Lautoka is the second largest city of Fiji. It is in the west of the island of Viti Levu, 24 kilometres north of Nadi, and is the second port of entry in Fiji, after Suva. Lying in the heart of Fiji's sugar cane growing region, it is known as the Sugar City. Covering an area of 16 square kilometres, it had a population of 52,220 at the 2007 census, the most recent to date. We've arrived here on Sunday, October 11th and so far we’ve sailed 5,737 nautical miles and are lucky enough to have 23 degree C temperatures (68% humidity) in sunny weather.

Lautoka is known as the Sugar City because of its sugar cane belt areas. The main Lautoka Sugar Mill was founded in 1903, and apparently is the city's biggest employer by far. Today, it’s a friendly, colourful multicultural port town with shops and restaurants that reflect the cultures of the workers who came to work the mills many years ago. Built in 1903, it hires some 1,300 employees today. Other industries include timber milling, garment manufacturing, distillery, brewery, jewellery, blending, steelworks, fishing, hatchery, domestic items, paints, and construction.

The name of the city is derived from two Fijian words meaning "spear hit." According to an oral tradition, the name arose following a duel between two chiefs. As one speared the other, he was reported to have cried "Lau-toka!". The first known European sighting of the Lautoka area took place on 7 May 1789. History has it that Captain William Bligh spotted and roughly charted the coasts of Lautoka while making his epic voyage to Timor in the wake of the Mutiny on the Bounty in which he and a few sailors loyal to him were thrown overboard and cast adrift on a life boat.

Many Indian and Chinese restaurants line Vitogo Parage, and loud Indian music plays from the shops on the main shopping street. The locals worship at the Sikh and Hare Krishna temples. Cricket is played in the local parks, reflecting the island’s past as an English colony. The marinas host cruisers from around the globe, giving this small town a very international feel. Fiji’s natural beauty is at its best here, too. In the distance, Sleeping Giant Mountain looms and dozens of small islands dot the waters just off shore. White sandy beaches and coral reefs teeming with tropical fish are just a short boat ride away, making this area one of Fiji’s top snorkelling sites. A short drive away, the traditional villages of Vitogo and Nalesutale offer a glimpse into Fiji’s past. The flavors of Fiji are exotic and spicy, with Indian and Chinese-influenced curries and seafood dishes as well as Polynesian and Melanesian coconut-based specialties.