Relaxing Time on a budget Fiji, Advice please

Hi

I've read about 5 pages of this forum but haven't really found the answer to my question so here goes:

Myself and my partner are about to book flights to Fiji for 5 days in early May, we are looking for somewhere to stay.

We want somewhere relaxing, with the only needs, half decent food, snorkelling and preferrably a bar (no i'm not an alcoholic but I was looking at 1 island and it seemed to be alcohol free and I fancy a few beers on my holiday)

Basiccly as this is a break from working we just want to stay at one location for the time, I have got it into my head that I want to stay on one of the little islands.

So could anyone reccomend anywhere to stay, shared accommodation is fine (dorm) but would prefer private for less than FJD$120 oer night for both of us!

Have been looking at Octopus which seems to get lots of good remarks.

Edited by: Cavafizz

If you're with a couple Octopus would be great (I wasn't 100% crazy about it being by myself though, as people kept very much to themselves compared to other places). Be prepared to spend a bit more on activities with them than at other places though, and to spend a bit more on the drinks there.

You may also want to look at Oarsmans Bay (more activities included and the ones that aren't are cheaper) and Manta Ray Island in the Yasawas.

Another option if you don't want to go to the Yasawas is Robinson Crusoe Island . Very awesome place, a bit more social than the others if you're interested in that. (More is also included... things like sunset cruises and snorkeling, night time entertainment).

Manta Ray and Robinson Crusoe are less 'couply' but both would still be nice for a couple to stay at.

There's no shortage of places that could probably fit the bill of what you're looking for.

As far as prices... I was paying for single dorm accomodation in early '07, so I'm not positive what they would be for what you're talking. But I'm guessing these places will fall in the right price range for you.

To save a bit of money... buy a few six packs of water at a grocery store on the main island and lug them out with you. People may look at you funny on the boat, but you'll save at least $1.50 (US) per bottle. They really mark it up on the islands where you have no choice but to drink bottled water and nowhere to buy it from but the hotel.

Thanks a lot Nicole

But you've just opened a whole new can of worms with Crusoe Island,

Before I read your reply I was planning on:

1st night stay in Nadi
2,3&4th Stay in a dorm at Mantaray

5th & 6th Night stay in a private Bure at Octopus.

But now i've just seen your checked out your Crusoe link and that looks really good with good prices.

what to do!!

Anyone anything to say about Crusoe?

haha sorry! I'll tell you, that I'm tempted to add Fiji to my upcoming RTW itenerary just to go back to Robinson Crusoe and to dive. I highly recommend doing some diving if you do stay at Manta Ray. The dive operator there is awesome. I did 2 discovery dives at Manta Ray and loved it so much that I went and got my open water certification with the same company at another backpacker resort that they worked out of (it has since been torn down for reconstruction). I don't know how the diving is with Octopus, Oarsmans, or Robinson Crusoe.

Anyway, a bit more about Robinson Crusoe...

I look back at it as the most "fun" I had during my month of hopping around in Fiji, and a year later it's the fondest memories. I may have 'relaxed' more at the other places. Octopus definitely has a prettier beach, and you could probably say that both Octopus and Manta Ray have better food and accomodation. But there was something really special about Robinson Crusoe... it was almost magical there to me....

I think a lot of it had to do with the people who own it and work there. They're not the same as the other resorts where you feel more like they're there to serve you. At Robinson Crusoe it's different... sure the staff is there to serve you, but they're the MORE to make sure you have fun, and they want to have fun with you. They really hang out with the guests and get to know you. They come out on the sunset cruise and play their guitars and sing American top-40 hits in Fijian accents. They take you "coconut hunting" and then teach you how to make jewlery with the coconuts. They show you how to go fishing "Fiji style." All of the resorts have kava ceremonies to welcome you, but at Robinson crusoe the staff will invite you to just hang out with them socially and drink Kava in a more authentic Fiji social environment. The staff was just amazing. The owners (a super awesome Australian couple) was too. I spent one night talking to them for like 4 hours. They were just great people. And because of the environment they create, everyone who stays there seems really happy and friendly and outgoing and welcoming too.

So if you want the perfect postcard beach, I'd go for the Octopus option. If you want the full package experience, go for Robinson Crusoe.

What time does your flight get in? If it's not too late you may be able to go out to Robinson Crusoe your first night, stay there three or four nights, and then get back to the mainland and go out to the Yasawas and stay at Octopus two or three nights. I can't remember the transport times (I went somewhere on the mainland for a few days between Robsinson Crusoe and the Yasawas, so I don't know if it's possible to make boat transfers doing it that way. But it may be worth checking out).

" I've read about 5 pages of this forum" - so....read some more. Or do a search on TT

Cheers Mandja. XX

is Robinson Crusoe easy to meet other travellers? I'm planning to go there by myself at the end of this month..

Yes, extremely easy. I was by myself and I met tons of people. I still keep in touch with some of them actually!

Edited by: NicoleSlaw