Adventurers Dive Into Fiji’s Lodgings

Even if you are traveling on a student budget, you don’t have to worry about landing in Fiji at midnight with no place to stay. A budget accommodation service called Fiji4Less offers “Starter Packs,” including two nights’ lodging at your choice of three hotels on Viti Levu--the Cathay Hotel in Lautoka, Saweni Beach Apartment Hotel in the city of Suva and the Tubakula Beach Bungalows on the Coral Coast. You also get transportation from the airport and a guidebook or breakfast. The hotels exchange currency and provide storage for excess luggage.

The best source of information on what to see and do is the updated, 321-page “Fiji Handbook” by David Stanley (Moon Travel Handbooks, $14.95).

The more than 800 islands and islets offer the picture-perfect setting of turquoise waters, sun-bleached beaches and swaying palms. Fijians still practice some of the ancient customs, such as drinking mouth-numbing kava and fire walking (public shows are now limited to major hotels). About 100 of the islands are inhabited, with most of the population on the large island of Viti Levu. If you’ll be visiting other islands, the Cathay Hotel, 35 minutes from the airport in the port city of Lautoka, is the most convenient.

The “Starter Pack” with two nights’ dormitory accommodation is about $29.50 per person. An air-conditioned twin room is $44 per person. From Lautoka, boats go to various resorts, including those on the Yasawa Islands, which are known internationally as the film location for the 1949 and 1980 versions of “The Blue Lagoon,” and for the very upscale Turtle Island Resort. Guidebook author Stanley points out, though, that several islands in this chain also cater to the budget adventurer, with a variety of small Fijian-run hotels. Most offer dormitory beds and single and double bures (huts), and include meals. Some also offer campsites.

“The backpackers’ usual routine is to head for Tavewa or Wayasewa,” says Stanley, who recommends Dive Trek Nature Lodge on Wayasewa Island, a 1 1/2-hour boat trip from Lautoka. “The resort is run by the whole village, so everyone is very welcoming.” Stanley refers to this dive-oriented facility as “one of the largest backpacker camps in Fiji.” A camping space is $11.25 per person, per night. Dormitory beds start at $15.25. Tiny double rooms are also available.

On neighboring Waya Island is Octopus Resort, which Stanley calls “one of the nicest backpacker resorts in the South Pacific.” Bures are $49 for two; dormitory beds are $16 per person. The boat from Lautoka costs $20.50 each way.

Just north of Turtle Island is 1.2-mile-long Tavewa Island. It’s known for good snorkeling and has three family-run resorts, with rates similar to those of the hotels already mentioned. Stanley advises that the Coral View Resort is favored by the under-35 crowd and that “it offers at least one free organized activity per day.”

Visit Stanley’s helpful Web site at https://www3.sympatico.ca/david stanley. To get a “Starter Pack” for Viti Levu, contact Fiji4Less, P.O. Box 2086, Government Buildings, Suva, Fiji Islands; telephone 011- 679-340-211, fax 011-679-340-236, Internet https://www.fiji4less.com.