Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020

Vanuatu, Fiji or Whitsundays? for a young couple who want to have fun!

Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea

Hi,

i'm hoping to book a holiday for my bf and i, after the end of October. We are in our early 20s (if this helps).
We are looking for a place with:
- Nice accomodation (4+ stars)
- Lots of water activities
- A few dining options
- Easy to get around
- Party at night
- Nice beaches
- Not way too overly expensive

Would Fiji Islands (eg. Mana Island, with a day trip to Beachcomber island), Vanuatu or the an island in the Whitsundays be the most suitable?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thankyou

I went to the whitsundays over easter break with my boyfriend and it was just really expensive and the jellyfish made it undesirable to swim. We are going to Fiji and hoping for nice weather this time of year and better beaches. It should be much cheaper too. I would recommend Fiji for sure.

1

Hi, Fiji without a doubt is what you are looking for. Mainland not so nice except for maybe Denerau Island and Coral Coast (drive about 50 minutes from airport). Denerau is full of nice resorts but beach not so nice there (great pools though!) plenty of choices to eat for all tastes and (most) budgets. Coral Coast, nicer beaches (not as good as the islands!) but tend to be stuck at the resort you staying at which not always a bad thing as have activities etc.
Vanuatu great beaches, water and adventure, volcanoes on outer Islands etc, still very unspoilt and basic in areas - people great and friendly as they are in Fiji too. Whitsundays great spot also but Fiji is what you are looking for!
Cheers

2

Yes, Fiji.

Vanuatu is not really for partying and you'd meet few young travelers there.

3

#1 said they "went to the Whitsundays". But there are many islands, and all are for different groups of people. Which Islands are you talking about #1?

4

Thankyou, I really appreciate the detailed replies. I think we'll stick to going to a Fiji Island then!

5

I'm not sure where this mythical place of partying is on Fiji. Even at the backpacker places aimed toward young travelers, the night scene was quite tame. Granted, I was only on the main island and the Yasawas, so maybe people party on the outer islands :P.

6

ASFAIK Beachcomber in the Mamanucas is the main party spot.

7

Mango Bay Resort in Fiji (on th Coral Coast) is freakin awesome!!! It is perfect for what you are looking for, we stayed there last year looking for the same things you are after. Rooms range from $40 a night for dorm accom up to $280 for an oeacn front bure (like right on the sand and they are gorgeous! with under the stars showers) They have heaps of good tours, fishing trips and things to do. We loved the fact that we could sit there and drink cocktails (fairly cheap food and drinks) and do nothing or get involved in the many daily activities they have planned for you to do. The staff treat you like you are part of the family , even the Manager addressed us all by name after the 2nd day.
I am currently planning our 2nd trip there for next year... CANT WAIT!!!

http://www.mangobayresortfiji.com/

Their website kinda doesnt do the place justice but its worth a look.

8

They showed the party island in the Whitsundays on Australian television last night. If you want to party, go to South Molle.

9

That Mango Resort looks very nice but very comercial.
I am doing a RTW trip with my girl friend arriving in Fiji for a week in Feb 2011. So doing the ocean front bure for a night or two and then the dorms seems a really nice idea. I can't help but feel that from looking at the bar pics etc. it looks like a paradise setting turned into a commercial sleazy resort. What is the feel like there #8? Am i getting the wrong impression from the website?

10