Affordable activities/tours - Coral Coast - Fiji (Detailed directions)

Hi Everyone

Being that I visit Fiji around 4 times each year I have managed to clock up some hours there and have found some really good activities to do on the Coral Coast which dont always get advertised.

So though other fellow travellers would like the heads up on whats on offer in the area and how to get there or arrange it.

Hope this is helpful to you all.

Being that I am a single mum and have travelled to many different places, I know and understand what it means to have to stick to a budget when on holidays. Boring I know but necessary for us. During my travels I have learnt to seek out what I call little gems that are fun and within most peoples budget. They are not always advertised but for me to recommend them they have to be
1. Affordable or value for money
2. Be supporting the locals and not rich investors taking advantage of poorer locals
3. Fun and or unique

I have fallen in love with the Coral Coast and now base myself there every time I visit Fiji which is several times per year. I dont claim to be an expert but I will do everything I can to make this as accurate as possible to assist those who choose to holiday there.

Please also dont feel that I dont support commercialised tours,,, I do,,, but if there is a cheaper way of seeing places or more genuine experience on offer,, then I take it.

Most people come to Fiji to swim and snorkel in its beautiful waters, so with that in mind I will make that my first suggestions.

1. Snorkelling - Over previous years the locals on the Coral Coast have not done a lot ot protect their marine life and Coral. The Coral Coast is called that for a reason and there is lots of spots to explore however on my last trip I found a very special place that is preserving the coral and the locals have been planting baby coral over the past 7 years or so. Its quite beautiful. Actually overwhelming is the word that comes to mind. Loads of hugh coral, big clams and lots and lots of nemo's and other weird and wonder creatures :-).... its called the Marine Protected Area (MPA). The MPA is at Votua Village. No tours are authorised to bring tourists, only qualified locals are allowed to take out tourists as they are serious about protecting what they have rebuilt.
Nothing is advertised as locals dont have the money to do so but if you give Fabi a call on +6796530064 she will organise a local to take you out,,,, its only a short swim from shore.
Please please please remember DO NOT STAND on the coral, tread water when adjusting masks otherwise if the coral is damaged, the locals will stop taking us guests to this special place.
Cost - Ask at booking as the prices change for individuals or groups etc

Fabi is Italian and along side her Fijian husband they run a lovely bamboo cafe called Eco Cafe at Votua Village.

2. Swimming - There are lots of spots where you can just park and swim the hours away. Just drive along the coast till you find what appeals to you. During low tide the Coral Coast is not the best for swimming in a lot of places.... but the best spot of all for swimming if you are looking for wide open spaces, beautiful white sand beach with loads of shady areas to cool off then Natadola Beach is for you.
Its in between Nadi and Sigatoka. And its signed on the main road where you turn off. The Intercontinental is facing the beach so if you get lost head their way...
This beach is a great beach to take a picnic as well.
Cost- on the cost of transport to get there

3. Waterfall visit - This was a lovely little find. I had seen advertised waterfall tours but on my last trip I asked the tour desk where we stayed if there was a cheaper option and there was.
The waterfall on the coral coast belongs to a village called Biausevu Village. The local tours go here as well. You can get a taxi there or drive but you will need to make your own way there. They dont offer pick up transport. (will give directions at the end)
You can walk to the waterfall but you will have to hire a guide to take you up.
The local land owner is Boro, he offers horseriding up to the waterfall as a option. We did it and it was loads of fun and very relaxing. I am not experienced on horses and I enjoyed it. The horseride up took around 35 minutes and the horses were walking. Because we were on the horses we didnt have to walk through the stream dodging big slippery rocks, the horses did it for us. Along the way Boro let us stop and take pictures. You are going through a rainforest so its a photographers delight. The water is crystal clear and the creek is magical and has many lovely secluded rock pools. Once you arrive at the waterfall you feel like you are in a lost land.
There is a large natural waterfall pool perfect for swimming. Some people climb the rock ledge and jump into the pool... Since our last visit they have built a smaller rock pool for children and there is plenty of area to walk around and explore. The village has now built wooden tables and chairs for guests to use.
Boro is offering lovo lunches at the waterfall. We discovered this on our first trip and couldnt stay so went back a second time to just experience the lovo. It was really lovely. It was cooked up at the waterfall. I have had a few authentic lovos now and this was definately up there as one of the best. We had chicken and fish and root crop vegetables, not sure what they were called but it was all very delicious and Boro and his mate Saka were great company making our day lots of fun.
On the way back we were invited to his house. He has called it The Wild Boar. And he has a lovely basic fijian home and he offered us some tea and fruit... We were already so full but we enjoyed seeing his place and his kids were delightful.
He has told me that he has a website coming. www.thewildboarfiji.com but he is not personally organising it himself and told me that his wife is setting it up.
His email address is www.thewildboarfiji@yahoo.com
His phone number is +6798344164 and he answers most time. Dont expect much of a text response as I know they find it expensive to text to overseas mobiles.

