Backpacking in Fiji OZ/NZ July hols: do I need to pre-book accommodation?

Hi All!

I'm trying to get some advise on whether to book accommodation in Fiji. I'm a teacher and will be going during the July school holidays but do not plan to visit resorts, where I imagine most families would go. I plan on visiting The Coral Coast, Mamanuca Islands and Yasawa Islands. I would prefer to just show up so I can have some flexibly but is it worth booking even the hostels during that period?? Has anyone been and just shown up without booking during the July School Holidays and what was that experience like?

Thanks,

Kelly :)

Well, I can only speak about the December high season from own experience, but based on that I'd say do NOT book in advance.
In fact if you do, you'll end up paying more - if you book in AU or NZ, possibly a LOT more!
The crowds frequent certain popular places and many others are kind of empty no matter when you go.

The thing about the July holidays is that it is also the summer holidays for North America's and Europe's students and there are a lot of them. You can check availablity for when you want to go online at some of the places you want to visit, and see how full they are. Lazlo is right in saying that it is more expensive to book through agents in Oz and NZ, but you won't pay any more by booking with the place you hope to stay except, of course, if it was not full on the day you arrived and you hoped to negotiate a cheap rate in that way. It can be a bit annoying having to pre-program your holiday, but there may be a few places where booking ahead is adviseable----check online to see.

From experience I know that the more popular places in the Yasawas will be quite full - Octopus & Blue Lagoon in particular - they have good dorms & often full. I also only go in school holidays and pre-book well in advance (although I don't use the dorms). Probably not possible to negotiate cheaper rates on the day.

Thank-you so much for your replies! It have given me a good idea of what to do. I'll book for the more popular hostels in popular destinations but then leave the rest unbooked! It's always better to have a certain degree of freedom while travelling :)