The Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF) has issued a formal marine notice declaring a temporary 24-hour exclusion zone across parts of the Mamanuca Group to facilitate filming of the US television series Survivor. The restricted area will be in effect from April 15 to July 3, 2026, and covers waters around Monuriki and Monu, the eastern side of Tavua, the western side near Yadua and Yanuya, and surrounding Mana Island.
Under the notice, all vessels are required to give the designated areas a “wide berth of at least 1 nautical mile” and avoid entering the exclusion zones for the duration of the filming period. The restriction applies to private and commercial craft alike; only vessels engaged in emergency response and other authorised services — including the Fiji Navy and Maritime Police — are exempt. The measure is in force around the clock for the nearly three-month period.
MSAF urged ship owners, operators and the public to plan routes accordingly and to comply with safety regulations while the production is underway. The authority said the move is intended to protect the safety of both the film crew and the maritime public, and to ensure production activities can proceed without interference. The notice does not alter emergency access, which will continue to be coordinated through authorised agencies.
The announcement is likely to affect local marine activities in the popular island chain, which supports tourism operations, day trips, sport fishing and inter-island transport. Charter operators, tour boat companies and private skippers who routinely transit the Mamanucas have been asked to note the dates and maintain the required distance to avoid potential fines or direction by enforcement agencies. Industry representatives and community leaders have previously raised concerns in other contexts about crowded waters and safety; this temporary restriction aims to reduce risks during intensive on-water production work.
While international film and television productions have used Fiji’s islands in the past, the formal imposition of an exclusion zone underscores the logistical footprint such projects can bring. MSAF’s notice is the latest step in coordinating maritime safety around a prolonged on-site filming schedule; local authorities will monitor compliance and enforce the boundary for the duration of the season.
Vessels seeking clarification or special authorisation have been directed to contact MSAF and the relevant maritime enforcement agencies before entering the affected areas. The agency reiterated that the restriction is temporary and confined to the dates specified in the notice, after which normal marine access will resume.
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