Solo 2 nights in Fiji - best beach area to stay?

Hi Fiji folks. I'm visiting for the first time this April, only for 2 nights.

I've found some nice looking backpacker-price airbnbs (my budget is $50US or less) but I don't have a good sense of where the best beaches are and how long it takes to travel from Nadi Airport to anywhere. This is a 2 night stopover from Auckland to the US, after a 12 day trip, so I think I really would like to relax on a beach, but I do not like resorts (nor do I have the budget for one). Prefer local style, not picky about AC or anything (but a shower and a secure place) if I can swim. Hostels OK too but I prefer a private room.

It seems prudent to stay fairly close to Nadi, even on the main island, but if the beach is worth it and it's just a couple of hours and not much money, I'd go to one.

When I say "best beach" I mean clear and calm, nice for swimming or floating, snorkeling a plus but not required. Not lined with hotels or lots of tourists, prefer something with a local laid back feel. If you are familiar with Jamaica, I love Treasure Beach (this would be the type of place I'm looking for - community tourism, little crime, friendly folks, nice swimming options, easy to walk around) and Portland, do not like Montego Bay or Ocho Rios, lukewarm on Negril.

Help, please? I'm just getting started with research and hope you can give me some general ideas.

Thank you!

No really good beaches on the main island close to Nadi.
You should hop over to one of the nearby Mamanuca Islands (there aee several boats daily) and spend your time there.
Mana Island has the cheapest backpacker places.

the islands would be Ok, but it depends on your flight arrival and departure to get the transport, to and from the islands, the other place I think would be ok for you is Beach House, there are regular buses from the airport and the fare is cheap

Thank you both. After looking thru the LP guidebook I think I agree that islands are worth the trip. I only have 2 nights but arrive about 1PM, then a full day the next day, then don't fly out until about 9PM the third day. So I think that allows boat time.

I'm not sure about the dorm-room accommodations, prefer a private room and bath if possible, am finding several options.

It takes a lot more time/costs a lot more to go to the Yasawas rather than the Mamanucas? I found some neat places to stay in the Blue Lagoon area.

The Blue Lagoon area is really a bit too far with your time.
Waya might be OK, but to have most time actually on the island, I'd pick one of the Mamanucas. If you made a daytrip to Monoriki (where the Castaway movie was shot) on your full day, it would be no less (I'd say more) beautiful than the Blue Lagoon.

Thank you Laszlo. Can I do day trips there from Matanuca islands or only from mainland?

I can't find many islands that cost less than $120US round trip to get to (am I looking in the wrong places? South Seas and the yellow cat are what I am mainly seeing), seems like a day trip from a mainland base might make sense. I'd love to see some of the interior but I don't know if that's possible in this timeframe.

I did the daytrip from Mana where I was staying.
It is the cheapest island for backpackers in the Mamanucas, even though half of it is occupied by a luxury resort. The transfer there cost less than US$120 for sure.
I didn't book online though, but through the Nadi Downtown Backpackers.
I actually ended up in a (very basic) private room on Mana even though I paid for a dorm.

With your time, I'd recommend staying on the islands.
You don't really have time for the Viti Levu interior.

if you cant get to your island till the next day, and your flight arrives at 1pm you could go to beach house, be there in 90 minutes, enjoy the water that afternoon, and take the navua river trip the next day,https://www.tourismfiji.com/tours/great-sights-t3/navua-river.html waterfalls and interior country very beautiful and still have relax time on the last day before you return to Nadi for your flight. that will let you see some great country,

Sounds like I have to choose interior or island beaches. I think I'm going to want the beaches, after trekking all over NZ for 10 days (in fall). FWIW this is mid-April.

Few more questions -

Mana is the island with the fence between the fancy resort and the two backpacker places and village, is that right? Beaches good, have to wait for high tide, anything like that?

Old posts on TripA suggest flying on a seaplane is cheaper than this ferry, but company appears to be out of business or bought by Fiji Air (Pacific Sun). Is that right?

"Mana Flyer" is a somewhat cheaper boat transfer, smaller boats, but I think leave too early in the day for me, checking. South Seas is US$73 each way so something like Fiji$300 round trip. Seems high to me? Day trips are cheaper.

