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Naviti Travel Guide
Yasawa Islands
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yasawa islands pictures map |
Nanuya Balavu & Drawaqa
One of the great highlights of the Yasawas is swimming with the Manta Rays between Nanuya Balavu and Drawaqa Island. These small hilly islands at the southern tip of Naviti Island offer the ideal snorkelling environment and resting place for the Manta Rays - a warm shallow lagoon protected from the winds but fed by rich currents. The Manta Rays are here in numbers between May and October and on most days you'll be able to swim peacefully with them. From December on the Rays disappear to deeper waters and are seldom seem again until May although there are plenty of other colourful reef fish to keep you busy. You can stay on Nanuya Balavu Island at the well organized Manta Ray Resort (European management). This is an extremely efficient and well organized backpackers set up with two large dormitories each segregated into 4-bed cubicles for a little more privacy. There are eight jungle huts for couples scattered around the light bush that has been retained. All guests share a modern bathroom block boasting environmentally rotary loos and with water being recycled to feed the vegetable gardens. Water is a scarcity in the Yasawas and without any wells for fresh water, the resort has invested in a de-salinator which draws water from the sea and turns it into paletable drinking water. This is a great activity centre with experienced PADI scuba diving, game fishing boats and good equipment, lots of sea kayaks, wake boarding, tubing and occasional reef surfing best off the west tip during the summer months of November to April (surfers must bring their own boards). The Manta Ray lagoon is also the base for the Wanna Taki Cruise which is basically a rather claustrophobic overnight accommodation - the 27 metre boat cruises around the nearby islands but doesn't go very far.
Naviti Island
Naviti Island is the largest of the yasawa islands. About 10-minutes boat ride from the Manta Rays up the west coast is the delightful Botaira Beach Resort. This is one of the nicest mid range resorts in Fiji boasting a gorgeous white sandy beach and swimming lagoon, spacious traditional beach bures and lovely Fijian hosts. the snorkelling offshore is excellent, there are plenty of sea kayaks for guest use to explore the beaches either side of the bay, and if you can break away from the relaxing atmosphere of the beach there is a stunning hike in the hills overlooking the resort. The track is best walked in the early morning or late evening as there are no trees and shade from the sun. The trail follows the grassy ridge of the spine of Naviti with sweeping coastal views either side of the island. The track leads all the way to the southern point of the island from where there are breathtaking views looking down on the small offshore islands surrounding Manta Ray lagoon. For the more adventurous, it is possible to walk the entire length of the island following the local tracks that connect the small fishing villages.
On the north western tip of the island, about a 40-minute boat ride to the Manta Rays, is a large bay with three adjacent budget beach resorts. The beach is picturesque being backed by steep hills and curving in an enviable crescent for almost a mile. However, the lagoon offshore is not good for swimming or snorkelling. However, a ten minute walk over the hill to the next bay leads to a great swimming beach with few people and several good snorkelling spots. There's also a track leading to the summit of the bays point which is a great spot for sunsets. Of the three resorts, each has its own character. Pick of the bunch is White Sandy Beach Resort which offers just three A-frame bungalows and a lovely traditional thatch dormitory with 12 beds. There's also a lovely beachside restaurant with outdoor dining and its the closest resort to Honeymoon Beach over the hill. The local hosts provide scuba diving for PADI certified divers only (no instruction). Next door is the rambling Korovou Eco Tour Resort, one of the largest backpacker resorts in the Yasawas and the only one with a swimming pool. The ugly concrete walkways and sea wall may discredit the Eco Tour labelling in its name, and with a huge dormitory and lively party style atmosphere this is more of a budget resort than one for discerning eco travellers. At the far end of the bay is Coconut Bay Resort which offers rather cramped duplex bungalows, each with tiny private bathrooms (no sink) and a single dormitory. A steep track leads from near Coconut Bay into the lightly forested hills and connects to Gunu Village on the east side of the island. All resorts offer guided visits to Gunu by boat, as well as snorkelling trips to Manta Ray Lagoon provided a minimum of 6 guests go.
... on to Tavewa Island
Getting to Naviti
There is no airstrip on Naviti island. All travellers arrive by boat aboard the 200 passenger Yasawa Flyer which takes about 3 hours from Nadi.
Local Cruises / Ferries
Readers may also be interested in the following destinations:
Cook Islands Travel Guide
Samoa Travel Guide
Tonga Travel Guide
Tahiti Travel Guide
Hawaii Travel Guide
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