Many coves have walls of corals preventing larger boats from entering. Travel forums for Yasawa Islands. Boats can be chartered at any resort, and different locations feature various sights (manta rays, sunken ships, sharks). Plan your visit to The Mamanucas and Yasawa Islands, Fiji: find out where to go and what to do in The Mamanucas and Yasawa Islands with Rough Guides. Beef is quite expensive in Fiji and you are not likely to see it very often. Hiking any of the islands to beautiful lookout points will often provide great views of all the nearby islands, though guides are often necessary and the terrain is often challenging. I participated in a few ceremonies while I was on the islands, and I found it made me sleep better. Some islands have souvenirs but these are generally cheaper to buy on the mainland (e.g. I spent $640 FJD ($293 USD) to get. I thought I would be able to get the normal pacific air flight from Nadi which I've done to the Mamanuca islands, but it seems it doesnt go to Yasawa island?. You can arrange private transfers with the hotels and resorts, however, the best way to travel to the Yasawa Islands from Denarau Port is to jump on the Yasawa Flyer. 2,345 forum posts. The Yasawa Islands are a chain of islands in north-western Fiji. The island is home to 6 villages, which is surprising for its size. You can also charter a small boat, especially if you are near a village, to any of the islands or the mainland. At some resorts, both a dorm and luxury bungalow may be on the same property. On average, 3-star hotels in Yasawa Islands cost $253 per night, and 4-star hotels in Yasawa Islands are $244 per night. Depending on the island you’re staying on, the Yasawas are approximately a 2-to-4-hour trip from the neighboring Mamanuca Islands. Travel to Yasawa in style, arriving at Nanuya Lailai Island's pristine white sandy beaches and amazing crystal clear waters that boast some of the best snorkeling opportunities in the region. If you like fish, please be sure to let the locals (especially the chef) know - they often think people prefer chicken. Pay attention to announcements, as there may be multiple stops for one island to visit different resorts. One caveat: local boats are slower and have been known to run out of fuel and never carry oars, so don't take local boats if such surprises would ruin your holiday (but if slow, reactive responses to problems is going to frustrate you, Fiji is probably not your ideal holiday location - Fiji time!). | Yasawa, the 22-km-long, northernmost island in the group, has six small villages and the fabulous, five-star Yasawa Island Resort. For the more economical option, Awesome Adventures Fiji [4] runs the Yasawa Flyer catamaran service, featuring a three-floor boat. The Nadi international airport is the largest travel hub in Fiji. Wayalailai or Kuata Natural Resort where you can climb to the top to see the sunrise/sunset, or hike the length of the island and cross the spit to Waya. Most resorts have a bar and some form of night activity (dancing, international night, singing, etc.). Cold/luke warm showers are the norm at many places, which is fine during the days (usually quite warm). Bottled water is recommended in the Yasawa Islands. How much does it cost to stay at a hotel in Yasawa Islands? If there are Cities and Other destinations listed, they may not all be at usable status or there may not be a valid regional structure and a "Get in" section describing all of the typical ways to get here. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. Picture perfect beaches with palm trees complete the image that most visitors envision of Fiji. You can combine a flight and car; a hotel, car and flight; or a hotel and car. Go to church in one of the villages for the Sunday service. On smaller and more intimate islands it would be rude to refuse. TaiMarilyn. I recommend the, Giving Back: Please Check Out These Social Impact Organizations, Work from Home Gift Guide: 21 Amazing Gifts for Remote Workers, Top 5 Things to See and Do in the Yasawa Islands, Backpacking the Yasawa Islands Suggested Budgets, Yasawa Islands Travel Guide: Money Saving Tips, Yasawa Islands Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources, Yasawa Islands Travel Guide: Suggested Reading, My Must Have Guides for Traveling to the Yasawa Islands, Yasawa Islands Travel Guide: Related Articles, Kava in the Blood: A Personal & Political Memoir from the Heart of Fiji, Conquering Mountains: The Guide to Solo Female Travel, The 20 Best Tropical Islands in the World, 1 pair of jeans (heavy and not easily dried, but I like them; a good alternative is khaki pants), 8 pairs of socks (I always end up losing half), 7 pairs of boxer shorts (I’m not a briefs guy! Unless travelling in the peak tourist season, its very unlikely you'll need to make plans in advance. Although the ubiquitous "Bula!" Find all the transport options for your trip from Nadi to Yasawa Islands right here. to give them a sense of what they can do. Diving rates are cheap. Text is available under [http://wikitravel.org/shared/Copyleft Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0] images are available under [http://wikitravel.org/shared/How_to_re-use_Wikitravel_guides various licenses], see each image for details. Tickets may be purchased online, through the Awesome Adventures' offices (including Nadi Airport arrivals hall), or through many travel desks around Nadi or at hotel tour desks. Surprisingly for a cruise, an all-inclusive cruise with Captain Cook Cruises around the Yasawas Islands actually do… The ferry departs every morning and stops at various islands. Many are located in small villages that share the same islands as resorts, and offer an extremely slow-paced, genuine taste of Fijian life, with villagers often approachable and happy to show glimpses of their life. These fares include a pickup from your hotel in Nadi. The islands are rugged, secluded and blessed with beautiful sandy beaches. The key souvenir you may like to buy is a local sulu for that resort. Copyright © 2018 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Water supplies are generally from rain (off corrugated roofs), springs or imported from