10 Best Backpacker Resorts in the Yasawa Islands© Unsplash
10 Best Backpacker Resorts in the Yasawa Islands

10 Best Backpacker Resorts in the Yasawa Islands

© Unsplash

Resorts with Dorms in the Yasawa Islands

Get your hop-on hop-off ferry ticket and do some island-hopping in the glorious Yasawa Islands of Fiji. With that, you’ll stay at a different backpacker resort each couple of nights or so, kitted out with affordable dorms and meal plans to make your stay seamless. Meet fellow world-travellers, as well as casual holidaymakers, as many backpacker resorts in the Yasawa Islands also cater to the more adventurous honeymooners and families. Take a look at some of our favourite backpacker stays in this list of resorts with dorms in the Yasawa Islands!

While you’re here, plan more of your trip using The Travel Guide to the Yasawa Islands on a Budget. Plus, explore more of Fiji by staying in some of the 10 Best Backpacker Resorts in Fiji and the 10 Best Hostels in Fiji.

1. Mantaray Island Resort

Get the real Fiji resort experience with a backpacker touch at the Mantaray Island Resort. While the resort caters to all with their mid-range private bures (bungalows), their Paradise Dorm offers financial relief for budgeting travellers. The more upmarket backpacker resort in the Yasawa Islands has a 32-bed dorm kitted out with private alcoves of bunks with air-conditioning. Meals are a little pricier than what’s available at other resorts, however, but Mantaray Island is definitely worth it for a “treat yourself” stay. Plus, as the name suggests, it’s one of the best resorts for swimming with manta rays.

Check Mantaray Island Resort out:
10 Best Backpacker Resorts in the Yasawa Islands© Mantaray Island Resort

2. Octopus Resort

Another more upmarket resort in the Yasawas, yet offering something for backpackers, the Octopus Resort is worth staying for at least a night. Stay in Daves Dorm or one of the affordable private double rooms and enjoy the benefits of the resort’s free and cheap activities, from yoga to guided walks to crab racing. There’s also the option to scuba dive, visit villages or simply lounge by the pool with a cocktail.

Octopus Resort out:
10 Best Backpacker Resorts in the Yasawa Islands© Octopus Resort

3. Barefoot Kuata Island Resort

One of the first resorts you’ll come across when taking the Yasawa Islands ferry, Barefoot Kuata Island Resort is a warm, welcoming and simply stunning introduction to the island chain. There are two types of six-bed dorms, as well as private double rooms and family bures on the beachfront, so you’ll share this island with a variety of people. While there’s a wide range of free activities to do, the most iconic activities are snorkelling and scuba diving with sharks. If you like this resort, check out its sister resort also in the Yasawas, Barefoot Manta Island Resort.

Check Barefoot Kuata Island Resort out:
10 Best Backpacker Resorts in the Yasawa Islands© Barefoot Kuata Island Resort

4. Long Beach Escape (Long Beach Resort)

An intimate resort owned and run by a local village on Matacawalevu Island, Long Beach Escape provides an authentic Fijian experience. Their eight-bed dorm room ensures an affordable stay along the resort’s long stretch of white sand, which runs all the way onto the restaurant floor. Enjoy village visits, kayaking, snorkelling and hiking on the island, while excursions to the Sawa-i-Lau Caves and Blue Lagoon also come at an affordable rate.

Long Beach Escape out:
10 Best Backpacker Resorts in the Yasawa Islands© Long Beach Escape

5. Naqalia Lodge

Super affordable dorms, tent sites and garden bures await at Naqalia Lodge on Wayalailai Island. The lodge/backpacker resort specialises in active adventures, such as island hikes, shark feeding, kayak tours, spearfishing, handline fishing, snorkelling, surfing and much more! In between all of the excitement, traditional Fijian food is on the menu, including a “lovo” feast. Check out the 10 Things to Do in the Yasawa Islands for Foodies to find out more.

Check Naqalia Lodge out:
10 Best Backpacker Resorts in the Yasawa Islands© Naqalia Lodge

6. Blue Lagoon Beach Resort

Stay in Charlie’s Dormitory or one of the budget villas for couples or families at the crowd-pleasing Blue Lagoon Beach Resort. The laidback resort is ideal for doing as much or as little as you want, including visiting Fijian villages, a school or a church, being entertained with quiz nights and crab racing, seeing the Sawa-i-Lau Caves, snorkelling or stand-up paddleboarding, or simply relaxing on the beach.

Check Blue Lagoon Beach Resort out:
10 Best Backpacker Resorts in the Yasawa Islands© Blue Lagoon Beach Resort

7. Safe Landing Eco-Lodge

See what Fiji time is all about at this relaxing resort with a beach, bar and authentic Fijian meals. Safe Landing Eco-Lodge is another fantastic backpacker resort in the Yasawa Islands offering a taste of lovo and other Fijian delicacies. In fact, that’s what this resort is all about: relaxing and great food. You’ll stay in fresh and comfortable dorms, double rooms or family bures.

Check Safe Landing Eco-Lodge out:
10 Best Backpacker Resorts in the Yasawa Islands© Safe Landing Eco-Lodge

8. Coralview Island Resort

Great snorkelling and great prices are just two reasons to stay at the Coralview Island Resort on Tavewa Island. The resort has a nearby marine reserve and giant clams, making the underwater adventures unforgettable – making this resort almost make it on our list of the 10 Best Snorkelling Resorts in Fiji. They also run regular trips to the Blue Lagoon and the Sawa-i-Lau Caves. Stay in the resort’s spacious dorms or one of their private bures.

Check Coralview Island Resort out:
10 Best Backpacker Resorts in the Yasawa Islands© Coralview Island Resort

9. Boathouse Nanuya

Convenience is everything at Boathouse Nanuya, as it’s the only backpacker resort in the Yasawas with an ATM, convenience store, sports bar and day spa. That’s not to say that you won’t find the usual fishing, kayaking or trip to the famous Sawa-i-Lau Caves! When it comes to accommodation, choose between fresh-looking dorms (no bunks!) and twin rooms. You’ll also find this accommodation listed in the all-important 10 Best Resorts in Fiji with Glass-Bottom Boats!

Check Boathouse Nanuya out:
10 Best Backpacker Resorts in the Yasawa Islands© Boathouse Nanuya

10. Nabua Lodge

Finally, unplug and recharge at the backpacker-friendly Nabua Lodge on Nacula Island. The backpacker lodge/resort has no cellphone reception and runs off a generator that is switched off late at night, giving you the opportunity to truly disconnect from the world. Plus, with only nine bures, some of which containing dorm rooms, it never feels too crowded. Activities are rather relaxing here too with beach volleyball, coconut husking, cultural lessons, fish feeding, guided walks, kayaking and snorkelling.

Check Nabua Lodge out:
10 Best Backpacker Resorts in the Yasawa Islands© Nabua Lodge

Author

Laura S.

This article was reviewed and published by Laura, editor in chief and co-founder of Fiji Pocket Guide. Since arriving solo in the South Pacific over 10 years ago with nothing but a backpack and a background in journalism, her mission has been to show the world how easy (and awesome) it is to explore a paradise such as Fiji. She knows the islands inside-out and loves sharing tips on how best to experience Fiji’s must-dos and hidden gems. Laura is also editor of several other South Pacific travel guides.

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