Octopus Resort/Oarsman Lodge

Hi, I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations between Octopus and Oarsman. Also, does anyone know if Octopus offers things like island hopping/village visits, or other such activities?
Cheers.

Edited by: IMOFF

Octopus offers several boat trips - snorkelling round Waya, and an "Island Safari" that goes to islands north of there. Also fishing trips. They take you on a visit to Nalauwaki Village to watch a meke, and you can go to the village to attend a church service on Sundays - well worth while for the singing.

I believe that Oarsmans offer similar (and more) activities ( as listed in their website), but Ill let you now for sure when I return from there in Mid-July !

Recently returned from a week on Waya Island, staying at the Octopus, and thought it was excellent.
Kayaks are available. Village visits (and other activities, hiking, scuba, "the usual sunset cruise" etc) are all available, for some extra cost. Don't know about Island hopping...think you may need to grab a ticket on the Yasawa Flyer, but in our email communications with the Octopus, and using their own website (could do with an update) we found them pretty informative and helpful.
The Octopus activities are on a daily schedule; I don't know if you could easily arrange something not scheduled for the particular day, but you probably can, perhaps for a more premium fee.
Overall it was a very enjoyable place to stay. Great snorkelling.
Haven't been to the Oarsman; can't compare, sry.

I stayed at both in Jan '07. They were both really nice, but I personally preferred Oarsmans-- mostly because I was by myself. (Octopus was much more 'couply').

Here's my comparison -

Oarsmans had - better beach (best I saw in Fiji), better snorkeling, more secluded/alone on a deserted island feeling, more free/included activities and the ones they charge for are less expensive, and just more activities in general from what I remember (or maybe I just wasn't doing the Octopus ones because they cost more money). It feels a little bit less "resorty" and a little bit more "remote" and authentic. The accomodation (at least the dorms) were nice. Food was decent but not spectacular, water was not drinkable so you had to buy bottled. People were nice, and the guests they attracted seemed friendlier overall. I'm also pretty sure it's owned by a local village cheif, rather than foreigners-- I liked that when I found out. The chief was there one night for a Kava ceremony. That was pretty interesting!

Octopus had - a more resorty / 'higher end' feel (which could be a plus, depending on what you're looking for), a pool (not something I personally cared about but a lot of guests were really happy it was there), good snorkeling (but not as good as Oarsmans), better food, cheaper massages, more people, more expensive activities overall and very few free/included activities, decent accomodation (I was in dorms), drinkable/filtered water so you didn't HAVE to purchase bottled all the time.

Hope this helps. While I say that Oarsmans felt more remote/secluded, it's not like Octopus was a zoo by any means. Compared to most places in the world, it's pretty secluded there too! It's all really a matter of what you're looking for!!! If you're alone I'd go for Oarsmans hands down... if you're with someone then it's a coin flip and really depends on how muh of a resort feel you want. You'll have a great time either way!

Edited by: NicoleSlaw

Oh yeah, forgot to answer part of your question... both places offer the village visits. As far as Island hopping... if you mean getting to/from via the Yasawa flyer, then yes. That may be a good option for you actually! Split your time between the two!

That beach at the Oarsman's sound amazing. (Trip advisor reviews support that.)
You must have been a bit unlucky with the "couply" thing. Sure there were a lot of couples there when we stayed, a few families, and lots of singles. (Mainly girls, though.)
I suspect it's just the luck of the draw.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g308270-d308593-r13034023-Oarsman_s_Bay_Lodge-Yasawa_Islands.html

I have only stayed at Oarsmans but it was fantastic and they give a great welcome.When i was there 3 years ago the manager was from Oz I think but as far as i know the same guy that owns Turtle Island (V. Close by) owns it but it has all local workers and will be eventually owned and run by them. not sure if this is true but heard it said when i stayed there.
Beach is gorgeous. trips they have include line fishing(what u catch they will cook), snorkling (several sights by boat) snorkling trip to blue lagoon (movie) beach, sunday trip to church on nicula by boat(free) they will arrange other individual trips on request. Enjoy!!