A new era of travel and comfort begins in theYasawa Islands, Fiji
Port Denarau, Fiji – Thursday 21 August 2025 – South Sea Cruises Group has celebrated thearrival and launch of its newest and most advanced vessel, Yasawa Flyer III at an eventheld at Port Denarau yesterday.
The officiallaunch event saw the Honourable Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism& Civil Aviation, Viliame Gavoka attend as Chief Guest along with South SeaCruises Group directors, staff, and select members of the tourism industry.
Yasawa Flyer III will operate from Port Denarau daily and willcontinue South Sea Cruises Group’s long-standing tradition of daily services tothe Yasawa Islands — a route the company pioneered in the early 2000s.
Designed for comfort, safety, and sustainability,Yasawa Flyer IIIis the largest new-build fast ferry ever to operate in Fiji. With a capacityfor up to 320 passengers, the vesselincreases daily capacity to and from the Yasawa Islands by 30%,enhancing South Sea Cruises Group’s ability to better service resorts and localcommunities while creating new opportunities for regional tourism development.
Passengerswhen onboard will enjoy expansiveoutdoor viewing decks, custom-designed seating, spaciousair-conditioned lounges, and upgraded amenities, including a licensed bar andkiosk, complimentary Wi-Fi, and device charging stations. The vessel alsointroduces Fiji’s first and only full ride-control system, reducing vesselmotion and enhancing stability — even in challenging sea conditions.
“This vesselrepresents a major investment in the future of tourism in the Yasawa Islandsand Fiji as a whole,” said BradRutherford, CEO of South Sea Cruises Group. “It has beenpurpose-built to carry more passengers while delivering an enhanced travelexperience to one of the most beautiful and remote parts of our country.”
From asustainability perspective, YasawaFlyer III is powered by the latest MAN engines delivering anexpected 10% improved fuelefficiency compared to similar-sized vessels — and an expected 20% fuel savings per passengeron a full load basis. The engines and paired with a modern hull design, whichwill increase efficiency through the water as well as reduce the amount of wakethe vessel produces.
When askedduring the event if South Sea Cruises Group considered electric-powered vesselsas an option, Rutherford explained that “the technology to electrically power avessel of this size over such distances and durations simply doesn’t exist yet.The batteries required to power a vessel for up to nine consecutive hours wouldweigh several tonnes, and there is simply not enough onboard space to store thenumber of batteries required” Rutherford further stated that hydrogen poweredvessels is a likely future alternative for South Sea Cruises Group, however itremains some way off, as Fiji first needs to establish a reliable andconsistent local supply.
The launch of Yasawa Flyer III signals a new era for marine tourism and maritimetransport in Fiji, reaffirming South Sea Cruises Group’sposition as the region’s leading marine tourism and transport operator,committed to innovation, service excellence, sustainability, and connectingtravellers, tourists, and local communities across the Mamanuca and YasawaIslands.
Scheduledservices to the Yasawa Islands aboard YasawaFlyer III will commence in the last week of August 2025.
