Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020 |

# short yasawa-island hopping or better Robinson Crusoe island/coral coast? Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Fiji
lukaas 11:21 UTC 06 May 2011 | Bula! I will pass six days in the end of June in Fiji and don't mind to change the place more often. Though beach, hiking, swimming, diving/snorkeling and maybe surfing or kayaking would be appreciate. Is it too much to change the island daily? I actually plan to visit Blue lagoon, Otto & Fanny's, octopus, manta ray and beachcomber. I just saw a post of someone fascinated by Robinson Crusoe island. Is this about the "level" of a yasawa-/mamanuca island? Looking forward for your experiences and a nice holiday later on :) PS: Travelling alone, young and not much comfort necessary - just want to explore outstanding nature and enjoy the fijian hospitalityl! :) |
Taimarilyn 22:35 UTC 06 May 2011 | I suggest it would be better if you had 2 nights at 3 places - otherwise you spend lots of time waiting for the boat/transfers/checking in to next place.... Looking at your list of places - best to start at Blue Lagoon which is the furthest north in the Yasawas (they have a very good dorm). The Yasawa Flyer leaves the Denarau Marina in Nadi at 8.30am, and gets to the Nacula Island stop (the turn-around point for the return journey) around 1pm. There you would be picked up by the small transfer boat for BL, and be there in time for lunch. Leaving BL you have to be ready for the boat at 12 noon - and I think one day is not enough to enjoy all the resort has to offer. If you'd like to see my pictures send a PM with your email address and I'll send you the link. Therre are some good walks, great snorkelling, and opportunities to visit the local village. Otto & Fannys is on Tavewa Island, first stop on the Flyer's return journey. It might be possible to arrange a water taxi as the distance is not great, but if you have a pass on the Flyer that would not be necessary. You would get there around 1.30pm, and pick up the Flyer for the journey to Manta Ray at the same time. Arrive Manta Ray at 2.45pm - leaving at the same time next day. From there arrive Octopus around 3.15pm. (Great dorm there too). On leaving there you would arrive Beachcomber around 5pm. Robinson Crusoe is probably similar to Beachcomber - known as a young persons party place. You would see more of the "white sand/blue water/picture postcard Fiji" by doing the Yasawas. The weather is likely to be better there too. | 1
lukaas 03:15 UTC 07 May 2011 | Thanks for theese explanations! :) ok by now I intend to visit Blue Lagoon Beach Resort and Octopus, both 2 days - and afterwards for one night Beachcomber. Is it for theese 4 transfers cheaper to buy single tickets or still better to take the "Bula Pass"? | 2
tch7 13:57 UTC 07 May 2011 | The Bula Pass should work out cheaper for that. | 3
lukaas 00:21 UTC 11 May 2011 | I just got to know that it is cheaper to book theese four transfers separately. "Beautiful Pacific" offered me the joruneys for 439 FJ$ all together. Would you book the Yasawa Flyer before when I already know when I have to be where - or is it better/cheaper to buy at directly in Port Demarau or on the ferry? | 4
tch7 03:41 UTC 11 May 2011 | The Bula Pass is FJ$391 or thereabouts when you buy it in Fiji. The price they show on their website changes based on your current location (shows in Canadian dollars for me now, showed in Australian dollars when I lived in Australia, etc) and typically is much more expensive, so don't buy it until you arrive in Fiji. For instance, it's currently showing me it'd be $306 CAD, or FJ$565 if I were to reserve it from my home. With the Bula Pass you only need to book your trip leaving Denarau. After that you just come and go from the Yasawa Flyer with no need to book ahead. | 5
lukaas 06:21 UTC 11 May 2011 | thanks for your statement - I couldn't get to this information by online research! And what about single journeys? Is it therefore also cheaper to book it in Awesome Adventure office in Fiji? Or should I arrange the transfers by the resorts? And how to buy a single ticket from one island to the next stop? Thank you very much! | 6
Taimarilyn 00:56 UTC 12 May 2011 | Each resort you are staying at will be able to do the booking for you for your onward journey. You can pay them when you pay your bill and they will write you a voucher for the boat. | 7
thurstonhowell4th 23:46 UTC 26 May 2011 | if you havent booked 3 places yet, id suggest you spend your time at just the first 2 places and maybe skip Octopus (closer to Beachcomber) or Blue Lagoon as both are very similar in style and management. With the bit more time you may find the experince a little less rushed, esp if you meet some folks you would like to hang out with (you probably will) and most places have the same things to do on each island really (snorkelling, hanging out, villages, hill hikes, chilling on the beach, enjoying time with new faces) | 8