The Top Activities While Sailing in the Yasawa Islands
If you’ve dreamed of sailing through paradise, with lush tropical islands topped with rainforest, sandy beaches fringed by coconut palms, and crystal-clear waters perfect for snorkelling, then you’re likely picturing the Yasawa Islands. Yasawa means “heaven” in Fijian, and as you drop anchor in these picturesque islands or even scroll through this list of things to do, you’ll soon discover why.
This stunning island group north of the mainland boasts an array of activities for yachties to enjoy. While there are around 30 resorts spread across 12 main islands, many are open to day visitors and offer excellent facilities and experiences.
Whether you choose to explore multiple islands or find your perfect anchorage for a longer stay, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to amazing activities. From unique experiences like swimming with manta rays to classic Fijian pastimes that somehow feel even more special in the Yasawas, get ready to fill your logbook with unforgettable memories.
Start planning your Yasawa adventure with this list of the best things to do in these heavenly islands! And be sure to bookmark The Complete Sailing Guide to the Yasawa Islands for more essential tips.
Table of Contents
1. Visit the Sawa-i-Lau Caves
Embark on an adventure to the mystical Sawa-i-Lau Caves, nestled on the edge of the stunning Blue Lagoon. These ancient limestone caves, sculpted by centuries of wave action, boast spectacular formations and a hidden chamber accessible through an underwater tunnel.
Most Yasawa resorts offer trips to this bucket-list-worthy natural attraction. For a quieter experience, we recommend opting for an afternoon excursion rather than the morning trips.
Dive deeper into your cave adventure with our guide on How to Get to the Sawa-i-Lau Caves in Fiji.
Location: Sawa-i-Lau Island, the northern region of the Yasawa Islands.
Anchorage: 16°50.496S / 177°27.894E
© FijiPocketGuide.com2. Swim with Giant Manta Rays
An unmissable underwater experience is available between May and October every year when giant manta rays glide through the narrow channels of the Yasawa Islands.
Watching these graceful creatures, which are around 4 m (12 ft) long, flying through the crystal clear waters, is a stunning experience.
Resorts such as Mantaray Island Resort, Barefoot Manta, Navutu Stars, and many more do snorkelling boat trips during the manta ray season. If you’re trying your chances on your own, however, be sure to aid local conservation efforts by sticking to these manta ray-swimming guidelines:
Swimming With Manta Ray Sustainability Guidelines
- When entering the water, do so quietly and calmly, keeping an initial distance of at least 10 metres to avoid disturbing them.
- Ensure your fins remain below the water’s surface to minimise splashing that could startle the rays.
- Swimmers should never approach closer than 3 metres and must never attempt to chase or touch a manta ray.
- Always approach from the side, including when approaching with your dinghy, giving the animal a clear and unobstructed path to swim freely.
Find out more about this experience in The Guide to Swimming with Manta Rays in Fiji.
Location: Between Nanuya Balavu and Drawaqa Islands, the central region of the Yasawa Islands.
See the 10 Best Fiji Resorts for Swimming with Manta Rays for recommendations and their locations.
© FijiPocketGuide.com3. Snorkel or Dive with Sharks
There are very few places in the world where you can jump in the water with tiger sharks, bull sharks, tawny nurse sharks and lemon tip sharks without a cage! Get uninterrupted views of these majestic creatures on a shark scuba diving trip available with the Barefoot Kuata Resort.
The team at Barefoot feed the sharks as part of local conservation efforts while you watch the mesmerising show right in front of your eyes.
If scuba diving with big sharks is out of your comfort zone (or budget), then snorkelling with reef sharks is another amazing experience available at Barefoot Kuata, Naqalia Lodge and homestays on Wayasewa Island.
Location: Barefoot Kuata Island Resort – Kuata Island. Naqalia Lodge – Wayasewa Island, the southern region of the Yasawa Islands.
© FijiPocketGuide.com4. Sail in the Blue Lagoon
Set your sails for the breathtaking Blue Lagoon in the northern Yasawa Islands. This stunning expanse of azure waters, ringed by picturesque islands, is a sailor’s paradise.
As you navigate through the lagoon, you’ll be treated to a mesmerising palette of blues, from the shallow sandy shores to the deeper hues where coral reefs lie beneath.
Drop anchor and dive into the crystal-clear waters for some world-class snorkelling, where an array of tropical fish await your discovery. The calm, sheltered waters make for perfect sailing conditions, allowing you to explore the surrounding islands at your leisure.
For more underwater adventures, check out The Ultimate Guide to Snorkelling in Fiji.
Location: Blue Lagoon – Surrounded by Tavewa, Nanuya Lailai and Matacawalevu Island, the central region of the Yasawa Islands.
© FijiPocketGuide.com5. Hike to Volcanic Peaks
Many of the islands in the Yasawas have rugged volcanic peaks that are begging to be climbed! Getting to the top rewards you with sensational views of the surrounding islands and the Pacific Ocean – it’s well worth the effort!
