Fiji - where to go? where to stay?

Hi everyone. Thanks in advance for any help/advice you can give.

I am stopping in Fiji on my way to Australia and have no idea what to do. I want to get out to an island for one or two nights, but no more than that. And I just want to take part in any and all outdoor activities.

Is Beachcomber ridiculously crazy? I have heard such mixed reviews. I am a 27 year old guy, so I don't mind a good time, but I also don't want to find myself at Hedonism 4. Is Bounty Island Resort too family oriented for me?

Is there anything worth doing near Nadi? Or should I head out to the islands as soon as I get there? (I only have 60 hours in Fiji.)

Also, does anyone have any info on pricing for seaplane transfer from Nadi to any of the western islands?

Thanks again for any help.
Casey

With only 60 hrs, maybe head to Lautoka and find a cheap and friendly place to stay, and take a day trip or two to an island. A lot depends on when your int'l flight leaves. If it's in the morning, I wouldn't rely on the boat if you stayed overnight on an outer island, could be bad weather or other delays. If its a night flight, well, you have a choice of several, I'll leave it to the younger crowd to make recs.

Beachcomber is renowned as a party Island , though a lot tamer than Hedonism. Bounty is a good choice for a night as it is pretty, but quite small, and very close to the Port at Denerau (near Nadi).

As Raro says, there are also a number of islands near Lautoka (some only 15 mins by ferry).

Nadi is not very interesting, but ok, though there are not any nice beaches in the immediate area. Another choice could be to stay on the mainland and head to the Coral Coast (1.5 hours by road). I particularly like the Shangri La Fijian, but its not cheap and Im not sure if many singles go there.

If you do choose to stay near Nadi, you would possibly stay in the Denerau area, but the beaches are crap. The hotels there are high class (4 or 5 star) and have wonderful pools, gardens and restaurants, with prices to match

It sounds like you and I are doing the same thing. I have a two night lay over in Fiji on my way to Sydney in September.

What my friend and I are thinking about doing is staying on an island the first night we get there and then staying on the main land the second night so we make sure we can get to the airport the next day. Which island we're staying on we haven't decided yet, but I think we're leaning toward Mana or Beachcomber.

Let me know what you end up deciding to do, because it would definitely help to hear more options...