|
Waya Travel Guide
Yasawa Islands
back to fiji travel guide
|
yasawa islands pictures map |
The majestic panoramas of Kuata, Wayasewa and Waya Island offer some of the finest scenery in Fiji. Surprisingly, being the closest islands to Nadi, these islands are less frequented by travellers than the popular beach destinations around Tavewa Island much further north.
Kuata Island
Kuata Island is an uninhabited island owned by the people from Namara Village on neighbouring Wayasewa Island. The island has mostly a rugged and wild coastline except for a protected picturesque beach on Likunivisawa Point facing the spectacular cliffs of neighbouring Wayasewa Island. In 2001, the villagers from Namara Village set up a community tourism project: Kuata Island Nature Resort offering 12 thatch bures, three modern family bungalows and two large dormitories There are kayaks and snorkelling equipment for guest use and the management rotates on a yearly basis to give every member of the community a chance to run and learn about business management. The beach offers fine white sand with excellent snorkelling offshore and superb diving off the Kuata Wall on the west coast of the island (snorkelling trips here are also arranged). However, for the very best snorkelling in the region, guests are taken on a 30-minute boat ride to tiny white rock which sits off the east coast. Here you'll find fine coral heads, lots of marine life and the chance to spot reef sharks! Kuata has several fascinating rocks with caves and overhangs making it a good island to explore. there are several walking tracks to the 171 metre summit.
Wayasewa Island
Wayasewa Island is dominated by the 349 metre rocky peak that towers above Old Namara Village on the south coast. Adjacent to the village is Wayalailai Eco Haven Resort. A steep track winds its way up the hill, passing the Wobbly Rock, a huge bolder that seems to balance precariously on top of other rocky boulders, and winding its way around the peak. The last 50 metres ascent is quite steep, but once on the summit, there are unbelievable views looking across the bay to Kuata Village and a sweeping panorama looking north to Waya Island. From the summit, a rough track leads through the middle of Wayasewa to the north side of the island for more stunning coastal views. Both the east and west coast of Wayasewa is steep and rocky. The two fishing villages on the island are on the protected north west coast. Naboro is the largest and boasts one of only two secondary schools in the group - with a large boarding house. Right next door to the village is Bonini Point, a sand spit that extends 80 metres across the shallow lagoon to Waya island. At low tide you can walk ankle deep across the spit whilst waves wash up on either side. As high tide approaches, the conflicting waves meet head on and make a spell binding vision.
Waya Island
On the Waya Island side of the sand spit is Twin Bay Resort, one of the most spectacular beach settings in Fiji and one of the best backpacker resorts in the Yasawas. The resort has just a handful of traditional thatch bures and a small 6-bed dormitory for its guests making it ideal for couples or simply those looking for a peaceful retreat. Located at the very southern tip of Waya, there's a sand bank exposed at low tide which connects to Wayalailai island at the village of Naboro and a boarding school. The hills around here make great viewpoints at sunset and sunrise.
From Twin Bay Resort, a walking track leads through cassava plantations to a sunset lookout which offers a spectacular view looking down at the sand spit as well as sweeping views of stunning Yalobi Bay and of the sun setting over Loto Point. Set on a secluded beach a short walk around the bay from Yalobi Village is the quiet Bayside Resort. With just two thatch bungalows, this is a lovely retreat with amazing views across the bay to the mountains and village of Yalobi. A walking track leads along both the east and west coast of the island offering fantastic views of the mountains, its steep ridges, deep bays and out over the string of Yasawa islands to the north and south. Head west with a local guide if you want to scale Batiareba, the highest point in the Yasawas at 510 metres. The gentler east coast track follows the rolling hills overlooking the coastline with spectacular views of Natewa Village, Wayalevu Village.
... on to Naviti Island
Getting to Waya
All travellers arrive by boat, either aboard the 200 passenger Yasawa Flyer which takes 2 hours from Nadi or on the Waya Lailai resort boat which takes 20 passengers and departs from Lautoka.
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
