Two Weeks in Fiji: My Favorite Solo Trip
I would never have guessed that two weeks in Fiji could be somewhat affordable, but a flight sale out of Los Angeles to Fiji had me googling itineraries for this South Pacific paradise.
I read it’s popular among Australians to backpack a chain of islands just off the main island. Once I felt confident that I could travel Fiji safely as a solo traveler and without breaking the bank, I purchased the plane ticket and started planning my island hopping in Fiji. Spoiler: Fiji is anything but awkward.
Even though I love island travel, I had my doubts that Fiji would be worth the fifteen hours of flying one way. I wondered if I’d regret this trip. A little bit of fear of buyer’s remorse plagued me, but I pressed on and planned out my island hopping Fiji trip.
Fiji (not the main island though) far exceeded my expectations and it was a perfect balance of adventure, culture, and relaxation surrounded by paradise. Here’s how I spent two weeks in Fiji.
My Two Weeks in Fiji at a Glance
Flying from Florida meant two weeks was needed to make the journey worth it. While I had my doubts about Fiji as a solo destination, it ended up being worth it!
Here’s the basic break down of my trip.
- Fly to Los Angeles, then to Nadi (15 hours of flying and losing a day over the international date line)
- Stayed in Nadi one night (could have gone straight to the ferry but so glad I gave myself a night to recover)
- Hopped on a ferry and headed to Blue Lagoon Beach Resort for two nights
- Ferry to Mantaray Island Resort for three nights
- Ferry to Barefoot Kuata for two nights
- Ferry back to the main island for four nights (stayed at Yatule but I recommend InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort instead)
- Flew back late on a Saturday night (the return is basically Groundhog Day and feels like the longest day ever)
Flight to Fiji
From Orlando, I flew to Los Angeles and then from Los Angeles to Fiji. This was about fifteen hours of flying. Fiji Airways was having a sale out of Los Angeles, San Francisco and Vancouver. With plenty of flight options from Orlando to the Los Angeles, I booked my Fiji flight and then my Orlando to Los Angeles flight. I got both flights round trip for under $1,000 USD by buying them separately.
International flights to Fiji land in Nadi and my flight from Los Angeles landed very early. I had plenty of time to make it to the Ferry for the 8:45AM departure, but opted for a chill day on the main island. I’m glad I did as I was in major need of sleep.
How to Island Hop Fiji – Yasawa Islands
I organized my own trip and chose the eight day Bula Pass on the Yasawa Flyer by Awesome Adventures. I thought I could just show up and buy it the day of, which I did, but I don’t recommend it.
Book in advance or call ahead so they can account for you. For everything you need to know about the ferry, schedules, and what to expect, check out my comprehensive Yasawa Islands ferry guide.
If you don’t want to plan your own trip, check out this island hopping Fiji tour: Yasawa Wanderer Package 8 Days| 7 Nights
Pin and Save for Later: Island Hop Fiji
Where to Stay in the Yasawa Islands
Where you decide to stay will be determined mostly by your budget and what you want to experience. Each island in the Yasawa Islands will have some similarities like village visits and snorkeling, but each of my stays had their own unique offerings.
Some resorts are luxury and won’t offer dorms, while others have a range of stays from dorms to beach side villas. It’s worth noting that these resorts impose a meal package.
A lot of islands only have one resort so naturally you wouldn’t have any other food option. However, even resorts that do share their island require you to purchase the meal package. In all of the places I stayed, the dining plan cost was significantly more than the dorm accommodation. Just something to keep in mind when booking and budgeting your Fiji trip.
Resorts I Stayed at in Fiji
Blue Lagoon – Nacula Island, Yasawa, Fiji
When deciding what I wanted to see and do in Fiji, the Sawa-i-Lau Caves made the list. This meant choosing a resort that offered that as a tour. I chose to start my week in the Yasawa Islands at Blue Lagoon as it’s the furthest of the three stays. It ended up being the nicest dorm and best food of the three resorts and I’d probably end with it next time.
Read My Full Review of Blue Lagoon Beach Resort
During my stay, I did the village visit (extra charge), the small hike (free), attempted a snorkel but it was low tide (free) and saw the caves (extra charge)! I loved my stay here! The dorms were nice. The food was delicious and Blue Lagoon made it a point to ask solo travelers during lunch if they’d be open to sitting with other solo travelers over dinner. It was such an easy way to meet other solo travelers.
I also loved the village visit and the caves! Overall, this resort was my favorite and I definitely recommend it based on my experience.
