The Complete Travel Guide to the Yasawa Islands

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What to Do in the Yasawa Islands

A scattering of islands with sandy shores and rugged volcanic peaks awaits in the Yasawa Group. The culture couldn’t be more authentic here with villages on almost every island, while some of Fiji’s most iconic marine activities, such as swimming with manta rays and sharks, can also be found here.

The Top Experiences in the Yasawas

What are the must-dos? Here are some of the Yasawa Islands highlights:

• Swim inside the Sawa-i-Lau Caves
• Snorkel with manta rays during the manta ray season
• Dive with sharks
• Hike to one of the islands’ volcanic hilltops
• Visit or stay in a Fijian village
• Make some Fijian crafts at your resort
• Go scuba diving at one of the amazing dive sites
• Take one of the many exciting day trips from the Yasawa Islands…

… And the list continues over in our 21 Best Things to Do in the Yasawa Islands. Or go nuts with our 101 Things to Do in Fiji: The Ultimate List!

Rainy Day Activities

Being a tropical getaway, it’s no secret that it rains in Fiji (but, luckily, not as much in the Yasawas as elsewhere in Fiji). If you find your trip coinciding with excessive showers, then try these wet weather activities:

• Spend the day at the spa
• Relax with your resort’s Fijian entertainment
• Snorkel with the fishes (who cares if it’s raining, just don’t go out if the sea is rough)…

… And much more that we mention in the 10 Things to Do in Fiji on a Rainy Day.

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Where to Stay in the Yasawa Islands

Aside from our top recommendations listed alongside this complete travel guide to the Yasawa Islands (or at the bottom, if you’re reading this on mobile), we’ve compiled the best accommodations and resorts based on price, suitability for families or couples, as well as more premium offerings. What’s more, each article is written by real travellers rather than some dodgy algorithm!

• 20 Best Resorts
• 10 Best Boutique Resorts
• 5 Best Luxury Resorts
• 15 Best Budget Accommodations
• 10 Best Backpacker Resorts
• 10 Best Homestays
• 10 Best Family Resorts
• 10 Best Adults-Only Resorts
• 10 Most Romantic Resorts

For a comprehensive overview of all of the Yasawas’ accommodations, head over to the 25 Best Places to Stay in the Yasawa Islands.

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Where to Eat in the Yasawa Islands

Any trip away from home should be a treat for the tastebuds, and that’s certainly the case for a trip to the Yasawa Islands. No matter what your budget is, whether you’re travelling for the food or not, your palette will certainly be educated with authentic Fijian cuisine in the Yasawas. Food is a central part of the Fijian traditions and customs, which is reflected in the activities and dining experiences available in the Yasawa Islands’ resorts. Check out our tips in The Food Guide to the Yasawa Islands.

Dining at the Yasawa Islands’ Resorts

Every resort in the Yasawa Islands offers dining options for guests and day-trip visitors (if applicable). Some resorts feature à la carte menus, sometimes to pay-as-you-go but mostly included in a mandatory meal plan, allowing you to choose from a variety of dishes. Some smaller, more intimate resorts offer daily set menus, where you’ll need to order your meals a few hours in advance – again, this is likely to be part of a meal plan. Other resorts in the Yasawa Islands are all-inclusive, with meals included at the going rate. See the 10 Best All-Inclusive Resorts in Fiji for examples. Plus, learn about resort meal plans in our guide, Is it Worth Buying a Resort Meal Plan in Fiji?

There’s a lot more to say about dining in the Yasawa Islands, including the best resort restaurants, dining during village homestays, and communicating dietary requirements, which we go into in The Food Guide to the Yasawa Islands: Places to Eat & Food Resorts.

Things to Do for Foodies

• Learn a new recipe in a Fijian cooking lesson
• Try a traditional lovo feast at the Barefoot Manta Resort
• Catch your own dinner in handline fishing or spearfishing
• Treat your loved one to a beach picnic
• Get an authentic Fijian food experience in a village homestay.

And if that hasn’t made your mouth water enough, then check out our 10 Best Foodie Experiences in the Yasawa Islands.

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Budget Holidays in the Yasawa Islands

The Yasawa Islands have held onto being Fiji’s “backpacker destination” for years now, even with the introduction of some mid-range and luxury resorts. Budget resorts dominate the accommodation available in the Yasawas, making for an affordable tropical holiday with plenty of amazing experiences available for free or at least very cheap. Get more advice for your budget getaway in The Budget & Backpacking Guide to the Yasawa Islands.

Things to Do on a Budget

• Snorkel just off the beaches
• Explore the water by kayak or stand-up paddleboard
• Discover amazing landscapes on the walking trails
• Do a Fijian craft or cooking lesson, such as at the Mantaray Island Resort
• Enjoy evenings of Fijian song, dance and kava ceremonies.

