A small cruise vessel operating in Fiji’s Mamanuca Islands ran aground after striking a coral reef near Monuriki Island, a location widely recognised as the filming site for the 2000 film Cast Away. The incident involved the cruise ship Fiji Princess, operated by Blue Lagoon Cruises.
The vessel struck the reef on April 4th while sailing near Monuriki Island during a 7-day itinerary. At the time, the ship was carrying approximately 30 passengers and a similar number of crew members. Following the grounding, passengers were transported back to Port Denarau on Fiji’s main island, Viti Levu.
Sources within the Fiji Navy indicated that all passengers were safely evacuated from the vessel and that no injuries had been reported. The same sources noted that some crew members remained aboard while the operator began preparations for salvage and recovery operations.
The incident is now under investigation by the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji, which is expected to determine the circumstances that led to the grounding. Local reports suggested that rough weather conditions in the area may have contributed to the accident.
The vessel itself is a small expedition-style cruise ship measuring approximately 55 metres in length and capable of accommodating up to 64 passengers. It entered service in 2026 and operates itineraries through the Mamanuca and Yasawa island groups, focusing on remote island visits and beach landings that are inaccessible to larger cruise ships.
According to the operator’s itinerary, Monuriki Island is typically the first stop on the company’s “Escape to Paradise” voyage, where passengers are offered excursions including visits to the island’s film locations associated with Cast Away and other beach and cultural activities.
Monuriki itself is an uninhabited island of roughly 100 acres, surrounded by coral reefs and known for its volcanic rock formations, lagoons and white-sand beaches. At the time of reporting, the grounded vessel remained at the site while recovery planning continued.