Honestly Fiji: are the Yasawas really worth it?

Hi,
I'll be going to Fiji at the beginning of September for about 10 days. At first I thought of buying a Bula Pass or to book a package directly with Awesome Adventures Fiji but, after some research online, I discovered that Awesome Adventures might overcharge its customers by roughly 30 % on resort bookings and that they often move you to other islands (not the ones stated in the brochure) supposedly because of 'overbooking'. Since Awesome Adventures' seems to have the monopoly on the Yasawas (that slightly annoyes me) and there's almost no way to avoid them, is it really worth going to this group of islands when going to Fiji?
Has anybody ever been to Vanua Levu, Taveuni and Qamea? and what about the Kadavu group? I heard/read that not many tourists go there.
Thanks in advance!
Kira

Hmm, I can't give a comparative view of Fiji as the only place I visited off the main island was Waya in the Yasawas (stayed at Octopus Resort). It wasn't that impressive compared to other places in the N. and S. Pacific--the beach wasn't beautiful and although there was snorkeling right off the beach there were strong riptides.

I've been to Vanua Lavu and Taveuni, and found the latter in particular well worth visiting. More for pristine nature than for beaches though.
Kadavu gets few visitors, the only two I met who had been there liked it though.
Ovalau is also well worth visiting, as are many places around Viti Levu.

Basically, if you like to get away from the tourist track and dislike tourist prices, most islands in Fiji would be a good alternative to the Yasawas.

You don't have to "go" through Awesome. Meaning, prebook/pay your accommodation on line direct with the resorts, guaranteeing where you want to be, for how long and the actual cost.
Also you don't have to do a Bula pass. Yes, Awesome have the monopoly on tourist travel, but there are a couple of options if you don't want to be impulsive or don't mind being organised.
One, the passes are a waste if you want to stay put for a while. Just get a fare to one place (email awesome, they will give you a quote) and then to another. Add it up and see if it is a better option. Also you can book with credit card at home, but pay on arrival in FJD$ which is a cheaper option.
Secondly, depending on how adventurous you are you can opt for interisland transport, eg if some resorts are close they could run you across (email to check). Long distances are not a safe option (no life jackets, overloaded, weather, running out of petrol....) One previous poster took boats that made runs to the mainland for supplies.
The Yasawas are beautiful, but they are not cheap like other non first world destinations.
Good luck.

I have an Awesome Yasawa Islands guest transfer price list.
eg......Denarau to Kuata F$115 (one way).
Kuata to Viwa F$40.

Cheers,
Peter

It may be the most expensive and most touristy part of Fiji, but I loved the Yasawas and would absolutely say they're worth it. I booked all accommodation myself in advance, then purchased a 7-day Bula Pass and a direct transfer on a smaller boat through Octopus Resort for after that Bula pass expired. Worked wonderfully that way.

The only other part of Fiji I can compare the islands to are Nadi and the Coral Coast, which I didn't find nearly as appealing.

thank you for all your replies!
i have now read almost the whole of the Lonely Planet for Fiji and I am more inclined to travel towards Ovalau (Levuka) and Caqalai. a second option would be to head toVanua Levu and Taveuni. unfortunately i will have to chose between one of these two itineraries, since 10 days are quite a short time to do both. flights between all those islands are awfully expensive with Air Pacific (after Air Fiji went bust earlier this year it's basically the only carrier left) and ferries take a very long time and don't appear to be very reliable.
sigh....
do you have any other recommendations for either of the two?
thank you!
kira

Ovalau is the more easily accessible one with more diverse attractions, while Taveuni is the one to choose if nature is your priority.
Take your pick, but either will be a good choice.

just go to a island in the mamanuca then 2 up the yasawas, awesome adventures run the big high speed catarmaran that does the up in the mornings back in the arvos transport, they have a booking office on board and can book on the spot, but as many of the little resorts up and back are not big they do book out, so you occasionaly may get bumped, its not an intended scam just that if the current guests dont move on as planned they can sometimes get the jump on incoming guesses who may cancel at last moment, and it is is islander fiji so it aint real sophsicated, ive been to the other big islands and they are different but unless you really want to spend too much time and cost in transfers and stuff stay on an resort and get into what everyone else does, as im sure you'll also enjoy it asmuch as everyone else does. ive been there many times now and thoguhg ive been elsewhere drift back to the mams and the yasawas and stayed at about 9 resorts all up as there are so many great choices and island sfull of nice locals, beautiful scenerey and chilled inclusive other travellers to enjoy it all with. have fun!