Manta Ray Resort/island

Hi was wondering if anyone could help.
Flying to Fiji in June, unfortunately only a short visit.
Our plane arrives at 8am and from all the info I could find the main boat to the yasawa islands leaves at 8:30 so we are unlikely to make it. Does anyone know of any other ways to get to the island later in the day? Don't really want to waste a day in Nadi as have been told its not great. Alternatively is it feasible to do a day trip from Nadi to the coral coast and come back that evening to stay in nadi and get the boat the next morning?
Any help would be much appreciated
Thanks

Can't help with alternative transport to the Yasawas except the possibility that a few resorts have their own (smaller) boats, so worth checking that.
I would not suggest a day trip to the Coral Coast unless it is for the bus ride and to see the country along the way. In that case, going north would be more interesting, I reckon.
A day trip to Sigatoka or Lautoka would be fine.
We would sometimes take a day trip to RakiRaki (and VoliVoli for lunch and a swim) by bus from Lautoka. RakiRaki/Lautoka was 2 1/2 hours each way from memory.

Cheers,
Peter

A couple alternative options for getting to the Yasawas:
1. South Sea Cruises has afternoon departures that stop by a few of the islands also served by the Yasawa Flyer (South Sea, Bounty, Beachcomber) so you could spend a night at one of those and catch the Flyer the next day onwards to Manta Ray.
2. Octopus / Paradise Cove run their small boat leaving Vuda Marina at 2pm. They are nicer resorts than Manta Ray, and Paradise Cove is basically right beside Manta Ray. You could spend the morning in Lautoka/Nadi.
3. Pacific Island Air has floatplane service to many islands.

Thanks so much for the advice guys!

Nadi, is ok for an afternoon and to get a feel for Fiji. You could get a taxi out to Sabeto Hot Springs and the Sleeping Giant hills, wouldn't take long or cost much and you'd get to see a bit of rural Fiji. Spend the night at Stoney Creek hostel if you don't fancy staying in the town, then grab a taxi back to the harbour the next day.