Tip: Octopus Resort is a sister resort and sits on Waya Island. This island looked so beautiful from the ferry and would likely be a good place to stay as well.
Check availability and book a Stay Blue Lagoon
Mantaray Island Resort – Nanuya Island, Yasawa, Fiji
I booked three nights at Mantaray Island Resort, instead of two nights, hoping to increase my odds of seeing a Manta ray. However, of the three places I stayed, this wasn’t my favorite. Not to say, it’s not worth staying here, but the dorms are large and hectic and the shared bathroom is composting toilets. It was hard to follow Blue Lagoon.
I was at the end of Manta ray season and I had heard that people were not seeing them. The way they work is if one is sighted, they blow a horn, everyone interested runs to check out the snorkel gear and then you pile into boats. My first full day there, the horn sounded and numerous boats went out in search of the one Manta ray that was sighted. Well we never did see the Manta ray, but they only charge for the tour if you do see one.
Read My Full Review of Mantaray Island Resort
While it was not as nice as Blue Lagoon in terms of dorms, I did enjoy my stay. I went on a dive so I could get my first ocean dive completed before the next island. I used the paddle board (for free), snorkeled the reef right off the beach (snorkel equipment for a fee), sunset tube tour (for a fee) and spent some wonderful time napping and reading in the hammock. The hammocks at Blue Lagoon were only for the beach side villas, but at Mantaray anyone can use them.
Check availability and book a stay Mantaray Island Resort
Manta Ray Sighting
Snorkel gear does come with a fee, but it’s good for your entire stay. It was my last day when I had checked out and came down to the beach. One of the employees greeted me and told me a manta ray was just off the beach. I ran to grab some snorkel gear, walked up the beach (the current was so strong) and swam faster than I knew I could.
I finally made it to the employee on the paddle board and for a good ten seconds saw a manta ray! Despite not preferring the dorms and wishing I hadn’t booked three nights, I got to see a manta ray the morning I would be leaving the island.
There are two main stays to see the manta rays, and the other is Barefoot Manta. While I did not stay at Barefoot Manta, my third resort was a Barefoot resort and I would say it’s probably a decent option as well. The best months to see the Manta rays are June and July according to the Mantaray employee when I asked.
Barefoot Kuata – Kuata Island, Yasawa, Fiji
Kuata Island was my favorite island during my two weeks in Fiji. I’m not sure why as both of the other islands were beautiful, but the views here won my heart! I booked Barefoot Kuata for a specific activity and it was absolutely worth it.
Read My Full Review of Barefoot Kuata
Regarding the resort, I’d say the food was third place and the dorms were second. The bathrooms were nice but no hot water (though two of the showers were supposed to have hot water). However, the bull shark dive experience was why I stayed here and I’m so glad I did! They also have snorkeling here as well as other free activities offered but I recommend the bull shark dive!
Overall this resort came in second after Blue Lagoon, but the island views were number one.
Check availability and book a stay Barefoot Kuata
Yatule Resort – Main Island
If I was to do it again, I’d actually skip the main island, but that is not to say that Natadola Beach isn’t beautiful! This beach on the Coral Coast of Fiji has two resorts. I stayed at the older Yatule Resort & Spa, but the InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa, an IHG Hotel is a better choice.
I stayed here so I could take surf lessons, and while I enjoyed my stay, it pales in comparison to the Yasawa Islands. If I was to do it again, I’d keep island hopping!
Check availability for InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa, an IHG Hotel
What to See and Do While Island Hopping Fiji
It’s paradise and perhaps all you want to do in paradise is relax. However, I travel for experiences, culture and views. While I did get in some good relaxing and reading, I loved that I could enjoy various experiences while island hopping Fiji!
Surf
Fiji has world class waves! If you’re a really good surfer then this is your playground and you’re likely coming here for a surf trip! If you would like to do lessons, I did this on the main island.
Coral Coast and nearby is generally considered the best for beginners. I took lessons that were organized through my resort on Natadola Beach. There are two resorts on this beach, a very nice one and cheaper and older one. I stayed in the latter.
I ended up only getting to enjoy beginner surf lessons in Fiji on my last day. Regardless, I got to surf in paradise and I very much enjoyed my time. My main reason for coming to the main island was to surf and hopefully improve. If I ever return, hopefully I’ll be a much better surfer and can surf the Mamanuca Islands instead, or I’d just explore more of Fiji’s outer islands and skip the main one entirely.
