5 night trip, with an important transport question

I'm thinking of doing budget 5-night stop in Fiji on my way back from Australia. Here's my plan, I'd appreciate feedback.

Day 1: Arrive Nadi from Sydney, stay at a hostel somewhere.
Day 2-3: Do the 2-night Coral Coaster trip with this company: http://www.feejeeexperience.com/passes/coral-coaster
Day 4: Head back to Nadi in the morning, take a boat to this awesome-looking hostel in Yasawas: http://octopusresort.com
Day 5: Diving and hanging out.
Day 6: Yasawa Flyer back to Nadi, fly out that night.

The only hitch is on day 4. Octopus Resort has its own boat that leaves Nadi from 10am (later than the Flyer, which leaves at 8:30am). Will I be able to get from Pacific Harbour to Nadi before 10am? What's the public transit like in Fiji? Or, what might be the cost of a private taxi? Thanks!

Yikes, what a gigantic rip-off Feejee Experience is. You can do that trip using public buses for half of what they're charging, and public buses in Fiji are quite good. You would need to take a taxi on day 4 to make it in time, and that would cost a substantial amount.

I supposed it depends what interests you, but with such little time, I wouldn't bother with the Coral Coast, or at most just do a day trip based out of Nadi. The only real advantage of the mainland is that it's relatively cheap, but when you head out to the smaller islands everything else is better - the scenery, water, beaches, snorkelling, atmosphere, etc.
I was in the same boat as you when I was planning my trip, in that I wanted to spend a few days seeing the mainland. Those days weren't bad by any stretch, but they were the worst part of my time in Fiji.

Octopus is very good. I'd eliminate the Coral Coast in favour of spending that time in a second place in the Yasawas.

I'm not on extreme bare-bones budget, so my top concern isn't paring a $500 trip down to $400, it's about making the most of 5 nights.

If I was to spend a couple of nights on the mainland, and then do three nights at Octopus, what are the best options for seeing rainforest not too far from Nadi? I'm interested in getting in some hiking/trekking or seeing other outdoor stuff that isn't beach-focused. What makes a good day trip from Nadi - Koroyanitu Park and the hot springs? Or skip Nadi and spend two nights in Lautaka?

You will be on the wrong side of Viti Levu for rain forest, and I'm not sure what hiking is easily accessible these days - Koroyanitu - best done with a guide if you can find one.
What time is your outward flight? - that would dictate what boat you take back from Octopus. The Flyer does not get back in to Denarau before 6pm and it takes around 30 minutes to get to the airport. The Octopus boat leaves the resort at noon and gets back to Vuda early afternoon, and then it's around 30 min trip back to Nadi Airport.
Going to Octopus - you would need to be at Denarau by 8am to check in for the Flyer (leaves at 8.30 sharp). If you were to take their boat it leaves from Vuda Marina (near to Lautoka) at 10.30am. They can arrange a taxi van to pick you up in Nadi - you would have to be at the airport by around 9am - 9.30am to connect with that.
- getting from Pacific Harbour you would have a very early start, (allow 2 hours?) a taxi would certainly do it - I can't quote exactly but new regulations have been introduced making new meters compulsory and I think payment of FJ$1 per kilometre. Maybe a Fiji resident can be more specific - Peter?
I've been going to Octopus for many years and can certainly recommend it. If hiking is your main reason for staying on the mainland, you can do some good hikes from there (be prepared with good shoes and steep hills).

i have spent time in the Yasawa Islands and all over the main island of Viti Levu and it is true that the Yasawa Island are the most beautiful re crystal clear waters and white sandy beaches but in my opinion you are doing the right thing to experience both because what the main island lacks in beaches and clear water it makes up in ten fold with the cultural and the Fijian people experience. It is true that the coral coast resorts/hotels are the same as every there large resort around the world but with a Fijian theme ... it is not until you get out of the coral coast resorts/hotels and find out of the way places to meet and interact with the real Fijian people and then you experience the real Fiji.

re getting from Pacific Harbour to Denarau Harbour to catch the boat when we were in Fiji we used these guys
www.fijitransfers.com

24/7 transfers

hot springs on the coral coast look at these guys

www.fijihomestays.com as they take you to hot springs rock pool up in the rain forest...you have to hike through the rain forest to get there.

Edited by: nztourist

TaiMarilyn: My outbound flight wouldn't be until 10:50pm, so I have plenty of time that day. Thanks for the timing info!

nztourist: Thanks! Everyone on this forum seems to hate the main island, you're the first person to say anything encouraging about it.

Now I'm thinking of spending two nights in Nadi or elsewhere on the main island, do a full day daytrip, and then 3 nights at Octopus.

I wouldn't spend too long in Nadi, that fijihomestays thing sounds good if you want to spend some time on the mainland, do some hiking and get some local colour. I didn't know anything about them and I wish I had. I heard loads of complaints about feegee experience when I was there, mostly that they would have preferred to spend time on the islands instead. I spent time on the Yasawas and the coral coast and definately preferred the Yasawas. However I also went to Suva and Levuka on Ovalau and got a good fix of local culture there rather than just beaches and backpackers. Octopus is great though, you'll love it there. If you can, do their trip to the island church on Sunday, it's well worth it.

Thanks, milos76!

New taxi fares are F$1 per km (10c/100m).
Flagfall is $1.50 still ($5 from the airport). After 10pm it is $2.
Longer trips may require negotiation for the empty return.

We recently chartered a cab from Lautoka to pick us up in Suva at 9am (he left Lautoka at 4am) and then drive us back to Lautoka via Kings Road. The negotiated price was F$220.

Cheers,
Peter

Have done both islands and mainland, and islands are much better. Yes if you want to have some 'tropical mainland' experience then something like the homestay will make the most it. Towns in Fiji suck - Nadi, Suva, Latouka.

Thanks again for the replies!

What's your airline that allows you a stopover in Fiji from Australia?

it would be air pacific