The Budget & Backpacking Guide to the Yasawa Islands

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How to Get to the Yasawas on a Budget

Stretching far north above Fiji’s main island, Viti Levu – see How to Get to Fiji, the Yasawa Islands does take some time (and money) to get to but is well worth the journey. The most economical way to get to Yasawas is via boat transfer by a catamaran ferry or speed boat.

Expect the journey from the mainland to take 2-5 hours one way, depending on which island you are heading to.

Yasawa Islands via Ferry

One of the cheapest and most popular ways to get to and from the Yasawa Islands is via a high-speed catamaran. Departing daily from Port Denarau Marina, the ferry stops at almost every resort and also includes some hop-on-hop-off options for island-hopping.

Alternatively, a ferry runs between Lautoka (a short drive from Nadi) and several islands and resorts in the Yasawas for a cheaper rate. Learn more about these ferry services in How to Take the Ferry to the Yasawa Islands.

How to Get Around the Yasawa Islands

As mentioned, hop-on hop-off ferry passes are available for families who want to try a few different resorts during their time in the Yasawas. Otherwise, resorts arrange their own boat tours to get to Yasawa activities and attractions.

For more options to get to paradise, including private sailing charters, water taxis and more, check out our Yasawa Transport Guide: 8 Ways to Get to (& Around) the Yasawa Islands.

When to Visit the Yasawa Islands

For budget-savvy backpackers, plan your Yasawa adventure from May to October. This dry season attracts a younger crowd, perfect for mingling with fellow travellers.

If you’re after a quieter experience, the rainy season (November to April) sees fewer backpackers. Whatever your preference, the Yasawas offer stunning beaches and crystal-clear waters year-round.

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Free and Cheap Water Activities

Once your flights, boat transfer, accommodation and meal package have been paid for, budget travellers can relax once they reach the resorts and homestays of the Yasawa Islands.

There’s a wide array of free and cheap activities that will keep you entertained for the duration of your stay, starting with the water activities…

Snorkelling

Who doesn’t want to do snorkelling in Fiji? No matter what your budget is, snorkelling is a must-do. The best thing is that snorkelling is 100% free. Most resorts offer complimentary use of snorkel gear if there is safe snorkelling to be done right from the beach.

Otherwise, a snorkelling safari, where you’ll be transferred by boat to the nearest snorkelling hotspot, is usually one of the most inexpensive activities that resorts offer.

Check out the 10 Best Snorkelling Resorts in Fiji and 10 Best Beaches in the Yasawa Islands for ideas.

Kayaking and Stand-Up Paddleboarding

Be as active or relaxed as you like when you use one of the free-to-use kayaks or stand-up paddleboards offered by the resorts in the Yasawas. Kayaking is a fantastic way to explore the island and watch the fish swimming in the clear waters below.

Check out the resorts with free SUP hire in The Best Places for Stand-Up Paddleboarding in Fiji.

Handline Fishing Trips

Fishing is part of everyday life in the Yasawa Islands. The staff at many of the budget resorts can take you to the best local fishing spots to fish the local way – handline fishing. Prices on fishing trips between resorts vary widely, so make sure you inquire first to get the best price.

Good deals can be found for under FJ$50 (but usually much cheaper) 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.

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Free and Cheap Land Activities

Aside from embracing “Fiji time” by lazying in a hammock or lounging by the pool, there’s a great deal of free or super cheap land activities. Seriously, you won’t need to spend anything to have a good time.

Cultural activities such as crafts, guided walks, and village visits usually come at a small fee (FJ$10-$50).

For more information, check out Fiji Travel Budget: How Much Does a Trip to Fiji Cost?

Walks and Hiking

Most resorts and homestays have access to spectacular walks on the islands. From short beach walks to mountain hikes, there’s something for every fitness level.

Sunset or sunrise is the most popular time of day to go for a walk, so 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.

See more recommendations in the 10 Best Walks & Hikes in the Yasawa Islands.

Fijian Crafts and Cooking Lessons

Make yourself some awesome Fijian souvenirs with one of the crafting lessons available with many resorts and homestays. Weave yourself a basket or a hat, or put together your own coconut bracelet. Learn how to tie a sulu (sarong) for your village visits around Fiji.