Hikes will either be free, or you will need a local guide where trails are unmarked – ask at local resorts or village homestays.
The best time to go is for sunset or sunrise, as it’s not only the coolest time of the day, but it will add a whole new stunning light to the views.
Check out walks on the islands at the 10 Best Walks in the Yasawa Islands.
Location: See the link above for recommended walks and their locations.
© FijiPocketGuide.com6. Visit or Stay in a Fijian Village
Many of the Yasawa Islands are dotted with villages where Fijians have lived in isolation for hundreds of years. Resorts offer a relaxed way to see the Fijian way of life with their own guided village visits, allowing you to mingle with the friendly locals – see some of our favourites in the 10 Best Village Tours in Fiji.
Alternatively, there are several homestays and village stays run by local villagers, which can be organised through Airbnb, Expedia and Booking.com. Staying in a Fijian village is the best way to immerse in the culture and watch ancient traditions being played out as part of everyday life.
Remember to respect the customs of visiting a village, such as wearing a sarong (sulu) and not wearing a hat, and you will need some yaqona (kava root) to present to the village hosts – find out more in our Guide to Fijian Village Etiquette.
Location: All over the Yasawa Islands! For village stays, check out the 10 Best Homestays in the Yasawa Islands.
© FijiPocketGuide.com7. Make Some Fijian Crafts
If you need more convincing that the island culture is well and truly alive in the Yasawa Islands, set your sights on the many arts and crafts of the islands.
Most resorts, lodges, and homestays offer opportunities to engage with Fijian culture for free or at a minimal fee by weaving your own bag, hat, or dinner plate at Naqalia Lodge and Barefoot Manta Resort. You can even make your own coconut bracelet as your very own island souvenir at Mantaray Island Resort.
Crafting is also a great activity for kids, as are the items on our 10 Things to Do in the Yasawa Islands with Kids.
Location: Naqalia Lodge – South coast of Wayasewa Island, the southern region of the Yasawa Islands, Barefoot Manta – North coast of Drawaqa Island, the central region of the Yasawa Islands, Mantaray Resort – Nanuya Balavu Island, the central region of the Yasawa Islands.
© FijiPocketGuide.com8. Experience Scuba Diving Among Magnificent Coral
While sharks and manta rays may take all the limelight when it comes to the marine life in the Yasawa Islands, that’s not to say that there isn’t a whole ocean out there holding an incredible array of astonishing wildlife.
The coral reefs are teeming with tropical fish, eels, seahorses and much more. What’s more, the water is clear and warm, making it the ideal scuba diving environment for both experienced divers and beginners! Most resorts in the Yasawas have their own certified diving instructors to take you to the best dive sites in the area.
Find out more about scuba diving in the Yasawas in The Guide to Scuba Diving in Fiji.
Location: See the link above for resorts with their own dive shop. Alternatively, check out our favourites in the 20 Best Dive Resorts in Fiji.
© FijiPocketGuide.com9. Indulge in a Luxurious Beachfront Massage
A trip to Fiji is about spoiling yourself, and that’s pretty easy to do, thanks to the help of the Yasawa Islands’ spas.
Try a traditional Fijian spa treatment combined with natural Fijian spa products, or stick with a familiar treatment to unwind in comfort – you really have a lot of choice at the Yasawa spas! Not only that, but you have some of the most stunning spa settings in the world.
The Yasawa Island Resort & Spa, for instance, has open-air treatment rooms overhanging the beach, giving you the most spectacular views and soothing island breeze to go with your indulgent treatment.
See our 10 Best Spas in the Yasawa Islands for more spas worth trying.
Location: See the link above for recommendations and their locations.
© FijiPocketGuide.com10. Experience Kava and Meke Dancing!
The resorts of the Yasawa Islands are pretty exciting places to be, helping you jump straight into the Fijian culture with a kava ceremony.
Kava, also known as yaqona, is a root that is crushed and mixed with water to create a traditional drink shared among hosts and guests. It has an earthy taste and will leave your mouth rather tingly (and your head if you have too much).
Remember, if you are visiting a village that has not been organised through a tour or resort, you will need to bring your own kava root.
Resorts will also host night “meke” shows featuring traditional dancing.
Location: All over the Yasawa Islands!
© FijiPocketGuide.comMore About Sailing in the Yasawa Islands
That’s it for the best things to do in the Yasawa Islands for yachties. For more information about sailing in the Yasawa Islands, check out the following articles:
- Where to Eat in the Yasawa Islands: Guide for Yachties
- Yacht Provisioning: Shops & Services in the Yasawa Islands
- The Sailing Guide to Fiji: Tips for Yachting in Fiji
Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in our Complete Sailing Guide to the Yasawa Islands.
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:
- Tourism Fiji (General travel 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])
- Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (Tourism statistics - Updated [2025])
- SPTO (Pacific tourism 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])
- Ocean Posse (Mooring data for the South Pacific)
- SV Soggy Paws (Sailing resource for the South Pacific)
Our editorial standards: At Fiji Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.
