A three-and-a-half-hour flight from Australia’s East coast transports travellers to one of the Pacific’s most noteworthy countries. Comprised of three hundred islands, Fiji has no shortage of veritable holiday options. However, it was the paradisiac appeal of the Yasawa Island group that captured my attention. With a $300 return fare to Brisbane, getting to paradise had never been more appealing. After all, if it was good enough for Brooke Shields and Christopher Atkins in The Blue Lagoon, then who was I to scoff at the opportunity to go? Here's how I got there and spent my time visiting the Yasawa Islands.
Getting to the Yasawa’s
Stretching north-west off Fiji’s west coast is the Yasawa Island group. Comprised of twenty volcanic islands, there are multiple options for the diverse preferences among global travellers when selecting the perfect residence in unadulterated surrounds. Close to Nadi, getting to any of the islands is simple: travellers can take the ferry, or soar above the turquoise waters in a sea plane. Prices vary significantly between the two modes of transport, so weigh up options before deciding.
The sea-faring Yasawa Flyer leaves Nadi’s Port Denarau daily, and weaves its way through the dazzling waters of the Mamanuca Island group before stopping at each island of the Yasawa’s. Therefore, if island-hopping for days to weeks, the best option of getting from one island to the next is the catamaran: sit on the top deck and let the winds of paradise blow their salty aroma through your sun-kissed hair.
The four-hour paradise-bound journey was the perfect initiation to island living. Book ahead of time, however, as tickets can often sell out the day before departure.
Plentiful Options
For newcomers to Fiji, it’s important to understand that each region of the country – or each island group – offers something unique from the next. Research is therefore essential in choosing the ideal holiday spot to fulfil individual holiday preferences.
The Yasawa Islands are a popular destination among backpackers. Ease of movement makes seeing multiple islands a realistic endeavour. Replete with resorts and hostels, accommodation options are plentiful and permit budget-restricted travellers an opportunity to stretch their finances from one end of the Yasawa’s to the other. Those with an affluent and refined travel palette can flashpack to add an element of class to their stay in paradise. Finances aside, the sun, sea and sand are free, as are the smiles that radiate invariably from Fijians. They must certainly be one of the happiest peoples on earth.
Tavewa Island
Nestled between several larger landmasses, Tavewa island – at the northern end of the stunning archipelago – is home to two accommodation options, Coralview Island Resort and Coconut Beach Resort. Like many of its neighbours, half of Tavewa island’s precipitous core is surrounded by silky resplendence that glimmers in the callow light of dawn and dusk. Spend time lazing about on the Pacific Island’s white sandy beaches or swinging in a hammock between palms.
Alternatively, you can snorkel among marine life, dive with sharks, visit local villages, make campfire barbecues, participate in Kava ceremonies, visit the Blue Lagoon Resort island and take underwater cave trips.
As a guest at Coralview Island Resort, three meals a day were provided and the cost was covered in the bundled price. Although not gastronomically delightful, the communal dining facility – at the water’s edge – encouraged guests to embrace communal living and get to know one another, as well as the Fijian staff working at the resort. Staying on Tavewa Island, although not commercially five-star, was ecologically picture-perfect.
Returning to Nadi
If running short on time, returning to Nadi to fly out of paradise reborn can be achieved by means of a sea plane. Considered luxurious by financially restricted travellers, it is the best way to conceive the breadth and depth of the region’s striking natural beauty.
It is not a service provided on every island, so arranging the transfer may involve a trip by local speedboat to a nearby island. Hefty prices aside, flying from Nacula Island – the home of The Blue Lagoon – to Nadi was sensational. Even with a bumpy start, climbing to altitude over the deafening roar of the twin engine plane above the Yasawa’s was dreamlike: lulled into a trance, the beauty took me to a place from which I never wanted to leave.
