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Loading ...Fiji Budget Travel: Relax, You’re on Fiji Time
Destination: Yasawa Islands, Fiji
Time: 7 Days, 6 Nights
Cost (w/o airfare): $496.28
Total Cost (including airfare) / (9 June 2008 to 17 June 2008):
- New York to Nadi: $1452 USD total cost: $1951.50 USD
- Miami to Nadi: $1462 USD total cost: $1961.50 USD
- Los Angeles to Nadi: $1124 USD total cost: $1623.50 USD
- London to Nadi: $1676 USD total cost: $2175.50 USD
- Sydney to Nadi: $1034.40 USD total cost: $1533.90 USD
Description: Bula! A 7 days, 6 nights getaway to the beautiful, crystal blue waters of the Yasawa Islands of Fiji is relaxing while including a diverse number of activities to keep you busy such as snorkeling the famous Blue Lagoon, exploring underwater caves, hiking to island summits to catch the beautiful island sunrises or sunsets, visiting neighboring villages to experience the Fijian culture. If these activities are too tiresome, try napping in the hammocks strung between the palm trees and remember that you are on “Fiji Time” because in Fiji time stands still and laziness is encouraged.
Itinerary:
- Day 1: Arrive in Nadi, pronounced NAN-di (flights typically arrive in the early morning) on Wednesday the 11 of June and take the free transfer on the Awesome Adventures bus to Denarau Marina where the Yasawa Flyer catamaran departs daily at 8.30. Awesome Adventures offers a 7 day Bula Pass for “unlimited island hopping” aboard the Yasawa Flyer. The Pass is valid for one return journey to the many islands of the Yasawas and then hops between islands for 7 consecutive days starting the first day it is used. You will be welcomed with a loud “BULA!” at the Coral View Resort on the island of Tavewa around 1.30 where they will serve you afternoon tea. Spend the rest of the afternoon playing beach volleyball, snorkeling or lounging in a hammock before dinner.
$175 for the 7 day Bula Pass, $3 food aboard Yasawa flyer, $35 accommodation including meals and afternoon tea, 2.50 Fiji Bitter beer - Day 2: After your included breakfast, prepare for a trip to the Sawailau caves. Joe’s Water Taxi will take you to the island where the underwater caves are located. Once inside the cave you jump into the main pool of water and swim underwater into a dark, hidden cave. Luckily the guides have flashlights and lead the way. You maneuver the labyrinth of underwater caves with the group in the pitch black while never knowing how deep the pools actually are and listening to the guide tell their stories of what used to live in the water. Upon returning to Coral View Resort rent snorkel gear and after lunch sign up for a water taxi to take you to the famous Blue Lagoon for an afternoon of snorkeling. After dinner, your host Joe will welcome all the new guests and then be prepared for some traditional Fijian dancing. As the night comes to an end the staff will gather to sing the Fijian farewell song Isa Lei and you’ll wish you don’t have to go.
$13 Sawailau cave trip, $13 Blue Lagoon snorkel trip, $10 rental of snorkel gear, $35 accommodation and meals, $2.50 Fiji Bitter beer - Day 3: Following breakfast, follow the trail and take a short hike up to the island summit for spectacular views of the surrounding islands. Be sure to be back to the resort in time to pack and check out and eat lunch before transferring out to the Yasawa Flyer around 1.30 (remember, you’re on Fiji time so the boat may be earlier or later) in order to head over to Waya Island’s Octopus Resort situated on eh white sandy beaches of Likuliku Bay. Arriving around 3.15, check in to your room before heading to a sulu tying lesson. A sulu is a traditional Fijian sarong worn by both men and women which can be tied and worn several different ways. After the lesson, the friendly staff will teach you the Octopus Bula Dance which will be performed at Friday night’s Meke. The Meke is a cultural show which includes singing and dancing and like anywhere in Fiji the staff encourages participation.
