What to see / Where to go/stay in Fiji (Apr 2013)

Hi everyone,

Myself and my partner are going to Fiji next March/April for a family wedding. Plans so far;
4 days & nights in Denaru (Mon - Thurs)
3 days & nights in Castaway Island for the wedding (Fri - Sun)
7 days & 6 nights to be planned (Mon - Sun)
final night in an airport hotel in Nadi (Sun eve)
Fly out at 9.55am Monday.

So, we need to decide what do do for a week. We were thinking of splitting it between a more expensive luxury type resort (thinking Lomani, Tokoriki or Navatu Stars, if anyone has any opinions on any of those?) and then a few days in a different part of the island chain perhaps nearer to Yasawa islands to try to see as much as we can....

I'd appreciate if anyone can help with the following questions;

1. How easy is it to get between islands? I've looked at the South Sea Ferry and the Yasawa Flyer and the timetable seems rather limited. What other options are there for getting around and how expensive are they?

2. Is there any specific place in Fiji we should plan to visit/stay at? You know, the type that we would regret not having seen if we miss it? i.e. which islands are the most beautiful/unique, or are they much of a muchness - i.e. is it even worth spending an entire day of our trip getting up to the Yasawas, or when we get there will we find the islands look the same and the islands lower down (around Malolo etc)

3. Is there a specific island/area that is spectaular for snorkelling/diving?

4. Am I right in assuming we really need to stay in Nadi on the final night as if we stayed on an island we would most likely miss our 9.55am flight?

Thanks for all and any advice! We're looking to create the best trip we can as we'll probably only be in Fiji once, so if anyone has any other tips or things they would recommend we do/visit I would appreciate all comments!

Thanks
Jess
x

You can easily spend the 7days/6 nights on an island of the Yasawas. I can recommend Octopus Resort on Waya Island. You can check them out on tripadvisor. Beautiful beach, good house reef, loads of activities to choose from, including a dive school, and excellent food.

You can go there with the Yasawa Flyer, but they offer their own transport to get there as well. It takes an hour and a half by boat and they do pick ups by van from your accommodation on the mainland for US$ 84 (one way).

Take a Blue Lagoon Cruise along the Yasawa Islands.
7 days if it suits the timetable, otherwise a 3 or 4 day one.

Cheers,
Peter

yep head up to the yasawas - you'll need to get a boat from castaway early in the morning to beachcomber island and the yasawa flyer will pick you up - i love oarsmans bay lodge on nacula island - the last island in the yasawas - btw castaway has some great snorkelling - is a lovely upmarket resort - enjoy

btw castaway to me is more upmarket than lomani (although it is child free) and much better beach and snorkelling - if the conditions are good you might want to stay at castaway a few extra nights. As far as getting back for a 9.55am flight - you'd have to arrange a v ery early boat to get you back to denaru (or a seaplane or helicopter)- it can be done - malolo lai lai (musket cove and Lomani resorts) has an airstrip on it - castaway has a helipad - suppose it all depends on money.......it can buy you anything!

You should definately do a cruise to see the real Fiji. Captain Cook Cruises also do 3, 4 & 7 night itineraries departing from Port Denarau. www.captaincook.com.fj
Diving & snorkelling - 1 or 2 a day and visits to the local school and village are some of the highlights on all itineraries. There are also Discovery cruises to the northern islands of Fiji if you really want to get off the beaten track, departing the first Tues of each month.

have you thought about maybe something completely different and going sea kayaking for the time you have not planned yet?
Southern Sea Ventures do great trips.....email ssv@southernseaventures.com for their dates for 2013.
If you want to experience 'real' fiji then there is a simple home stay on Nacula island (pronounced nathula) at Navotua village. Waterfront Bure with double bed, mozzie net, separate shower and loo, catering by the villagers, only $40FJD per night. Ph Ben on +6799613610 for bookings.

I would recommend that you head straight to Nacula Island in Fiji. This is the most pristine and spectacular island / beach. Mololo is commercial and does not compare. If you can afford it, arrange for Turtle Islands seaplane to pick you up at Castaway and take you straight to Turtle Island (25-30 min flight). From here, depending on if you choose to stay at Oarsmans Bay Lodge (2 star) or Blue Lagoon Beach Resort (4 star), their boat will pick you up and take you around to the next bay where they are (10-15 min boat ride).

Both of these resorts offer half day trips to the famous Blue Lagoon (from the 1970s movie). Note - the beachfront of Oarsmans and BLBR (which are next to each other) was also in the film. You can also visit Sawa-i-lau caves, do open ocean snorkelling, hike up the island mountain for spectacular views over the Yasawa chain and see the coral reefs, play sand volleyball, visit the local school and village, attend a Sunday church service and meet the local villagers, go snorkelling directly of the beach. The beach has a coral shelf on the left side which you can follow out for about 400m, low lying coral on the right and a sandy beach section in the middle. It is filled with an abundant amount of fish. I also saw 3 manta rays last August. Diving is also on offer. You will see and do a lot in 7 days if you stay on this island.

Octopus Resort is the sister resort to BLBR. The main difference is the beach. Octopus is tidal and has a lot of coral. The only area that is sandy is the boat channel. This is why Octopus has a pool - for low tide. The beach in front of BLBR and Oarsmans is non-tidal and allows for all day swimming. This is rare in Fiji. Most island resort beachfronts are tidal.

Whatever you choose - happy travel!