Island hopping in a week!!

Hi there!

My friend and I are volunteering on the mainland in August then have a week in which to island hop before we fly home. We're looking into the Yasawa Flyer combo passes but wanted some advice on which islands are best to visit with such limited time?? We're basically looking to chill out and sunbathe and also do lots of snorkelling and aren't too bothered about the party scene. I've heard Manta Ray is well worth a visit? Which others would people recommend? Also, do you think 1 night on each island is enough or would you go for fewer islands and 2 nights on each?

Any advice would be much appreciated :)

Cheers

I thought Waya was the most beautiful one, and Nacula at the very end of the route is a good stop for Blue Lagoon and Sava-i Lau Cave excursions.

I'd say start by going straight up to Nacula first, passing all other islands, and pick your choices for stops on the way back as you pass them along the way up.

Agree with Laszlo - Nacula then Waya. At least 2 nights at each, better 3 nights - otherwise you are always packing up and waiting for the boat to arrive!

Thanks for the advice there :) Another question, I think we've got about 9 nights in total in which to island hop, do you know if its possible to buy a daily pass on the Yasawa flyer or if there are any other boats that transport people around the islands closer to Nadi? Seems a shame to be limited to a 7 day pass when we could spend 9 days on the isalnds...
Thanks!!

As ususal, I agree with Laszlo.

"I've heard Manta Ray is well worth a visit?" The resort is ordinary , and the beach nice enough, but the real attraction and "must see" here is swimming with the Mantas ....obviously just near the Manta Ray resort. There are however other resorts not far from there. My tip for that would be Octopus, but for that one you may need to prebook as it is very popular .

You can buy single transfers for the Yasawa Flyer. You aren't just limited to their passes.

The snorkelling off of Manta Ray is above average. Otherwise there's nothing too special about the resort, and it does have a party atmosphere.

I agree about Manta Ray. The dorms are horribly cramped and hot 4 bed (bunks) cubicles, with many (from memory at least 10) of those cubicles in one dorm. Staff is very nice though, but underpayed. Food is nothing special. Party atmosphere.
Octopus and Blue Lagoon Resort are very nice, and that's an understatement. Resorty feel, dorms are spacious (no bunks), good snorkelling off the beach, amazing food, lovely staff, lots of activities and they contribute to the village. Highly recommended.
I arranged everything (Yasawa Flyer, reservations) through my hotel in Nadi: Bluewater Lodge, which is a very good jump off point for the islands. No hassle at all, just tell reception where and when you want to go and they do all the logistics.

Buying single trip tix on the Flyer tends to work out VERY expensive.
If you do want to go to 2-3 islands on it, buying a pass is probably good value.
Cheaper local boats DO exist, but are unreliable and unpredicatble, therefore not ideal for someone on a limited time.

Beachcomber Island was nice, accomadation was very basic, but not too busy and beautiful setting.

Manta Ray was my favorite, great private accomadation, good food, awsome snorkeling

Coral View was ok, nice accomadation, ok food, no beach

Do not stay at sunrise, bad accomadation, very run down, long walk to the beach.