Fiji Princess Grounds on Reef Near Monuriki Island in Fiji – April 4, 2026

Introduction
The small expedition cruise vessel Fiji Princess, operated by Blue Lagoon Cruises, ran aground on a coral reef near Monuriki Island in Fiji’s Mamanuca Islands on April 4, 2026. The incident occurred during a scheduled island-hopping itinerary and resulted in the evacuation of all passengers.

Details of the Incident

Grounding Event:

• The vessel struck a coral reef while navigating near Monuriki Island.
• The grounding occurred during a 7-day cruise itinerary through the Mamanuca region.
• Local reports indicated that rough weather conditions may have contributed to the incident.

Passengers and Crew:

• Approximately 30 passengers and a similar number of crew were onboard at the time.
• All passengers were safely evacuated and transported to Port Denarau on Viti Levu.
• Some crew members remained onboard to assist with vessel management and recovery planning.

Emergency Response:

• Authorities confirmed that no injuries were reported.
• The Fiji Navy assisted with response and coordination efforts.
• The vessel remained at the grounding site while salvage preparations were initiated.

Investigation:

• The Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji has launched an investigation into the incident.
• The inquiry will examine navigational conditions and contributing factors leading to the grounding.

Vessel and Voyage Context:

• Fiji Princess is a 55-metre expedition-style cruise vessel accommodating up to 64 passengers.
• The ship operates itineraries through Fiji’s Mamanuca and Yasawa island groups, focusing on remote island visits.
• Monuriki Island, known as a filming location for the film Cast Away, is typically an early stop on the “Escape to Paradise” itinerary.

Current Status:

• The vessel remains grounded while recovery operations are planned.
• Authorities continue to assess conditions before initiating salvage efforts.