Backpacker accommodation and Diving

Hi everyone,

I'm hoping can give some advice to help me plan my trip to Fiji. I'll be there in September and want to stay somewhere with a good diving outfit where i can do the PADI open water dive course. I haven't done any diving beofre. I'm travelling solo intending to stay in backpacker dorm accommodation and will be there for ten days.

Any suggestions on a good resort? I'm in my mid twenties, social and hoping to meet loads of people but don't want a resort that has too much of an in your face party atmosphere.

Priorities are for safe fun accommodation with plenty going on.

I have been doing some research but just getting more confused!

Thanks

I'm leaving for Fiji in a few days (first time, solo), so I can't tell you much, but from what I've gathered in my planning:
If you don't want in your face partying, stay clear of Beachcomber Island.

Octopus Resort & the newer Blue Lagoon Resort (same management) have about the best overall reputation for budget-friendly places in the Yasawa Islands, which purportedly has some of Fiji's best snorkeling and diving, as well as the best beaches. Pretty much every resort has its own dive center that can set you up with a PADI course, and as far as I've seen the prices are pretty much the same everywhere.

Hello

It can be quite confusing with all the information but I recommend the Coast for backpacking.
We have stayed at the Beachouse and its a fantastic place with dorm facilities and self cooking facilities as well as a great pool, restaurant and bar.
Its not crazy party central but its a great place to meet other travellers in your age bracket.
I like the Coral Coast as there is plenty going on,,, lots more than you find on the islands as its a bigger place.
You can grab a local bus for cheap transfers from the airport.
I will attach a link to a post I wrote showing what is available and obviously there is alot more than that but thats just what I recommend for cheap activities.
There is a dive company close by called diveaway fiji that i will link as well.

Have fun

http://diveaway-fiji.com/
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=1882156
http://www.fijibeachouse.com/

I would certainly recommend Octopus or Blue Lagoon.

Thanks everyone. Your replies have been really helpful. I'm leaning more towards the beachouse. Mainly because it seems like there's more going on around there. I like a certain amount of hamock time but like having the option of doing more. I have nine days altogether. Do you think is that too long for one place?

Coral Coast beaches aren't the "real fiji" island paradise you see on the postcards - to get that you really have to go to the islands.

I usually stay in Nadi for a night, check out the markets and the store called Jacks in town if you want to pick up some souvenirs, go to the supermarket to get some mixers for the duty free and then head out to the islands. Smugglers Cove is quite a new backpackers, right on the beach - they have good entertainment at night there or you could head to Eds or Ice Bar - both sweet local/backpacker type "clubs" - closest thing to a nightclub you're going to get in Fiji!

So... you have heaps of time there, you could see the Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands doing some island hopping independently or through these guys http://www.awesomefiji.com/ (cheaper to do it yourself!)

I highly recommend Bounty Island - I've been there about 4 times myself and am going again in July - great food, it is in between a chilled out island and a party island - bar prices are good too and the diving is awesome.

I'm going to try Octopus when I'm there next too - have heard it is good.

Remember about transfers. They cut into your holiday time and if you island hop you will have to consider that fact.

9 days isnt too much if you want to see lots.

The real fiji is seeing "The Real Fiji" which is the people and the country.

I agree as stated above the beaches are nicer on the islands but they are not bad on the coral Coast. If you take a look at the gallery on their website you will see its nice and private at the beachouse, but low tide is not nice.

You can get the lot on the mainland if you know where to go and there is plenty of staff at the beachouse to help you.

I go to the coral Coast lots so if you need any info let me know :-)

if you are considering The Beachhouse then you also have ot consider Danny's

during our trip we stayed at both and both places were GREAT. here is a link with photos of what past guest have got up to

http://www.fijihomestays.com/fiji_homestays_photos.htm

Danny's was great because we got to meet the local Fijians in their own village and it was an awesome experience...the food is awesome and the snorkling in front of their village is fantastic...the market tour with Danny's is great and make sure you stay on a Saturday so you can go with the village rugby team to play another village this is an experience in itself...

and The Beachhouse was good because we meet some great people from different parts of the world who were in Fiji to have a good time and relax.

I think you should consider both.

Thanks everyone. Think i'm going to split my time between Octopus and the Beachouse. Will definitley look up Danny's when i'm in the Beach house, it looks excellent. Thanks for all the suggestions!

If you make it Pacific Harbour you should do the shark dive at Beqa Diving. People came all over to do it and it's supposed to be one of the best things to do in Fiji.

Hi there,

I studied in Fiji for 6 months back in 2008 and had a total blast. I did my PADI certificate at Volivoli Resort close to Rakiraki on the Northern side of Viti Levu. It was absolutely incredible and probably the best deal you will find in the country! World ranked dive sites, beautiful beaches with rugged volcanic mountains in the background. A bit of a party place, but easily avoided if that's not your thing. Seriously though, I cannot recommend this enough. One of the most beautiful places in the world, clean accomodations, friendly staff, professional dive masters, and all for a good price. I think I paid around $550 FJD for my dive course, 4 nights accomodation, and a few dives as well. Don't be shy about asking for a discount if you are a young person or student. They are eager to accomodate. One recommendation though, bring a lot of bottled water with you to Volivoli. The water that comes out of the tap tastes very salty. It's not harmful but really not very tasty. They sell bottled water at the resort but you can save a few bucks if you bring your own. Have a blast in Fiji!