I will have a large wheeled suitcase and a backpack - for Fiji I'd like to just have the backpack. I see the airport in Nadi has inexpensive storage - anyone used it? It says secure. http://www.airportsfiji.com/lougagge_storage.php

Finally, I am seeing some deals with simple bure (shared bath) that are reasonably priced. But I'm seeing them on third party sites like hotels.com. I often avoid booking through those. Is it reasonable to contact a place directly and ask if they can meet that price? Web site prices are MUCH higher.

Yes, Mana is the one with the fence, but it's not too obvious unless you look for it and it's easy to cross between the two halves.
I found the resorts' beaches nicer than that in the backpackers area, but for what I remember, the beaches were swimable all day. However beaches reachable on daytrips from Mana were much nicer than those on Mana itself.
As for booking directly, it's always worth asking.

What were the nicer beaches you liked on the day trips?

I am finding this process pretty overwhelming. Several places look nice but then it's like putting together a puzzle of boat transfers, meal plans, getting to the boat dock etc etc. And wondering if weather will strand me on an island when i need to get to the airport.

I'm considering staying on the mainland and just doing a day trip to an island on that full day, for some reason it's cheaper than any hotel/backpacker transfers. Maybe explore the mainland a little on the first and last days. Some good airbnb reviews in the Nadi area.

But then I think I will prefer the island stay.

I like the Mamanucas being close (and 3 departures a day to them) but then I'm limited to dorms or way out of price range resorts, or the rare unicorn of a private room that's in budget. I'd really like to stay at or under $50 but I am not that into a dorm. Ratu Kini and Funky Fish are possibilities.

The 11 days traveling around New Zealand before this seem easy in comparison.

It's probably much easier than it sounds.
If advance planning overwhelms you, you could just book nothing and talk to the numerous travel agents at Nadi airport on arrival.
The 2 best beach outings from Mana were to Monoriki and the a sandbank much closer to Mana. The two should be possible to combine in one daytrip, too.
The Mamanucas have very dry climate compared to most of Fiji, and getting stranded there is unlikely.

If you plan to just stay around Nadi and look, there are really no beaches, or things to do, expect for the Hindu temple and the orchid gardens and mud pools, give Denarau a miss, black sand beaches and having to sit by a pool is not Fiji.

Thank you again.

I booked a (refundable) room at Ratu Kini, but just read Survivor will be filming there during that time and I won't be able to do any walking around at all.

Is there an upside to that? I'm not a fan of the show.

I have an offer from the AirBNB to get pickup and return in their (presumably small) family boat. Thinking hard about that one.

Travel agents at the airport? Good to know! And Momoriki sounds great.

Survivor filming on Mana?
A weird choice for them, the island isn't exactly wild.
Anyway, I presume you must still be able to walk between the various backpackers and the resort grounds, and use the beaches, which would be pretty much enough.
The daytrip to Monoriki would be the main attraction, make sure that's accessible.

Regarding the transfer, if the price difference is not huge, I'd take the regular shuttle boat rather than a Mana-based one anyway, as the regular boats loop around all the Mamanucas with a resort on them, making for an interesting cruise besides just getting you to and from Mana.

I also hang out on tripadvisor a bit. This is what I saw:

I already asked and get the reply from Mana Island Resort as follows;
Bula and thank you for your email.
Our Resort will be on Charter from 1March until 07July 2018 therefore, we will not be accepting any other bookings over this period.

Apparently they take over the Mana resort for filming.

And this reply from Ratu Kini Dive Resort;
During the filming, only the beach directly in front of the resort will be open.
So in this period is a very limited use of the island

Maybe you have a good sense of what I cannot do on the island? I already know Mana resort was off limits and fenced and all that. And if I went to Monoriki and snorkeling I might not care. That post suggests I can't go into the little town (such as it is) or the other backpacker place next door or any other beaches? I guess I can contact them to ask.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g308257-i10203-k10525771-Survivor_filming_on_mana-Mana_Island_Mamanuca_Islands.html#88679457

Point well taken on the boat. South Seas has a 3PM I should be able to catch.

