Fiji, non resort accomodiations

I have an extended family of 5 hoping to visit Fiji at Christmas 2012. We are not ones who enjoy resort activities or meal plans. I have not found many house or cottage beach front rentals (with a good beach) expect on the main island. Trying to do outer islands due to unrest on the big islands...that and a smaller island would have a better breeze at that time of year ; )

We would also enjoy seeing the local cultures first hand...and of course snorkeling from home base....

I have scoured the Internet and there does not seem to be much! Am I missing something?

Thanks!

Lootie

Everywhere in Fiji calls itself a "resort." Whereas in the rest of the world it refers more to high-end all-inclusive type places, in Fiji places that are just little beach shacks and dorms also call themselves resorts. Denarau Island and a few places on the Coral Coast are where you'll find the big resorts, but otherwise there's lots of what you're looking for.

Beaches and snorkelling on the mainland are mediocre, so you're right to look elsewhere. Unrest is extremely low-key and isolated, so really not an issue at all.

In the outer islands your only option is to eat what the "resorts" provide. There are no stores or cooking facilities. That said, the meal plans are nothing like some all-inclusive type deal you'd find in Mexico. Very unlikely that you would find anywhere in the Yasawas to be too resort-ish, as it's all small scale and low key type places.

Taveuni may have what you're looking for in terms of houses for rent.

try www.fiji4less.com, in particular Tubakula Bungalows. Went there twice and loved it - simple, clean, straightforward and absolutely nothing organised except a total optional, and excellent trip for a kava evening.

no connection, just a satisfied customer. Oh, and get a poolside or ocean side bungalow as the ones by the road are noisy.

that said - I hope they are ok given the recent floods.

"Trying to do outer islands due to unrest on the big islands"

What unrest?

"We would also enjoy seeing the local cultures first hand"

You'll see local culture as soon as you deplane.

"I have scoured the Internet and there does not seem to be much! Am I missing something? "

Yes-you are blinded by your own willful ignorance.

What tch7 said.

We have lived here for 2 years. There is no ''unrest''.
The only unrest in the islands is from the tourists when the outboard won't start or it rains all day (December is in the middle of the wet season).

There are plenty of places in the Yasawas that your family will absolutely love.

Cheers,
Peter