There’s no coaching on this week in Fijian paradise – it’s all about enjoying yourself to the full, however, every day you will have guiding to the best bodyboarding spots in the surrounding area.
Jay Reale is a bodyboarding legend and one of the most accomplished figures in the sport’s history. Originally from Ocean City, Maryland, Jay has been riding waves since 1980, earning titles like U.S. Amateur Champion and competing in the world’s most iconic spots, including the Pipeline World Championships. Beyond his competitive success, Jay is known as a global ambassador for bodyboarding, with a career that spans magazine features, TV appearances, and worldwide travel. Jay now co-runs eBodyboarding.com, the largest bodyboarding shop in the world, combining his decades of expertise with a passion for supporting the bodyboarding community.
We’re incredibly lucky to have Jay join us on Bodyboard Holidays trips, where his unmatched expertise, fun personality, and passion for the sport take the experience to another level. Whether sharing tips in the lineup or stories from his incredible career, Jay brings an energy and enthusiasm that make every session unforgettable.
Vicki Reale is a pioneer in women’s bodyboarding, she’s famous for her fearless style and groundbreaking achievements. Born in Port Macquarie, Australia, Vicki quickly rose to prominence on the world stage, becoming the first Australian Women’s Pro Champion and competing in the World Surfing Games. Her travels have taken her to five continents, and she’s been a prominent figure in shaping the sport, even gracing the cover of Riptide Magazine as the first female bodyboarder to do so. Vicki now co-runs eBodyboarding.com, the world’s largest bodyboarding shop, where she helps riders of all levels gear up and stay stoked for the waves.
Having Vicki on a Bodyboard Holidays trip is an incredible privilege. Her wealth of experience, charming personality, and love for the sport make her an inspiring mentor and companion. Bodyboarding with Vicki is not just fun-it’s a chance to learn from one of the best in the game and share her infectious passion for the waves.
Alongside your group for the week, you’ll be taking over the private island of Tavarua, staying in Fijian Beach Bures (bungalows) at the “gold standard” of surf resorts, for one week. Paradise awaits!
The traditional Fijian Beach Bures (bungalows) that are your home for the week are the essence of Tavarua Island’s accommodations. With a classic design, locally sourced art and photos and a deck overlooking tropical palms and ocean views, this is comfort and simplicity at its finest. Each bure has two queen-sized beds and one day bed to easily accommodate a party of five as well as fans, AC and daily maid service.
At your accommodation, you will have access to:
Seeing yourself bodyboard is a fantastic way to improve your performance. There is a photographer/videographer on hand each day to film selected sessions, they’ll take footage both from the air and on land. Drone footage is a remarkable and exciting development in the bodyboarding world, and you will get world-class shots from your dedicated island photographer.
If you choose to purchase the additional media package, you’ll receive a photo and video package to take home with you at the end of the week, which is both an invaluable tool for your ongoing progress and an epic memento of your trip. It will all be uploaded to an online gallery so you have access to all your best shots and videos to upload wherever you like. We love seeing your waves on social media so feel free to share them as you like and make all your friends wildly jealous!
Your trip includes three all-you-can-eat meals a day, plus a pre-dawn continental breakfast and Happy Hour appetisers. Rest assured – you won’t go hungry!
For the early risers, there’s a spread of cereal, yoghurt, toast, coffee, and tea to kickstart your morning. Later, enjoy three full buffet-style meals featuring a variety of dishes to suit every diet. The talented local kitchen staff takes pride in serving fresh, flavourful cuisine, often including fish caught straight from the surrounding waters for a true ocean-to-table experience. Bon appétit!
You won’t need to bring cash for any food but you will for alcoholic beverages, plus if you need internet access, and for taxes and tips.
The Restaurant
With an iconic view of one of the world’s longest left-hand reef breaks, the local executive chef prepares three fresh dishes daily. All meals are served buffet style with a focus on locally grown ingredients and incorporating a variety of international cuisines. There is a huge daily selection as well as being able to accommodate specific dietary requirements upon request.
Kulu Bar
Golden hour at the Kulu bar boasts some of the best views in the South Pacific. Sink your toes into the sand while sipping on a crisp local lager on tap or the tropical cocktail of the day. At happy hour enjoy 2 for 1 on beer and wine and dive into the delicious appetisers while watching world-famous Restaurants surf break or a mesmerising Fijian sunset.
You will need to arrange your own flights to Nadi International Airport (NAN) in Fiji. Ideally arriving on the Saturday morning and departing on the following Saturday evening. We highly recommend that you have a read of our ‘How to book a flight’ blog to help you organise the best flights for your holiday.
Once you arrive in Nadi, Fiji, you will gather your bags and exit customs. There will be a driver there with a TAVARUA sign, and you will likely be flying in with other folks who are part of the group. The driver will direct you where to bring your bags, and to your transport. You will then travel about 45 minutes by shuttle bus to the coastline where you will await the Tavarua boats to take you on a short 20-minute panga ride out to your home for the next week. Make sure your electronics are protected (we recommend a sealed plastic bag) and you are wearing sandals or barefoot (your feet might get wet in transit if it’s windy/choppy, and you may have to step off the boat in shallow water upon arrival). Have your cameras ready for your arrival, trust us this isn’t a view you’ll want to forget.
If your flight includes a stop, please allow enough time to make your connection and factor in short delays. It’s best to book a ticket that transports your luggage directly to the airport in Fiji if possible.
Make sure you check the airline’s baggage charges when you book, especially if you bring a boardbag.
