Yasawa is one of 15 Fijian words that mean heaven. Fortunately, this little slice of paradise isn’t just for the uber-wealthy. You can find Yasawa Islands accommodation for every single budget.
The stunning chain of about 20 volcanic islands is dotted along the west coast of Fiji. We say about, because a few new ones keep popping up.
Each island in the archipelago is stunning and completely unique. Some have incredible sea caves, others are home to manta rays and some have towering peaks you can climb and conquer.
This is the place to happily live out your Robinson Crusoe fantasies.
Scroll through the Yasawa islands we know below…
Yasawa Islands accommodation
The best thing about the Yasawa islands is that you will find accommodation for every budget.
Backpackers can pitch a tent next to the water. If you have the cash to spare you can live it up in stylish villas with butler service and fresh lobster delivered daily.
We have picked out the best Yasawa Islands accommodation from budget through to luxury below.
Budget Yasawa Islands accommodation
You don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy a holiday in Fiji. These resorts offer dorm rooms, camping and package deals.
Barefoot Kuata Island Resort
Price: $
One of the biggest drawcards of Barefoot Kuata Island Resort is its fabulous ‘Resort Package’. This is so much more than a meal plan. The price includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, Wi-Fi and non-motorised sports.
Guests can choose between five different budget accommodation options: queen rooms with an ensuite bathroom under the stars, family rooms for up to two adults and three children, dormitories (one for girls-only) and beachfront or garden bures.
Barefoot Kuata also has a selection of 10 new luxury beachfront bures, built during the COVID-19 travel hiatus.
Outside of the rooms, the resort has a bar, restaurant, swimming pool and games room. Daily activities include coconut bowling, traditional dancing, conservation talks, live music and crab racing, although diving on-site with the elusive bull shark is the real standout.
Naqalia Lodge
Price: $
If you want to experience Fiji like a local, this Yasawa Islands accommodation is the place for you.
The Tagova clan of Waya Lailai Island established the community-owned Naqalia lodge as a place where tourists can immerse themselves in Fijian life and traditions.
At Naqalia, your dinner will be prepared on an open fire, you can attend a kava ceremony, take cooking lessons and plant banana trees.
The tour desk will organise kayaking and fishing trips, village visits, picnics, shark feeding and snorkelling if you feel like being active. Otherwise, unwind in a hammock among the pretty gardens or get to know your fellow guests at the communal lounge or restaurant.
Guests can pitch a tent at the campgrounds for 70 FJD ($43) a night (inclusive of three meals). Spend a little more and you can upgrade to a dorm room with daily housekeeping. If your budget can stretch to $190 (for two people) you can opt for a garden bure.
The beachfront bures sleep five and come with ensuite bathrooms.
Mantaray Island Resort
Price: $
With ‘Mantaray’ in its title, it’s unsurprising that this resort is popular with travellers wanting to swim with these majestic creatures.
Mantaray sells itself as the “cheapest diving in the South Pacific”. The resort sits in the middle of a designated marine park. You don’t get cheap Yasawa Island’s accommodation much better than this.
The best time to go is between May and October when the resort offers tours to see the manta rays feeding in the channel. The water clarity is top-notch and drums start beating throughout the resort when it is prime viewing time.
Mantaray’s most popular activities include snorkelling, kayaking or diving. Guests can also try their hand at palm weaving, take a guided island trek, or simply relax in one of the beach loungers scattered around the resort with a good book. The day spa offers massages,
The on-site restaurant dishes up a mix of European, Indian and Fijian fare. Also, the chef prepares an authentic lovo underground barbecue every Friday evening, followed by traditional meke songs and dancing.
Mid-range accommodation in the Yasawa Islands
If you’ve got a little more cash to splash, you can upgrade your digs.
These two midrange Yasawa Islands accommodation options offer a little more luxury and beachfront access.
Navutu Stars Resort
Price: $$
Navutu Stars Resort is the only boutique resort on the secluded island of Yaqeta. It has nine beachfront, thatched-roof bungalows spread across three white-sand beaches.
This resort best for those who want a bit of privacy without the five-star price tag.
Free activities include snorkelling, fishing, kayaking, sunrise yoga, hiking and cultural activities. If you prefer to indulge in some R&R, grab a sun lounger by the pool, hang out in a hammock on the beachfront or head to the spa for a massage.
