Things to Do in the Yasawas if You’re on a Budget
If you’re planning a budget vacation to Fiji, then don’t miss the Yasawa Islands. The stunning tropical islands might take a two to five-hour boat ride to get there, but it’s well worth the trip once you discover the budget resorts of the Yasawas with their array of free and cheap activities!
You needn’t spend a dime during your stay, as many of the resorts offer meals and complimentary use of watersports equipment at their room rates. All you have to do is figure out how you are going to spend your “Fiji time“.
Here’s some inspiration in this list of free and cheap things to do in the Yasawa Islands.
While you’re here, check out our Budget & Backpacking Guide to the Yasawa Islands, as well as 10 Best Budget Accommodations in the Yasawa Islands.
Table of Contents
1. Snorkel in Coral Reefs – FREE/CHEAP
No matter what your budget is, snorkelling is a must-do in the Yasawa Islands. Luckily, snorkelling is 100% free, thanks to resorts offering complimentary use of snorkel gear. Usually, there is safe snorkelling, so be done from the beach (make sure you ask where).
Otherwise, a snorkelling safari, where you’ll be transferred by boat to the nearest reefs, is usually one of the most inexpensive activities that resorts have to offer.
Location: All over the Yasawas! Check out the 10 Best Snorkelling Resorts in Fiji and 10 Best Beaches in the Yasawa Islands for ideas.
© FijiPocketGuide.com2. Kayak or Stand-Up Paddleboard – FREE
Be as active or relaxed as you like when you use one of the complimentary kayaks offered by the resorts in the Yasawas. Kayaking is a fantastic and free way to explore the islands and watch the fish swimming in the clear waters below.
While you have to pay a small fee to hire stand-up paddleboards at most resorts, some, like Blue Lagoon Beach Resort, offer paddleboards as part of their complimentary watersports equipment.
Check out the resorts with free SUP hire in The Best Places for Stand-Up Paddleboarding in Fiji.
Location: Blue Lagoon Resort – Southwest coast of Nacula Island, the central region of the Yasawa Islands. Otherwise, any of the 15 Best Budget Accommodations in the Yasawa Islands.
© FijiPocketGuide.com3. Go on a Handline Fishing Trip – CHEAP
Game and sports fishing charters might be renowned for being expensive, but fishing like a local in handline fishing is a cheap and rewarding way to experience fishing in Fiji. The staff at many of the budget resorts can take you to the best local fishing spots from land or by boat.
Handline fishing is usually available for under FJ$50, for instance, at Long Beach Escape, Nanuya Island Resort and Blue Lagoon Beach Resort.
Learn more about fishing experiences in The Complete Guide to Fishing in Fiji.
Location: Long Beach – South coast of Matacawa Levu Island, the central region of the Yasawa Islands. Nanuya Island Resort, west coast of the Nanuya Lailai Island, the central region of the Yasawa Islands. Blue Lagoon Resort – Southwest coast of Nacula Island, the central region of the Yasawa Islands.
© FijiPocketGuide.com4. Go on an Island Hike – FREE (Or CHEAP, if Guided)
Every island has spectacular hikes and scenery to discover. From short beach walks to mountain hikes, there’s something for every fitness level – so be sure to ask at your resort about the best trail for your ability.
Sunset or sunrise is the most popular time of day to go for a walk, not only because it’s a cooler time of day but also because the Fijian sunsets are stunning.
Ask about the sunset walk at Naqalia Lodge or explore caves, jungles and beaches with Barefoot Kuata Resort.
If you want to get some elevation, Oarsman’s Bay Lodge is also an excellent base for hiking.
Location: See recommendations and their locations in the 10 Best Walks & Hikes in the Yasawa Islands.
© FijiPocketGuide.com5. Craft Your Own Fijian Souvenir – FREE/CHEAP
Crafting is all part of the Fijian culture, so join in on the fun and craft your own Fijian souvenir. Crafting lessons are available with many resorts and homestays, either for free or for a small fee. Weaving is a popular option, and you can make yourself a hot or a basket.
Alternatively, coconut bracelets are always cute, such as the ones made at the Mantaray Island Resort!
Location: Mantaray Resort – Nanuya Balavu Island, the central region of the Yasawa Islands.
