Fiji--3 nights, Stay on Mainland or go to Island?? Help!!

Hi Everyone!! I am a young white woman traveling to Fiji alone (first time traveling alone) in just a few weeks. I am stopping over en route to NZ and AU. I arrive Nadi around 515 am, and have the rest of that day, then 2 full days, and then leave early am on the next. Since I arrive so early in the morning, does it make sense to try to get to an island for 2 nights and then come back to Nadi for the last so that I can make my flight. OR, should I just stay in Nadi and do day trips from the mainland? Please help!! I cannot decide!

Has anyone stayed at Bounty Island? I would probably like to stay somewhere that will have other people, but I would prefer not TOO touristy and filled with drunken people. I would like to snorkel, and ideally, visiting a local town, if possible.

Please let me know what yall think is the best way to proceed!

Bounty Island has nothing to do with Fiji or Fijian life-avoid at all costs.

Hi, I've been to Fiji a stack of times. Go to Beachcomber Island rather than Bounty which is trying hard to be like Beachcomber. Beachcomber is said to be a party island but in conservative Fiji that just means they have a live band which plays until about 11.30pm! It's very sociable and friendly and hasn't changed in 30 years. You could get a morning boat with airport pickup when you arrive and they maybe able to get you from the island to the airport on the morning you leave unless its really early. You'll love it. Enjoy!

Thanks so much for this help! I think I have pretty much decided to go to the Octopus Resort in the Yasawas. Any thoughts on that idea???

Octopus is good however it is much further away to get to and then to get back from, get the Yellow Boat there, it goes via the other islands on the way to Octopus. Their afternoon boat leaves there at 2 or 3pm and returns to Nadi about 6pm so you'll def need a night in Nadi. The crowd is a little older than other resorts, less backpackers, but still good. I'm sure you'll have a nice time at any of them (cept, as said I didn't like Bounty). Prebook as Octopus fills up quick as its not large in size.

I had only 3 nights in Fiji and chose to go to the Octopus Resort on Waya Island. It was the best decision I could have made. I lost a night there because of the cyclone, but even having only 2 nights there were worthwhile. The boat ride is much shorter if you take their boat. I was able to go to the village where all of the staff work and donated clothes there. The food is excellent, you can do excellent snorkeling right off of the beach and the staff is wonderful. Book on-line and the van will pick you up at the airport at 8am and you will be on the beach by noon.