Cost - $10 FJD entry fee to the waterfall - this money supports the village, I believe young children are free
Horseriding - $20 FJD per adult $15 per child
Lovo lunch - $30 per adult - children 10 or younger get it half price.

You need to book the lovo lunch and I would advise that you book the horses as well. I saw he had 4 saddled up ready to go last time.

Directions to Biausevu Village

You need to get yourself to Korolevu village. Once you are there its not hard to find.
Korolevu is located mid Coral Coast. There is a petrol station and a very old unused airport tower from the 70's thats above the old shops. Inbetween the two is a unsealed road heading inland. Get onto this road and continue on till you reach the village at the end of the road (5 kilometres or so). First trip we did the road was not bad,, second trip it suffered abit after the cyclone but its been graded and was pretty good in a standard car. Korolevu is a few kilometres Nadi side from the Warwick resort. Stop and any local will point you in the right direction.

Hot Springs

The hot springs are located inland around 45 minutes walk from the Naviti Resort. The locals have built a rock pool from the hot springs and its surrounded by beautiful green bamboo. Its a nice experience to go and and enjoy. Its hot to visit during the day but really lovely late afternoon early evening. We walked back in the dark and had a torch,,, it was fun and something different to do.
I didnt take the resort tour (typical me) but when I was at Fabi and Dangs Eco Cafe I let them know my interest in visiting the hot springs. So they organised it and took me there for a fee. It was great going with them. Dangs stopped and got us a coconut, cracked it open and we got to eat fresh coconut, he talked to us about the many uses bamboo has especially with cooking and he told us how they cook fish and coconut juice in bamboo. We stopped at their café on the way home to see this way of cooking and we were not disappointed, quite impressed in fact and the food was delicious. Even though Fabi is Italian she has lived in Fiji for many years and cooks great Fijian food. Something not easy to find. They are a delightful family and the worth the stop. I don’t go to Fiji now without stopping and catching up

As above,, their number is +6796530064. If they cant do it,, they will organise someone who can.

Pottery Village

The pottery Village is located inland from Sigatoka Town. You will need to get their by taxi or hire car.
The pottery village was a nice morning out. Once you drive into the village, park anywhere that is convenient. Someone will greet you and drum the lai lai drum advising other villagers tourists are here.
You will be shown around the village by a lady and its a great opportunity to see a real fijian village and see how basic some of the villages are. We got to see the chiefs house but he didnt come out and greet us. Then we were taken to the area where they show us how they make pottery. They describe how they dig for the clay and show you how they prepare the clay. You get to sit and watch them as they make something out of clay. My daughter was invited to sit with the children and make something as the women did their magic. Once finished they show you how they bake the clay in the earth ovens. Then they show you how the sap/wax from the trees glazes the hot clay turning it into pottery. Once the display is over they invite you to partake in a Kava Ceremony. We were mostly entertained by the village women as most of the men would have been at work. Once the kava ceremony was complete, the women dressed in coconut skirts and danced traditional dances using grass weaved fans while singing fijian songs. For me this was the highlight. Their voices are out of this world.
Once all is over you are asked for a donation only. There is not set price and you give what you can afford.
Then the women sit around on the matts sitting in front of pottery objects they have made. You are welcome to browse and shop. We shopped and donated and it was a worthwhile as all money goes directly to the village and the ladies family from whom you buy your wares.
Theres is also traditional fijian bures in the village made from grass and bamboo. No one lives in them anymore but you are welcome to wander through and take photos.

Price - Donation only - Please ensure you have small change as some tourists didnt and it caused a hassle for them to try and change the larger notes.

Directions.
Head to Sigatoka town. There is a river running along side the town, find the road that runs along the river on the shops side of town. Head inland on this road till you find the small sign pointing to the pottery village,, not far and the road is fine for a standard car. The village is on your left hand side. Its not well signed but we kept asking locals and they kept pointing down the road till we found it... Only about a 5 - 10 min drive from Sigatoka town.
There is only one round about in Sigatoka and its right beside the bridge. On this round about you turn heading inland, this is the road that runs along the river and the shops,, stay on this road till you see the sign.

