Island hopping in Fiji´s incredible archipelago with 1000 Fiji islands to choose from.
Mamanucas is on the “must-see” list, now that you’ve landed and ready for your Fiji vacation. The list is long, but at the top is the classic archipelago, which is a must-do and a truly amazing experience. There are two island groups that are particularly suitable for island hopping and where the only headache is which island and resort to choose. One archipelago is called Mananucas and is closest to Nadi, while the other is called Yasawas and takes about 3 hours to reach.
As the archipelago offers countless opportunities and resorts, one may well be puffed up by choice, which is why we at Traveltalk will first give an insight into the different islands of Mamanucas and then Yasawas. I’ve been to all the islands and resorts I describe myself, and as the food and standards vary greatly, I want to go in-depth with both the more luxurious places, as well as the budget-friendly backpacker islands.
Cloud 9 split Mamanucas
Mamanucas, you simply board the yellow catamaran
It is extremely easy and straightforward to go on an island hopping in Fiji on holiday because every morning a yellow catamaran ferry sails from the port of Denarau up through the Mamanucas and Yasawas islands, and when it has been at the last resort it returns and sails. This means that you can jump on and off daily depending on which island you want to visit. For most of the trip, the ferry is sheltered from the islands, but there may be some high waves and unpleasant sea conditions. The ferry is in tip-top condition and the locals have complete control of everything from sailing to luggage. Characteristic of the first archipelago we must visit is that the majority of the islands are small bounty islands, where it takes a maximum of half an hour to walk around them. In these islands you really get the feeling of being ‘in the middle of nowhere’, and at night you are inevitably rocked to sleep by the roar of the waves.
South Sea Island, the smallest island where you can sleepover in Fiji
The first stop on the route is South Sea Island. This is the smallest island you can spend the night in Fiji, and it takes a maximum of 5 minutes to walk around it. In short, you have the sea very close. Due to the size of the island, not many people can stay overnight, and in my opinion, you do not need more than a single night to experience the island on your Fiji holiday. As the island is only a 20-minute drive from the main island, it is also ideal as a day trip, which many tourists make use of.
After the South Sea, the ferry stops at Bounty Island, which is a delicious little charm of an island. Here you can stay on budget and the standard is excellent. Bounty is distinguished by a fine swimming pool, really good smoothies and turtles. The island has marine biologists attached, who breed baby turtles and release them into the ocean when they are large enough to fend for themselves. Thanks to their work to increase the population of turtles, there is ample opportunity to encounter one when snorkeling, which is recommended.
Treasure Island Mamanucas
Fiji islands for all tastes.
Who can resist a place called “Treasure Island”? But it is not necessary. Just enjoy the pure lux in Fiji:
After Bounty we sail a little northwest and stop at two very different islands, which are at a kayaking distance. Treasure Island and Beachcomber, one a luxury tourists paradise and the other a backpacker paradise with parties and dancing on the beach.
In addition to snorkeling and scuba diving, Treasure Island offers mini-golf and tennis, or kayaking. In addition, you can book a romantic getaway to a sandbank, create the perfect and creative courtship, or hold one’s dream wedding, as my husband and I did. If you want to get bored, you can always take a kayak and calm over to Beachcomber, which is a stone’s throw from Treasure Island.
Treasure Island Mamanucas (2)
Here there are doomed young people, backpacker-friendly prices and dancing on the beach. During the day, hangovers are cured in a sun lounger on the beach or sweated out with a game of beach volley in the sand. The food is okay for the concept and the dormitory is of a good standard with boys and girl dormitories separately. Only minus is that there is no natural shade on the beach and therefore it is necessary to rent a parasol.
After the Beachcomber, Yasawa Flyer goes north to the Yasawa Islands, but don’t worry, we’re not done with Mananucas at all.
Western Mammanucas in the Fiji Islands
In the western part of Mamanucas, there are also a number of islands that are worth visiting, and which are typically sailed in the resort’s own boats, as the distances are relatively short. Malolo Island is one of the larger islands of Mamanucas, and precisely this size means that there are several resorts. Here you will also find one of Fiji’s most luxurious resorts LikuLiku resort. Unfortunately, I only saw it from the outside when we had to hand in some packages in a jet, but hold up a wild resort, which is in the top 5 over Fiji’s most luxurious resorts (and it doesn’t say that much), and is one of the few who have the famous bures (huts) over water as you know them from the Maldives. It’s not free, one night costs from DKK 10,000.
Five minutes from Malolo lies Malolo Lailai with the Plantation Island resort, which is also at the slightly semi-expensive end and you understand why. Really delicious facilities, good and kid-friendly food, and a wide variety of activities. On land you can cycle or play golf, at sea you can go snorkeling and scuba diving, go kayaking, go fishing, windsurf or sail the Hobie Cat, and parasailing is possible in the air.
Monuriki (Tom Hanks Island) from the air Mamanucas
Floating restaurant and Tom Hanks Island
If we jump a little further in a northwesterly direction, we will reach Mana Island. Like Malolo, Mana Island houses several resorts both on the expensive end for those who love luxury and the backpacker version. I’ve only tried the backpacker version and I was not disappointed. Okay conditions and food as well as a sea of good activities that did not cost a farm. Here I think specifically about two excursions that can be recommended;
Monuriki Mamanucas
Cloud 9 and Monuriki Island.
Cloud 9 is a floating bar/restaurant surrounded by the most beautiful water in the middle of the Pacific. Here there are delicious drinks, good DJ, and even better oven-baked pizzas. However, Cloud 9 is not for the youngest as there may be doomed partying. In addition, pay attention to the current when swimming. Another day trip that I highly recommend is Monuriki, which also goes by the name Tom Hanks Island as Cast Away is filmed here. The island is protected and fortunately, there are no resorts to spoil nature. The islands in the western part of Mamanucas have day trips there, where you can either sail there or take a jet ski safari. Both can be recommended, and the island itself is a sight to gods, and you understand why they chose to film there in their day.
Tokoriki Sheraton Fiji
Luxury on Tokoriki
Close to Monuriki is Tokoriki, which has two resorts at each end of the beach (Tokoriki and Tokoriki Sheraton). I have been to Tokoriki Sheraton Hotel, and it really is a little charming paradise. Very good facilities, infinity swimming pool, beautiful beach as well as snorkeling and again opportunities for delicious water sports consisting of Hobie Cat, scuba diving, parasailing, and jet ski safari. As it is a Sheraton owned resort, the prices are also then and it must be described as luxury. Tokoriki is similarly a luxury resort, though only for adults.
Taveuni, the forgotten pearl of the Fiji islands
