Fiji -- best accommodations for single budget traveler looki

Hello,

I'm planning to fly to Fiji in early August for a week. I'm looking to stay somewhere inexpensive. Ideally it would be a relaxing place on/near a beach where I can spend time alone or find some people to have a drink after a dive. I'm from New York, and don't know much about Fiji, so any info is greatly appreciated.

thanks!
Maggie

Maggie,

I was researching info for my next trip when I found your question. Check out this website http://www.almostparadisefiji.com<BR><BR>My father owns the resort and it would be a good fit for what your looking for. Have fun in Fiji!

Beau

hi
Octopus resort on waya island ... wow ! its my very favourite... its a mix of up-market, medium level and dorm accomodation... the dorms are only $30 a night, but spacious and lovely and each bed has its own mozzie net, lamp and fan - an unheard of luxury in any dorms in Fiji. And the food..... mmmmmmmmmmmmmm...... everyone eats the same food - the people paying $350 a night and the people paying $30 a night....absolutely the best food in Fiji, fabulous australian chef, great local produce done in modern cuisine style more than the standard of restaurants at home - and luxuries that are hard to get in Fiji, like olives and feta cheese - all imported specially... and only $45 for three meals a day - you don't get cheaper or better in Fiji... and the beach is stunning, no-one else in sight, fantastic snorkling right off the beach... and all the diving etc.... and a lovely swimming pool, movies on an out door screen by the pool (complimentary popcorn) quiet, quality and amayzing sunsets over the water.... oh for an extra dollar they will deliver coffee in bed to you in the morning - what more could you want ! also they work closely with the local village - all the staff are from the village and they run a scholarship fund for the kids etc. Their reef is protected and the fish life is some of the best around. If I sound like I am advertising them, I can't help it... I've stayed in a range of places, from cheap to very upmarket.... and I think this is the best by far - especially considering the price - and as a volunteer that is an exceptional thing ! The only problem can be getting a booking - its taken me a year to be able to get a booking on a weekend I wanted to go... so book as early as you can..... the boat leaves from vuda marina which is between nadi and lautoka, and they pick you up from your hotel for free and transport you to the wharf... its about 1.5 hours on their private boat to get there.... vuda marina incidentally is the home of the Vuda Yacht Club - a great spot for reasonable food and a drink watching the sun set over the yasawas... let me know if you can't get in to Octopus and I can recommend other places - but try there first - you won't regret it....
ps nadi is yuck, I think - get out as soon as you can. Beware - most of the backpackers places are miles from town - I see lots of hot grumpy looking tourists walking the main road.... If you want to see a more authentic Fiji you can stay in Lautoka - not a lot to do but real fiji. sea breeze is cheap, as is renee's backpackers, or the lautoka hotel. You can also stay at the northern club, which is a bit nicer, the cathay hotel - its ok... and the waterfront hotel if you want something more posh. And everything is in walking distance around town.

I spent 3.5 weeks in Fiji in Feb and stayed all over the place and I'd disaggree about Octopus being the best place to stay (or the best value) for a backpacker that's by themselves... It was one of the last places I stayed and while in a way it seemed like the "nicest resort", I would say that there were other resorts that could beat them out in individual areas, and it was definitely the most expensive backpacker place I saw. They charged for almost EVERY activity that other places included for free, and if it was something other places charged for they charged twice as much (with the exception of the massages). It was also very hard to meet people because it was more a couples place or a place where people went with a friend and nobody seemed to have any interest to meet others. I was actually really bored there and regretted how many days I had booked. I also don't think it's necessary to book in advance... I was there in Feb and called the day before to book. There were no more than 2 other people in the dorm at the same time as me for the 4 days I was there.

As far as where I'd recommend in the Yasawas I'll tell you the strengths and weaknesses of everywhere I stayed (I stayed at all of the places with the best reputation):

Oarsmans Bay-- Best Beach by far. Very relaxing and low key. Good snorkeling on the beach (with free gear). Free sea kayaks. Nice people. Food was okay (not the best). Good mix of people, easy to socialize but also easy to spend time alone. Nice quality accomodation. Very reasonably priced for other activities (most stuff about $10 FJD).

Manta Ray Island- Best food! All you can eat buffet style and the chef was amazing. Best dorm accommodation as well. More social but not a "party" island if you don't want it to be. Beach wasn't perfect because of the volcanic erruption in Tonga sending over debris, but still nice if you lay out in a hammock. Vegitation wise it was the prettiest island in the Yasawas. The snorkeling on the beach was killer and they only charged like $5 for snorkel gear for your entire stay. It's also known for doing the best diving in the Yasawas... lots of people go there for that. I did 2 intro dives with them and the company was so great that I decided to go to one of their other locations and get certified. EVERYONE who works for their dive company (Reef Safari) is super awesome. Since you said you're diving and what you said you're looking for, I'd say go here.

Robinson Crusoe Island (not in Yasawas)- Most fun I had and best staff anywhere. Snorkeling was eh though, and I didn't dive to tell you how that was. But they do have a good rep as far as diving.

Last advice, don't go on the Wana Taki cruise in the Yasawas. It was horrible and I couldn't wait to get off.

Hope this helps.

~Nicole

<blockquote>Quote
<hr> I was researching info for my next trip when I found your question. Check out this website (spam url)
My father owns the resort and it would be a good fit for what your looking for.
<hr></blockquote>

LOL!
Sure, us idiots will believe anything!

maggitronic you have exactly the same plan as me, Im from the Uk.

Been out travelling for 2 and half years now and Im currently in Auckland NZ. Im flying over to Fiji on the 2nd Aug and stay there for a week before flying home.

So basically thanks for posting the exact words I was just gonna post myself!

Might catch up for a beer if your around the same time as me :)