Fiji’s yachting sector delivered its strongest economic performance in 16 years in 2025, contributing a record FJ$57.4 million to the national economy, according to the latest Fiji International Yachting Visitors Survey. Port Denarau Marina CEO Cynthia Rasch reports this is due to the longer superyacht stays, rising charter activity and infrastructure investment driving Fiji’s yachting sector to a record FJ$57.4-million economic contribution.
The figures point to broad-based growth across the sector, led by longer superyacht stays, increased local spending and a rapidly expanding charter market. Fiji welcomed 62 superyachts during the year, while average length of stay rose from 56 days in 2024 to 160 days in 2025. Superyacht expenditure reached a record FJ$18.75 million, 49 percent above 2019 levels.
Charter Growth and New Infrastructure
Charter activity also accelerated following recent regulatory changes, with verified gross charter revenue increasing from FJ$246,000 in 2023 to FJ$2.99 million in 2025. With Port Denarau Marina preparing to open a new 115-metre “mega-berth”, the wider sector is forecast to contribute more than FJ$65 million to the economy by the end of 2026.
The marina has also officially opened a new police border post and commissioned the refurbished Jetty E, strengthening border surveillance, visitor safety and enforcement against transnational crime. The expanded jetty increases capacity for additional vessels and superyachts, supporting higher maritime traffic, tourism activity and local employment. In the cruising yacht segment, average expenditure reached an all-time high of FJ$43,457 per vessel, driving a 15 percent increase in total cruising yacht spending.
The ‘Fiji Factor’
Large yachts are increasingly drawn by the ‘Fiji Factor’, defined primarily by the warm, welcoming nature of the Fijian people and pristine cruising grounds such as the Yasawa Islands and the Lau Group. Visitors rate the region highly for its scenic beauty, excellent surfing and wing-foiling conditions, and authentic cultural experiences in remote villages. In addition, the industry continues to market the region alongside Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti and the Cook Islands, encouraging vessels to explore more of the Southern Hemisphere.
This shift has been encouraged by changes to Fiji’s charter regulations in 2023, which made the destination more attractive for commercial operations, together with strong marketing campaigns positioning Fiji as a leading charter destination. Extended stays significantly multiply economic output because of the substantial spending power of each vessel, with superyacht expenditure ranging from FJ$70,000 to FJ$250,000 per yacht.
Longer stays also generate strong demand for high-value professional services, including mechanical engineering, hull cleaning and yacht agency services. They allow for more guest rotations, driving additional spending on domestic flights, island resorts, transfers, provisioning and local guides.
A 115-Metre Mega-Berth for 2026
The new 115-metre mega-berth is expected to be a major catalyst for revenue growth in 2026. It will enable Fiji to accommodate significantly larger yachts and support the normalisation of high-capacity berthing infrastructure. The facility is projected to help lift superyacht charter revenue to between FJ$4 million and FJ$4.5 million in 2026.
Port Denarau Marina is Fiji’s primary superyacht hub. It provides a comprehensive one-stop service within a fully integrated resort precinct, offering high-speed fuel, yacht agency services, customs clearance and technical workshops. Having evolved from a modest regional jetty, the marina now has 62 private berths and has recently completed a FJ$6 million expansion to accommodate the growing number of luxury vessels. Over the past 25 years, the marina has grown organically while promoting Fiji as a must-visit yachting destination.
As CEO, Cynthia Rasch describes her management approach as looking a decade ahead rather than focusing on quarter-to-quarter results, combining ambitious infrastructure growth with environmental stewardship.
“Because Fiji does not have ready access to off-the-shelf parts or outsourced maintenance teams, my approach relies heavily on internal development. We hire people with limited experience and provide on-the-job training to drive innovation from within. At Port Denarau Marina, we prioritise empowering local talent and view the ocean as our primary business asset.”
– Cynthia Rasch, CEO, Port Denarau Marina
Original interview by Jenni Bone for Ocean Magazine (July 2026) – denaraumarina.com