To be honest, there's not much to do on Mana itself anyway.
It's a pity if the resort is off limits, but I find it hard to imagine that you couldn't walk between the backpackers places and the "village" engulfing them.
Anyway, if you can use the beach, and make the daytrip on your full day, combining it with the shuttle visiting all resort islands, this would still be a very satisfying 2 nights program.

Again, thank you. Am in touch with Ratu Kini now by email which is helpful.

So it's that or the homestay....which is also tempting.

I find I wish I had a lot more time!

stay on the mainland and book a day trip to the islands. packages include transfers from hotels & cruise. You dont even need to go out as far as Mana Island. Have a look at South Sea Island or Castaway Island. Castaway is a lovely place. Another option is Plantation Island resort on Malolo Lailai island. All closer than Mana Island. Easy to do a couple of day trips as well.

I have reserved Ratu Kini and Funky Fish - both are cancellable up to about a month before. Cost is about the same. Accommodations about the same. Transfer costs about the same (though a little more complicated with FF, big boat to a different resort then little boat).

Why?

Mainly the concern about Mana/Survivor. The island that FF is on - Malolo - is bigger, and not guarded by TV security...there's even a mountain hike. The beaches look similar though I've read FF's is very tidal.

I looked at day tripping from a mainland base but these just seems like the best deal for what I want to do.

I will need to decide between the two at some point and I welcome any thoughts on that.

If still thinking of the Monoriki daytrip, it's much closer from Mana.
I also found Malolo a rather ugly island overall, with poor beaches.
I normally like bigger islands with hikes, but Malolo was just unappealing.
If wishing for something bigger, I'd rather go to Waya in the Yasawas.

The Mamanucas have the best beaches, but it can be difficult and expensive to get around and you may not want to be stuck in one place for long. People often overlook the Coral Coast thinking it will be too 'touristy' but it doesn't have to be as those staying in the big resorts tend to stay within the property, leaving the rest of the coast to locals and independent travellers ;) If you are looking for more of a 'party' or social vibe, then I would second the idea of the Beach House on the Coral Coast. If you want somewhere quiet and very laid-back and self-catering, then there are the Tubakula Beach Bungalows. The Coral Coast is only about an hour's drive from Nadi, and being on the mainland, you are free to move around easily by public bus or running taxis.

Hi all - thanks for the last couple of replies.

I cancelled Funky Fish and kept Ratu Kini (private bungalow). I should make the South Seas ferry to and from in the afternoons, so I think I'm all set. Hope to do a boat trip somewhere on the full day but if not I'm OK just chilling.

Will be coming off 12 days running around in NZ so probably will be ready to just relax.

Will take a look at the Coral Coast to see if that fits the bill too.

Oh wow. I am liking the look of Beachouse. Looks like I can book trips out to the island or interior too.

Seems there are a number of places that are less $$ in that area.

The Beachhouse would be a good choice, you can get the bus from the airport, I know their food and coffee is good, I've eaten there more than once

I'm thinking. Right now I have two reservations, Ratu Kini and Beachouse. Same price, both include breakfast, similar rooms. Ratu Kini requires SSC boat RT which is $260FJ. I can get a bus to Beachouse for like $20FJ RT.

That's a $240FJ difference.

I go to the Beachouse the day I arrive (a Wednesday at 1PM) and hang there. Taking the public bus saves me a lot of $ and accommodation is about the same as the beachfront bure I had booked at Ratu Kini.

I spend my only full day (Thursday) in the interior rafting or whatever and hanging out at Beachouse, maybe snorkeling.

I check out of Beachouse and do a day trip to one of the Mamanuca Islands or Cloud Nine, getting back to Nadi in time for my flight out Friday at 9PM.

Basically I could stay at Beachouse and use the savings to do an interior trip AND a daytrip to an island. And still get to the airport before 7pm (I assume i have to be there 2+ hours early?).

Any other "coral coast" hotels you guys would choose? Some are cheaper than Beachouse but still have decent reviews - Mango Bay, Namuka Bay (also closer to Nadi). These are about $110FJ per night.

Sigatoka sand dunes worth doing?

PS: I REALLY appreciate your opinions and willingness to offer them!!

mango bay is a way off the road, not sure of Namuka, but looks the same

Thank you - I will stay with Beachouse.