Read more about my Beginner Surf Lessons in Fiji: The Booking Challenge and What Actually Worked
Caves
The Sawa-i-Lau caves are somewhat famous since a movie was made about them. Cue Brooke Shields in Blue Lagoon. I have not seen the movie but I have been to the caves and I loved the experience!
Several resorts offer this tour, but I stayed at Blue Lagoon and did the tour with them. The resorts offer various tours each day so the caves is not offered daily. If you want to ensure you get to see the caves, I’d suggest staying at least two nights and/or checking with the resort regarding timing. There is a fee to see the caves, but it wasn’t bad. A couple boats took those of us who signed up in the morning, as the afternoon brings about day trippers from the main island.
The caves are beautiful! Once in the first portion which is more of a half cave, you have the option of going underwater through a small opening into another cave. Not everyone loves this idea or chooses to go, but it was very cool and they help ensure you make it through safely. I absolutely LOVED this experience!
Village Visit
Most resorts, if not all, offer a Village Visit tour. I did my village visit at Blue Lagoon. On the plane, I saw the same advertisement declaring how happy Fijians are and well I didn’t see that to be the case until I arrived to the village.
On our visit, we saw the school for the elementary aged children and the high school. Since high schools are more rare, students from several islands go there and board during their schooling. What most impressed me was seeing their garden as high school children are expected to grow their own food! Not me over here with an app telling me when to water my plants. I was so impressed!
We then walked into the village and made our way to the church where the choir sang for us! From there we had a cultural singing and dancing show by the same choir but in the community center. I absolutely loved this visit! The locals were so kind and full of life. Their village is simple living but they have strong community and faith. I can see why they are so happy because they have what they need in food, shelter, family and faith, with less distractions than our Western world.
Hike
I only really did the hike offered at Blue Lagoon, though I think Mantaray also had one. Though at Mantaray Island Resort, the dining hall was up the hill so I had a mini hike every meal. The hike at Blue Lagoon had amazing views! However, it was still a bit muddy and ended up feeling more precarious than I expected.
At Barefoot Kuata, I did the guided, free tour to the cave where he explained it’s cultural significance. It was a light walk, not so much a hike. There might have been another area to walk, but I don’t recall any big hike at this island, though walking around the rocks during low tide is always fun.
Scuba Diving
I didn’t know much about scuba diving before I decided to complete my open water certification once I learned about the Bull Shark Dive. However, it seems as though Fiji has some really great diving! I absolutely recommend the Bull Shark dive that I did! The dive is run in part by marine biologists and they offer a nightly talk about sharks or reefs at the Barefoot Kuata resort.
The Bull Shark Dive was one of the coolest experiences of my life.
The Bull Shark dive itself was amazing! I was nervous, so one diver was assigned to me the whole time which really helped! The pro divers way outnumbers us three tourist divers and I felt very safe. I can’t vouch for the other shark diving but I’d imagine it would be just as good and memorable.
Book a stay at Barefoot Kuata
Snorkeling
Every resort I stayed offers snorkeling. Only Mantaray Island Resort charged an extra fee for the equipment of the three I stayed. However, all had reefs right off the beach that you could snorkel. Of the three, I think Barefoot Kuata was the least impressive, but all were worth exploring.
Though Barefoot Kuata was least impressive on the reef side of things, they offered a snorkel with sharks (not Bull sharks) which is a very popular activity that I ended up missing.
Overall, snorkeling is plentiful! If I had room in my carry-on, taking my mask and snorkel would have been worth it!
Sigatoka Sand Dunes
While there are things to see and do on the main island, none of it was as impactful as my time in the Yasawa Islands. I did go into Nadi for some bug spray at the start of trip which didn’t really work in the Yasawa Islands (I was covered in mosquito bites). At the end of my trip, I surfed, took a boat tour to the Mamanuca Islands and I visited Sigatoka Sand Dunes.
The sand dunes were beautiful and the hike was very enjoyable, especially since it happened to be a rainy and overcast day. The first part of the hike was very easy and straightforward. Once I arrived to the sand dunes, however, things got more difficult.
I had to climb the sand dunes and thankfully my knee was able to handle it. After enjoying the view for a bit, I walked down to the beach where I was told to walk until I reached the stick teepees they make to block the wind. Living in Florida where we have both soft sand and hard sand, I expected this to be the easiest part of the walk. It was absolutely the hardest part since that beach had NO hard sand!
Sunset Tubing
This was a tour offered at Mantaray Island Resort. Someone had told me they heard it was fun, so I went ahead and signed up.
They took us by boat to the other side of the island to watch the sunset. We each brought our own drink and we gathered enough tubes for each person before hopping onto the boat.
