Fiji > Yasawa Islands

The Yasawa Islands are a group of islands in north-western Fiji.  Approximately 30 resorts are spread through the 12 major islands in the group.  Most resorts provide basic accommodation and meals with access to natural and cultural sites.

Islands

• Kuata
• Nacula
• Nanuya Lailai
• Nanuya Levu - also known as "Turtle Island"
• Naviti
• Tavewa
• Waya
• Waya Laitai
• Yaqeta
• Yasawa - airport

Get in

Awesome Adventures Fiji provides the Yasawa Flyer as the primary transport to and through the Yasawa Islands from Nadi.  Although local taxis can provide better value on short trips in good weather, the Flyer is your best bet for longer trips, like traveling to and from the Islands. 

Get around

If you came by the "yellow boat" (Yasawa Flyer), then it will pick you up on its daily run and take you to your next island.  If you have a 7, 14 or 21 day 'Bula Pass', this is included in your fare, otherwise, it can cost between $45 to $70 to go from one island to the next.  A local water taxi can provide a far cheaper means to transfer between islands, especially for shorter trips when the weather is reasonably clear.  Some resorts will pick you up from your current resort for free, otherwise rates tend to range from $5-$15.

See

The Yasawas are beautiful and unspoilt.  The best two natural activities are hiking (many of the islands have high hills that provide great views of all the nearby islands) and snorkeling or diving.

Do

• Snorkeling and diving are excellent.  Some islands even have spectacular snorkeling right off the beach.  Diving rates are cheap.  You can get certification if you need it.
• Most islands have good hiking, e.g. Wayalailai, where you can climb to the top to see the sun rise, or hike the length of the island and cross the spit to Waya.  Guides are available, or you can go alone.
• Almost all islands will have someone who can teach basket or bracelet weaving, using palm fronds and banana leaves.
• There are regular kava ceremonies on many islands.  Guests are invited to join.  On smaller and more intimate islands it would be rude to refuse.
• Go to church in one of the villages for the Sunday service.  The locals are welcoming, and you will be awed by their beautiful harmonious singing.
• 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.
• Various day trips are available, including the Cave Trip (diving through a tunnel 30cm down and 1.5 metre long to visit several underground caverns), the Blue Lagoon (not the real one, which is privately owned), and local trips such as fishing or snorkeling.  You can also do day trips on the island to visit local villages and schools.

Buy

Some islands have souvenirs but these are generally cheaper to buy on the mainland (e.g. in the streets and markets of Nadi).  The key souvenir you may like to buy is a local sulu for your resort.  Otherwise, your money is likely to be spent on drinks (water, beer or cocktails) and snacks (chips, biscuits, etc.).

The above data is courtesy of http://wikitravel.org/en/Yasawa_islands, last modified on 5 June 2007, and is based on work by David, Annemarie, Evan Prodromou, Jani Patokallio and Jez Arnold and Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel.  Content is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 1.0.  If you would like to view the original page or edit its content, feel free to visit http://wikitravel.org/en/Yasawa_islands.