A little confused on the "Express Local Bus" (as opposed to "Stage Bus") situation.

Do I need to buy a Vodaphone card to use for the bus, they no longer take cash? I was told that, but not by Beachouse.

Any way to find out how much I need to get and which bus is better to take? It seems like there are multiple companies.

Beachouse page is helpful but doesn't address the payment thing: http://fijibeachouse.com/getting-there/

I used to travel with Pacific, but there are others eg sunset , they will say Suva, they all pull in to the same place it was near domestic, not sure about the ticket system, they had a ticket seller at the stop, the bus make a stop at Sigatoka, if you get off the bus there for the toilet or a snack, you will often find that someone has taken your seat, I sometimes asked another passenger to mind my seat for me. Sit on the side with the two seats.

Again, many thanks!!

Update/Report. I went late because of Cyclone Keni, a few days later and 3 nights not 2. Had to cancel Beachouse and they didn't have a room for the new dates.

My budget was not backpacker dorm-small, but I wanted to spend about $100US a day or so. I traveled solo, just 3 nights in FJ on my way home from NZ, just this week. I looked at islands (so pretty!), didn't look at Denarau (families, golf, no real beach, $$$), settled on the Coral Coast. as a nice compromise.

There I found very nice snorkeling and kayaking, swimming at high tide (my hotel, Bedarra also had a pool). I liked Bedarra because I could walk to other places to eat and drink if i wanted to, it was a great deal (like half off on Agoda, TA and the other booking sites), I had a fridge, balcony, my own coffee setup, AC, very comfy. I just reviewed it on TA so you can read that if you like. I ate there a lot because it was delicious and not too $$. Super attentive and helpful staff.

I took the express bus from the airport to there (AC, a movie, only about 3 stops, took an hour or so and just $7FJ compared to taxi was like $170fj or something).

I also took the local "Coastal" bus into Sigatoka for about $1FJ. Slow, but fun, that local one. I'd have ridden more with more time, just to see stuff and chat with people. Great market in Sigatoka with all the fresh fruit and veggies you could want, Roti for $1FJ, many restaurants with all kinds of food and price points. I visited the Tavuni Hill Fort just outside Sigatoka. Meant to take the bus there too but I think the driver misunderstood me and said they weren't going until morning - anyway I negotiated a taxi up and he waited for me as well. When I got there the folks running the fort told me they do a transfer from Sigatoka for $10FJ each way, and that's what I paid the taxi, so all good. Anyway it's $15FJ for a guided tour and it was just me and a woman who runs the place. Neat history and amazing mountain and river views.

Every hotel has a tour desk but most didn't suit my budget so I did more on my own. I did do an island day trip (South Seas) and am really glad I didn't decide to stay on an island (I'd have been stir crazy - less so at a bigger resort but still), but it was really fun for an afternoon. Snorkeled in deeper water than I had at Bedarra, kayaked, lunch, drinks all in, with a nice boat ride there and back.

My hotel was small - 16 rooms maybe? so everyone gathered for happy hour and I joined people for dinner every night. Staff super friendly and happy to help me figure out buses and such. Live music every evening , a chill acoustic trio doing mostly Fijian music, but some pop too.

With more time I'd have gone into the interior more, there are mountains and waterfalls and such, many on tours (jet boat, whitewater rafting, etc) but some just casual walks - the backpacker places seemed to offer more like that ($10FJ to do a local waterfall with a hotel employee sort of thing).

I also found bookme (web site) when I was in NZ - discounts on tours. If you book a few days out many are half price. I did the island day for $100FJ, and a tour in NZ for about 1/3 off.

With all of it I think I spent $450US total for about 4 days (3 nights). Tours, drinks, meals, SIM card for my phone, Vodaphone card for the buses, everything. Not backpacker but I was eating terrific seafood for dinner every night and having wine at happy hour and all that. If I could have stayed longer I'd have dialed it back, but I found things in Fiji to be generally inexpensive. With a friend to split the room of course that would have been better. My room was gigantic.

I'll blog this eventually and post the link when I do with pics and stuff. Any questions feel free to ask. ANd thanks for all the helpful advice I received here.

Ohliz, nice to get feedback

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