Experience the Mamanuca Islands on a Budget!
Thinking of travelling to the Mamanuca Islands? Then you’re onto a good thing! The Mamanuca Islands (pronounced “Ma-man-uh-thah”) are breathtaking white-sand beach islands centred with tropical forests and surrounded by coral reefs that you have been dreaming about.
While some of the islands are home to luxury resorts, there are actually plenty of budget to mid-range resorts on the Mamanuca Islands packed with free activities! Swimming in crystal clear waters, snorkelling with tropical fish, stand-up paddleboarding, or simply relaxing by the pool can be done for free (or at least very cheap) when staying or just visiting the islands of the Mamanuca Group.
Find out what else you could be getting up to on these paradise islands in this list of free and cheap things to do in the Mamanuca Islands!
While there are plenty of free ways to spend your time on the Mamanucas, the only thing you need to worry about is how you’re going to get there. Luckily, the Mamanucas are the closest islands to Nadi and Denarau on the mainland, so you have a good selection of ways to get there – check out the 10 Ways to Get to the Mamanuca Islands.
Table of Contents
1. Snorkel at the Mamanuca’s Coral Reefs
The Mamanuca Islands are surrounded by coral reefs rich with tropical fish, so snorkelling is an absolute must when visiting the islands! Many of the resorts offer free use of snorkelling gear, such as Beachcomber Island Resort, which also runs two snorkelling trips per day.
Gear is also complimentary with day trips to Malamala Beach Club, South Sea Island or any of the 10 Best Day Cruises in Fiji. For multiple days in the Mamanuca Islands, consider combining your visit with affordable dorms, private rooms, and bures to stay in.
Check out our 10 Budget Accommodations in the Mamanuca Islands for more information.
Location: Beachcomber Resort – Beachcomber Island, the eastern region of the Mamanuca Islands. Otherwise, most resorts and day trips in the Mamanucas offer free use of snorkelling gear.
© FijiPocketGuide.com2. Swim in the Resort and Beach Club Pools
The best thing about resort hopping is trying out all the different outdoor pools! Many of the Mamanuca Islands are open to day-trippers, such as Castaway Island, Mana Island and the Malamala Beach Club, which also means visitors who are not guests can also use the pool.
Location: Castaway Island – Qailto Island, the southwestern region of the Mamanuca Islands. Mana Island – Mana Island, the western region of the Mamanuca Islands. Malamala Beach Club – Malamala Island, the eastern region of the Mamanuca Islands. Day trips are available with South Sea Cruises from Port Denarau, Denarau Island, Nadi. See the Mamanuca Transport Guide to learn more.
© FijiPocketGuide.com3. Swim at a Glorious Mamanuca Beach
On the subject of swimming, no one is going to stop you from swimming in the warm waters off the beaches of the Mamanuca Islands. It’s a great way to cool off and connect with nature. If you are unsure about where to swim, be sure to ask the resort staff for safe swimming locations first.
Location: All of the 25 Best Resorts in the Mamanuca Islands!
© FijiPocketGuide.com4. Explore the Islands by Kayak
Being a guest at one of the resorts or just taking a one-day island excursion to a resort often means you get access to the resort’s “non-motorised” watersports equipment. Almost every resort has kayaks, which is a great way to get out on the water and explore the reefs and coast of the island!
If hiring a kayak at your chosen resort is not free, then it’s usually very cheap (we’re talking around FJ$5 per hour).
Location: All of the 25 Best Resorts in the Mamanuca Islands! Otherwise, check out day trips to Malamala Beach Club, South Sea Island, Castaway Island, and Mana Island, which are available with South Sea Cruises from Port Denarau, Denarau Island, Nadi. See the Mamanuca Transport Guide to learn more.
© FijiPocketGuide.com5. Get Out on the Water on a Stand-Up Paddleboard
Another watersport equipment available to hire for free (or very cheap, usually around FJ$5 per hour) is stand-up paddleboards (SUP boards). This relaxing sport is great for working muscles without overexertion. It’s possibly one of the most relaxing ways to exercise and discover the beautiful island surroundings.
Check out the resorts with free SUP hire in The Best Places for Stand-Up Paddleboarding in Fiji.
Location: Most (but not all) resorts in the Mamanuca Islands have SUP boards for hire. See the link above for more information.
© FijiPocketGuide.com6. Play Volleyball
Resorts on Beachcomber Island, Malolo Island (Malolo, Funky Fish), Mana Island (Ratu Kini, Mana Lagoon, Mana Island Resort), and the private island day trip to Tivua Island have volleyball nets and free use of volleyballs, so you can grab your mates and battle it out! Other sports equipment is also usually available, such as rugby balls and cricket sets.
