Have you have ever dreamt of a true island experience?

A bure (hut) on a white sandy beach, calm turquoise water at your doorstep and some of the best diving in the world? If so then Fiji's 300 islands are the place to go.

With that many islands to choose from we have made life a little easier by selecting the best hostels in the best locations throughout Fiji and particularly the Yasawa Group of Islands.

You can chill out, be adventurous or soak up the culture over a kava or a cold beer. It's just beautiful.

All hostels in Fiji are quite unique, so our selection of hostels each offer a different experience, scenery and facilities. One thing will never change and that is the great hospitality you will receive from the Islanders and a great nights sleep.

Most Fijian hostels include meals within the cost of the bed; so check with the hostel before you lug a ton of supplies onto the islands (you could save heaps).

Click on a location on the map to view more indepth information on each location.

WATER SPORTS

If you don't SCUBA dive you will definitely consider it, after seeing the clear coral filled waters.

If not, just get into snorkelling, experience white water rafting, kayaking, biking, hiking or simply sit there starkers on a deserted beach and soak up the sun (pack your 30+ sun screen for those white bits). Please respect the locals when nude swimming - go somewhere private.

THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT FIJI

Fiji has a fantastic climate - tropical all year round with the mild and dry season being May through November. Fiji is a destination in its own right, so allow yourself plenty of time to island hop.

Flying Time - We recommend Air Pacific flights to Fiji.
Los Angeles - 10 hour non-stop
Sydney - 3.5 hours

Electricity: Local Voltage 240v

FIJIAN TERMS AND PHRASES

Bula - Fijian Greeting
Vinaka - Thank you, with appreciation
Io - yes
Sega - no
Bure - cottage style accommodations
Meke - traditional Fiji dance
Lovo - traditional feast cooked under ground
Kava - tranquilizing non-alcoholic drink made from the root of the "yaqona" tree.

WHAT TO WEAR

Fiji dress is always casual and comfortable. The swimsuit is a must but you will soon discover the "sulus" (sarong) - which is for both men and women.

TRANSPORTATION TO FIJI

Nadi International Airport, on the main island of Viti Levu, is the focal point of flights from Australia, New Zealand, Japan, United States, United Kingdom and Europe.

Getting around Fiji is easy. Local buses run virtually everywhere on the main islands. Taxis are inexpensive and metered. Getting out and exploring the outer islands is also easy with seaplanes, ferries and helicopters.

VITI LEVU LOCATIONS

Viti Levu is the largest island in Fiji. Nadi is the entry point for most international visitors, while Suva, on the east coast, is the country's capital.

Nadi Town
Suva is an urban city. Nadi is known as Nadi Town. Surrounded by cane fields, Nadi has a kilometre of duty free tourist stores, a colourful market and a number of good restaurants, coffee shops and bars.

Stay at the Nadi Bay Resort or the Aquarius Resort to plan your travels either south to great hostels on the Coral Coast, to Bethams Beach Cottages on Nananu-l-ra Island just off the top end of Viti Levu or north to the Yasawa Islands where 13 hostels await your visit.

Suva
Suva is the centre of business and has a variety of restaurants and accommodation. It's home to the famous Suva Handicraft Markets and is a nice place. Stay at Raintree Lodge - reputed to be one of the best hostels in the best location on Viti Levu.

For the cultural traveller a visit to Suva's Fiji Museum (off Victoria Parade) with an entrance via Thurston Gardens is a must see facility. The museum boasts the finest collection of Fijian relics in the world. Among the exhibits are collections of war clubs, ivory necklaces, cannibal forks, spears, bowls, pottery, tools, cooking utensils, combs and a replica of a huge drua - an ancient, double-hulled canoe. You will even see a war club, which was actually used in battle and has several notches chiselled in it representing an enemy slain. The famous Bounty is also featured.

The Coral Coast runs along the southern shores and is home to the world's second largest single reef. Snorkelling and scuba diving is very good.

YASAWA ISLANDS - FIJI'S MUST SEE DESTINATION!