© FijiPocketGuide.com6. Do a Fijian Cooking Class – FREE/CHEAP
Delight your inner foodie by joining in on a Fijian cooking lesson. Cook with tropical ingredients to create delicious meals, all while learning more about the local culture.
Cooking lessons are a popular activity to do during homestays (see our 10 Best Homestays in the Yasawa Islands) and can also be done at Naqalia Lodge, Korovou Eco-Tour Resort, Paradise Cove, Nanuya Island Resort and others.
Location: Naqalia Lodge – South coast of Wayasewa Island, the southern region of the Yasawa Islands. Korovou – West coast of Naviti Island, the central region of the Yasawa Islands. Paradise Cove – Naukacuvu and Nanuya Balavu Islands, the central region of the Yasawa Islands. Nanuya Island Resort, west coast of the Nanuya Lailai Island, the central region of the Yasawa Islands.
© FijiPocketGuide.com7. Enjoy Fijian Entertainment – FREE
Many of the resorts in the Yasawas come alive at night with Fijian dancing and singing known as “meke”, as well as “lovo” nights where you’ll get to feast on traditional Fijian food cooked in an underground oven.
On top of that, not many people will visit the Yasawa Islands without experiencing a kava ceremony – a traditional welcoming ceremony.
This experience is available in both resorts and homestays, but make sure you bring your own yaqona root for village homestays. Read more about it in our Fiji Village Etiquette: What to Do When Visiting a Fijian Village.
Location: All over the Yasawas!
© FijiPocketGuide.com8. Take Part in Some Beach Sports – FREE
A volleyball net on the beach is kind of a staple in the Yasawa Islands resorts, as is access to other sports equipment.
Playing sports is another way to enjoy your time in paradise with your family, mates or fellow travellers staying at the resort. Plus, almost all the resorts have nights of coconut bowling and crab racing!
Location: All over the Yasawas!
© FijiPocketGuide.com9. Do Some Yoga – FREE
Yep, rejuvenating the mind, body, and soul is another free activity in the Yasawa Islands. Resorts, such as the Octopus Resort and Blue Lagoon Beach Resort, offer free yoga sessions every morning and during some afternoons.
For more recommendations, check out the 10 Beautiful Places to Experience Yoga in Fiji.
Location: Octopus Resort – west coast of Waya Island, the southern region of the Yasawa Islands. Blue Lagoon Resort – Southwest coast of Nacula Island, the central region of the Yasawa Islands.
© FijiPocketGuide.com10. Go for a Swim – FREE
Finally, we’ll say it anyway: Swimming is a free thing to do in the Yasawa Islands! If your chosen resort doesn’t have a pool to lounge by while sipping cocktails, then it will certainly have crystal clear waters to swim in just off the beach.
Make sure you ask about the safest swimming spots on the island and have fun!
Location: All over the Yasawa Islands!
© FijiPocketGuide.comMore Free and Cheap Things to Do in the Yasawa Islands and Fiji
That’s it for the free and cheap things to do in the Yasawa Islands. For more ways to experience the Yasawas on a budget, take a look at the following:
- 15 Best Budget Accommodations in the Yasawa Islands
- The Travel Guide to the Yasawa Islands on a Budget
- How to Take the Ferry to the Yasawa Islands
Finally, don’t forget to bookmark The Budget & Backpacking Guide to Fiji. Trust us; there are a lot of useful tips!
Sources:
The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across Fiji and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:
- Tourism Fiji (General travel advice - Updated [2025])
- Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association (Tourism trade association - Updated [2025])
- SPTO (Pacific tourism advice - Updated [2025])
- Fiji Immigration (Visa and immigration advice - Updated [2025])
- Fiji Revenue & Customs Service (Customs and visitor taxes - Updated [2025])
- Biosecurity Authority of Fiji (Biosecurity advice - Updated [2025])
- Fiji Meteorological Service (Weather forecast and warnings - Updated [2025])
- Fiji Bureau of Statistics (Statistics and travel data - Updated [2025])
- Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (Tourism statistics - Updated [2025])
- Land Transport Authority (Road safety advice - Updated [2025])
- Safe Travel (New Zealand travel advisory for Fiji - Updated [2025])
- Smart Traveller (Australia travel advisory for Fiji - Updated [2025])
- Travel.State.Gov (U.S. travel advisory for Fiji - Updated [2025])
Our editorial standards: At Fiji Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.