Sigatoka Sand Dunes

I have only visited here once. I took the advice of Fabi and Dangs and let them take me late afternoon.. thankgod I did...It was a hot day and the opening hours here are 8.00am – 4.00 pm. My personal opinion is that during the warmer months it wouldnt be possible to enjoy the sand dunes during these hours. I went in November and it was hot and the climb is fairly steep, but well worth it. I paid for them to take me and we went around 4.30pm on the southern end of the dunes and the view was spectacular. The coast extends as far as the eye can see, turn around and you have the view of the country side. These sands dunes seem to just pop out of no where and they are massive. We sat and enjoyed the sunset. Take drinks you will need it.... The wind picked up as it was getting dark and I got some great photos of the sun setting and the wind making ripples on the dunes.
Worth the climb

Tavuni Hill Fort
You will need to go through Sigatoka town heading towards Suva and just past the bridge you see a sign and will need to turn right. Head out of town till you see the sign. Now you need to keep an eye out on your right hand side as you need to make a sharp turn right at the turn off heading up the hill. I had to ask a person or two but I am hopeless with signs and spotting them.
I love the drive along the river, photographers will enjoy also and the hill fort is interesting.

Cost was $15 per adult when I was there some time ago

Sigatoka Markets

This is a great spot to go and people watch if you want to see the real Fijian way of life. Costs nothing, unless of course you buy something. You will learn what food the locals eat. Don’t be afraid to ask the vendor how you can use the food they sell in cooking. They are more than happy to suggest recipes etc. A photographers delight, especially when dear old women and sound asleep under the cement tables in stinking heat with no fans etc..

Your children will be adored, you will be greeted with big smiles and lots of Bula greetings but don’t be afraid to say a firm no to Indian sellers who are being a tad pushy.

This list is getting abit long so I should finish it off now. There are lots of other things to do but they are easy to find with a google search etc. Some of the things I have listed above are not advertised so they are great opportunities to go and enjoy the company of locals who are more than happy to share their piece of paradise

Enjoy :-)

Woops,,, typo error,,, the Tavuni Hill fort is on the left hand side,,, keep an eye out on the left.....silly me :-)

Wow,thanks!

I bet a I could fill half a camera memory card at those markets !

Hi Thebirchadventure great trip advice!

ummmm...we are a family of 4 who always 'backpack' or aka budget independent travel but have mainly been to SEAsia....I have been to Fiji before but was work related and all expenses paid......I like the ideas above with 2 kids 9 and 6 years....but was hoping you might say where you like to stay? I like the look of the Beachhouse....but dont want to be 'in the way' with the younger crowd.....any ideas are appreciated!

As this is our first family Fiji adventure...we are loosley planning to cirle Viti Levu and maybe hop to an island on the side for some of the swimming pool perfect water for a coupel of days of nothing at the end. I dont like crowds and prefer kids to be able to play with the local kids than in a forced kids club style. Is it easy enough to just buy bus tickets etc on spur of moment..and to get budget accomodation? (looking at late April to June next year for approx 3 weeks - will depend on ticket)
Thanks for the dream material ;)

also...sorry this is my virgin Thorn Tree post lol, forgot to ask if it is worth popping to Levuka...can you snorkel off the beach there? I lust for places like Savusavu also...how hard is the ferry travel ..dont want to lug 2 green kids around ;)

Hi everyone

We travelled to Fiji in October and it was lovely and relaxing trip. People are very friendly. We followed your advice for cheaper options and contacted Boro for our horse riding waterfall visit. It was amassing. They welcomed us with the kava ceremony and showed us their customs and life in the village. The nature is magical, although I was not so brave to swim in the cold waterfall pool.
Highly recommended for travelers to Fiji.

I think that Thebirchadventure is actually another name for The Wild Boar. When I was in Fiji 2 weeks ago based on the recommendations from the thorn tree I booked a tour with them. After confirming my emails and phone calls the day before from the hotel we drove the 3 hours up to horse ride with this company. Upon our arrival we were told they had given our horses away as they thought it was us even though they had (as it transpired in the resulting conversation) different names and were staying in a different hotel. We were then made to feel very uncomfortable and "Boro" was very aggressive and unfriendly towards us. The worst experience I had in Fiji.

However I must say that the Beach House is great - had a fantastic time there and they can organise horse-riding there without the agro. The people working there are so lovely it was a pleasure to be around them.

I decided to book a tour to Biausevu waterfall after reading this topic, and I must say that me and my 3 friends were really disappointed by Boro's attitude and villagers in general.

We felt very uncomfortable during the Kava ceremony, because the men sitting with us were obviously making fun of us in Fijian... After the village tour, we were asked to pay the tour (105$ per person in total for the village tour, horse riding, waterfall and lovo lunch). And 5 minutes later, we were told that the horses were sick. We asked for a discount (20$ per person) but even if we had a strong argument with the guide, and then Boro, we never had our money back.

I strongly disrecommend to do this tour, as it seems that Boro tries to scam tourists as much as he can. This is a pity because the nature is wonderful there...