Guests can dine under the stars by candlelight at the on-site restaurant. Be sure to order the legendary chilli crab at least once during your stay. On a romantic getaway? Navutu will organise champagne breakfasts and private picnics for an extra cost.
Beachfront Bures at Barefoot Kuata
Barefoot Kuatu has used the COVID-19 travel hiatus wisely, building 10 incredible new beachfront bures. Yes, this is the same resort that’s in the budget section. But they now have a gorgeous luxury option. And we can’t wait to test it out!
Each bure has private beach access to Barefoot Kuata’s inviting warm crystal-clear water. You can watch the sunrise from your bed, before you spend the day diving, snorkelling or tracking through the island hills.
This Yasawa Islands accommodation is perfect for couples. But Barefoot Kuatu can also adjust the bed arrangement to fit in a third guest if you need.
We really love the bure’s open-air bathroom. If this doesn’t get you dreaming of a Fiji holiday, we don’t know what will.
Kuata Island has some of the best diving in Fiji.
The resort has two clam nurseries on the front reef and you can snorkel with black and white tip reef sharks.
Luxury accommodation in the Yasawa Islands
Once you’re in the Yasawa Islands, you will feel like you have left every care behind.
If you’re craving a private luxury Fiji holiday, these resorts are the ones to book
Paradise Cove Resort
Nestled in a stunning cove on Naukacuvu Island, Paradise Cove is particularly family-friendly and offers a fantastic kids’ club. But if you want a romantic escape, it also has a luxurious adults-only section.
All ages can while the hours away at the beach, the three swimming pools or the two bars. The resort has every single water sport imaginable as well as yoga and a decadent spa.
Paradise Cove Resort Fiji has a range of accommodation styles including bungalows, villas, suites and a private luxury beach house. Each room type has either ocean views, garden views or beachfront location and features Wi-Fi, TV, air conditioning and a private balcony.
In the family section, each of the beach villas has a private pool.
Some of the more upmarket villas and suites come with sun loungers, bathrobes, private staff and kitchen facilities. The Paradise Suite features a private plunge pool on the outdoor deck.
Yasawa Island Resort & Spa
Set on one of Fiji’s most remote islands, Yasawa Island Resort & Spa has 10 private beaches and 18 bungalows hidden among the palm trees.
Each bungalow just a few steps from the beach and features air-conditioning, outdoor showers, expansive decks with daybeds, incredible views of the ocean and your own thatched cabana with sun loungers.
The resort is all-inclusive, with all meals, non-alcoholic beverages and activities included.
The most popular activities include snorkelling, windsurfing, kayaking, scuba diving and gentle dips in the ocean. The resort also has tennis courts and the Baravi Spa which offers treatments in-house or by the pool.
The Blue Lagoon Caves excursion is a must-do. This tour visits the spectacular lagoon and hidden chambers featured in the 1980 film starring Brooke Shields and Christopher Atkins.
Yasawa Island Resort & Spa restaurant serves an à la carte menu featuring locally-caught seafood.
The chef can provide a picnic basket for private dining under the stars. Come sunset, you can also enjoy poolside cocktails at Manasa’s Bar.
Turtle Island Fiji
The privately-owned Turtle Island welcomes just 14 couples at a time, making it an especially romantic retreat.
Each group will have a dedicated personal concierge, aka your ‘Bure Mama’, who will ensure you have a perfect stay from unpacking your baggage to taking you on island tours.
Turtle Island’s beachfront villas ooze luxury, with private hot tubs on the deck, outdoor showers and daybeds.
The resort can organise private beach picnics and champagne sunrise breakfasts. We recommend Fijian inspired spa treatments, horseback riding and scuba diving.
Local fishermen bring fresh lobster and fish to the island each day. The resort also has an organic vegetable garden, which is used for all meals. At night, join the other guests for a dinner party on the beach or spoil each other with a romantic dinner on a floating pontoon in the middle of the lagoon.
Getting there:
You can take a catarmaran from Nadi Fiji to the Yasawa Islands. The trip takes six hours.
Several seaplane companies also offer flights to each of the Yasawa Islands. This is a great option if you are short on time. You can often organise these through your hotel.
Fiji Airways will open flights from Australia to Fiji as soon as the international border opens. That is currently expected in December. Fiji is close to vaccinating the entire working population of the islands.
This article was produced with content supplied by Tourism Fiji and is a Vacations & Travel digital exclusive. Be the first to see more exclusive online content by subscribing to the e-newsletter.