We enjoyed floating in the water and drinking the drinks we brought while watching the sunset. Then a surprising and random twist of having the boat tow us a while. This is one example how the tours can differ slightly at each resort.
Day Sailing Tour to Mamanuca Islands
When on the main island for four nights, I wasn’t able to surf due to some high winds impacting the beginner surf conditions. So I signed up to sail. Seemed like a good idea. It also gave me a chance to see some of the Mamanuca Islands from the sailboat. The tour I did stopped at a reef and sandbar and fed us a delicious lunch.
In hindsight, I would have stayed on the main island less than four nights or not at all. This would have freed up more time in the Yasawa Islands or allowed me to stay on a Mamanuca Island. However, I did enjoy the day sailing trip and if you are on the main island, it’s a good option for an enjoyable snorkel and relaxing day.
Check availability for Fiji: Mamanuca Islands Full-Day Sailing Tour with Lunch
What to Pack for Two Weeks in Fiji
As I’ve traveled more and more, I’ve really resolved to pack as light as possible. Combine that with being a little cheap, I don’t like to pay for bags, I usually manage to get everything into a carry-on. I’ve packed for numerous two week trips in a carry-on so I felt confident, though the weight limit imposed by Fiji Airways threw me a curve ball.
So I managed to get my Fiji packing list into a carry-on, but not without a few tricks! Of course, you’re heading to a tropical island so swimwear, cover-ups, and sun protection are the most important! I opted to buy reef-safe sunscreen and bug spray on arrival in Nadi, but don’t forget it if you head to the Yasawa Islands.
For more information, check out The Ultimate Fiji Packing List: Essentials for a Tropical Getaway
Best time to visit Fiji
I’m a fan of shoulder seasons and while I did go to Fiji on a shoulder season, it turns out I inadvertently planned my trip during New Zealand and Australia school holidays. Either way, end of September to early October when I was there was perfect! The weather was hot and the ocean was warm enough (though I usually prefer it warmer).
I was told by a local that Summer in the Yasawa Islands can be brutal, but any hot weather place in the Summer will be brutal. However, when you are reliant on fans and not air conditioning, it should be something to keep in mind. During my trip, I actually had moments where I’d need the light jacket I packed whether at night or sitting in the shade.
Fiji is a year round destination so you can’t go too wrong for your island hopping Fiji trip.
I went in September. If you don’t go during high season, the weather might be less cooperative on some days, but you’ll have less tourists around.
Getting Around
On the main island I used taxis, though you can opt for public transport or renting a car. Overall, I wish I would have skipped the main island, but if you do stay then taxis are easiest. Transport can be organized with your resort typically as well.
Island hopping Fiji is mainly done on the ferry. However, helicopters are an option for a high price. The ferry to the Yasawa Islands does not stop at docks. In fact, there are no docks on any of the Yasawa Islands. You hop on the ferry and once you arrive to your island, the small resort boats drive out to the ferry to drop off passengers and pick them up. The small boats pull up next to the ferry and the swap happens.
Tours from the Main Island
If island hopping Fiji isn’t for you or you’d just rather stay on the main island, here are some tours I’d suggest.
While I stayed at Barefoot Kuata and LOVED it, you can do a day tour!
Ultimate Encounter Snorkel with Sharks in Fiji
One of my days on the main island, I did this tour to the Mamanuca area. It included snorkeling, lunch and beautiful views!
Fiji: Mamanuca Islands Full-Day Sailing Tour with Lunch
I did not do any of the below tours, since I had been island hopping Fiji all week. However, if you stay on the main island, these day trips might interest you!
Denarau: Seventh Heaven Floating Bar Day Trip
Nadi: Malamala Beach Club Full Day Tour
Authentic Fijian Day Cruise, Best Day in Fiji
Tours of the Main Island
While I did visit the Sigatoka Sand Dunes on my own, I did not do any tours of the river or caves. However, I do remember hearing a hotel guest raving about the river! And these tours have rave reviews!
Final Thoughts on My Two Weeks in Fiji
Fiji far exceeded my expectations, but it was actually the Yasawa Islands of Fiji that stole my heart. If you do go, I’d suggest making the outer islands your focus and limit your time on the main island.
I had the best trip of relaxation and adventure island hopping in Fiji, and I’d gladly return! Fijians are welcoming and I loved learning about their culture while appreciating the beauty of their islands.
If you’re still planning, check out my full Fiji guide which includes resort reviews, ferry guide, and how to island hop in Fiji!
