Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020

Leleuvia vs. Caqalai

Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Fiji

Confused here. Interested in good white sandy beach with no corals so I can just dip in and relax. Not looking for partying. Me, myself, and I. Which of the 2 islands would people recommend? And before I hear the suggestion, NO I cant do both :(.

Thanks a ton,
A.

Beach: both have a nice white sandy beach.
Coral and snorkeling: both very nice but you find also sandy areas without coral.
Nature: pretty much the same, beautiful
Resort: a bit more basic at Caqalai, more village style, Leleuvia is more Resort style
Alcohol: BYO at Caqalai, Leleuvia offers a well stocked bar
Rate for bure: F$ 2 more at Leleuvia
Food: a bit more Fijian style at Caqalai; both Islands have 3 meals included in their rate.
Transport: same rate for both islands )F$ 30 one way) both use same boat landings
Popularity: caqalai is currently more popular, thanks to LP which did not have the best write up for Leluvia in the last editions althouh a lot has chaned since the
last "inspectors" were there.
Partying: both offer Kawa nights with local sing-a-long, enerally no big parties, but that depends also on the guests.
Facilities: both Islands only offer shared bathrooms, which are newly built at leleuvia.

It's your choice! Have fun!

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Have only been to Caqalai (mid 2005, by myself) and I adored it - one of my all time favourite spots. But that's b/c i'm a snorkelling nut and the snorkelling is amazing, right off the beach - i snorkelled around the whole island - heaven :) i don't know why you wouldn't want corals to be honest. it wasn't a big partying island i found although i guess you could if you wanted to. accom is completely basic, a shower after you get off the island is heaven and the food is so so. it's a lovely relaxed atmosphere though. really if you're not into snorkelling it's still nice but you'd be missing out big time.

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I agree with Burr on the snorkeling. AMAZING! BEST EVER! The best area, I think, is off of Snake Island, but you can also just follow the black cable from the beach out, and you will find great coral and fish very close to the beach.

Just got back from Fiji, and we did visit Caqalai. It was great. Its very close to Leleuvia, so they are both about the same in terms of geology. Not sure why you cannot do both since the boat ride from Caqalai to Leleuvia is only $20 and can be arranged on short notice. Caqalai has a phone you can use, as well.

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I stayed in Caqelai, I liked it. An important point is that it's non-commerical, it all belongs and is operated by the Methodist CHurch.

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