Alright, so unlike a lot of places around the world where you have set backpacking routes, bus stops, etc. etc., Fiji is a bit different. I really didn't know how we were going to get around once we arrived, that's probably because there aren't many blogs or websites that tell you exactly what the deal is. I am going to do my very best to explain what I did, and some options you have when traveling in Fiji.
arriving to Fiji
We flew into Fiji on Fiji Airways from San Francisco (you can come from LA too, if you're leaving from the USA). I loved Fiji Airways, everyone was so nice. I lost my bag, but that was because of my insanely short connection. It was a clean airline, and the seats in economy go back enough for a good night's sleep, as good as it will get on a flight anyway. I highly recommend a window seat, I usually take the aisle for bathroom purposes, but you do not want to miss the view of the stars. Because we fly over the Pacific Ocean at night, most of the time it kind of looks like you are in space, it's spectacular up there. It's about an 11 and half hour flight, so make sure you bring some food, toothbrush and the other essentials I mention in the "Packing Essentials" section.
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Airport: Nadi International Airport (NAN)
island hopping by boat
You will leave from Port Denarau, which is about a 20-30 minute drive from the airport.
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There are some boats that go specifically to the Mamanuca Islands, some to specific resorts, and others to the Yasawas. The Yasawa Flyer is a great way to get around, it will leave in the morning from the Port and come back from the islands in the afternoon.
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Things in Fiji are very casual so you can catch a boat to a resort that is close by to your hotel, and your hotel will send a boat to go and pick you up. Email or call the hotel you're staying at and they will be more than happy to help and coordinate arrival. Also, don't find it strange if they ask you questions about arrival time, they are trying to see when to send a boat out.
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Ferry: Yasawa Flyer
When going island hopping you will most likely be going to one of two clusters of islands, either the Mamanuca islands or the Yasawa islands.
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How it works?
The Flyer or Ferry will park at an inlet and several smaller boats, each from a different hotel, will go big boat and pick you (and your luggage) up.
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Mamanuca islands are closer to Viti Levu - the main island. There are different boats that go to different hotels, you can coordinate at Port Denarau to see which one is going closest to your island. You will also need to advise your hotel, if it doesn't have a boat that provides daily transportation already from the port.
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Yasawa islands are farther away. You should take the Yasawa flyer. Tell your hotel you are coming and they will have a boat waiting for you. Pay attention when you are on the boat for your stop, if you miss it you will have to wait until they go up the whole chain of islands and come back to your island.
island hopping by seaplane
What we did upon arrival was book a seaplane for the 4 of us to take us to the farthest island in the Yasawas. We flew with Turtle Airways. It was an amazing experience, it's a little more expensive but really really worth it.
It takes 30 minutes instead of 5 hours to get to the far islands. There is a car that will wait for your group at the airport and take you to the plane. Then there will be a boat that will take you from the seaplane to the hotel, it's about a 5 minute boat ride.
Viti Levu
Viti Levu is the main island, it is where you will land in Nadi, and where the main port is (Port Denarau).
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There are lots of places to go here. If you are staying on this island but need to get to the Coral Coast or Pacific Harbour, or Suva for example there are several ways to arrive.
bus
To get to the bus station you can take a mini bus, they are yellow and $1. From there you will ask the person at the ticket window how to get to your hotel. They will tell you which bus to take and to tell the bus driver where to stop. The bus will pull over at the side of the road when they are close to your hotel and you will get off. It seems weird, it was, but worked perfectly well, and it was perfectly safe. Make sure you contact your hotel in case the "bus stop" or the entrance of the hotel is a little bit of a walk.
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To Pacific Harbour or the Coral Coast you can take the bus to "Suva", and tell the bus driver to just drop you off at the hotel on the way.
car or taxi
I didn't get to the hotel using either of these transports, but there are taxis that will take you. Also, you can speak to your hotel about coordinating a pick up, they will send a car. Be sure you tell them the amount of people and your luggage.
activities
To do activities, especially in Pacific Harbour where all the action is, taxis or mini buses will come to pick you up upon request. The price will be added on or may already be included in your booking.
