Yasawa Islands Vacation and Travel Guide
The Yasawa Islands are an archipelago of about 20 volcanic islands located in western Fiji. The island group has a total area of approximately 135 sq km (52 sq mi) with peaks of up to 600 meters (1968 ft) in height. Its main islands are Yasawa, Waya, Naviti and Nacula.
These islands are popular for their beautiful white-sand beaches, warm and clear blue waters, interesting caves, extensive fringing reefs, reef lagoons and the wide diversity of marine life. Because of the ideal underwater environment, the islands are excellent for water activities, including diving, snorkeling, sailing and fishing, although the rolling hills and amazing scenery make the Yasawa Islands ideal for land activities, such as hiking and sightseeing, as well. You can also stay at several private and luxurious resorts, where you can participate in a variety of activities.
Yasawa Island
Yasawa Island lies at the top of the Yasawa group and is the largest of the islands. It is known for its gorgeous sandy beaches and secluded bays. The island is excellent for scuba diving and snorkeling because of its wide variety of corals and other marine life, although other activities you can also participate in include canoeing and fish and turtle feeding. You can stay at Yasawa’s island resort, which consists of scenic luxury bures. Chartering is the only way you can get to the island, although you can travel from Yasawa by plane with the resort’s own airstrip.
For a unique and fun experience, you can also take a trip to the Sawa-i-Lau caves on Sawa-i-Lau Island, located off the southern tip of Yasawa. What makes a trip to these caves even more interesting is that you have to swim through a submerged entrance in order to reach the inner caves. On top of that, the caves are famous for being one of the locations that the filming of the 1980 movie, The Blue Lagoon starring Brooke Shields, took place in.
Waya Island
On the island of Waya, you can see rolling hills and lovely beach scenery. Because of its hilly terrain, the island is great for hiking, and one of its resorts, the Bayside Resort, offers a walking track that leads to both the east and west coast of Waya. Here, you can enjoy spectacular views of mountains, steep ridges and deep clear blue bays.
Naviti Island
Naviti Island is located to the southwest of Nanuya Lai Lai. It consists of rolling hills, a beautiful beach that is great for swimming and several lovely resorts. You can enjoy a scenic hike by walking the track overlooking the Botaira Beach Resort, or you can go on snorkeling trips in the island’s Manta Ray Lagoon.
Nacula Island
Nacula is located at the tip of Tavewa Island and is the third largest of the Yasawa Islands, with peaks of over 200 meters (656 ft) in height. Within the grassy hills, you can trek on walking tracks that lead to several remote beaches on the southern coast, and you can stay at a choice of three beach resorts located near Naisisili Village. There are also lagoons found on the estates of these resorts that are great for swimming and snorkeling.