the mainland. These times of year are the slowest with tourists. These islands were created by volcanic activity that took place millions of years ago. Up until about five years ago, many areas in Fiji dynamited their coral to sell to aquariums, so there are large patches of dead coral with the occasional patch of life. Most islands will have an array of accomodations, from upscale resort detached bungalows with private bathrooms, to budget accommodations, such as a dorm or bure (thatched hut). Matayalevu, Wayasewa Island, and Kuata are popular with other travelers visiting Yasawa Islands. Prices vary on distance, but fuel can be incredibly costly for islanders. Yasawa Islands. in the streets and markets of Nadi). It is often valuable to say what you *can* eat (e.g. Snorkelling and Diving are among the best in the world, and remain the activities of choice on these islands. The average high during this season is between 94.4°F (34.7°C) and 88.4°F (31.3°C). Featured. The catamaran calls in at the individual islands and resorts in the archipelago before returning to Denarau by 6 PM the same day. The most popular Fiji island hopping destinations are found in the western islands of Mamanuca and Yasawa, with daily fast ferry services and a well developed but … Guests are invited to join. Search. Most of the food grown on the islands ends up on your plate at night. To travel in between islands, you have the option of seaplanes or the popular Yasawa Flyer as detailed above. You can get certification if you need it. About the Yasawa Islands. Places to stay Arguably the most beautiful area of the Fiji archipelago, the Mamanuca and the Yasawa Islands stretch to the northwest of Nadi, Fiji’s capital and international airport. You won't find a better way to explore the greater Yasawa Island region than from the comfort of your own rental car. Africa. Yasawa was the smallest of all the islands I visited and also the most laid back. . In contrast to the rocky landscape, they are bordered by the most beautiful coral reefs. Yasawa Islands Tourism Yasawa Islands Hotels ... Get answers to your questions about Yasawa Islands . This region travel guide to Yasawa Islands is an outline and may need more content. Kava kava is a root that has extremely calming effects when ingested (it’s a mild sedative). Always ask around before you book, especially with the resort you are travelling to (that wants your business more than the one you've just paid for). Guides are available, or you can go alone. You can visit these two separate caves through an organized tour. It is also where you can find some of Fiji's most beautiful beaches. Buy supplies like alcohol or cookies in mainland if you are short on budget but be aware that a lot of resorts don't allow you to drink your own liquor whilst on the island. There are no major attractions on the islands besides the awe-inspiring sunrises and sunsets. Kava is traditionally drunk in a welcome ceremony. What’s the best backpack for traveling around the Yasawa Islands? (th-ola). For a long time, the Yasawa islands were not accessible to tourists, but that time has passed. Usually this concludes at a reasonable hour and people continue to talk quietly and drink until they go to bed (many resorts tend to wind down by 10 or 11pm). The Yasawa Islands can be accessed by air via Nadi Airport or sea via Port Denarau or Lautoka. This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Ask the locals to take you through their plantation and show you the bananas, papaya, mangoes, breadfruit, casava and other fruits and vegetables growing for your eating pleasure. Bundling your bookings into a Yasawa Island vacation package will save you some serious money. Explore Yasawa holidays and discover the best time and places to visit. Manta Ray Island Resort and Barefoot Island Resort offers special snorkeling trips to see manta rays when they are passing a shallow passage between islands (May-October). The Yasawa Islands are dotted with small resorts and position themselves as the choice for backpackers and flashpackers. Search Lonely Planet. A local water taxi can provide cheaper means to transfer between islands, especially for shorter trips when the weather is reasonably clear. Discuss Yasawa Islands travel with Tripadvisor travelers. Located in northwestern Fiji, the Yasawa Islands are one of the country’s most popular archipelago, especially among budget travelers. http://www.nomadicmatt.com/ - Budget travel tips and advice on how to travel the Yasawa Islands, Fiji without spending a lot of money. However, there are an increasing number of marine sanctuaries and even coral farming that are bringing the coral (and accompanying sea life) back. At some locations, a much more festive spirit is felt, and if the dorm/bures are anywhere near the main bure, sleeping may prove difficult. Please plunge forward and help i Central America. Rome2rio is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. English backpackers will be happy to hear that beer (Fiji Bitter or Fiji Gold F$5-6 per can) is in plentiful supply, and most resorts will also provide other forms of alcohol including cocktails ($F10-18 depending on resort and cocktail). From the Southernmost island to the Northernmost island: Local Seaplane operators such as Turtle Airways [1], Pacific Island Air [2] or Island Hoppers [3] offer the quickest and most convenient way to get to the Yasawa Islands from Nadi. The resort’s luxury bungalows are hidden among the palm trees. The Yasawa Islands are located in northwest Fiji and make up one of the most popular regions in the country, especially among budget travelers. Many coves have walls of corals preventing larger boats from entering. Sleep is also affected by the nightlife of the resort. Visitors to Yasawa can experience the real Fiji with remote accommodations providing the perfect escape for an exclusive retreat on one of the most remote and unspoiled islands in the spectacular sparkling blue ocean waters. This archipelago covering approximately 135 square kilometres offers a beautiful landscape of mountains encircled by reefs, lagoons and golden sands. 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