10 Best Foodie Experiences in the Yasawa Islands

1. Learn a New Recipe in a Fijian Cooking Lesson

Learning how to cook Fijian cuisine is an absolute must-do for any foodie visiting the Yasawas.

At Naqalia Lodge, guests have the opportunity to learn Fijian cooking methods, like cooking on a fire using leaves and coconuts.

Or how about a cooking demonstration using freshly caught seafood when staying at the all-inclusive Yasawa Island Resort?

Cooking lessons are also available at Paradise Cove Resort, Blue Lagoon Resort, Barefoot Manta Resort, Mantaray Island Resort and many of the Homestays in the Yasawa Islands.

Location: Naqalia Lodge – South coast of Wayasewa Island, the southern region of the Yasawa Islands. Paradise Cove – Naukacuvu & Nanuya Balavu Islands, the central region of the Yasawa Islands. Yasawa Island Resort – West coast of Yasawa Island, northern region of the Yasawa Islands. Blue Lagoon Resort – Southwest coast of Nacula Island, the central (Blue Lagoon) region of the Yasawa Islands. Barefoot Manta & Mantaray Island – Drawaqa Island, the central region of the Yasawa Islands.

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2. Try a Traditional Lovo Feast

Visitors to the Yasawa Islands have the privilege of tasting the smokey flavours of a traditional lovo feast – food slow-cooked in an underground oven.

Watch the unveiling of the lovo, then tuck into a feast of mouthwatering meat, fish and vegetables. While lovos are a staple of many resorts in the Yasawas, the Barefoot Manta Resort gives guests the opportunity to weave their own dinner plates and enjoy a cooking lesson before tucking into the lovo feast.

Lovo feasts can also be experienced at Yasawa Island Resort & Spa, along with a meke performance, which you can learn more about in the 10 Best Ways to Experience the Fijian Culture.

Location: Barefoot Manta – Drawaqa Island, the central region of the Yasawa Islands. Yasawa Island Resort – West coast of Yasawa Island, northern region of the Yasawa Islands.

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3. Take Part in a Kava Ceremony

Kava ceremonies are a traditional welcoming ceremony for new visitors to a village.

With that in mind, it will be a staple of your village visit if you are doing a homestay in the Yasawas, so don’t forget to bring yaqona (kava root) as a gift (sevusevu) – see Fiji Village Etiquette: What to Do When Visiting a Fijian Village for more advice. At resorts, guests will still get to experience this signature tradition.

For instance, Paradise Cove Resort and Yasawa Island Resort have a kava ceremony night once a week, while the Navutu Stars Resort has a kava-drinking session on Friday afternoons.

Location: Paradise Cove – Naukacuvu & Nanuya Balavu Islands, the central region of the Yasawa Islands. Yasawa Island Resort – West coast of Yasawa Island, northern region of the Yasawa Islands. Navutu Stars – North coast of Yanggeta Island, the central region of the Yasawa Islands.

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4. Catch Your Own Dinner in Handline Fishing or Spearfishing

Catch your own dinner using fishing methods that have been used on the islands for hundreds of years. Join the crew of the Mantaray Island Resort for a short stroll to a nearby reef to try your luck.

The resort also does spearfishing trips, as does Naqalia Lodge, which mixes stunning underwater landscapes with catching dinner!

Learn more about incorporating fishing into your Yasawa getaway in The Complete Guide to Fishing in Fiji.

Location: Mantaray Island – Drawaqa Island, the central region of the Yasawa Islands. Naqalia Lodge – South coast of Wayasewa Island, the southern region of the Yasawa Islands. Alternatively, see more Yasawa offerings in the 10 Best Fishing Resorts in Fiji.

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5. Treat Your Loved One to a Beach Picnic

Mix romance, spectacular scenery and gourmet cuisine in a Yasawa Islands beach picnic. Resort chefs will prepare you a picnic fit for a king before you and your lucky partner are transported to a secluded beach.

This romantic dining experience is available at resorts such as the Yasawa Island Resort, Barefoot Manta, Navutu Stars and Turtle Island Fiji.

For more experiences like this, check out the 10 Romantic Activities in the Yasawa Islands.

Location: Yasawa Island Resort – West coast of Yasawa Island, northern region of the Yasawa Islands. Navutu Stars – North coast of Yanggeta Island, the central region of the Yasawa Islands. Barefoot Manta – Drawaqa Island, the central region of the Yasawa Islands. Turtle Island – Turtle Island, the central (Blue Lagoon) region of the Yasawa Islands.

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6. See a Tropical Productive Garden on a Garden Tour

Many of the resorts grow their own produce for their restaurants so that you can get an amazing insight into island life with one of the resorts’ garden tours. Turtle Island Fiji offers tours of its 5-acre (2 ha) garden, which grows fruit, vegetables, herbs, and spices.

Alternatively, Nanuya Island Resort offers tours of their own plantation on request.

Otherwise, any one of the 10 Best Homestays in the Yasawa Islands is usually happy to show you around their gardens.

Location: Turtle Island – Turtle Island, the central (Blue Lagoon) region of the Yasawa Islands. Nanuya Resort – Nanuya Lailai Island, central (Blue Lagoon) region of the Yasawa Islands.

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7. Do a Cruise of the Yasawas with Foodie Activities Included

Experience the ultimate Yasawa Islands adventure with Blue Lagoon Cruises. Their three, four and seven-night cruises offer the perfect blend of onboard luxury and authentic Fijian experiences.

What sets them apart is the ample time spent onshore, with most dinners served in real Fijian villages or on picturesque beaches.

Foodies will love the Fijian cooking lessons and traditional lovo feasts. Back on board, indulge in a la carte Captain’s Dinners and themed buffets.

The value is outstanding, with all meals included, plus you’ll find sparkling wine and a gift pack waiting in your room on arrival. It’s the ideal way to explore the Yasawas in style!

Location: Cruises depart from Port Denarau, Denarau Island, Nadi. Learn more about getting to Denarau in our Denarau Transport Guide.

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8. Attend a Luxurious Dinner Party on Turtle Island

Guests at the five-star Turtle Island Fiji resort and private island have the opportunity to attend their nightly “Dinner Parties”.

Hosted in a different, unique location each night, the Turtle Island dinner parties offer dining in the tropical gardens, on the mountaintops or the beach – the possibilities are endless on a private island! The evening ends with a kava ceremony, storytelling and meke (traditional song and dance).

Take a look at more luxuries like this in our 10 Luxury Activities in the Yasawa Islands.

Location: Turtle Island, the central (Blue Lagoon) region of the Yasawa Islands.

© Turtle Island Fiji

9. Get an Authentic Fijian Food Experience in a Village Homestay

For a truly authentic Fijian dining experience, it’s worth booking yourself a night or two in a village homestay. Fijian families open their homes to guests wanting to share their way of living and, most importantly, share their food!

Food is simple, shrouded in tradition yet flavoursome, making it an eye-opening and honouring experience to be a part of.

Check out our 10 Best Homestays in the Yasawa Islands for homestay recommendations.

Location: See the link above for recommendations and their locations.

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10. Enjoy a Private Dinner on the Beach

To celebrate a special occasion, pop the question or “just because”, treat that special someone to a romantic dinner for two. Indulge in a gourmet three-course meal at a private table on a secluded beach or waterfront venue.

This experience is available at resorts such as Mantaray Island, Barefoot Manta and Navutu Stars.

Location: Navutu Stars – North coast of Yanggeta Island, the central region of the Yasawa Islands. Barefoot Manta – Drawaqa Island, the central region of the Yasawa Islands.

© FijiPocketGuide.com