Advice - best Yasawa Islands and accomodation?

Hello fellow travellers,

Well I have been back in New Zealand for 9 months since I spent 2006 in South America and I am needing to get away for a few weeks after Masters studies and work. I am booked to be in Fiji from November 7th-28th.

I was looking at doing the 21 day Bula pass through Awesome Adventures and am trying to get an idea of what islands would be the best to go to and where to stay.

I would really appreciate some advice. I was thinking of trying to cover abot 8 islands in 3 weeks. Is this too much? If I had to choose between Kuata, Waya, Waya lailai, Nunuya Balava, Naviti, Matacawalevu, Tavewa, Nanuya and Nacula what are the nicest/best? Are there any I should skip? And also any accomodation options to avoid or that are really great.

I look forward to your wise wisdom and advice :)

Thanks!

Cian

I can't remember the names of each island (remember each easier by the name of the place I stayed at while there) ... but I spent about 4 weeks in Fiji in Jan/early Feb and stayed tons of places and talked to tons of people. I'll tell you, by the end of two weeks in the Yasawas I'd had enough Yasawas (not enough Fiji, just enough of that part). As far as budget places in the Yasawas I'd say the tops are Oarsmans Bay, Manta Ray Island Resort, and Octopus Resort. Each for it's own reasons really. They're all different and provide a good mix of atmospheres. Oarsmans had the best beach I saw in all of Fiji, as well as nice dorms, and a quiet, relaxing atmosphere with very reasonably priced activities (including some free ones). Manta Ray had the best dorms, prettiest land, best food with buffets for every meal, and most "fun" social life without being a party island like Beachcomber. If you have any interest in Diving Manta Ray has awesome diving and a reputation of having the best Diving company in the Yasawas (at least at the backpacker places). Octopus felt the most like a real "resort"-- the food was really good, the beach great, the dorms good... lots of people seem to think it's the best. I think I would have liked it a lot more if I wasn't by myself though (which it sounds like you will be too). I kind of felt out of place among the couples and families who would talk to you at the group dinners if you were at their table and that was about it.

If you're open to go places outside of the Yasawas, I HIGHLY recommend Robinson Crusoe Island. Was the most "fun" I had-- not in a get drunk way-- they just have great entertainment, draw a really fun outgoing type of people, and have the best staff I encountered anywhere on the islands. The people that work there really made it amazing. They really want to make you feel a part of things there. And they include SO many activities. I could go on and on about the greatness there.

I also did a village homestay near Nadi which was a really good experience to do for a couple of days if you can and it interests you.

If you have any questions or want to see some pics email me: NDL51583@aol.com. I'd be glad to help.

~Nicole

Hi,
I have just got back from a 3 wk yasawa trip

Firstly I agree with #1 that 3w on the islands is a little too long - there is not really enough diversity and you would probably be better spending some time exploring the mainland.
I stayed on the following and IMHO
Coral View (tavewa) Highly recommended - the nicest staff we found anywhere in fiji, great food. The snorkelling just off the beach was great though no real sandy beach.
On site dive company are great too
Oarsmans - OK but not as good as we expected considering it was so much more expensive than other places.
Nabua lodge - just avoid it - miserable staff - toilet was overflowing - rooms not the best
Sunrise - nice rooms - that side of the island is a bit exposed but it's only a short walk to blue lagoon beach which is beautiful!
Long beach - another we found not so great - the food was bad (potato curry and rice) (other people we spoke to had a great time there)
Wayalailai - Really nice place - locally owned and well run. beautiful setting, good food beach and snorkelling. some good treks into the interior of the island.
Manta-ray - clean and well run - good food. less authentic experience but more comfortable! (I had bad experiences with their dive co though - 2 dives and missed the dive sites both times :(

I also heard good things about south sea island and beachcomber - closer and a bit more lively if that is what you're looking for

Hope that helps.