9 nights on Viti Levu

Can I please have some help??? My husband and I (late twenties) are going to Octopus Resort for a week in October for my cousin's wedding. We are then going to stay in Fiji for another 9 days and not sure what to do. I am a photographer, and love to get into the 'real' side of things along with beautiiful landscapes. I have read the Lonely Planet and thinking of staying in the Sabeto foothills for two nights, The Beachouse at Korolevu (or somewhere on Coral Coast) for 2 nights, Suva somewhere for 2 nights and somewhere in Nadi for 2 nights. Does this sound ok? Or what would you recommend?
Also, I would love to have the freedom of going to places when I feel like it, and when the light is nice. Do I need a car for this, or would taxi/bus be cheaper and do-able. I don't know the cost of car hire?
We want to do it on the cheap, but still double room, not dorms. And want to go walking, see villages, locals etc. but not too into all the tourist hype.
Any help would be great! Thanks in advance!

After getting up to Octopus Resort you are at the base of the Yasawa's. Maybe take a boat up in to the Yasawa's and spend a couple of nights up there. If you can get a boat, I think its called the Fiji Flyer....and come back thru the Mamanuca group of islands that would be pretty good.

I would give Suva a miss and try and avoid Nadi. I would get a 4 wheel drive and drive up the coast and check out Lautoka, Ba, drive on to Tavua & stay at the Tavua Hotel, next morning get up early and head up to Nadarivatu. (You could also check out the Vatukoula Gold Mines at Tavua - not sure what's there though...). The drive up to Nadarivatu is amazing, really beautiful. I think from Nadarivatu you can drive inland back to Sigatoka and on to Suva.

I would just drive back down the hill from Nadarivatu and continue north to RakiRaki and either stay there or depending on budget, stay just past Raki Raki at Wananavu.

Taking a boat thru the islands is a great opportunity to check out resorts you want to come and stay at next time!
Good Luck and enjoy.

Thanks so much for the info. I was thinking Coral Coast, but after reading what you have said, it sounds much more like us. Do you know any companies that are cheap but reliable to hire 4WD's from? How much roughly per day?

I've only hired cars in Fiji, which I've always got thru Sharmans (at the airport). Not by choice, but when I arrive at the airport I get quotes from all the car companies and Sharmans always work out the cheapest. I was in Fiji 2 weeks ago and our friends just picked up their 4wd's from Avis - I don't think they priced the cars out, it was just who their travel agent happened to book thru.

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<hr>If you can get a boat, I think its called the Fiji Flyer....<hr></blockquote>
Its the Yasawa Flyer and you can get tickets from Port Denarau in Nadi for a hop-on hop-off type service. Failing that, I wouldn't be surprised if octopus resorts' reception could get you a ticket to wherever you want to get to further up the Yasawas.

Lautoka is definitely worth it, very genuine and friendly (check out the main market).

All the towns around the main road around Viti Levu are connected by frequent buses and these are worth going on once at least, even if you end up hiring a car- they are fantastic! Definitely scrap the 2 nights in Nadi if you can, its a tourist trap and one of the only places in Fiji where people can be unfriendly. There is not much to see or do either.

Have a good trip

I actually traveled around the entire island in one day...started early morning and finsihed off right where I started a couple hours into the night, 4WD was a definite plus and the landscapes were fantastic. I found Sharmas was the best in town. I recommend breaking it up like youre probably planning and making a few stops a long the way. I hope to do this next time! The most attractive places on the norith side of the island i found were Rakiraki, yagara, tavua areas. On the lower coral coast theres quite a few hotels, and a lovely town called Pacific Harbour. I ended staying there over a week after finding it. I got to meet the locals of the area, how showed me the Namosi highlands, even went to a waterfall. The town is pretty well known for its diving in the big lagoon the beach sites on. Its a pretty unique little place. Good luck!

You are going to completely love your stay at Octopus. It is a fabulous destination wedding spot.

I live in Fiji - in Suva - and can recommend some things.....you dont have to rent a car, unless you want to drive into the highlands on your own....and then you will need to present a sevusevu and ask permission to enter a village anyway.
Take a minibus from Nadi, or the Sunbeam busses from Nadi to Lautoka and Ba - very nice. The minis have written on the side where they are going, if it says Suva-Lautoka-Suva you can catch one all the way up from Nadi. Nadi is a waste of time, too many kaivalangi to get a good experience.
Rakiraki is nice, hit Nanu-i-ra while you are there. Good diving and snorkeling.
If you do decide to rent a car, ask for a local price or rack rate. Could get lucky.
Since the coup Fiji is suffering a lot from the lack of tourists, there are some amazing deals out there right now. Pick up a Fiji Times to check them out. No matter what anyone says, the industry is suffering and you should get some good rates. I have been here a year and its never been this dead....

Just got back from Fiji and have some suggestions.

First off, you MUST visit Navala village if you are interested in traditional Fijian culture and want to get some awesome photos. We stayed at Bulou's lodge and toured the village with Tui. It was BY FAR the most authentic experience of our trip and I highly recommend it. The mountains are beautiful here and the village is one of the most incredible places I have ever been. Take the bus from Ba to Navala and walk 1km up the road to the lodge. Tui will pick you up at the bus dropoff if you call in advance. They have private bures and feed you while you stay with them. Prices are midrange, like $75 per person per night (includes food). The village requires a $15 to visit. You will also be treated to an authentic kava ceremony with Tui and his mother and father. Buy some kava for Tui's father while you are in Ba and you will score bonus points. The market is right by the bus station. Again, 100% recommended for those who came to experience Fijian culture.

Generally, we found the local buses easy and reliable. No need to rent a car, although it might make the photography hunting easier.

Also, I would recommend Levuka as an excellent spot for photos. You can get there from Suva on a ferry. Then, consider stopping at Caqalai on the way back for great snorkeling and good relaxation on the beach. Caqalai was $48 per person including food. Pretty cheap, if you ask me.

We stayed at the Colonial Lodge in Suva. It was a nice place with a nice family. More like a homestay. Again, highly recommended if you want a dose of culture. Pay the extra $10 for dinner if you really want to rub elbows with the locals.

Skip Nadi since there is nothing to see here. And skip the Yasawas & Mamanucas unless you have more money than brains.

Good luck!

Hi, if you happen to be in Nadi and are looking for good accomodation, just head straight to Stoney Creek Resort. It's 10 dollars taxi from the airport and it's a lovely place, set among the hills, far away from noise and people. The owner and staff are lovely and - strangely enough for Fiji - you'll also find good food. The double rooms are a treat!!! Ciao Vale

While I agree that Nadi isn't a lovely entrancing enchanting intriguing and sublime place to visit it does have some of the best shopping in the country-handmade goods of quality abound-service in local shops is friendly and genuine.

Also there are a number of excellent restaurants among them Ashyanna a very well run Indian place-just before the bridge.

I'd be tempted to give pretty much all of Viti Levu a miss! The Coral Coast will be a huge comedown after Octopus, Nadi is Nadi, and Suva is Ok for a day. With 9 days at your disposal, you might consider flying to Savusavu, spending time there and in easily-accessible Taveuni, flying back to Suva from Taveuni, giving Ovalau a look, and then busing Suva-Nadi at the end.