For more inspiration, check out our 10 Free & Cheap Things to Do in the Yasawa Islands.

Where to Stay on a Budget

The Yasawa Islands are blessed with affordable accommodation, making a stay in paradise much more accessible. There are resorts and homestays available for families, couples and backpackers. Check out our 15 Budget Accommodations in the Yasawa Islands, the 10 Best Backpacker Resorts in the Yasawa Islands, and the 10 Best Homestays in the Yasawa Islands.

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Luxury Holidays in the Yasawa Islands

The scene of powdery beaches, rugged volcanic islands and lush tropical forest mixed with seclusion and the feeling of “your own piece of paradise” is what makes a luxury holiday in the Yasawa Islands. There’s a feeling of exclusivity in the limited number of five-star resorts due to resorts being “boutique” and adult-only for most of the year. Find out more about luxury travel to the Yasawas in The Luxury Guide to the Yasawa Islands.

Luxury Experiences

• Fly to your luxury resort on a scenic seaplane flight
• Scuba dive at untouched reefs
• Indulge in a luxurious beachfront massage
• Swim with giant manta rays
• Go horse riding along a private beach.

Like the sound of those? See more “treat yourself” activities in our list of 10 Best Luxury Experiences in the Yasawa Islands.

Luxury Resorts

Looking for an all-inclusive getaway, a resort of romance or something secluded and private? Check out your options in our list of 5 Luxury Resorts in the Yasawa Islands.

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Family Holidays in the Yasawa Islands

A family holiday in the Yasawa Islands is much more about spending time together than apart in the kids’ clubs (although there are some kids’ clubs available). Resorts and even village homestays in the Yasawas are much more suited to adventurous families with a bucket list of things they want to do rather than spending every day by the pool. Find out more about family travel to the Yasawas in The Family Guide to the Yasawa Islands.

Family Tours and Activities

• Jump on a boat trip to the Sawa-i-Lau Caves
• Learn how to craft jewellery or weave hats
• Learn how to scuba dive (for 10+ years)
• Learn about the underwater world on a marine talk at Barefoot Kuata and Barefoot Manta Resorts
• Take your kids to the fantastic kids’ clubs.

And the list goes on! Check it out in our 10 Best Things to Do in the Yasawa Islands with Kids.

Family Resorts and Accommodations

Find resorts with family rooms, family-friendly activities and child services, such as kids’ clubs and babysitting, in our 10 Family Resorts in the Yasawa Islands.

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Adult-Only Holidays in the Yasawa Islands

We get it; over-enthusiastic children are not for everyone. If your idea of “Fiji time” is enjoying a holiday undisturbed, then consider an adult-only holiday in the Yasawa Islands. With luxury resorts not allowing guests under 16 years old, as well as backpacker resorts attracting an adventurous crowd of like-minded travellers, you can be sure that any family “mood-killers” will not be a problem. Get more advice in The Adults-Only Guide to the Yasawa Islands.

Adults-Only Experiences

• Enjoy an adults-only cruise around the Yasawa Islands
• Sip cocktails from one of the Yasawa Islands’ bars
• Rejuvenate with a morning yoga session
• Snorkel or scuba dive with sharks
• Get involved with the cultural activities at your adults-only resort.

For more ideas and information on each activity, check out the 10 Adults-Only Activities in the Yasawa Islands.

Adult-Only Resorts

That’s right; all the resorts are dedicated to an adult-only holiday in Fiji. The only guests allowed to stay in these exclusive resorts must be over the age of 16 years old. Check them out in our 10 Best Adult-Only Resorts in the Mamanuca Islands.

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Honeymoons and Romantic Getaways in the Yasawa Islands

The remoteness of the Yasawa Islands oozes romance, making the island group a popular destination for beach weddings or honeymoons. With fabulous places to stay and romantic activities to strengthen your bond, a romantic getaway to the Yasawa Islands should be on every couple’s bucket list! Start planning your romantic getaway with the Wedding, Honeymoon & Romantic Getaway Guide to the Yasawa Islands.

Things to Do for Couples

• Indulge in a couples massage
• Enjoy a private dinner or beach picnic together
• Stay in a romantic adults-only resort
• Hike to a secluded sunset spot
• Discover the Yasawa Islands on an adults-only cruise.

So make your special time away together truly special with these 10 Most Romantic Things to Do in the Yasawa Islands. Plus, check out the 10 Wedding Venues in the Yasawa Islands and 5 Best Wedding Packages in the Yasawa Islands.

Romantic Resorts

Whether you’re seeking a base for a romantic getaway, renewing your vows or starting the rest of your lives together, we list your best options in our 10 Most Romantic Honeymoon Resorts in the Yasawa Islands.