Nadi Travel Forum

We'll be in Fiji for 6 nights in January 2010 after 5 weeks in NZ and I am having trouble deciding where to stay. I'd really like one of those paradise places with palm trees hanging over a white sandy beach and stay in a beach front bure. Since it'll be very hot in January apparently, I guess air conditioning would be nice. Is it necessary? Several places have been recommended: Bedarra Beach Inn is one, and Club Fiji another. Is it a good idea to go down to the coral coast? Or is the west coast closer to Nadi better? I think going to the outer islands will mean more travelling and we'd really like to chill out a bit by then. Would love crystal clear blue seas to swim in, and my husband wants to go diving. Also want to see rainforests and village life, so not just beach. We're NOT looking for luxury - but not cheap budget either, and no backpacker. I googled Mango Bay whose setting looked brilliant, but we're two couples in our 50s and 60s (but very active!) and don't want rowdy backpacker atmosphere. Would LOVE some advice! Thanks a million!

I have not been to every beach in Fiji and at the moment would stay away from the main island all together, due to the political situation. But for what I have seen I would rather go to one of the smaller off shore islands.

I was in a beachfront bure east of the town of Sigatoka, so on the CC. There were the overhanging palm trees - but you could not get into the water without shoes, as a lot of broken coral was lying around, and you would have cut your feet. Just a week ago I saw a report on TV showing that the Coral Coast is shambles, with the coral dying off. In fact it is no Coral Coast anymore, and the locals are trying hard to clean up the mess and help the coral to recover.

Natadola Beach is Viti Levu's best beach, west of Sigatoka. Denarau near Nadi airport is a resort island and easy to reach.

Lonely Planet (South Pacific) has quite good info on Fiji, and is available online.

We were on the Coral Coast a year ago at a place called Crusoes retreat. We had beachfront bures which were very cool and comfortable. The resort and the local village had a fish feeding / coral regeneration programme up and running and were getting good results back then.
The resort itself was a nice place to stay with a good mix of guests. can't remember the costs (although it was very inexpensive compared to most other places), but my fiji pages have the website link on them if you want to look. There are plenty of pics of the place too. My husband went diving and I snorkelled. The village is right next door and guests are welcome to wander in any time.
Hope you find what you are looking for.

Go to Waidroka Resort. You would love it and they are PADI certified, catering especially to divers! Beautiful resort off the beaten path in the rain forest at the edge of the ocean. Friendly friendly people who will treat you like family and make you feel so at home you won't want to leave! Their staff come from Korovisilou Village, so you will also have access to plenty of Fijian culture at their nice little village.

Hi there I stayed in a village homestay and it was awesome...I stayed at Danny's which is very close to mango bay beach resort, you get your own cabin so it is not really like a homestay, the food was awesome and the people could not be more helpful...for more detailed information look at this website http://www.fijihomestays.com

forgot to say if you husband wants diving then go to Beqa Island and dive with the sharks...stay at WAIRUA BEQA HOMESTAY the owner is Simon and he can take you diving. http://www.fijihomestays.com

We stayed at Bedarra Beach after reading all good reviews and were glad we did, but definitely not a white sandy beach. In fact tide goes way out to the reef and very rocky, outer islands may be for you. Mana island or castaway are good.