A destination penned as a once in a lifetime trip by many, Fiji is a destination that should be high up on anyones bucket list! A magical place with pristine clear blue waters, luscious green forests and the friendliest locals around! Fiji has something for every type of traveller. Whether you're looking for a luxurious, laid back beach holiday, a budget, backpack around the islands or an action packed adventure. There's no doubt you will find a place for it all here. In fact, on our holiday we managed to pack a little of everything into our 2 weeks and we believe we have the perfect itinerary for you.

Who did we book with?

We did a LOT of research before booking our trip to Fiji as we knew we wanted to go to the Yasawa islands but had no idea which islands or how long to go for. We came across a holiday company called Awesome Adventures. They had options to book a ferry to the islands which is called the Bula Pass, which is a hop-on/hop-off pass that gives you access to the Yasawa Flyer - a high-speed catamaran. It takes you to all the resorts located in the Yasawa Islands and lets you travel at your own pace and have the flexibility to hop off and on as you like for 5 - 15 days.

They also offer package deals, which is the option that we chose! They have a number of different options, with packages ranging from 4-12 days. We chose the 7 day option which is called the Coconut Cruiser - which is exactly how we got our route. These packages include all travel, room rates, an activity on each island and also all your meals - easy! You can even choose between dorm rooms (budget) or private bures (luxury) - we chose dorms but actually ended up scoring upgrades to oceanfront bures on two out of the four islands!! I don't think we've ever felt so lucky!

Knowing that we had to be in Port Denarau for the ferry to the Yasawas, and also taking into account our budget - Nadi seemed to be the best starting place for us. Nadi beach is just 15 minutes away from the international airport and compared to other options in the more luxury areas like Denarau - accommodation is so much cheaper!

Where did we go?

• Day 1-3 - Nadi

• Day 3-4 - South Sea Island

• Day 4-6 - Blue Lagoon Beach Resort

• Day 6-8 - Mantaray Island

• Day 8-9 - Barefoot Manta Resort

• Day 9-10 - Barefoot Kuta Resort

• Day 10-14 - Nadi

Nadi, Fiji Mainland.

If you've been endlessly dreaming of coming to Fiji, Nadi is a city which you will most likely have heard of. It is the busiest tourist hub and is home to the international airport which most travellers will likely arrive in or transit through while visiting Fiji. Having said this, Nadi is not the typical Fiji holiday you'd expect. If you're expecting beautiful beaches, luxury hotels and expensive dinners, maybe Nadi isn't the place for you. Instead, Nadi presents an array of experiences from cultural to adventurous, while all being friendly on the bank balance.

Things to do:

• Take a local bus to the Nadi market

• Tour the Garden of the Sleeping Giant

• Soak in the Sabeto Mud Pools

• Get lively at the local bars

• Visit the Sivu Subramaniya Swamy Temple

• Zipline through the lush jungles

• Visit a Fijian Village

• Take a day trip to Denarau

• Day Trip to Tivua Island & Day trip to South Sea Island

• Day trips - Cloud 9 and Mamalama Beach Club!

Where did we stay?

• Smugglers Cove Beach Resort and Hotel - Private Double Room = US $41/ NZ $67

• Bamboo Backpackers Hostel - Private Double Room = US $30 / NZ$48

Out of the two hotels, we preferred Smugglers Cove. It had much more of a friendly vibe and with the bar/ restaurant right out on the beach, it had a bit more energy! The rooms were definitely much nicer as well, the air conditioning was great and the room was bright and clean. Whereas the rooms in Bamboo were very hit and miss. We had a couple of different rooms during our stay and some of them were pretty dark and dingy or the air conditioner left more to be desired - however when we're travelling on a budget we are pretty easy going! And at the price difference in both, we were happy enough to stay at Bamboo and save the extra few dollars to use on beers at the bars instead!

