1 week around Viti Levu - proposed itinerary

Hi everyone – I’ve enjoyed reading other travellers’ posts about their plans in Fiji and so thought I’d post ours for your consideration and comment.

We will arrive in Fiji in early December. Given we’re there for only 7 days (on a stop-over to New Zealand), we thought we’d stick to the main island of Viti Levu because it has the most variety of urban/rural options available. We want to use most of our money on activities and food and so intend to stay in fairly inexpensive accommodations. Is December rainy? It’s hard to tell from the guide books; however, there seems to be a lot of rain there at the moment.

Days 1 & 2: arrive early morning in Nadi and then head out on one of the express buses to the Sigatoka area. We want to go here because of the beach surfing (as opposed to the reef surfing farther down the Coral Coast), the sand dunes and the agricultural lands up the river. Is there anywhere to rent surfboards for a couple of days? We’re thinking of staying at either the Waratah Lodge or the Tubakula Beach Resort. I’ve read about Club Masa (Oasis Budget Lodget) but I can’t seem to confirm whether or not it’s running at the moment. Tambua Sands resort is also a consideration. There are certainly a host of other options further along the coast (such as Mango Bay, Wellesley and Waidroka) but the extra distance away from Sigatoka doesn’t seem to make them worth considering. Are we wrong here? (Sorry NZTourist, but Danny’s Homestay isn’t on our shortlist at the moment.)

Day 3: travel to Pacific Harbour on the local bus. The main reason to go here is so that we can take a white water rafting trip. Uprising is close by and inexpensive; however, we also came upon Nanette’s Accommodation which looks like a nice place.

Days 4 & 5: head into Suva on the local bus. It sounds like a really interesting city with lots to do and see. Nanette’s Accommodation also has a place here that we’re considering. Places that get recommended in most travel books are the Town House Hotel, the Travel Inn, the South Seas Private Hotel and the Suva Apartments. Restaurant recommendations?

Day 6: head up to the Rakiraki area on the local bus. The Volivoli Beach Resort gets mentioned a lot and the FeeJee Experience folks like to stay here. Nananu-I-Ra Island sounds interesting, but I’m sure it’s worth going there for only 1 day?

Day 7: head over to Lautoka for our final day/night in Fiji. The Cathay Hotel sounds reasonable and the Waterfront Hotel seems nice for a little more money. Saweni Beach Apartment Hotel further down the road is also an option; however, I think it’s better for us to stay right in Lautoka because we have an 8:45 am flight out of Nadi the next morning. There seems to be an early morning express bus from the Lautoka to the Nadi airport that should get us there in plenty of time. Are we being too optimistic here?

Thanks for your advice and comments. We’re looking forward to our week in Fiji!

Hello and Ni Sa Bula. I’m a Fiji resident, i live on Viti Levu. I’ve stayed at/ visited most of your accommodation options and here are my thoughts:

-first off, it is our rainy season at the mo. Nov to March. When the sun does shine combined with the crazy humidity, it is fierce because it is also our summer.

• Tubukula is decent and value for money. Club Masa is extreme budget backpacker and very basic BUT 5 min walk from the surf spots. Tambua is good value too.

• Don't bother going down the coast to Mango etc. they are nothing great and isolated, whereas if you stay at tambua/tubukula you can see lots more along the very pretty coast.

• I grew up in pacific harbour! :) Little coastal town, big expat community, resort lifestyle vibe, overall good place to chill. Just did the white water rafting last month - GREAT idea to do that daytrip. Uprising is right on a beach that goes on for miles.

• I live in Suva now. Yes it is an interesting city, we've got it all, the fijian markets, chinatown,, little india, modern malls, cinema, restaurants, cafes. Those accommodation options you mentioned - are very old and not maintained well. I would recommend Nanettes Homestay, although it’s about a $3 taxi ride from town or 30 minute downhill walk it is a MUCH nicer place. Town House is the closest you can get to town (2 min walk) although it looks dodgy from the outside and very noise on the roof top terrace where the local drunks are. Sorry.

• Rakiraki – Volivoli beach resort. Ahh im glad you found this spot, 1 of my favorite places and we make the 4 hour drive from suva quite regularly to stay here. Magical sand spit appears at low tide. It’s the most northern tip of Viti Levu. Nanu-I-Ra islands ive never been although my man has many times and rates it highly. Its probably only a half hour slow boat ride across for a day trip. Volivoli resort will have recommendations.
• Lautoka – stay at the Waterfront or the Northern Club has modern, clean units within the Northern Club (country/yacht club).
• I would recommend bus transport only if you’re not trying to get anywhere in a hurry. Breakdowns are common. Get a taxi.

Hope this helps.

Only a couple of comments from me -
1. From looking at your very well researched list - don't bother with the day trip to Nananu-i-ra. It's a small island and any experience you will get there you will get in other places. You can certainly get to Ellington Wharf (where boats leave from for the island) by bus - but you may find it difficult to connect with a boat. Accommodation places on the island have their own boats, so you would have to contact one of them to come & meet you. I have stayed there & wouldn't go for one day.
8.45am flight? - stay in Nadi. You will have to be at the airport by 7am, that's an early start from Lautoka (would have to allow around 30 minutes for that trip).

"Day 6: head up to the Rakiraki area on the local bus. The Volivoli Beach Resort gets mentioned a lot and the FeeJee Experience folks like to stay here."
It is a F$15 cab ride from Rakiraki to Volivoli (and the same back).
The bus from Rakiraki to Lautoka is 2 1/2 hours. Interesting trip via the coast and villages.

Day 7: head over to Lautoka for our final day/night in Fiji."
I would suggest the Sea Breeze Hotel as a cheaper option to the Tanoa Waterfront (best hotel in town).

"There seems to be an early morning express bus from the Lautoka to the Nadi airport that should get us there in plenty of time. Are we being too optimistic here?"
Maybe, maybe not... :-)
Bus takes 45 minutes to an hour plus and costs about F$2.50. Most only go to the airport entrance, about 500m from the terminal.
I would take a cab. Fixed price to the airport is F$30 and will take 30 minutes or less.Book a cab in advance. Ali on 9937776 seems reliable and usually parks opposite the bus station, 100m from the Sea Breeze hotel, but will pick you up from the hotel if you book.

Cheers,
Peter