OOPS! Booked lodging @ Coral coast

Greetings!
My friend and I are planning a week long stay in Fiji as the nightcap if you will after a 4 week romp through New Zealand. Being a Fiji amateur I booked us 3 nights at the Tubakula beach bungalows because they were cheep (F$133) for two people per night. After booking I began wading through the info here on the Thorn Tree only to find multiple posts saying I should stay as far away from the coral coast as possible...YIKES! We are looking for a low cost place to stay that will give us a good combination of daytime activities (snorkeling, diving, beach laying, etc.) and at least a bit of nightlife. It seems that the western islands might be the best bet since they are close to Nadi and will allow for easy/cheep transfer to and from the main island. Can anyone suggest a spot/spots for us that are easy and the budget? Should I cancel my reservation on the coral coast altogether and just head straight for the Mamanuca islands? I checked out beachcomber but it seems very pricey and a bit too much of a tourist trap. Please advise!!
Thanks for all your help and time :)

While the Coral Coast has crappy beaches, it is a handy base for exploring southern Viti Levu.
Tubakula is well-located to explore several attractions around Sigatoka, and is a good value budget place in general.
For snorkelling and nightlife it won't be great though.
I'd say spend those 3 nights there, then move on - either to the Yasawas/Mamanucas, or to the islands off Ovalau.
Don't let agents at Nadi Airport push you into booking something on the spot, talk to other tourists at Tubakula for personal, unbiased recommendations.

Yes cancel that reservation on the Coral Coast!! The beaches are lousy.
Try Octopus Resort in the Yasawas.

sunny regards,
shully

I'll echo #2. I've stayed at both Octopus and Tubakula, and the first is a delightful South Pacific experience connected to a welcoming Fijian village on a fine beach with as much non-partying socializing, solitude or activity as you're likely to want, while the second is a bunch of generic plywood, characterless, soulless "chalets" looking mostly at each other in a lifeless compound on a rocky "beach" punctuated by horse droppings where you can do some pathetically marginal high-tide snorkeling betwen bouts of boredom. Check the Octopus website for their 5 and 7 day packages, which include transport.