South Sea Island

The most popular day trip in Fiji, South Sea is a tiny island gem, only 30 minutes from Denarau within the Mamanuca islands. This was the time when we really began to feel the Fijian dream holiday! The crystal clear waters, endless coral reefs to explore and thousands of colourful of tropical fish surround the island. The best thing is, no one lives on the island - only you - the overnight guests! To our surprise, we were the only ones on the whole island after the day trippers left (bar of course a couple of staff), which meant we had the WHOLE island to ourselves. Can you imagine a better version of paradise than your own island for the night? But also, Castaway vibes anyone??

Things to do on this island:

• Free kayaks/ paddle boards and snorkels

• Underwater semi-submersible - explore the seas without the snorkel!

• Traditional Make performance from the Fijians

• Craft markets

• Learn to dive

• Swimming pool for guests

• Relax by the bar with a few cold beers

Blue Lagoon Beach Resort

Let me tell you about the ultimate tropical paradise – the Blue Lagoon Resort! This place is a total dream come true! Nestled amidst swaying palm trees and surrounded by crystal-clear turquoise waters, it's like stepping into a postcard. You'll feel like you're in your own slice of heaven as you sink your toes into the soft, powdery sand. The vibe here and throughout the Yasawas is super laid-back, so say goodbye to stress and hello to pure relaxation! The resort offers a range of comfy beachfront bungalows where you can wake up to the sound of gentle waves, or the more budget friendly option - a 8 bed dorm, which was the option we chose! Snorkeling in the lagoon is a must – you'll spot colorful fish and maybe even a friendly turtle or two! And guess what? The food is ah-mazing! Fresh tropical fruits, delicious seafood, and cocktails that scream "vacation!" One of my favourite lunches I had while I was there was a beetroot salad, trust me, I'm not a salad person AT ALL (this was actually the last lunch on the island and I was not feeling all that hungry which is why I chose it) but it was just perfection! I still think about that salad now! All in all, this was one of our favourites!

Things to do on the island:

• Island hopping! Sign up for a boat tour to explore nearby islands and soak in the beauty of Fiji's archipelago

• Visit the iconic Sawa-i-Lau Caves, where you can take a dip in their mystical underground pools and even swim under the water to a hidden cave!

• Beach volleyball / Soccer

• Paddle-boarding

• Take advantage of the inflatable slides on the water

• Do a hike to the top of the hill to see the views of the island

• Visit the village

• Cultural church and school visits

• Handling fishing tours

• Snorkelling in the lagoon

• Eat ALL the amazing food they have to offer

Mantaray Island

Picture this: a secluded haven surrounded by lush rainforest and fringed by white beaches. This place is a paradise for beach bums and ocean lovers alike! One of the main attractions of this island is right in its name. The manta-rays! Snorkeling alongside these gentle giants is an experience you'll cherish forever. The sheer size of them is something you don't expect! There's a bunch of different types of acccomodation on this island, from beachfront bures (that's Fijian for bungalows) to jungle bures to even tree house bures! They all blend in perfectly with the island vibe. We opted for the dorms again, where here it was actually a 32 bed dorm! That might sound daunting, but it was actually so nice and didn't seem as big as it was. All beds are in little squares of 4, so it felt pretty private and it was really clean! Plus, if travelling alone it makes it so easy to meet people! Mantaray has a great bar area too, which had some fun activities in the evenings and throughout the day!

Things to do on this island:

• Snorkelling with the giant manta rays is of course an absolute must-do here!

• If you're a certified diver, you're in luck! The island boasts some fantastic diving spots where you can explore vibrant coral reefs and encounter a variety of marine life, including reef sharks, turtles, and tropical fish

• Trek through the lush rainforest. You'll discover hidden waterfalls, panoramic viewpoints, and the island's natural beauty at its finest!

• Kayak the coastline of the island and the island just in front and meet the local goats!

• Visit "sunset beach" for sunset with a cocktail in hand

• Sunset Tubing with BYO alcohol!

• Visit the on site spa! Book in for a massage or any beauty treatment!

• Church and village visits

• Sport competitions on the beach

• Fijian cooking classes

• Crafts, learn how to weave and make a souvenir you can bring home!

