First time in Fiji - where to split my time over 10 days

Hi everyone :)

My boyfriend and I arrive in Fiji at 4pm on 29 Sept and have 3 nights until we have to be at the Intercontinental on the Coral Coast for a wedding - (we can't afford to stay at the Intercontinental from the first night, and we have had a look at the neighbouring hotel Natolda Beach Resort but it's unfortunately booked out for the dates we need.)
So... we have a number of options such as stay somewhere else close on the Coral Coast, or stay in Nadi, or Denarau Island or perhaps venture to Pacific Harbour? We are on a budget and are looking for something around $150 per night.
After that we are staying at the Intercon for 2 nights and then have 4 more nights before our flight home. I really want to head out to an Island for this part i have had a bit of a look and Octopus, Matamanoa and Blue Lagoon have all taken my interest (we are hoping to spend around $250-300 per night on an island). Is 4 nights enough to enjoy one of these islands?

Are 3 different hotels/areas too much in 10 days?

Thanks :)

4 nights at somewhere like Octopus would be fine.
For the first 3 nights, maybe something different - try the Tenoa Waterfront hotel in Lautoka. About F$120 per night, 4 stars, eat locally, money left over for some local trips or some shopping. Lautoka is not a tourist town and has the best market in Fiji.
Get there from the airport by local bus (a small adventure in itself) or by cab for about F$40.

Denerau has nothing "Fiji" to offer, Coral Coast and Pacific Hbr has not much more than resorts to offer, but there are inland attractions.

Cheers,
Peter

Thanks Peter for your help.
Have you spent any time around Sigatoka? Do you know what the village is like? beaches, markets, day tours from there?

Been through Sigatoka numerous times. Spent a few hours walking around once, but it was a Sunday, and everything closes down on Sundays in Fiji (except Denerau, because that is strictly for tourists) . I think there are river cruises there and a reasonable market. It would certainly be a more interesting place than Denerau.
No beaches in that part of the country, except perhaps something small and private at a resort.

Cheers,
Peter

Thanks again Peter - you sound like a bit of a guru!
Another question if i may.... is it easy enough to self drive around Fiji? Would you recommend this or is it cheap/easy enough to hire a driver/taxi for a day and let them take you around some of the Fiji must see's. We would like to see some of the more rural villages and inland areas as well as any scenic places such as look outs etc plus markets and temples etc. I am guessing you could see a fair amount of the island in a days drive?

I would advise against self drive.
Taxis are cheap (F$1.50 flag fall and F$1 per km) and busses are even cheaper. Mini busses are cheap and OK for short trips, but get dangerous for long trips.
If you want anything that is more than F$50, make sure you fix the price in advance. For shorter trips insist on running the meter and don't take anyone without a metre. Don't let them drive fast.
We circumnavigated Viti Levu twice. Once by bus over 3 days and once by taxi, pick up in Suva at 8am and drop off in Lautoka at 6pm(pre negotiated for F$230 in 2012 for 4 people). It is 500km, so too far for 1 day.

Inland is difficult without a 4WD and that mostly means tour companies.

Maybe take a bus to RakiRaki (then cab to VoliVoli resort for the night) and back by cab to stop off at places along the way? It is an interesting drive along the coast and you will see some local villages on the way.
Lots of options.

Cheers,
Peter