smacking desserts and eggs on toast every morning for brekky, I hear the omlettes are heavenly ( I dont eat omlettes)
But I haven't been to the Cocos yet so I cant compare.

Hope this helps

Thesurgeonmd must have some great computer skills.
But if that's Warren depicted in the picture then the hair colour is wrong, and too much of it. Plus please add a few more warts on the nose. Also he is now using a flat screen monitor (get with it). Back hair is about right.
The cave was only temp accom after the cyclone. it now has battery powered lamps.

The next time there is a thread on Fiji, I will expect a lot better of you.

Who's the troll now, "thesurgeonmd" 3 posts all about Fiji!

Safari Lodge is rocking this season - wish you were here - NOT!

Warren
PS you can call me anytime - i don't hide behind fake names!

User: Assymetic

12 Safari Lodge related posts in total (failtroll)
One In this thread accusing RobS of being a troll (Ironic)
A new thread advertising 'Speed Week' a couple hours ago (Desperate)
Several more posts bumping another Safari related thread in June (Devious)


1/10 effort
0/10 effect

brb kiting for the afternoon ;) over to you.