First Overseas Holiday - Fiji

Hi,

My husband and I are finally going on our first Overseas holiday to Fiji - After much thought we decided to stay at the Sheraton Denaru Villas, we thought that if we stayed on the mainland we could travel to Islands on day trips etc...
I have found some day trips with South Seas Cruises, but as a novice I wanted to know- Do they have boats, ferries etc where you can just travel to the islands and stay there for the day than return by boat in the afternoon, but not having to pay for the whole day trip with lunch etc??? Are they Expensive to travel by? Is it okay to just go on th different islands and go the resorts for lunch etc?
Yes I really have no idea - please any suggestions or HELP will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
"yeh finally going away'

I think the day trips with South Sea Cruises are your best bet. Travelling to the islands is expensive, and there's no way around it! As far as I'm aware the only boat companies that travel daily to the islands in the Mamanuca group are the Yasawa Flyer, South Sea Cruises, the Beachcomber boat, Malolo Cat (Plantation and Musket Cove). I've found the day trips to be good value. For instance the SSC return fare to Mana Island from Denerau is $156.00 return, but their day trip rate (assuming it's up to date) is $125 return including lunch. There are charter boats but that option works out more expensive. We enjoyed a day trip to Beachcomber Island with our family and the lunch was great! If you want to do some good snorkelling go to Mana - snorkel off the north beach. There is a reef that drops off with lots of different varieties of fish to look at. They have 2 pools. It's a big island and you'll have time to wander around exploring. Bounty is another option, and closer to the mainland, although we found the snorkelling to be average. It's a nice little island though, and takes about 25 minutes to walk around. Any questions, let me know.

While you will have a great time on any day cruises you choose, I strongly suggest you consider taking the Yasawa flyer into the islands (either the Yasawas or the Mamanucas) and staying there. There's nothing like sitting on the beach looking out at the grand expanse of sunset, and waking up to a morning snorkel in front of your lodgings. You'll be spending a lot of time and money boating out and back to the mainland when there are such beautiful island spots to sink in to. There are a great variety of places to stay from cheap to fine ..

I couldn't tear myself away from the Yasawas but when we finally headed back to Nadi did a South Sea Cruises sail to "Tom Hanks'" island (see your guide book) - great snorkeling, wonderful relaxing end to Fiji.

And all completely easy ... I arrived in Fiji literally without a single reservation and stayed at Octopus, Oarsman's, Fanny's - island Flyer travel easy.

I will go for islands stay as to sit as a duck on main island. It takes more luggage handling
but it is much beter experience. I was on Fiji 7x and every time out.

Hi Just returned from the Westin Denerau part of the Sheraton chain

got a package from Austrailia

watch out ..very expensive like room service hamburgers $75 for three!Steak House $50 per steak and also have to book or miss out.
watch out for the phones. they charge$10 per min regardless whether the phone is answered at theother end or nbot. get a card and use the public phone.
$10 to get into Nadi and good value restaurants
Best eating and value for money at the Golf Club.
lots of honeymooners/pregnant mums and kids
Very expensive compared to other 5* places
Best trip.. The Whale boat trip to the fice islands. had a ball and apprently the best value people said.
good luck. We thought it was overrated and spoilt because of high prices for drinks as well.
frangy

I would suggest that you cancel your reservation and just wing it.

We just got back from Fiji, and there was absolutely no problem with turning up at most places and getting a room or beach bure. I would also suggest skipping the Yasawas. The whole reason to visit another country is to experience its culture, and you simply will not be seeing Fiji if you spend your time in Yasawa. Also, the Yasawa resorts pay a 30% commission to the booking agents, which means you pay higher prices that elsewhere for EVERYTHING.

Consider working your way down to Levuka via Suva. Visit Caqalai and Leleuvia islands. They are wonderful, and cheap, and have some of the best snorkeling that I have EVER seen. And if you really want a good dose of the "real" Fiji, make a visit to Navala and stay at Bulou's Lodge. All details can be found in the Lonely Planet guidebook, and locals are very helpful if you just ask for directions. Travel by local buses and minivans is cheap and quite safe. Buses run regularly most places.

That's just my 2 cents. If all you want is to roast and bloat on a beach with a bunch of upper middle class Westerners with more money than brains, by all means, head to Yasawa. But if you actually want to experience Fiji, do something else.

Good luck!