Port Denarau Marina is the South Pacific’s premium marina, serving as the gateway to the idyllic Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands. Situated only a 20-minute drive from Nadi (pronounced Nandi) International Airport and nestled within Denarau Island, home to nine hotels and resorts, it is the preferred destination for yachts and superyachts.
“We offer a diverse selection of options, including lively bars and vibrant shopping precinct,” says Cynthia Rasch, CEO of Port Denarau Marina. “We are recognised as a world-class yachting destination, offering top-tier berthing for commercial and recreational vessels, including superyachts.”
What makes Port Denarau stand out compared to other destinations is that it has everything on its doorstep. It is also the first and only globally accredited Clean Marina and Superyacht Ready facility in the region.
“It is not just a marina. It is a destination and Fiji’s portal to world-renowned cruising grounds,” Rasch explains. “We offer seamless access to world-class services and modern infrastructure, all underpinned by a strong commitment to sustainability.”
Curating an Experience
This approach has seen Port Denarau Marina recognised as the Pacific’s most-awarded marina, with over 20 awards in its 25 years of operation. When we speak with Rasch, it has only been a week since it won its most recent accolade.
“Our reputation is built on operational excellence, strategic partnerships and a personalised approach,” Rasch shares. “We go beyond berthing to curate exceptional experiences.”
Curating that experience takes many forms, from lobbying for regulatory reforms within the industry to developing a seamless path for guests that begins long before they arrive in Fiji.
“We provide you with all the information you need about Fiji – what to expect, the regulatory requirements for entry, and connectivity to provisioning services,” Rasch explains. “We can provide everything directly or connect visitors with yachting agents who specialise in tailored services. Our goal is to provide a seamless, all-in-one experience for our guests.”
Like any tourism-based business, Port Denarau Marina has faced challenges. The Covid-19 pandemic was particularly difficult, but the company navigated the crisis effectively.
“We adapted to ensure business continuity while supporting the larger industry,” Rasch recalls. “We launched the VIP Blue Lane Initiative, a close collaboration with the Fiji government, allowing yachts to enter under strict protocols during lockdowns.”
This initiative enabled Fiji to be one of the only tourist destinations operating during the pandemic, reinforcing its proactive and resilient reputation.
More recently, that same resilience has been critical in addressing geopolitical challenges and regulatory shifts.
“We are working to bring in more traffic around the world by enhancing our marketing efforts and strengthening regional collaborations,” Rasch says. “We are partnering with the Pacific Islands, Australia and New Zealand to position the Southern Hemisphere as a premier and secure yachting destination.”
Investing in Talent and Fiji
Achieving and maintaining world-class service levels requires attracting and retaining top talent. Developing and investing in people is a core focus at Port Denarau Marina.
“We operate a niche facility that brings together both commercial expertise and local talent across tourism, ferry services and yachting,” Rasch says. “As we own and maintain the buildings and infrastructure, we need a highly skilled workforce. People are the backbone of our business, and we seek those who align with our core values of commitment, safety and sustainability.”
As a result, staff at Port Denarau Marina often build long careers within the company, with an average tenure of five to seven years.
“Our staff know that they will be taken care of,” Rasch explains. “We have an inclusive workplace culture and run regular employee engagement initiatives to enhance retention and motivation.”
Notably, Port Denarau Marina is home to the only Pacific Islander with globally Certified Marina Manager (CMM) status – Rasch herself. However, that will soon change, as she is mentoring two more team members towards obtaining the certification. Additionally, the marina has three internationally certified Straddlelift Operators in their boatyard operations, further reinforcing its operational excellence.
This focus on professional development reflects Port Denarau Marina’s broader contribution to local communities, fostering skills and driving economic impact.
“We are at the forefront of developing Fiji’s marina industry. Over the past decade, we have grown organically, investing in research and marketing to elevate the yachting sector,” Rasch says. “We are a critical tourism hub contributing towards 40% of Fiji’s GDP. Half of the visitors arriving by air pass through our doors, accessing the products and services offered at the marina through our commercial segment. Yachting tourism contributes FJD $60.6 million annually, with approximately 800 vessels carrying 2,000 visitors entering Fiji during the six-month cruising season outside of the cyclone period. While this number is modest compared to the cruise sector, it is a high-yield, low-impact market that connects visitors to remote destinations accessible only by yacht.”
Rasch believes that innovation is key to expanding this impact. Port Denarau Marina has introduced marina management software, customised to meet its specific operational needs. Recognising Fiji’s lack of a national recycling program, the marina was among the first businesses to implement an in-house recycling and waste disposal system. The marina voluntarily undergoes external audits for the Clean Marina program, administered by the Marina Industries Association, and has successfully earned reaccreditation for the third consecutive term since 2017. These efforts are just a few examples of how Port Denarau Marina continues to lead in sustainability and global best practices.
Looking ahead, Rasch is optimistic about the marina’s future and Fiji’s growth as a premier yachting destination.
“We have recently completed our strategic planning, ensuring we evolve with the changing demands of the yachting and tourism industries,” she says. “Our masterplan includes infrastructure upgrades to accommodate larger vessels, a dredging program, and an expanded superyacht dock set to be ready by May 2025. We are also enhancing berthing capacity for more vessels, including catamarans, strengthening our environmental stewardship initiatives, and driving digital transformation across our operations.”
It is an exciting vision for the future, and no one is more excited to see it realized than Rasch.
“I am passionate about what I do,” she concludes. “I love this industry, and I can see boundless opportunities for growth.”
