Authentic Fiji on a budget?

Hey guys and girls, its my first post here in the thorntree forums so be gentle with me!
Basically me and my girlfriend are going on a gap year and we're heading to Fiji for a month in Feb/March time and wanted as much advice as we can gain. We're looking to spend our time losing ourselves in palm fringed beaches and snorkelling in coral sea's. Now being a realist I know this is not necessarily going to be the feasible because of our extreme lack of budget and the unpredictable Fijian wet season, but we want to get as close to the 'paradise island' situation as we can. I was just wandering how realistic it is, and if so where to go and where to stay. Now budget wise, its the last leg of our trip so im guessing we'll be pretty poor, so extreme budget/camping is what I had in mind.
Is there any accommodation out there which is cheap and near a quality snorkelling beach with genuine Fijian culture. Or am i asking to much? Any piece of advice/opinion would be grateful!

"Is there any accommodation out there which is cheap and near a quality snorkelling beach with genuine Fijian culture."

Yes!

"Or am i asking to much?"

No. All you have to do is get off the beaten track

You'll have to get off the main island to find the nicer beaches. Check out Ovalau and little islands near it, and maybe Taveuni. Yasawas are good, but not sure your budget can handle the transport, etc. But, worth checking into, same with the Mamanucas.

Some sandy areas on the main island along the coral coast, but it varies a lot over a short distance.

The touristy/beachy places won't usually have "genuine Fijian culture", you'll have to mix it up a bit to get both good beaches and some culture.

Since you have a month, pick out one place to spend the first few days, maybe near Nadi, that's in your budget range. Half or more of the people staying there will be on their way home, and they can give some good info on places they've been etc. that might be what you would find interesting.

Edited by: Raro

www.levukafiji.com - check there for the islands of Caqalai, Leleuvia and Lost islands. Those 3 are probably the cheapest options in Fiji. And beautiful.