Coral Coast and Nananu-i-Ra Ideas

Hi,

Any recommendations for budget to midrange accommodation to stay at on the Coral Coast for 4-5 days and then 2-3 days on the northern island of Nananu-i-Ra? We are a couple with a 6 month old baby.

We are planning on hiring a car (probably a 4wd so we can venture inland) so we can get out and explore as much as we can, go for short walks in the parks/reserves, see the scenery etc. Any recommendations for places to visit or drives to do to see some of the inland scenery? (Our wee girl goes in the baby pack so we are not restricted to pushchair friendly places!)

With everything going on in Suva, is it wise to stick to the coast? What is the unsealed road like between Korovou and Dama when driving from Suva to Rakiraki? Are these roads gravel, dirt, or proper 4wd tracks with ruts/potholes you could go swimming in?

Thanks for your suggestions.

After a bit more digging, Leluvia and Ovalau look like interesting options instead of nananu-i-Ra for a few days. What are these places like for a visit?

Thanks.

Go to Nananu-i-ra.

When you visit has everything to do with road conditions. I went in September, which was blissfully dry. However, some of the hills (particularly at Wananavu resort) could be very tricky during rainy season. I would not want to drive on Kings road at night.

Rakiraki is beautiful. I spent a week at the Rakiraki hotel. It cost me about $60 US per night for a superior room. I found it comfortable, especially because it was air conditioned. www.tanoahotels.com</a> The location is right near the village of Vaileka. The drive to Ellington Wharf is about 10 minutes. That's where the boats go to Nananu-I-ra.

Visit Nananu-I-ra before it becomes overdeveloped. On the island itself there was a resort (Crystal Beach). It was closed when I went, but I've heard it re-opened in another name. Some hyperexpensive timesharse are also being developed. Then you have some backpacker places. For a family, I would recommend the Senitoa cottage. It's owned by Kai Viti Divers, the people I did my diving with. Friends of the owners usually stay there. www.senitoa.com</a><BR><BR>I didn't explore the Coral Coast, but the Lagoon Resort in Pacific Harbor is said to be a good place. www.lagoonresort.com</a><BR><BR>

You will have more variety of how to spend your time on Ovalau and/or surrounding Islands, see below for more information about Ovalau.

Rumours are that Nananu - I - Ra Island was bought by the Hilton chain - heard this now from several people, but don't have any confirmation.

<blockquote>Quote
<hr>With everything going on in Suva<hr></blockquote>
What is going on in Suva?????????

If you refer to the past coup (2006): never anything has happened what was in anyway harmful to tourists neither in Suva nor in any other part of Fiji. In fact Suva was/is safer then all the last years.

The unsealed road - no problem if it didn't rain, but with lots of rain it's like a dive-through. 4wd is a must.

I second going to Nananu-i-Ra. It's only a 10 minute or so boat ride across from Ellington wharf, and all the accommodation options will take you for about $20pp. I suggest actually staying on the island rather than the mainland at somewhere like Wananavu - much better value and more options.

I stayed for 2 weekends at Safari Island Lodge on Nananu. Great hosts, delicious meals, plenty to do (windsurf, kitesurf, kayak, snorkel, dive, hike) or not (books, hammocks, nice accommodation with hot water showers - the beachfront bure is right on the beach) and really relaxing. Kids are welcome too. http://www.safarilodge.com.fj
Safari is on the south-eastern side of the island and so gets nice ocean breezes in the afternoons, if it's too windy then just walk across to the other side of the island about 100m away and it's very sheltered (other accommodation is on this side but is not as nice). There is a larger backpackers place on the NW point.

The road from Suva along the east coast can be pretty bumpy, but it's much better travelling in a 4WD than the bus and like bulabear said is very dependent upon the weather.

A large part of Nananu has been bought by developers to build luxury resorts on, but nothing has happened yet (I was there in December) and none of the island is off-limits as yet. They were advertising for potential apartment purchasers on the TV screens in immigration when I arrived late last year.

I never stayed on the Coral Coast, it looks fine if you just want to stay in a resort the whole time, otherwise the beaches are nothing compared to the islands so I'd go elsewhere.

Have a brilliant time - wish I was heading back there!

qsm.
I have contacted Safari Island and will see what info they come back with.
Yes, we like having our own wheels to explore and stop where and when we want. We have started looking at 4wd hire companies.
Not interested in a resort type slob-on-beach holiday. Coral coast was just a base to explore some of the coast (and do the train ride!) and do some of the walks inland at the nearby forest park ( the name escapes me at the mo). We like to explore and want to fit in some shorter walks etc. Would like to spend some time on an island (in particular for some good snorkelling close by or off a beach), just trying to find the perfect spot at the right price (low-mid range end).
Thanks.

Hi again bulabear,
Thanks for the info on the road conditions. as above we are looking at hiring a small 4wd to get around.
That doesn't suprise me about Suva, I was just going by the travel advisory over here to stay away from Suva (and having a new youngster to think about we take note of these things more than what we use to!). I completely missed the "Levuka & Ovalau Information" link on your post so I will have a look at that tonight.
Thanks.

hi zebra, thanks for the info on roads and the accom places. senitoa.com has replied to our questions and sounds like a nice spot. We are still working out whether we go to Ovalau or Nananu-i-Ra. lagoonresort.com looks nice but we are looking for somewhere a bit cheaper. Thanks.