Page 12 - Fiji Traveller 2023 Issue 5

THE WONDERS OF QILAQILA

By Samisoni Pareti

The Bay of Islands in Qilaqila in the Lau archipelago resembles a natural
marina, created by God.
Located on the northwest tip of Vanuabalavu, tiny limestone islets—many of
them looking more like boulders—litter the bay to make up this natural wonder.
The limestone rocks are secure anchors, and the many narrow channels
and sheltered coves form natural anchorage and berthing bays for yachts,
motorboats and other pleasure craft that visit here all year round.
Qilaqila is also renowned for the many caves—underwater and above
land—that are found along the coastline, especially around the western and
southern shorelines of the bay.
These are popular swimming spots too.
For good divers, a must-see is the underwater cave on the bay’s northern
shores.
I call the cave ‘The Cathedral’ and you cannot walk, but must dive to enter.

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