Barefoot Manta Resort

This place is like a page straight out of a fairytale. Imagine sipping on coconuts and lazing in hammocks on the soft sandy beach while being surrounded by lush greenery and pristine waters. Ahh, talk about total bliss! To top it off, swimming with majestic manta rays right off the shore! Yep, you heard me right – these gentle giants are just a fliper's splash away. Snorkeling with them is like entering an underwater wonderland. Not to mention the beachfront bures that make you feel like you're living the island life in style! We had actually booked to stay in the dorms on this island too, but we got a free upgrade to the bures and wow, we felt like royalty! With our own hammock and view right onto the beach, and an open air shower and bathroom - it was paradise!. The staff here are super friendly, they welcome you with a song and even make you join in with them when you leave! There are a few younger volunteers who live here too, who are here to study the marine biology around the island. They are actively helping to plant new corals and protect the environment around them. Since the inception of Barefoot Manta Island Resort Fiji over 4000 square metres of coral has been planted by the Marine Conservation Centre. The centre's conservation programme extends to its resident Manta-ray population, it's an ongoing contributor to the Manta Ray Trust, a global organisation dedicated to research and the conservation of Fiji Manta Rays.

Things to do on the island:

• Again, the one thing you CANNOT miss is swimming with the majestic manta-rays! This is one of those moments you will never forget!

• The Marine Conservation Centre is open to houseguests where a free scheduled presentation is made daily. Houseguests can join a Marine Biology Tour including a guided snorkel or even take a Conservation Dive!

• Planting coral

• Snorkel around the island

• Kayaking and paddle-boarding

• Meet the resident parrot!

• Beach volleyball

• Pick up some souvenirs at the little market stalls

• Visit the sunset bar

Barefoot Kuta Resort

When it comes to experiencing the true wonders of nature, Barefoot Kuta Fiji has it all. Beyond the picturesque beaches and serene surroundings, this tropical paradise offers a unique encounter with some of the ocean's most majestic creatures – sharks. Don't worry; we're not talking about a scene from Jaws here. The waters surrounding Barefoot Kuta Fiji are home to various shark species, including the mesmerizing reef sharks. The resort organizes guided shark dives, allowing you to witness these magnificent creatures up close in their natural habitat. It's an adventure like no other, as you'll gain a newfound appreciation for these often-misunderstood creatures and their vital role in the ecosystem. Swimming alongside these graceful beings is an exhilarating and awe-inspiring experience that will leave you with memories to last a lifetime. So, if you're a thrill-seeker with a heart for marine life, Barefoot Kuta Fiji's shark encounters are a must-try for an unforgettable journey into the depths of the ocean.

• Catch epic waves at the renowned surf breaks surrounding the resort.

• Explore the vibrant underwater world and encounter colorful marine life.

• Embark on guided shark dives to witness majestic reef sharks up close.

• Take boat tours to nearby islands and discover their unique charms.

• Engage in friendly beach volleyball matches with other guests.

• Rejuvenate your mind and body with yoga sessions on the beach.

• Sail into the horizon and witness breathtaking sunsets over the ocean.

• Experience authentic Fijian culture with traditional dance performances.

• Enjoy a range of water activities, such as kayaking and paddleboarding.

• Explore the lush tropical landscape on guided hiking trails..

• Embark on boat excursions to spot playful dolphins in the wild.

• Learn the art of climbing coconut trees and enjoy fresh coconuts.

• Pamper yourself with rejuvenating massages and spa treatments.

• Experience the thrill of fishing in the clear waters of the Pacific.

• Enjoy romantic dinners on the beach under a starry sky.

If you're seeking the ultimate tropical getaway, look no further than Fiji and its enchanting Islands. This paradise on Earth boasts a myriad of reasons to pack your bags and embark on an unforgettable adventure. As you'll have seen through this blog, there really is something for everyone here. Whether you're an avid diver, a beach lover, or a culture enthusiast, a lover of water sports or a relax on the beach type. This island nation promises a one-of-a-kind journey filled with warmth, hospitality, and breathtaking natural beauty. So, don your sun hat, grab a cocktail and embrace the tranquil charm of Fiji and the Yasawa Islands, where every moment is bound to be a treasured memory in paradise.