{"id":5343,"date":"2016-10-12T04:28:16","date_gmt":"2016-10-12T04:28:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/myculturecraving.com\/?p=5343"},"modified":"2023-02-13T18:13:46","modified_gmt":"2023-02-13T18:13:46","slug":"a-guide-to-the-islands-of-fiji","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lydiagiles.com\/a-guide-to-the-islands-of-fiji","title":{"rendered":"A Guide to the Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands in Fiji"},"content":{"rendered":"

I can now confirm that Fiji is as idyllic, relaxing and picture perfect as it appears in the pictures on Google.<\/p>\n

I have spent the past 3 weeks exploring eight of the Yasawa and Mamanuca Islands just off of the coast of Viti Levu (the main island) with Awesome Adventures Fiji<\/a> and would now consider myself a professional beached whale.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Whilst planning my trip, I had no idea which islands I should prioritize and which ones I could give a miss. In the end, it all came down to what I could afford. Accommodation in Fiji varies from backpacker basic (which is still very pricey) all the way up to lavish luxury and tends to include three meals a day.<\/p>\n

So, to help anyone else who is thinking of going on a backpacking trip around Fiji, I’ve put together this guide to the islands and resorts I visited, to help you decide which islands will suit your trip best.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Nacula Island – Homestay at Nacula Village – 2 nights<\/h2>\n

Nacula Island is situated at the very top of the Yasawa chain (around 5 1\/2 hours from the main island) so, is a great place to start your trip.<\/p>\n

Encompassed by powder white beaches, scenic swaying palms and its biggest selling point – a vibrant blue lagoon, Nacula boasts fab snorkelling and water so clear and blue it will make you gasp.<\/p>\n

During my time on the island, I stayed at a homestay in one of the local villages. Therefore, I did not get a chance to check out any of the resorts recommended by Awesome Adventures.<\/p>\n

However, if they are as jaw-dropping as the beach they’re situated on, I would definitely recommend them.<\/p>\n

Drinkable water available for free? Yes<\/strong>
\nWifi available? No<\/strong>
\nFree activities available? Yes<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Matacawalevu Island – Long Beach Resort <\/a>– 2 nights<\/h2>\n

Next, I headed towards Long Beach Resort’s private slice of paradise on Matacawalevu Island.<\/p>\n

This resort has basic dorms as well as, private seafront bures (this is what Fijian’s call huts) and is peppered in palm trees, hidden hammocks and two beaches. Although the facilities aren’t luxurious, the friendly and attentive staff and activities they provide more than make up for it.<\/p>\n

On this island you can visit the blue lagoon, go trekking, learn how to make jewellery out of a coconut, go spear fishing at night, watch a coconut demonstration, snorkel and of course, relax on the beach\u00a0– all before setting up camp next to a bonfire to play card games, guess riddles and stargaze.<\/p>\n

This resort is a great family feel place to stay however, the accommodation and food is basic so, don’t expect wifi, all-day electricity, squishy beds or air con.<\/p>\n

Drinkable water available for free? Yes<\/strong>
\n Wifi available? No<\/strong>
\n Free activities available? Yes<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Naviti Island – White Sandy Beach<\/a> – 2 nights<\/h2>\n

From its name, you could probably guess that this resort has a white, sandy, beach. However, it also offers very clean, comfortable dorm rooms, kind, friendly staff and an array of activities to get involved in.<\/p>\n

Due to this resort being on a lot of the package stops, I met a great group of people to spend my time with. Here, you can take a trip to swim with the manta rays (season dependant). However, there is a risk you may pay to go on the trip and not see any (whereas, if you stay at Barefoot Manta or Manta Ray Island Resort they will only take you out when they’ve spotted them). You can also go on village visits, snorkel and craft (to name a few).<\/p>\n

The food was good and the beach was beaut however, the water there wasn’t drinkable, which did rack up the price of the stay.<\/p>\n

Drinkable water available for free? No<\/strong>
\n Wifi available? Yes<\/strong>
\n Free activities available? No<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Drawaqa Island – Barefoot Manta – 2 nights<\/h2>\n

Barefoot Manta was my first taste of real luxury on this trip. Offering three pristine beaches with bright azure waters (sunrise, sunset and manta ray beach), lavish bure dorms overlooking the ocean and delicious a la carte food, I was very impressed by this resort’s facilities.<\/p>\n