Fijian cooking lessons are always another fantastic and inexpensive option where you’ll get to cook with tropical ingredients you have likely never seen before! Throughout the experience, you’ll learn a great deal about the Fijian culture with your guide, so the experience is definitely worth the small fee!

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Fijian Entertainment

Many of the resorts in the Yasawas come alive at night with Fijian dancing and singing known as “meke”, and even get involved yourself with resorts like Octopus Resort, teaching guests their famous “Octopus Bula Dance”!

Many of the resorts and homestays also greet guests with a kava ceremony – a traditional welcoming ceremony where guests are invited to drink kava with the resort staff while they learn about the rituals of the ceremony. For homestays in Fijian villages, make sure you bring your own yaqona root for the ceremony, which is expected of a village visit.

Read more about it in our Fiji Village Etiquette: What to Do When Visiting a Fijian Village.

Land Sports

A volleyball net and balls on the beach are a staple in the Yasawa Islands resorts, as well as access to other sports equipment, so playing sports is another way to enjoy your time in paradise with your mates, family or fellow travellers staying at the resort.

Resorts, such as the Octopus Resort, offer free yoga sessions. Almost all the resorts have nights of coconut bowling and crab racing!

More Things to Do in the Yasawa Islands

The rest of your time in the Yasawa Islands can be enjoyed by joining a traditional village visit, learning to weave palm fronds, or hiking to hidden waterfalls, which you can find out more about in the 10 Free & Cheap Things to Do in the Yasawa Islands.

For experiences that don’t necessarily fall into the budget category but are no less amazing, check out the 20 Best Things to Do in the Yasawa Islands.

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Dining in the Yasawas on a Budget

Due to the remoteness of the Yasawa Islands and their resorts, accommodation rates usually include three meals a day, as there will be no opportunity to buy food supplies or visit restaurants on the islands.

Budget Dining at the Yasawa Islands’ Resorts

Resorts offer a range of food options to cater to their varied guests. Expect a mix of Fijian and Western food, where one night a week is likely to be a “lovo” night where food is slow-cooked in an underground oven the Fijian way, as is the case with Naqalia Lodge.

Resorts like Octopus Resort offer set breakfasts and dinners and an a la carte lunch menu. Snacks can be purchased from resort bars. Higher-end resorts like the Mantaray Island Resort have more expensive meal packages, so guests have the option of buffet breakfasts, a la carte lunches, and three-course a la carte dinners.

Meal packages in budget resorts range from FJ$50-$100 per person per day, half price for a child and, in some cases, children under six years old eat free. Learn more about meal plans in our guide, Is it Worth Buying a Resort Meal Plan in Fiji?

For any dietary requirements, make sure you get in touch with the resort before booking to see if the resort can cater to your needs. They often cater to vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free diets.

Homestay Dining

Homestays in the Yasawas offer meal packages as an optional add-on, but it’s usually the most convenient option to get a meal package due to the lack of stores and restaurants. Meals will be a set breakfast, lunch, and dinner of Fijian food – bread, seafood, rice, noodles, tropical vegetables, fruit, etc.

You will either eat with the family you are staying with, or your hosts will prepare food for you to eat first, and then they will dine after you.

Meal packages with homestays are usually between FJ$10-$30 per person per day. For dietary requirements, you will have a limited choice, so it is best to stay at a resort.

Now head over to The Food Guide to the Yasawa Islands: Places to Eat & Food Resorts for more information about dining in paradise.

Foodie Hidden Gems

We don’t want to end this backpacking guide without mentioning two humble food spots nestled on Nanuya Island: Lo’s Tea House and Organic Ice Cream.

Both are accessible from Boathouse Nanuya, Voyager Retreat Homestay, and Sunrise Lagoon Homestay, and can be reached by walking along the beach or on the island’s hiking trails (just ask at your accommodation).

Lo’s Tea House offers meals, usually whatever the fishermen have brought in that day, as well as their famous fried doughnuts and lemon leaf tea.

Further down the beach, Organic Ice Cream is the side hustle of Voyager Retreat Homestay, where all ice lollies are made with seasonal fruit and coconut cream. What’s more, they’re dairy-free!