South Sea Cruises Group Launches the South Pacific’s Newest Passenger Ferry: Yasawa Flyer III

A new era of travel and comfort begins in the Yasawa Islands, Fiji

 

Port Denarau, Fiji – Thursday 21 August 2025 – South Sea Cruises Group has celebrated the arrival and launch of its newest and most advanced vessel, Yasawa Flyer III at an event held at Port Denarau yesterday.

 

The official launch event saw the Honourable Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism & Civil Aviation, Viliame Gavoka attend as Chief Guest along with South Sea Cruises Group directors, staff, and select members of the tourism industry.

 

Yasawa Flyer III will operate from Port Denarau daily and will continue South Sea Cruises Group’s long-standing tradition of daily services to the Yasawa Islands — a route the company pioneered in the early 2000s.

 

Designed for comfort, safety, and sustainability, Yasawa Flyer III is the largest new-build fast ferry ever to operate in Fiji. With a capacity for up to 320 passengers, the vessel increases daily capacity to and from the Yasawa Islands by 30%, enhancing South Sea Cruises Group’s ability to better service resorts and local communities while creating new opportunities for regional tourism development.

 

Passengers when onboard will enjoy expansive outdoor viewing decks, custom-designed seating, spacious air-conditioned lounges, and upgraded amenities, including a licensed bar and kiosk, complimentary Wi-Fi, and device charging stations. The vessel also introduces Fiji’s first and only full ride-control system, reducing vessel motion and enhancing stability — even in challenging sea conditions.

 

“This vessel represents a major investment in the future of tourism in the Yasawa Islands and Fiji as a whole,” said Brad Rutherford, CEO of South Sea Cruises Group. “It has been purpose-built to carry more passengers while delivering an enhanced travel experience to one of the most beautiful and remote parts of our country.”

 

 

From a sustainability perspective, Yasawa Flyer III is powered by the latest MAN engines delivering an expected 10% improved fuel efficiency compared to similar-sized vessels — and an expected 20% fuel savings per passenger on a full load basis. The engines and paired with a modern hull design, which will increase efficiency through the water as well as reduce the amount of wake the vessel produces.

 

When asked during the event if South Sea Cruises Group considered electric-powered vessels as an option, Rutherford explained that “the technology to electrically power a vessel 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 would weigh several tonnes, and there is simply not enough onboard space to store the number of batteries required” Rutherford further stated that hydrogen powered vessels is a likely future alternative for South Sea Cruises Group, however it remains some way off, as Fiji first needs to establish a reliable and consistent local supply.

 

The launch of Yasawa Flyer III signals a new era for marine tourism and maritime transport in Fiji, reaffirming South Sea Cruises Group’s position as the region’s leading marine tourism and transport operator, committed to innovation, service excellence, sustainability, and connecting travellers, tourists, and local communities across the Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands.

 

Scheduled services to the Yasawa Islands aboard Yasawa Flyer III will commence in the last week of August 2025.