Itinerary Advice?

Hi!

I am planning a trip to Fiji August 13 - Sept 19, although Sept 3 - 13 we will be in Vanuatu. My husband and I are on a RTW trip, but we have a friend coming to visit for her vacation. We both love to dive and want to include good diving on our trip.

Aug 13 - arrive Nadi, spend the night nearby
Aug 14 - bus to Suva, spend night in Suva
Aug 15 - visit Fiji Museum, markets, spend night in Suva
Aug 16 - Colo - i - Suva Forest Park - hiking
Aug 17 - "sea-road" bus-ferry-bus to Levuka
Aug 18 - See Levuka
Aug 19 - Epi's Midland tour
Aug 20 - ferry to Caqalai Island
Aug 21 - Caqalai Island
Aug 22 - ferry back to Levuka, return to Suva (can this be done in one day?)
Aug 23 - bus to Coral Coast - want to do the Shark dive. Aquatrek Beqa has been the recommended operator. Perhaps stay at Uprising Resort?
Aug 24 - diving or chill at the resort
Aug 25 - more diving or chill at the resort
Aug 26 - bus to Nadi
Aug 27 - start 7 day Bula Pass - Yasawas - some combination of Bay of Plenty Lodge, Coral View Island Resort, Wayalailai Resort
Aug 28 - Yasawas
Aug 29 - Yasawas
Aug 30 - Yasawas
Aug 31 - Yasawas
Sept 1 - Yasawas
Sept 2 - Yasawas, spend night in Nadi
Sept 3 - fly to Vanuatu
Sept 4 - 13 - Vanuatu
Sept 14 - day trip to Nausori Highlands
Sept 15 - Koroyanitu National Heritage Park
Sept 16 - Korovanitu National Heritage Park
Sept 17 - Korovanitu National Heritage Park
Sept 18 - spend night in Nadi
Sept 19 - fly from Nadi

My questions:

1. We were thinking we would book our Bula Pass and accomodation when we arrive in Nadi, as I've read that is the best move. I'm not completely clear on the distances between islands and how to design the plan for the Bula Pass. Will the staff be able to help me or should I come in with a plan already in mind? Suggestions?

2. I read about the Koroyanitu National Heritage Park and it sounds like a very interesting off the beaten path option to see some of interior Fiji. I would prefer to organize it myself. I found a website with someone who will do a transfer, and then I am planning to show up and work the rest of it out there. Will that work? Is this worth doing?

3. I know some of the islands (Taveuni) would be amazing, but we are trying to spend our budget less on flights and more on activities. If you think we are making the wrong choice, let me know.

Thanks!

The Fiji part looks very good to me, though I can't help feeling that you should allow longer for Vanuatu even if that means having to skip some places in Fiji.
As it is, I like Vanuatu more and find it more interesting than Fiji.

1. Agents in Nadi will be only too happy to "help" you with advice, but note that their advice will be determined by how much commission they get from each place. As such, I'd suggest either making your own choices in advance and just telling them to book those, or else booking just the first night and then making further choices (and bookings) as you go, based on what you hear from other tourists.

2. Earlier this year I found out that the guy supposedly helping visitors to get to the Koroyanitu National Heritage Park is now only interested in selling overpriced packages. You could probably still get there for a day-trip by taxi... otherwise this might be a place to skip in favour of more time in Vanuatu, or to go to Taveuni.

3. Taveuni would be great if you are into nature, but it sure takes either time or money to get to. I personally would (and on my first trip to Fiji did!) choose it over the Yasawas, actually... but it's basically a choice between nature/hiking vs beach/snorkeling.

Thank you! I'll keep investigating the Koroyanita part.

Why would you choose Taveuni over Yasawas? My only concern with Yasawas is that it might be too young backpacker-y (I've had enough of that traveling in Thailand). The reasons I put Yasawas on the itinerary were: I enjoy relaxing on the beach, and the friend who is coming to meet us for her vacation is a beach lover. I was interested in Taveuni because of the diving and the nature / hiking part. But then Koroyanita seems to also provide some nature time, along with Colo - i - Suva.

Taveuni has the best nature in Fiji, period.
For relaxing on the beach the Yasawas are surely better, and the young backpacker crowds mostly stick to the cheapest resorts there.

i noticed you said

"and it sounds like a very interesting off the beaten path option to see some of interior Fiji."

so can I suggest that August the 13th when you arrive (depending on what time your flight arrives) you skip Nadi and go straight to a village and stay 13th and 14th at Danny's. (you will see Nadi on the 25th and 26th) catching a bus from Nadi straight to Suva drives right past Danny's and you can catch the bus from the Airport.

see detailed info at this link

http://www.fijihomestays.com/homestays/dannys-village-homestay

Danny's is very interesting and off the beaten path option to see some of Fiji and the cabins are right on the beach...nice introduction to Fiji.