The Yasawas - home of the famous Blue Lagoon, and undoubtedly one of Fiji's most pristine regions!

White sandy beaches as far as the eye can see and crystal clear turquoise waters just waiting to be explored. Visiting the Yasawas is literally a dream come true.

The Yasawas are a long chain of volcanic islands. Once only accessible to yachts, cruise boats, upmarket resort clientele and only the most hard core budget traveller, it is now relatively easy to reach. You can visit the Yasawas with our Dive/Snorkel Packages with Aquarius Resort.

GETTING TO THE YASAWA'S

Backpackers Travel to the Yasawa's the fun way!!!

High Speed Catamaran: South Sea Cruises has a high speed catamaran, the Dau Veivueti (meaning 'Rescue from the Sea'), known as the DV. It runs between Denarau-Lautoka-Yasawas, dropping off at Tavewa Island as well as the southern Yasawa Islands of Waya, Waya Lai Lai and Naviti. This service currently runs four days a week.

Individual Resort Boats: Some of the budget resorts have their own small boats, which are licensed to transfer passengers. However unless travellers have good sea legs we recommend the trip on the DV or the experience of travelling by seaplane. Sometimes these trips take over 6-7 hours and are not safe in high seas.

YASAWA ISLANDS AT A GLANCE

Nacula
Nacula, the third largest of the Yasawa Group, is a hilly volcanic island with four villages. It is about 10 km long and on average, 3 km wide. Nacula village is the home of Ratu Epeli Vuetibau, the Tui Drola or high chief of the Tikina. About 2750 people live in the Tikina, which includes the middle islands of the Yasawa chain. The Tikina has four yavuas, one of which is Nacula.

The island has several budget places to stay, including Oarsman's Bay Lodge near Nacula Village, Melbravo, Nabua Lodge, Nalova Bay and Safe Landing. There are many gorgeous beaches, rugged hills for guided treks and nearby villages to visit.

Tavewa
Tavewa is one the smaller islands of the Yasawa Group. The island is only about 3 km long and 1 km wide with a hilly interior. It has lovely sandy beaches along its eastern side - great for sunbathing, swimming and snorkelling and a rocky coastline along the western side. Tavewa has no villages or chiefs as the island is freehold land. It has a permanent population of about 50 people. Tavewa is the home of Westside Divers and the famous Otto And Fanny's Place. The food and hospitality is magnificent. Fanny has infact cooked for both the Queen of England and the Pope.

Nanuya Lai Lai
Nanuya Lai Lai is a stunning island, which has lovely white sand beaches, hills and mangroves. On the western side is the gorgeous Blue Lagoon, named after the famous movie - where the cruise boats anchor and the snorkelling is fantastic. A narrow channel separates the island from the larger Nanuya Levu and the exclusive Turtle Island Resort.

The small settlement of Enendala is at the base of a hill on the island's beautiful eastern beach. About seven families live here, all related and with family connections to Naisisili Village on Nacula Island. They operate several budget places to stay, all seeming to merge into one.

The westerly aspect of the site catches the south-westerly trade winds, yet is sheltered from the warmer north-westerly winds. Here travellers can experience what others pay dearly for - a beachfront bure with the sound of the waves crashing or lapping near your doorstep. Accommodation is rustic Fijian style with simple communal facilities.

Naviti Island
Naviti lies to the south west of Nanuya Lai Lai and is bridged by smaller islands heading further south towards Waya Island. It is irregular in shape, 14.5 km long and from several hundred metres to 5 km wide.

The Island is also steep and rugged, the highest point being Vaturuayalewa at about 388 metres. The southern bay at Soso and the northern bay at Somosomo are also regular stops for cruise vessels while on the North Eastern corner.

Located on the north-eastern corner of Naviti Island is QereQere Cross. This humble retreat called simply "The Cross", provides a backdrop to the shipping highway linking the Yasawas. The Cross is intended for those wishing to relax and experience an island's extended family lifestyle and secluded beauty.