Ovalau - accomodation

Hi there
Planning to visit Fiji in February, just after some opinions off everyone.

Reading through other posts I think Ovalau islands bests suits what i want. (nice beaches, not too far from mainland, good diving and snorkeling).

Just couldn't find any posts on accommodation in Ovalau. So far I have been looking at spending around 4 nights at Caqalai island backpackers in a double room. Has anyone else stayed there? what are the facilities like? is it possible to go diving from there? is the snorkeling any good straight off the beach?

Also looking at lost island and Silana village on ovalau. Is it worth getting the boat from caquali to the main island to see the town and rainforests? Also wondering how big ovalau is? is there a local bus to get places or is it only by taxis? where would you suggest staying on a budget (but double room)?

Sorry for the constant questions. Any suggestions much appreciated.

Also just wondering if anyone has taken the Patterson Brothers Ferry. What is it like. How often does it run and at what times?

Just trying to work out if I will have to stay in suva the night before and after (if it leaves early and gets back late).

Also if anyone knows any cheap way of getting between suva and nadi by bus please let me know.

Thanks

Chrisite

Facilities on Caqalai are very basic, no hot running water, electricity from generator. Do not discount nearby leleuvia island as an option. It is somewhat larger. Snorkelling off the shore is somewhat better (but not a big difference). Last I know, diving trips are possible from Leleuvia. I don't know if Caqalai has a dive shop.

Ovalau is worth 2-3 days visit. But better to arrange this NOT as a day trip from Caqalai or Leleuvia since you'll have to pay a lot for the transport. Well-known Epi's tour is a guided hike through the forests up to a village in the old volcano cauldera. Most of the public transport on Ovalau is with carrier trucks because the dirt roads are very rough. Levuka is the 'hub'. Schedules are geared to market/school needs of the locals, less handy for tourists. Not much reason to take them anywhere, though, since they mostly go to outlying settlements where there is little to see as a tourist anyway. Better to rent a bicycle in Levuka and spend a day peddling along the coast road.

The old colonial Royal Hotel in Levuka is a very interesting place to stay. Mary's lodge is a budget-level homestay which has a very friendly, homey atmosphere. Fun to socialize in the evening with the family and other visitors. Impromptu kava nights .. never know what will happen. There's also a more upmarket homestay in Levuka, I forget the name.

'Cheap way by bus': well, there is the bus and the cost of the ticket. I'm not sure I understand the question. There is a regular 'express' service by Pacific transport which takes about 4-5 hours Nadi-Suva. Another bus company has an even more 'express' service which takes less time and costs a bit more. Both stop at a number of resorts along the way.

I don't know the exact ferry setup wint Patterson brothers these days. When I visited it was a there-and-back thing, overnighting on Ovalau, returning to Viti Levu in the morning. You can also arrange bus transport linked with ferry crossing.

I think many of your questions can be more easily answered once you are there. I realize you're in an information vacuum right now, but up-to-date details like exact schedules, travel options, etc can be picked up once you are there. Rest assured that it can all be easily done.

Photos of Ovalau, Levuka, Leleuvia

Thanks for your response! Very helpful.

I have had a look at Leleuvia Island Resort (http://www.owlfiji.com/leleuvia.htm). It looks very similar but as you say they definitely take dive trips and mention the snorkeling for basically the same rate.

I am wanting to go to ovalau to see the waterfalls and experience the fiji culture, thats why I liked the look of Silana Village on Ovalau although it seems a bit out of town. I will just visit Levuka on my way out to the port back to mainland.

What is the best way to book these places. I want to book before I go as I will only have 10 days in Fiji. Can I email them to book?

Thanks

I'd contact Ovalau Watersports first .. they're the operation behind the 'owlfiji' website. When I was in Levuka I booked my stay on Leleuvia island through them. They also book for Bobo's homestay etc. I'm sure if you contact them they will be able to help you out arranging the details of the trip.

By the way, don't underestimate Levuka as a place for Fiji culture.

One other thing: if your flight arrives early enough it might be possible to take an express bus direct from the airport to Suva. Any tourism office in the airport will give you details.

And if you want budget accom for an overnight stay in Suva, have a look at the South Seas private hotel. They have a couple of double rooms out back with private facilities. Other rooms in main building share showers.

10 days on Ovalau and surroundinq Islands can be easily split between Levuka, Silana or Bobo's Farm and Leleuvia or Caqalai.
Think of travel times, it's not just 5 minutes to the next place. Travel to Ovalau with Patterson Brothes bus/ferry, which leaves Suva most days at 12.30 pm spend some time in Levuka see the town, do some divinq - which is fantastic there, then continue either to Silana or Bobo's Farm and then to one of the Islands. Both Caqalai and Leleuvia offer daily transport directly to Viti Levu.
See also www.levukafiji.com

Thanks Oldpro and bulabear for that info.

I am flying in at 2.30 so will stay in nadi the night then take the bus to suva during the day then stay the night in suva.
Then will take the ferry to levuka. I will stay the night at marys cottage then 3 nights at silanas homestead then take the boat to Leleuvia, stay 2 nights there.
From there we will then take the boat straight back to suva. Depending what time the boat gets back I will if late stay in suva and take a bus to the airport in the morning, or if early take the bus to nadi and stay there the night.

Just wondering if this sounds to rushed to those who have done this travel before?
Thinking maybe I should just stay at marys cottage at ovalau for 3 nights then spend 3 nights at leleuvia? My purpose for staying at ovalau is to do a hike hence I think a base very close to town would be good.
I also like the look of Mavida Lodge although there are no reviews on it anywhere.

Thanks
Christie

I generally take things slow, but even for me this would not be too rushed. Although, I'd probably consider taking a flight somewhere in the itinerary to help speed things up. Suva-Ovalau flight take a full 15-20 minutes.

Be aware that the facilities at Mary's are exactly what the family themselves use. No concessions to the needs and expectations of foreigners on holiday (such as hot water). You'll get a good look at how local Fijians live. If this is too rough for you the Royal Hotel is quite a jump in quality but actually not too much more expensive.

If you're considering Epi's tour for your hike, you will likely have to register, and be picked up in the morning, at the Royal. So, one way or the other Levuka is a good base.

There will not be a boat straight back to Suva. From Leleuvia they bring you with an outboard motorboat to Viti Levu and up a river to the main highway. You're let off there and flag down a bus or some other vehicle going to Suva. It's not easy to predict the timing, since they leave when they're ready. The tide also has an influence on when they can easily leave.