I would recommend Barefoot Manta to any backpackers who are looking to treat themselves to a bit more luxury than the usual bog standard hostels or, to couples and families.<\/p>\n

This resort is also where the Vinaka volunteer project is based.<\/p>\n

Drinkable water available for free? Yes<\/strong>
\n Wifi available? Yes<\/strong>
\n Free activities available? Yes<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Wayalailai Island – Naqalia Lodge<\/a> – 3 nights<\/h2>\n

Every island I visited in Fiji gave me the warmest of welcomes. However, Naqalia Lodge had something that little bit extra special.<\/p>\n

Nestled in the foothills of Wayalailai’s lush mountains, each member of Naqalia’s staff knew every guest’s name and would constantly be chatting away to different people to check they were having a good time.<\/p>\n

The guitar was always being played, kava ceremonies were always in full swing and group dance sessions were compulsory every night.<\/p>\n

There was also an enjoyable sunset hike, crafting and the treacherous shark swimming trip, which could be done from the island.<\/p>\n

Drinkable water available for free? Yes<\/strong>
\n Wifi available? Yes<\/strong>
\n Free activities available? Yes<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Kuata Island – Barefoot Kuata – 2 nights<\/h2>\n

Situated across the water from Naqalia Lodge, Barefoot Kuata is the sister resort to Barefoot Manta and was as superb as expected. I stayed in a glamping tent\/dorm, which opened up right onto the beach and boasted its own deck and hammock (perfect for lazing with a good book).<\/p>\n

Along with the great room facilities, the resort also had three swimming pools overlooking the rugged mountains of Wayalailai, a cool bar area (with free wifi), volleyball court, diving school, delish food and fantastic snorkelling (this reef area is protected from fishing).<\/p>\n

You can also swim with sharks from this resort however, it is $10 more expensive than Naqalia.<\/p>\n

Drinkable water available for free? Yes<\/strong>
\n Wifi available? Yes<\/strong>
\n Free activities available? No<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Bounty Island – Bounty Island Resort<\/a> – 2 nights<\/h2>\n

Bounty Island was the first island I visited in the Mamanucas. It was the flattest and smallest island I’d visited meaning, I was able to walk its circumference in around 20 minutes – how cool is that!?<\/p>\n

The main selling point of this island however, is its turtle sanctuary. Home to an abundance of Hawksbill turtles, Bounty hatch and raise these cuties to give them a better chance of survival in the wild. You can feed them each afternoon and help clean their shells every couple of days.<\/p>\n

The dorm accommodation at this resort is very basic nevertheless, the food was one of the best I had throughout my whole trip. I’d recommend visiting this island as one of your first stops from the main island as the scenery just gets better and better as you go up.<\/p>\n

Drinkable water available for free? Yes<\/strong>
\n Wifi available? Yes<\/strong>
\n Free activities available? Yes<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Mana Island – Ratu Kini – 2 nights<\/h2>\n

The final island I visited on my Fiji adventure was Mana.<\/p>\n

Being the set where the well-known programme, Survivor was filmed, there is no denying that Mana Island is an idyllic spot. Ratu Kini (where I stayed) offers a very popular dive store where you can get your PADI diving certificate and is also the only accommodation where I didn’t have to pay for a meal plan (wooop).<\/p>\n

I would recommend this island to people who are on a tight budget or, don’t have a lot of time and just want to pop out to an island close by for a spot of TLC and to get a taste of island life.<\/p>\n

Drinkable water available for free? No<\/strong>
\n Wifi available? Yes<\/strong>
\n Free activities available? No<\/strong><\/p>\n

Have you ever visited the Mamanuca and\/or Yasawa Islands? Which islands\/resorts would you add to this list?<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I can now confirm that Fiji is as idyllic, relaxing and picture perfect as it appears in the pictures on Google. I have spent the past 3 weeks exploring eight of the Yasawa and Mamanuca Islands just off of the coast of Viti Levu (the main island) with Awesome Adventures Fiji and would now consider myself a professional beached whale.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5347,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[55,68,69,130,158,216],"tags":[282,284,290,661,746,856,1392],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lydiagiles.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5343"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lydiagiles.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lydiagiles.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lydiagiles.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lydiagiles.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5343"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/lydiagiles.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5343\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17384,"href":"https:\/\/lydiagiles.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5343\/revisions\/17384"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lydiagiles.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5347"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lydiagiles.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5343"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lydiagiles.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5343"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lydiagiles.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5343"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}