First time in Fiji: Quesitons and tips

Hi All,

I'm travelling to Fiji for two weeks in June, with a companion. We are attending a wedding in/around Nadi, so the trip is revolving around that area. We have 3 free days starting off (staying in/around Nadi, but can use the time however), then several days of wedding activities, then about 5 days to ourselves to go and do/stay anywhere.

From the research I've done, the consensus seems to be "get off of the main island." For the first 3 free days, I'm thinking of taking day cruises out of Nadi bay, out to different islands -- possibly using "South Sea Cruises." I really want good snorkeling, and some of the smaller islands look to be the best destinations for that. For the last 5 days, I've reserved (though can cancel; haven't paid anything yet) a stay at a resort on Natadola beach (Yatule resort). From what I could find, that's the best beach to stay at on the main island.

So my main questions are as follows:

1) Any suggestions on how those 3 days should be spent, being based out of Nadi? Are day cruises a good idea, and is there any other service I should look at for that?

2) Is there a good option for going to a resort off of the main island? How would you rate the Natadola beach/coral coast area? The main reason I chose Yatule resort, is that we got it for about $200 USD a night for both of us. Any resort option off of the main island, when you included ferry costs as well, seemed to just get way too expensive (like $350-$450 a night, for anywhere that was a step up from a hostel). Any recommendations there?

3) When I travel, I like to rent a scooter/moped to get around and see more of the place I'm at. From what I can see, people say the roads are awful and the traffic is dangerous. Is that a bad idea to rent one, to travel and explore more of the main island? Should I rent a car instead? Or just use taxis? Or is exploring the main island a waste of time altogether?

Thank you for all of your help, guys and girls!

Natadola is a beautiful beach, but it is quite a way off the main road, you may not want to stay 5 nights there, taxis are cheap and the express bus which goes from Nadi to Suva is also very cheap. I wouldn't rent a car, There are things to do around Sigatoka, and there are other posts with ideas which you could look at.

I just came back from Coral Coast - nearer to Sigatoka, served by express and local bus service (cheap and easy). Stayed at Bedarra (highly recommend, I loved it). Several guests had rental cars, I hopped a ride in one. I'd drive in Fiji, but I also drive in Jamaica which is another place everyone says not to drive, so YMMV. Scooter? Not so sure, and I rent those in JA also. It seems mostly only the main roads are paved, if you want to go into the interior at all you're on gravel pretty fast, which isn't ideal for little scooter wheels. Hotel areas seem paved - certainly Denarau and the little road in front of my hotel was. So it depends I guess.

I did a day trip to an island and that was enough for me.

day trips by ferry out from Denarau, look at resorts around Malolo and Mana Islands, including likes of beachcombers, castaway etc. can get there and back in a day if you are wanting some beach time.

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