Fiji

**No-two** · 16-Jul-08, 07:04 PM

Who here's been to Fiji? I'm thinking of going with my boyfriend but can't figure out where I wanna stay. We're mainly interested in snorkelling and possibly diving, so somewhere with lots of marine life and good reefs just off the beach would be good. Also maybe some good herping spots for my boyfriend...
I know this is a reptile forum but I had no one else to ask and the travel agents around here aren't of much help to me.
Thanks.

**No-two** · 16-Jul-08, 07:40 PM

Really? No one's been there?

**jessb** · 16-Jul-08, 08:20 PM

We stayed at Nanuya Island Resort a couple of years ago. It is on Nanuya Lailai Island (little Nanuya) and is next to Nanuya Levu (big Nanuya - also known as Turtle Island, one of the most exclusive resorts in Fiji) The two islands are joined by the Blue Lagoon (the location for the Brooke Shields movie!!!)

The resort was very small and personal, only about 12 bures with a lovely restaurant serving loads of locally cooked seafood and veges grown on the island. We got to know all the staff and the owner is lovely. It is also quite new - brand new when we stayed a few years ago.

At the far end of the beach is where the Blue Lagoon cruises dock and they obviously feed the fish because the second you step into the water, you are just swarmed by amazing tropical fish. Don't know about diving, but I imagine it's pretty good. You are near the outer reef and I think there are some good surf breaks. My husband did a great cave dive - I just drank cocktails and sunbaked! We kayaked around the island one day which was great - saw a sea snake! Don't know about herping, you might get some lizards (iguanas would be nice but don't know how rare they are), but I'm pretty sure there are no snakes (aside from sea snakes) in Fiji.

The only negative is that it's a long way out. Flights from Sydney get you to Fiji late at night, so you have to stay in a hotel on the mainland overnight, then catch a 4 hour fast ferry to the island. You then repeat the trip back to the mainland and stay overnight before flying out really early the next day. If you don't mind paying, the seaplane would make it a lot quicker!

We only paid about $3500 (everything included) for my husband and I to go with our daughter (who was <1 at the time) in a beachfront bure about 10m from the water. I'd say prices willl be better now as we went before the last coup. It can still be a bit dangerous, but I'd say problems would be mainly in Suva (the capital) which is on the other side of the island to Nadi (airport) and Denerau (where you catch a boat to the islands). http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Fiji

I just adore Fiji, the people are absolutely lovely (especially if you have kids with you - they adore children!) I can't recommend it enough, and the locals really need all the support they can get as most of their income is from tourism.

**JasonL** · 16-Jul-08, 08:23 PM

Never been there myself, there is a new field guide just out for Fiji, though it is not good for reptile diversity really.. though it's good for yellow lipped sea kraits.

**FROGGIESrCUTEo_O** · 16-Jul-08, 08:23 PM

I have 2 times we went to plantation island.

**hallie** · 16-Jul-08, 08:28 PM

Hi there.

Went the with my girlfriend last year and it was awsome. There were frogs and geckos all over the resort if thats what your looking for? Dont think fiji has much in the way of native snakes on the island( At least we didnt see any and we travelled around a fair bit) Stayed at the sheraton which was good for the price. Went on a cool sailing ship called the whales tale and did some reef snorkling and fishing which was a great day. Also went on a cave tour in the middle of fiji which we highly recommend! It comes complete with a traditional fijian canibal oven! Walking through the untouched tropical rainforest to get to the cave was my my favorite part of the country. Also fijian people are some of the friendliest people on the planet but unfortunately very poor so tip generously whenever you can. BULA

(hello in fijian)

Highly recommended!

Cheers.

**scorps** · 16-Jul-08, 08:37 PM

lol no-two are u binx?

**No-two** · 16-Jul-08, 10:15 PM

Appreciate the replies

Makes things easier for me.

Originally Posted by scorps

lol no-two are u binx?

I'm sorry?

**scorps** · 16-Jul-08, 10:33 PM

just wondering as most of us have figured out by now who no-one is aye snow

**DanTheMan** · 17-Jul-08, 07:26 AM

Dont stray on the mainland
not a nice place

but the offshore islands are awesome!
I stayed at Castaway resort, loved it
quite a ew sea snakes too haha, was awesome
HEAPS of coral and stuff there too