Location: Beachcomber Resort – Beachcomber Island, the eastern region of the Mamanuca Islands. Malolo Island – the southwestern region of the Mamanuca Islands. Mana Island – Mana Island, the western region of the Mamanuca Islands.
© FijiPocketGuide.com7. Be Captivated by Your Resort Evening Entertainment
Staying the night on one of the Mamanuca Islands? Then, it’s likely that you’ll catch some of the free evening entertainment that resorts organise for guests. Be captivated by a traditional Fijian cultural performance, take part in a kava ceremony where you’ll taste a mouth-numbing traditional drink, see fire-walking and more!
Take a look at the resort’s daily entertainment itinerary, usually available from reception, to see what’s on.
Location: All of the 25 Best Resorts in the Mamanuca Islands!
© FijiPocketGuide.com8. Explore the Islands on Foot
Hike to magnificent viewpoints or discover secluded beaches just by taking a walk from your resort. Ask the resort staff if there are any good walking trails nearby.
There may even be free guided walks! For example, the Funky Fish Resort on Malolo Island offers free guided walks to a Second World War hill fort, and the Ratu Kini Dive Resort is a mere 20-minute walk away from Sunset Beach, often described as one of the most beautiful beaches in Fiji.
For more ideas, check out the 5 Best Walks & Hikes in the Mamanuca Islands.
Location: See the link above for recommendations and their locations.
© FijiPocketGuide.com9. Treat Yourself to a Spa Treatment
Indulge in a bit of “Fiji Time” with one of the island resorts’ spa treatments. It’s true that when you think “spa,” you think “luxury”; however, some budget resorts offer very reasonable spa treatments for under FJ$30, such as neck and shoulder massages at Ratu Kini Spa on Mana Island.
Location: Ratu Kini – Mana Island, the western region of the Mamanuca Islands. For more recommendations and their locations, check out the 10 Best Spas & Spa Resorts in the Mamanuca Islands.
© FijiPocketGuide.com10. Get Some Braids
No one will believe you have been on holiday unless you go home with a head full of braids! A fun and affordable activity for kids (and adults – we’re not judging) is getting braids.
Many of the resorts have a professional braider on site, and you or your little ones will rock the braids in no time! Braiding costs between FJ$1-$3 per braid. Explore other great activities for kids in our Family Guide to the Mamanuca Islands.
Location: The availability of hair-braiding services varies depending on staff availability. Please get in touch with individual resorts directly to inquire about this service.
© Pixabay11. Sit by the Pool with a Cocktail or Sample Some Local Cuisine
Let’s be honest: resort food in the Mamanuca Islands can get pretty costly, especially when ordering mains off the menu. However, with the heat of the Fijian sun keeping your appetite in check, it’s likely that all you’ll need is to sample one or two entrees or choose something from the lunch menu instead (which is cheaper while still serving huge portion sizes) to keep you going.
With that in mind, you can try some great Fijian dishes without spending too much! Check out 10 Foods You Have to Try in Fiji for things to look out for on the menu!
Oh yeah, and there’s always the drink option, too, so try some local Fiji beer or sip on a cocktail. For more tips on saving money on food, check out the 20 Ways to Save Money When Travelling in Fiji, and you might also be interested in Is it Worth Buying a Resort Meal Plan in Fiji?
Location: All resorts in the Mamanuca Islands!
© FijiPocketGuide.com12. Talk to the Resort Staff
Most of the staff at the Mamanuca Islands resorts are locals from nearby villages or the mainland. Fijians are super friendly and are usually happy to talk to guests about their culture and way of life! Don’t be afraid to ask questions to learn more about Fiji.
Location: Every resort in the Mamanuca Islands!
© FijiPocketGuide.comMore Free and Cheap Things to Do in the Mamanuca Islands
That’s it for the free and cheap things to do in the Mamanuca Islands. For more tips to help plan a frugal getaway, check out the following guides:
- Guide to the Mamanuca Islands on a Budget
- The Best Day Trips from the Mamanuca Islands
- 10 Mamanuca Islands Must-Dos
Finally, don’t forget to bookmark The Complete Travel Guide to Fiji on a Budget. 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:
- Mamanuca Environment Society (Regional conservation website)
- Tourism Suncoast (Regional tourism website)
- 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])
- Mamanuca Environment Society (Regional conservation website)
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