Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The group of thirty islands has three distinct zones.
Kuata
,
Wayasewa and Waya
, in the
southern part, are similar in nature to the outer Mamanucas, with high mountain peaks, dra-
matic rock faces and fantastic walking tracks. These three islands are the closest to the main-
land, only two hours by fast catamaran, and are by far the most interesting to visit, with deep
bays and pretty villages providing regular stops for
overnight cruises
. To the north is the
largest island in the group,
Naviti
, with rolling grassy hills and a dozen small offshore islands
where
manta rays
congregate between May and October. Fifteen minutes' sailing north of
Naviti are the
northern Yasawas
, home to a cluster of budget resorts and three super-exclus-
ive retreats.
THE RISE OF THE BACKPACKER RESORT
Thirty years ago, travellers who wanted to explore the Yasawas had to obtain a special vis-
itor pass from the District Office in Lautoka. However, in 1987, the government decided to
open up the region to independent travel. A few
backpacker resorts
initially sprang up on
Tavewa, and these were soon followed by similar developments on Waya and Wayasewa.
Passage to the islands was by small fishing boat, usually without radio or life jackets and
often with dubious engines. Having witnessed the success of these early resorts, the gov-
ernment opened an
ecotourism
start-up fund offering F$50,000 worth of materials to local
landowners. The result was an explosion of budget resorts. Since 2001, with the introduc-
tion of the
Yasawa Flyer
catamaran service, the region has changed dramatically and the
romantic days of exploratory tourism have given way to a thriving commercial industry
with over thirty resorts now operating across the area.
SERVICES, HYGIENE AND FOOD
The majority of backpacker resorts in the Yasawas are run by the islanders themselves,
either as individual businesses or as community projects.
Services
and
hygiene
have im-
proved over the years, although you're still likely to run into the odd creepy-crawly, espe-
cially in the thatch bures.
Meals
at the more basic resorts can be a disappointment - it's
definitely worth bringing some snacks.
COSTS
Compared to the mainland,
costs
are inflated. Most resorts charge F$80 for a dorm bed in-
cluding three meals, while a small bottle of beer costs around F$5. Snorkelling gear costs
F$6 a day to rent so it's definitely worth bringing your own set. There's little else to spend
money on - organized
activities
are limited to fishing trips and village visits and work out
at F$20-50 per person.
ARRIVAL AND GETTING AROUND: THE YASAWA ISLANDS
The efficient
Yasawa Flyer
catamaran
serves the majority of the Yasawa Islands. While a
few resorts try to compete with the
Flyer
by offering quicker direct transfers from Lautoka
