Yasawa islands transfer
Ferry from Port Denarau to Manta Ray Island Resort
One rotation a day serves the whole Yasawa chain - check your date, then book the leg that reaches Manta Ray Island
- About 2 hours 50 minutes north through the Yasawa chain, arrival at about 11:35
- One daily departure with the Yasawa Flyer, from Port Denarau at 08:45
- Tender hand-off at the resort - the boat is met offshore
Table of Contents
The crossing at a glance
Denarau - Manta Ray Island is a leg of the daily Yasawa service. The Yasawa Flyer, a 320-seat high-speed catamaran, leaves Port Denarau at 08:45, threads north through the island chain and reaches the Manta Ray Island stop after about 2 hours 50 minutes, at about 11:35. One rotation a day, in each direction - the same boat passes on its way south in the afternoon and is back at Port Denarau around 18:00.
Port Denarau and check-in
Check-in is at the South Sea Cruises desk at Port Denarau Terminal, 30 minutes before the 08:45 departure - the operator asks passengers to be there by 08:15 and offers early check-in the day before. A same-morning landing in Nadi is a tight connection: the operator's airport coach is timed to the boat, but a delayed flight has no second chance that day. Stay the night before if you can, and book the coach pickup at least 24 hours ahead.
The journey north
After leaving the Denarau marina the boat calls at South Sea Island and works its way north through the southern Yasawas - Kuata, Wayasewa, Waya, Naukacuvu - before it reaches Nanuya Balavu; from Manta Ray the Flyer continues to Naviti, Matacawalevu, Yaqeta and the Blue Lagoon area. On board there is air-conditioned seating, open deck space and a kiosk selling food and drink - payment by card only, cash is not accepted. Luggage, one carry-on bag of up to 7 kg and one checked bag of up to 25 kg per person, is stowed at the rear of the vessel and comes out at your stop.
Arrival, tender and return
Nanuya Balavu is a small island in the central Yasawas, about 38 nautical miles from Denarau, next to Naukacuvu (Paradise Cove). The Flyer reaches the Manta Ray stop at about 11:35, shortly after Paradise Cove and before the Naviti stops. There is no ferry jetty for this service: the Flyer holds position and the resort's tender takes you and your bags the last stretch to the beach, and the operator warns that feet can get wet. Keep documents and electronics in a day pack, and let your resort know your arrival leg. Southbound, the boat passes Manta Ray Island in the afternoon and arrives back at Port Denarau around 18:00 - leave a buffer before any onward flight and check the return departure for your date.
Tickets and changes
Fares are dynamic, shown live on this page and in the price overview. Rebooking and cancellation follow your ticket conditions, and each leg between stops is its own ticket.
Denarau - Manta Ray Island
To Nanuya Balavu in the central Yasawas
Denarau - Manta Ray Island Resort is a central Yasawa leg: the daily Yasawa Flyer leaves Port Denarau at 08:45, works through the southern calls and reaches the Manta Ray stop on Nanuya Balavu at about 11:35.
Nearly three hours at sea, one boat a day in each direction, luggage stowed for the crossing and a tender between ferry and beach - treat it as a scenic half-day, not a quick shuttle.
- Crossing
- about 2 h 50 min
- Operator
- South Sea Cruises
- Frequency
- 1× daily each way
- From price
- €68
Next departures
FAQ Denarau - Manta Ray Island
Frequently asked questions
Questions about the Denarau - Manta Ray Island crossing.
How long does the ferry from Denarau to Manta Ray Island take? +
About 2 hours 50 minutes northbound - departure from Port Denarau at 08:45, arrival at about 11:35. The southbound leg differs, because the boat passes Nanuya Balavu in the afternoon on its way south and reaches Port Denarau around 18:00. Exact times for your date are in the timetable.
How often does the boat run? +
One departure per day in each direction. The northbound boat leaves Port Denarau at 08:45, so plan your arrival in Nadi the evening before or take an early airport coach - check-in at the terminal desk closes 30 minutes before departure, and a missed boat means a missed day.
How do I get from the boat to Manta Ray Island? +
The resort has no ferry jetty for this service: the boat holds position and a tender brings passengers and luggage ashore. The operator warns that you may get your feet wet, so keep electronics and documents in a carry bag and pack soft luggage where you can.
Can I book the return to Denarau too? +
Yes. The southbound leg is booked like the outward one and follows the same daily rhythm - one pass per stop, arriving at Port Denarau around 18:00. Do not book a same-evening onward flight tightly against it; recheck your return departure a day ahead.
Does the same boat serve the other Yasawa resorts? +
Yes - Paradise Cove is the stop just before Manta Ray, and Korovou and White Sandy Beach on Naviti follow it. Each stop is its own connection in the booking feed with its own ticket; book the leg to your actual resort.
What does the crossing cost? +
The fare depends on date and passengers and is shown live on this page and in the price overview. Note that the operator currently applies a mandatory fuel surcharge, which the booking total includes.