Accommodation for family - similar to Octopus Resort - recommendations wanted!

Hi, we have been to Fiji twice and want to go again :-) so many islands to be explored! We are not the kind of people to stay in high end resorts, wouldn't feel comfy there. We have stayed at Octopus Resort (Waya Island) and felt great! We are now looking for another (small) resort on one of the other islands, is there something similar to Octopus? Got a recommendation for Mana island, but we're not sure if we would be happy there as it looks quite big? Any experiences?
At the Coral Coast we have stayed in Beachouse (great!) and will probably go for Mango Bay Resort this time.
So now you know what kind of accommodation we like - any recommendations welcome! We are a family of 4 (kids are 3 and 6). Thanks in advance!

Navini Island is our favorite of the Mamanuca's. Did not enjoy Mana Island.

Mana could be great, if somewhat impersonal, if staying in the resort.
The backpackers' side of the island is somewhat untidy and crowded, though certainly cheap, and can be a good base for excursions.
The island itself is smaller than Waya where Octopus is located.

Loved both Octopus and Mana Resorts. I think the beaches on Mana are better for younger kids, if it is windy on one beach it is usually nicer on the other side. There are lots of families there and they also have a kid's club which has a good reputation. We also liked being able to eat at the backpackers places to help out with the budget. The resort itself does cover a larger area than Octopus and the larger staff can be impersonable, but the service is still top notch and I would definitely recommend it!

Thanks! Yes, we found Navini as well and would like to go there - at the moment it's a question about our budget... They are a bit pricy! Although I do not doubt it will be worth it. We might cut to 3 or 4 nights instead of 5.

Thanks for this feedback as well - we might consider Mana now, even if it is bigger, as it suits our budget more than Navini. Also, the idea of going to eat at the cheaper places sounds good. Good to hear you enjoyed it! Would you say it is very different from Octopus (apart from the size)?

Yes Navini is a bit more pricey but it is far superior to Mana for the things we like to do.
Daily boat trips are included and the island has the best snorkeling from shore that we have found in our 21 holidays in Fiji.
Have stayed at most of the Mananuca island resorts as well as some on the Coral Coast, Taveuni and Yasawa's.
The buffet at Mana was covered in flies when we were there and I got food poisoning from the chicken so my view of Mana is perhaps tainted by my experience.
It may have improved but it was just a large run of the mill resort and did not compare to Navini.

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