Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020

Which island Mamanucas??

Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea

Hi,

My wife and I are going to Fiji for 15 days. We have two maybe three nights to stay somewhere on the Mamanucas so I can get to dive the Supermarket and other dive sites around but aren't too sure where to stay as a lot look well over priced or tacky and full of young backpackers. We're late 20's looking for somewhere chilled out with clean accommodation and a friendly atmosphere. It's the week before my birthday so I might be inclined to have a few quiet drinks and we're up for meeting and chatting to others while we do it. Can anyone recommend anywhere??

Also we have 4 nights booked at Octopus resort, but we plan to go farther up afterwards. A friend has recommended Nacula island and I've seen Oarsmans recommended on Thorn Tree. Can anyone recommend any places??

P.S. Is there internet access on the islands and roughly how much??

Many thanks, safe travels,

Carl

Would recommend Matamanoa,Island Resort, excellent dive operation and good atmosphere. Dive Master we had has now left but but hopefully his replacement is as good.
Probably the best snorkelling right off the beach as well.
Have been to most of the Mamanucas and they are all different.

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I skipped by the Mamanucas (I'm a small resort person) but had a great time in the Yasawas. Octopus is my favourite place to stay ever! Oarsmans was nice, though they did charge for drinking water (Octopus have free filtered water available) and food portions weren't so big. If your budget will stretch to Nanuya island resort, it looked great! If you are a diver, go out with Westside water sports on Nanuya Lailai (they will pick you up from Oarsmans). Mani in particular is a great DM/ instructor. Freddie on Octopus took us to some good sites too.

Octopus has internet access. Not sure of the price- not ridiculous.

If you are happy with basics go to Seaspray on Nanuya Lailai. Traditional Fijian bures! Cold water showers, basic but clean and comfy, friendly hosts and great food. You can walk over the island to reasonable snorkelling on the Blue Lagoon. Best snorkelling and another nice place to stay was Manaray (Nanuya Balavu). Veers between pleasantly quiet and party central but has the best snorkelling I've ever done. Nice accomodation too. Dive sites not so good though. Depending on when you're going, the rays might be around- snorkelling with them is amazing!

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Octopus was great. If there on Sunday, check out the church service in the village. For diving, check out Kandavu and Taviuni. The islands are connected by 2 airlines.

For once in a life time experiences try shark diving with Beqa Adventure Divers in Pacific Harbor. Worth every penny.

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We went to Octopus and Oarsmans. Wouldn't go back to Oarsmans - dirty toilets, bad food but nice beach and outrageous snorkling! Octopus was totally amazing, we went back early as we figured it couldn't be beaten. Amazing place! And we caught a Sailfish there and gave it to the village! Would go back in a flash!

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