When you walk through arrivals and step outside the doors (after collecting your bags) your driver will be there to meet you, please keep an eye out for him. He will be holding a sign with your name on it.
If you are not paying in full at the time of booking, we do offer a deposit system if needed.
You can either:
Full payment must be made 12 weeks prior to the trip start date.
We can’t guarantee your place until we receive payment (in full or a deposit). Payment will be taken over the telephone or by us sending you an online invoice.
You’ll then be sent a trip confirmation email and an invite to a Zoom meeting.
We prefer to chat to our guests after they have jumped aboard, this gives us the chance to answer any burning questions that you may have and to explain all the details about the trip, everything from flights, insurance and airport meeting arrangements to kit advice and what to pack etc. This helps to tailor the trip exactly to your needs.
Yes definitely! We pride ourselves on being super welcoming and friendly. Most of our guests arrive solo and leave with a host of new bodyboarding buddies.
Due to this trip being in high demand and having limited spaces, we can only hold your space for up to 24 hours without payment.
You are welcome to attend for a shorter period to suit your personal schedule, however the package price will remain the same and there will be an additional cost if you don’t travel on the Saturday-to-Saturday schedule due to a separate airport and boat pick up being required.
There is a ‘Couples Discount’, which can be two adults who are 18 years or older. There are no other discounts available.
ASAP! These holidays fill up quickly and, with limited spaces available, sell out fast. We operate on a first come first serve basis. If you want to secure your place on the trip, it is advised that you pay as soon as you can.
If you are based outside of the UK and would like to book or chat through the holiday details, we can be contacted through our online chat.
If you wish to bring a non-bodyboarding partner with you, that is absolutely fine, however, the price stays the same.
We have a great mix of all ages from young whipper-snappers to silver surfers. The gender ratio at the moment is around 60% men to 40% women. However, this is constantly changing and Bodyboard Holidays is inclusive to all.
In Tavarua, the internet costs approx. $140 USD for one device for the week and an additional fee for each additional device.
We choose the time of year and location for our holidays based on local knowledge and historical swell data. In the event of flat waves or stormy conditions, we will offer alternative activities and day trips to help you get the most out of your holiday.
Please take a look at our Area section for more information. We may also adjust the format of the week, for example, choosing to run more bodyboard sessions on the days that the waves are at their best.
Please visit our Terms & Conditions for more information.
The area that we visit is blessed with constant surf, you can expect great conditions most days of the trip. To give you a clearer idea, the videos on this webpage were all filmed during previous bodyboard holiday trips.
Please refer to the Waves section for more details.
We do not offer a discount for bringing your own equipment. There is no kit available on the island so it is essential that you bring everything that you need.
Remember to check the baggage size and weight allowance with your airline, as well as reading their guidance for carrying bodyboards. Baggage handlers can be unforgiving, so a tough bag and intelligent packing are a must.
Firstly, pack your board(s) in a protective, padded board bag, and write FRAGILE and TOP LOAD ONLY on it with a permanent marker. Make sure you wrap your towel and clothes around your board inside the bag for added protection. Place your shampoo and other wet toiletries in a separate sealed bag in case of leakage. We also recommend locking the zips on your bag with a padlock.
Please check international travel requirements for your nationality. Please contact your travel agent or airline if you are unsure or have any further questions.
It’s a good idea to carry photocopies of your important documents and guide books and pack them separately. We also suggest scanning copies and emailing them to yourself for extra reassurance.
If you are under 18, we will need to chat to you on the phone and you will need to be accompanied on the trip by a parent or guardian throughout the holiday. If you are 60 or over we’d love to chat with you about the trip before you book. Please contact us via our online chat.
At time of booking we will share the trip leader’s contact number with you.
As with any holiday, full travel insurance is a requirement for all guests booking a trip with the company.
Please also ensure that your policy covers you for ‘disruption to travel’ and ‘cover for cancellations’ as standard.
For further help please read our helpful blog post about travel insurance.
You may need to add additional cover for surfing or bodyboarding, it is essential that your insurance policy covers you for all activities during your stay. Failure to take out travel insurance breaks the contract between Bodyboard Holidays and the client.
If you are joining one of our trips and you are native to the country of its location (i.e you live in Lisbon and are joining our Portugal trip) you do not need to take out medical travel insurance. This is as long as you have your own personal health-care plan or are covered by your country’s National Health Service. Although, we kindly request that you still take out trip disruption and cancellation insurance to cover all possible eventualities.
Health and safety medical advice for UK travellers can be found online at https://www.gov.uk/world
Otherwise, contact your GP or the Department of Health (DoH) for further information. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) also issues up-to-date information on safety issues for countries world-wide. Contact the FCO travel advice line on 020 7238 4503/4504 if you have any concerns.
Please contact your doctor if you’re unsure about vaccinations. We advise you to take mosquito repellent to avoid getting bitten, though we’ve never been aware of any malaria or dengue fever cases in the areas that we visit. According to netdoctor.co.uk, the risk is very low.
Cards are accepted on Tavarua.
We are a UK based company that delivers trips all over the world welcoming travellers of all nationalities.
If your circumstances change and you can’t join the trip, please let us know as soon as possible via email. Your cancellation notice will start from the date we receive it.
Cancellation terms:
The £500 per person deposit is non returnable. Please read on for further cancellation terms.
We hold part or full costs, depending on when you cancel:
Cancellation may fall under the terms and conditions of your holiday insurance policy and you may be able to claim.
Please take a look at our Frequently Asked Questions videos.
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