Fiji holiday with 6 month old

Hi,

We are looking at spending 7 nights in Fiji in May with a 6 month old. We generally travel in the budget to mid price range (but would consider splashing out a bit more for somewhere special). We are looking at either staying on Viti Levu or an island in the Yasawa/Mamnuca groups for the whole time, or maybe a mix of viti levu and an island stay? Your suggestions?

Viti Levu.... any ideas on car hire, places to stay, places to visit as we like exploring on our own.

Island stay... places to stay with nice beach, snorkelling directly off beach, reliable baby sitting. Somewhere relaxed without the crowds but baby friendly ofcourse :-).

Thanks for any info.

Octopus Resort in the Yasawas. Lovely people. Lovely beach. Can't say enough good things about it. Their website looks like it's been hacked but I imagine that they will get it up very shortly.

Beren

Hi,
I'd also recommend the Octopus, on Waya Island. We went there recently with our infant twins. You can request a cot, babysitting is cheap and reliable, and they were really helpful with the kiiddies. Request one of the beachfront bures - great snorkelling right out front, and your steps go straight onto the sand. They even let us keep our bure (with cots) for the day when we checked out, while we waited for our ferry, so the kiddies could nap, which was a godsend!

Be sure not to take the Octopus boat though. We met a family with a 1yr old who did, and found it very rough (it's a smaller boat). The Yasawa Flyer was great - a big airconditioned ferry. Took 2hrs to get to the Octopus.

On the down side, check yoiur bill very carefully. Both people in the checkout queue ahead of me, as well as me, were overcharged on their room rate (taxed on a tax). One couple was charged for things they didn't buy. Unfortunately the management weren't too nice about it (admitted the tax calculation was incorrect, and erred in their favour, but told us and the other couple to email their reservation people if we didn't like the way they calculated it!)

But. we'd still go back there, it was an idyllic spot and the snorkelling was terrific!

It's on the other side of Viti Levu, but you could consider Caqelai. It's the cheapest resort island. It's non commercial, it all belongs to the Methodist church and I'm sure it will be very baby-friendly. l If you go there, you'd also spend 2 days at Levuka nearby

or

Leleuvia Island

Thanks for the recommedntions for Octopus Resort. Sadly it is out of our price range (accom and transport). The island sounds like a great place for snorkelling and exploring. Maybe we will get there on another visit.

Thanks for the info on Caqelai and Leleuvia Islands. We are looking at these and Ovalau island as good options for exploring (and in our budget too). THanks, will let you know how we get on.