Backpacking in Fiji with a Baby

Hi
My partner and I plan to spend 3 weeks in Fiji with our baby (9 months old), the first of which will be in a resort somewhere in the Mamanuca islands, then we plan to travel for 2 weeks. For those two weeks our budget for accommodation would be in the order of AU$100 per night, for which we would like modest but comfortable accommodation. Our trip also needs to be non arduous - we are intrepid explorers but we dont want to risk long boat trips or rough road rides with our boy. But we do want to experience the real Fiji with a bit of walking and snorkelling thrown in - all suggestions are are welcome!
Cheers

Hi,

I would suggest going north to Vanua Levu and Taveuni for the "real Fiji". Taveuni (the garden island) is stunning. And Vanua Levu is also very laid back and "real" but also easy to accommodate. Both of these islands are cheaper than the Vitu Levu and you can definitely travel with your baby. My girlfriend and I have been up here for about ten days and met lots of couples with children/young families.

To get here, we took a boat (12 hours) from Suva to Savusavu. Then a 2 hour bus ride to Buca Bay to get to Taveuni.
You can get flights to either Taveuni or Savusavu for about £150 (not sure what that is in ASD). We stayed at Sau Bay which is ideal for a young family – we met two couples with babies there. If you go, email Carol via their website (SauBayfiji) and say that Peter & Kia recommended you. They are very helpful and staff will babysit for you if you want to go out kayaking/sailing together – they babysat a three month old of one of the guests....

We're basically doing your trip but in reverse – now on our way to the Mamanuca from Vanua Levu...

Hope it helps!

Peter
atlasandboots.com

Fiji is a great destination with kids of all ages.
Just take great care to protect him/her from mosquitoes both day and night.
Dengue and Ross River fever are real risks.

Cheers,
Peter