5 DAYS IN FIJI - ideas needed for our trip in and out of Nadi

Hello,

We are a couple travelling to Fiji (as part of our RTW trip) and we would like ask for some ideas/tips for making the most of our short-ish stay there.
The only things certain our our flights in and out of Nadi, which are as follows:

Arrive Nadi - Saturday 16th July 19.00
Depart Nadi - Thursday 21st July 18.00

Giving us a total of 5 full days (ignoring our first night there because we arrive late)

We want to do some good beach relaxing/snorkelling for a few days at least - but also get a flavour for some of the most gorgeous islands. We are on a budget so can't afford to hit big resorts. We were hoping to see some unique islands, hoping around on boats.

Would it be best to base ourselves at 1 island and do day trips? Or should we aim to stay at 1-3 different places?

The aim of our game is to relax and enjoy our trip so we don't want to cram too much in.

Cheers,
hcat.

Sunday you could catch the Yasawa Flyer out to somewhere, perhaps as far as Waya Island and stay 2 nights. Transfer to another island and stay there 2 nights.

Your flight on Thursday may be a bit too early for catching the Yasawa Flyer back to the mainland in time, so on the Wednesday night you'd want to stay at an island that has its own boat and does morning transfers (eg. Octopus Resort). Or head back to Nadi on the Wednesday and tour the mainland a bit on Thursday before leaving.

for the postcard fiji you really need to get off the main island to the nearby Mamanuca Group islands or a little further and tad more remote Yasawa Island group, both accessable from the morning high speed ferries that service these. Both return after lunch and arrive back between 4 and 6 generally so your departure needs to factor this in. All resorts bar the boring 5 star mainland places verge on 'rustic' but nothing is really super cheap. Ask further for resorts to consider or see both island groups on Trip Advisor for more reccs. Enjoy!

for 5 days: one maybe 2 resorts will give you the taste without feeling you are moving too much

First night you'll have to stay in Nadi. I can recommend Bluewater Lodge: FJ$ 115 for a private room with ensuite, can't remember how much for the 3-share dorm. There is a 5% surcharge on credit cards though. Reception there can arrange transport & stay on the Yasawas, but better to arrange that yourself beforehand, considering the short time you have in Fiji.

I really liked Blue Lagoon Beach Resort and Octopus Resort in the Yasawas; both FJ$ 110 a night in a dorm, including a very good breakfast, lunch and dinner. The dorms are spacious (no bunks) with A/C, towels and bedside table with reading light. Both resorts offer loads of activities, some free, some not, but enough to keep you occupied for your time there. Both have excellent house reefs for snorkelling. Octopus is a bit closer to Nadi, so cheaper to get there and back on the Yasawa Flyer.

I also stayed in Mantaray Resort. Can't recommend the dorm there, it's very cramped, has bunk beds and many people in there. However, snorkelling with the manta rays was brilliant and very close by (FJ$ 25). Bit of a party atmosphere, which wasn't exactly my cup of tea.

Hope this helps. Whatever you do, I'm sure you'll enjoy the islands!