The Budget & Backpacking Guide to the Coral Coast

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How to Get to the Coral Coast on a Budget

Just an hour’s drive between the Coral Coast’s main hub, Sigatoka, and Nadi International Airport, the Coral Coast is one of the easiest holiday destinations in Fiji to get to. You don’t need to worry about expensive boat transport: just pick your choice of road transport!

The Coral Coast by Bus

For those travelling on a budget, there’s no doubt that the cheapest way to get to the Coral Coast is via an express bus. If your resort is along the Queens Road, buses can usually drop you off right outside, or at least as close as possible. Express buses from Nadi take around 1 hr 30 mins to reach the Coral Coast. Slower public buses are also available and are even cheaper. Check out How to Travel Around Fiji by Bus for more information.

The Coral Coast by Taxi

For a quicker and more convenient way to get to the Coral Coast, catch a taxi! Taxis don’t need to use a meter when leaving a city, like Nadi, so make sure you agree on a price before using the service. Taxis with “LT” on the license plate are cheaper than transfer services with “LH” on the license plate. See 10 Things You Need to Know About Taxis in Fiji for more tips, as well as How Much Does a Nadi Airport Taxi Cost?

For more ways to get to the Coral Coast, take a look at our complete Coral Coast Transport Guide: 10 Ways to Get to the Coral Coast.

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Free and Cheap Water Activities on the Coral Coast

Who comes to Fiji and doesn’t want to get in the water?! The Coral Coast, especially, has an array of picturesque beaches fringed by coral reefs, as well as lagoons to explore. So make use of your resort’s free and cheap water activities during your stay! And when you’ve got through all of those activities, you can always retreat to the poolside.

Kayaking

A staple of any waterfront accommodation on the Coral Coast, kayaks are almost always available to hire for free! Get out on the water and explore the coast or test your relationship or friendship in a double kayak! Just ask the resort staff where are the best places to paddle to. For more experiences for two, check out the 10 Most Romantic Things to Do on the Coral Coast.

Snorkelling

Discover the tropical fish and colourful underwater world of the Coral Coast by making use of the complimentary snorkelling equipment. Although the off-shore snorkelling is not as good as what you would find on Fiji’s outer islands, resorts on the Coral Coast like the Mango Bay Resort, Crusoe’s Retreat and Bedarra Beach Inn have access to a lagoon with some fantastic snorkelling. Alternatively, many resorts like The Beachouse offer snorkelling boat trips, usually at an affordable rate.

Introductory Scuba Diving Lesson

Unsure about whether scuba diving is right for you? Don’t miss the opportunity to try it for free at your resort! Budget accommodations on the Coral Coast, like Mango Bay Resort, offer a complimentary scuba diving lesson in the resort pool. For more information, see How to Learn to Scuba Dive in Fiji: The Ultimate Guide.

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Free and Cheap Land Activities on the Coral Coast

It’s often that the crystal clear waters of Fiji steal all the limelight, but there are plenty of amazing activities to do on land too. The Coral Coast is rich in Fijian culture which is shared through resort cultural activities and by exploring the nearby towns and villages. Plus, don’t miss some of the Coral Coast’s natural attractions.

Fijian Cultural Activities

Fijians are happy to share their island traditions and culture with visitors, and budget travellers will get lots of opportunities to learn through resorts like Mango Bay Resort, The Beachhouse and Crusoe’s Retreat. Make your own souvenir in a traditional Fijian weaving lesson, learn to cook Fijian food, make coconut jewellery and more!

These resorts also immerse guests into the Fijian culture with kava ceremonies, a staple of the Fiji islands where new visitors share a narcotic drink with villagers (or in this case, the resort staff). The most authentic version of a kava ceremony is when actually visiting a village through a guided village tour, such as Off-Road Cave Safari, Sigatoka River Safari or the Biausevu Waterfall Tour with Go Local Fiji. You can also visit a village independently, Fijians are very welcoming, but you’ll need to be prepared with some yaqona (kava root) to present as sevusevu (a gift). For more information, see Fiji Village Etiquette: What to Do When Visiting a Fijian Village.

Finally, these resorts also come alive at night with traditional Fijian song and dance known as “meke”. This is a captivating experience that is sure to lift the spirit!

Shops and Markets in Sigatoka

More ways to get outside of your resort are by visiting the nearby towns. The hub of the Coral Coast is Sigatoka, which is full of craft stores and the Sigatoka Market. The market is a must-do, not only to see the array of tropical fruits and vegetables but also to mingle with the friendly stallholders. Local buses and taxis are a cheap way to get to and from Sigatoka. Otherwise, inquire if your resort operates a shuttle service.

Sigatoka Sand Dunes

Fiji’s first national park, Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park is a must for travellers on a budget. The park, just south of Sigatoka, is protected for its unique nature and history. Arrive at the visitor centre, which is open daily from 8 am to 4:30 pm, where it’s around FJ$10 per adult to access the walking trails. It offers two main walking options: a one-hour shaded walk that is less steep and a more challenging two-hour hike with great views. The area is home to 36 species of birds, and it’s recommended to arrive early for birdwatching. Special arrangements for early arrival can be booked in advance via the Sigatoka Sand Dunes website, as are guided tours throughout the day. See more activities like this in the 7 Best Walks & Hikes on the Coral Coast.

More Things to Do on the Coral Coast

The rest of your time on the Coral Coast can be enjoyed by exploring hidden caves, snorkelling vibrant coral reefs, or visiting traditional Fijian villages, which you can find out more about in the 10 Free & Cheap Things to Do on the Coral Coast. For experiences that don’t necessarily fall into the budget category but are no less amazing, check out the 20 Best Things to Do on the Coral Coast.

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Dining on a Budget on the Coral Coast

The obvious place to eat is at the budget resort where you are staying, but those who go out exploring the Coral Coast will come across much cheaper restaurants and cafes. Some resorts, like The Beachouse, offer complimentary breakfast, which can help lighten the budget. If you want to treat your tastebuds while not spending too much, here are some of the cheap eats along the Coral Coast!

Cheap Eats on the Coral Coast

Those staying near or passing through Korotoga, don’t miss Cafe Planet (Queens Road, Korotogo) and its garden surroundings. Enjoy food outside with wraps, sandwiches and pies all for under FJ$10! You’ll even have some money left over for coffee.

Stop by the Halal Food Stall (Queens Road, Olosara) for a local favourite run by an ex-chef of InterContinental Resort. You’ll love the authentic flavours of this hidden gem!

One of the cheapest Asian restaurants in Sigatoka is Naidu’s South Indian Restaurant (Queens Road, Sigatoka), which serves up the likes of halal chicken fried rice, chop suey, and curry, as well as their vegetarian counterparts for around FJ$10.

Needless to say, for just a couple of dollars, you can enjoy delicious homecooked meals, especially roti wraps and Indian sweets, at the Sigatoka Market (Market Road). This local gem offers a taste of authentic Fijian cuisine at budget-friendly prices.

For more recommendations, head to our Top Cheap Eats on the Coral Coast.