Leluvia / Ovalau OR Nananu-i-Ra island visit?

Hi,

We have a week in Fiji and are looking at spending 2-3 nights on either Nananu-i-Ra island, or Leluvia and/or Ovalau. Has anyone been to these islands and recommend one over another? Nananu-i-Ra is easier to get to but Leluvia/Ovalau does sound a bit more interesting and better snorkelling off the beaches etc.

We plan on spending the rest of the time exploring the coast and inland areas around the coral coast. We have a 6 month old to take into account with our plans as well.

Thanks for your ideas and info.

You have already asked this here, and been given lengthy answers.

Perhaps you could at least thank to those who bothered instead of merely ignoring their replies and asking the same question once more with no reference to the previous input...

Were you hoping that asking the question again would get you new answers? Were you looking for new information? Were you unable to find the previous thread (you could search using your username)? Just what were you thinking?

Thanking people on the previous thread would have brought it to the top again. Asking for additional information about something about which you were unclear is one thing would have brought the thread to the top again as well. But asking for essentially the same information that you previously requested is REALLY annoying.

Ruth

I don't see how Nananu-i-ra is necessarily easier to get to ...

Only one person on the other thread mentioned that there is a lot more variety on Ovalau and the 'resorts' on Leleuvia and Caqalai. Two others recommended Nananu-i-ra but it wasn't clear if either of them had been to Ovalau to make a comparison. So, if it's a wider variety of interesting things to see and do, Ovalau is the place to go.

If you just want a resort to laze about in for a few days, pick the place that's most convenient to get to, given the rest of your itinerary.

Thinking about the baby: you can buy nappies and babyfood in Levuka (you will have to bring everything to Nananu-I-Ra, and there is a hospital in Levuka as well (hope you don't need it) but it is a consideration.

Like Oldpro says: if you just want a beach, then why travel around so much with the baby (for 2-3 nights), pick one beach resort, but if you want to do other things, like experiencing real culture, see some history, doing walks or even hikes, then pick Ovalau.

Laszlo and everbrite, I have used this site very little. I had the impression that without mention of the specific locations or topic etc on the title, it was unlikely to get the info I was wanting as people would scan the titles and not the content. The previous post was asking about "Coral Coast and Nananu-i-Ra", this one is to try to work out whether "Leluvia / Ovalau OR Nananu-i-Ra" is a better option. So we are making progress with coming up with a plan, and I dont see it as asking the same question twice. Maybe you can alter the title, I couldn't work that out so I posted a new question.

Lazlo, I am not ignoring anyone. I have followed the ideas and recommendations for accom etc that these people have posted. I have made contact with several accom places and am still awaiting replies from some others. When we have a better picture of what sounds best to us, I will be replying and letting these helpful people know what we came up with and why. And maybe asking a few more related questions too.

everbrite, THanks, I did not know that posting a reply to a post would pop it to the top. A handy thing to know. No I was REALLY hoping for different answers for a different question (well I view it as a different question anyway).

Putting these points across a bit more softly softly would have been nice. Reading these replies would make someone think there are unfriendly people lurking about to ponce on silly questions, rather than helpful people with some friendly advice to help promote the idea of actively sharing info and ideas by both asking AND answering questions.

And to do my bit to help make our world a happier place, I'm off to reply to peoples posts with an update. ;-)

Thanks.

bulabear.
Thanks for the baby supply info for Levuka.
We are swaying towards a visit to Ovalau with maybe a day trip to Leluvia. We are a little concerned on the boat trip to Ovalau and around though. We are not the best when it comes to sea sickness and don't want to be bouncing about in a small boat. Wobbly water bad, flat water good! Also our first trip abroad with a baby so not sure on how the a small boat trip would go if windy or rough water.
Not interested in a resort type slob-on-beach holiday. Coral coast was just a base to explore some of the coast (and do the train ride!) and do some of the walks inland at the nearby forest park ( the name escapes me at the mo). We like to explore and want to fit in some shorter walks etc. Would like to spend some time on an island (in particular for some good snorkelling close by or off a beach), just trying to find the perfect spot at the right price.
Thanks.

oldpro, Thanks for your info. As above, we are not after a resort stay. Ovalau sounds like an interesting spot to head too. THe boat trip is the issue for us at the mo for the reasons mentioned above. I have looked at flying but that is too expensive. THanks.

PS, posting a reply doesn't seem to bring the Post to the top. This appears to be set by the orignal posting date. Sorting by reply date is only possible if doing a specific search for something. :-)

The boat that goes to Ovalau is (or was..) an old roll-on/roll-off ferry. You would have a local bus trip from Suva to catch it, then a bus/van to Levuka. Also if they are still operating a similar timetable to several years back then you have to get up VERY EARLY (before dawn) to catch transport back to the boat to head back to Viti Levu. I am used to & enjoy such transport but would be very hesitant making that trip with a baby. Also - the boat trip from Levuka to either Leleuvia or Caqelai is in a small open boat. A lot of that is within the fringing reef but when we did it it was like being in a washing machine both ways. Again - no way to take a baby - even if you are feeling adventurous! Ovalau is really worth a visit if you could stretch to the plane fare - but no easy access to beaches around Levuka. You mention you are also going to Coral Coast - again, you will miss out on snorkelling there. I snorkelling is something you'd like to do then maybe Nananu-i-ra or southern Yasawas.

#8 it depends how you have your settings. If you explore this site you'll find that you can choose to have latest replies shown first. But you have to be logged in for this, I think.

Mine is set this way and I always see the latest replies first.

#9 and richandlea - Patterson will be just bringing a new boat to Ovalau this Saturday! Yes transport back from Levuka by Patterson is early, but there is the option of taking the Leleuvia boat. And yes, the boats serving the Islands are small boats, but thanks to OHS (Occupational Health and Safety) standards - boats are safe and captains licensed - no difference to any transport serving the Mamanucas or Yasawa Islands, or anywhere else in Fiji. There have been tremendous changes over the years. In fact it is more risky to go to the Yasawas, because you HAVE to go throuh open sea, whereas Leleuvia and Caqalai try to time the tides - so that crossings are possible to high tide meaning going inside reefs. Operators actually pay quite a lot of money to have their boats surveyed TWICE a year.
Nevertheless I did bring my kids for years to Leleuvia Island (BEFORE the OHS standards did apply) on the small boats and on several occasions with rough seas, and I never ever was scared for my kids/babies - they haven't been either they always went to sleep.(I was more scared taking Air Fiji - so isn't it a individual perception???).

Beaches in Levuka: you are NOT visiting Levuka for the beaches, you are visiting Levuka for example for:

- the welcoming relaxed atmosphere that is Levuka

- the genuine acceptance of visitors, both from within Fiji and overseas

- enjoy the history and the heritage of the town and the island

- call into the Levuka Community Centre and visit the town's small museum

- walk up the 199 steps to Mission Hill and experience the fantastic panorama of the offshore islands and the Lekaleka Reef

- relax and enjoy a cold glass of beer at the Ovalau Club

- sit under Baka trees and chat with or watch locals

- with a bit of luck get invited fo a meal with locals (free of charge)

Levuka is different and unique and there is certainly no resort athmosphere.

And for the beaches - both Caqalai Island and Leleuvia offer the most gorgeous beaches and terrific snorkelling right from the beach (and wonderful baby-sitters)