$25 accommodation, $33 Octopus Resort meals, $2.50 Fiji Bitter beer - Day 4: Enjoy several of the resort’s free activities or read a book in the sun while waiting for the big yellow catamaran to arrive around 3.15. The Yasawa Flyer will provide you a quick transfer to the neighboring island of Waya Sewa where you will be welcomed by Big Jerry at Waya LaiLai Ecohaven Resort. After checking in, take advantage of the free use of snorkel gear the resort provides and go for a quick swim before dinner. Saturday nights are Fijian Nite in which dinner is prepared in the underground lovo and no eating utensils are provided. Before dinner, Big Jerry and his staff perform a traditional kava ceremony. If you haven’t tried kava yet, this is your chance! After dinner, be sure to check out the stars of the Southern hemisphere!
$26 accommodation and meals, $2.50 Fiji Bitter beer - Day 5: If enough people are willing, staff will organize a guided sunrise summit walk to the top of Waya Sewa’s highest peak, Vatuvula or Giant Wobbling Rock. This begins before the sun rises, so be sure to bring your flashlight as the trail is rocky. From the top of Vatuvula, you are rewarded with fantastic views of the southern half of the Yasawa Island chain as well as the Mamanuca Islands. On the way back to the resort, the guide will point out several rock formations such as Gorilla Head Rock and the Three Sisters as well as many plants including three types of banana and tapioca plants. After breakfast sign up for the Reef Snorkeling trip – a 20 minute boat ride towards the mainland where you can swim with the “friendly” reef sharks. Yes, sharks! But don’t worry because Big Jerry says they are vegetarians. Upon return ask Big Jerry for a Coconut Demonstration where he will show you how the Fijians used to husk and break a coconut (this involves the teeth and a karate chop) compared to how it is currently done. Don’t forget to bring your camera! After lunch the women hold weaving lessons. For $3 they will teach you how to weave a bracelet, bookmark or ring which makes for a great souvenir! Later that afternoon, sign up to go on the Village visit where you can visit the school, church and walk across the sand bridge to the neighboring island of Kuata. The village visit will include another chance to drink kava so if you didn’t get enough the first time you can try it again here!
$6 summit hike, $13 reef snorkeling, $3 weaving lesson, $8 village visit, $26 accommodation and meals, $2.50 Fiji Bitter beer - Day 6: After yesterday’s busy day, take advantage of the sun and the hammocks and experience Fiji Time. The Yasawa Flyer will arrive around 3.45 to transport you back to Denarau Marina which will take approximately 2 hours. At the marina, collect your luggage and hop on one of the free bus transfers to the Nadi Bay Hotel. Once there, check in before dinner and drinks in the hotel’s restaurant. If you’re not too tired, try walking down the street to Ed’s Bar to experience some of the Fijian nightlife.
$18 accommodation, $9 dinner and beverage - Day 7: Following breakfast, take a taxi into the city center and explore the shops and markets. Be sure to also visit the colorful Sri Siva Subrahmaniya Swami Temple. The temple is reported to be the largest and best example of its kind in the South Pacific. Be advised that admission is free, but officials will try and charge you. Also note that shoulders and knees must be covered (a sulu comes in handy for situations such as this) and shoes must be removed at the entrance. After checking out the town, head back to the hotel for a quick dip in the pool to cool off before preparing to go to the airport.
$13 taxi into and out of city central, $15 meals, $8 taxi to airport
Notes: Please be aware that there are no ATMs on the resort islands and the resorts do not accept credit cards. Even if you prebook your transportation and accommodation, be sure to bring Fijian currency with you to pay for activities, drinks and snacks and budget accordingly because if you run out, you may miss out on many fun activities. There is an ANZ bank open 24 hours daily near the baggage claim at the airport or you can use the ATM at Denarau Marina.
Also, please note that while this itinerary was compiled for those on a budget, SCUBA diving is offered at each of the resorts with several different options for tanks or introductory lessons for those wanting to learn.
The airfare for Sydney rather highly priced. This is due to scheduling in order to make it consistent with the other cities. Most flights arrive in Nadi about 5:45 in the morning, however due to Australia’s close proximity to Fiji flights can arrive any time of day. Therefore it would be more cost effective to arrange the least expensive flight possible and stay at the Nadi Bay Hotel the night before beginning this itinerary.
The snorkeling is awesome; don’t forget to bring an underwater camera or two from home as prices on the islands can be high!
More Information: For more information on Fiji or to book your Bula Pass and accommodation, visit the following websites:
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