Mamanuca & Yasawa Islands

Offshore island groups off Nadi, for island-hopping on the yellow catamaran, staying in overwater bures, snorkeling with manta rays and having a drink on a floating platform at sea.

The Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands lie west of Fiji's main island, Viti Levu, and are two groups of islands off Nadi. The Mamanucas lie about 10–40 km from Denarau Marina and consist of around 20 small islands, with dense resorts and easy transport; the Yasawas stretch about 80 km north from the Mamanucas, and on this chain of volcanic islands traditional Fijian villages remain, making it wilder and quieter. The climate is tropical maritime: May–October is the cooler dry season, with mostly sunny days and calm seas, and is also the season for swimming with manta rays around Drawaqa Island; November–April is hot, humid and rainy with occasional tropical cyclones, and prices are lower, but surf conditions are best from April to October. Ways to explore fall into three types: first, a speedboat day trip to Castaway Island or Malamala Beach Club, or to the "Cloud 9" floating platform for drinks and snorkeling; second, choose one or two islands and stay 3–5 nights, enjoying an overwater or beach bure, snorkeling, kayaking and sunset cruises, such as on Castaway Island, Mana Island, Tokoriki Island or Vomo Island; third, buy a Bula Pass and take the yellow Yasawa Flyer north from island to island, experiencing in turn the Waya Island hike, reef shark snorkeling at Kuata Island, the Drawaqa manta rays, the Blue Lagoon and the Sawa-i-Lau limestone cave. Getting there: fly into Nadi International Airport (NAN), about 20 minutes to Denarau Marina, then take a South Sea Cruises or Yasawa Flyer catamaran; seaplanes and helicopters are also available. We suggest staying 5–8 days. Notes: food and drink on most islands are charged separately, so bring enough cash; when visiting villages, wear clothing that covers the knees, take off your hat, and bring kava root as a gift (sevusevu); the last return boats often leave in the afternoon.

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