18 days in Fiji (# 8) Swim or hitch hike to the islands?

Bula! Welcome to my 8th post on Fiji.

Before going to Fiji I had many questions for which I couldn't find answers easily. Well, upon my return I decided to share them with you in the hope that you might benefit from my discoveries and have a smoother more enjoyable holiday!

Yes, we put it right back after the photo
(Photo taken by copyright Maria Ngo) 

In this post today I want to tackle a question I had which was about how one gets from the resort to the various islands. For the best snorkelling and diving are found out there.

Welcome to Mantaray Island
(Photo taken by and copyright Maria Ngo) 

I had no idea how 'primitive' or 'advanced' the transportation network was before we arrived. In all honesty, I thought I'd be taking a small speed boat or a rickety 'ferry' of sorts to get from the mainland (on the west coast near Nadi) to where the action was. I was not looking forward to this aspect of the trip because I am by all accounts a horrible sea farer. I probably had this notion in mind in part due to my experience on Phi Phi Island,Thailand and Borocay, Philippines.

Beautiful coral and fish just a flipper kick away
(Photo taken by and copyright Maria Ngo) 

All I can say is that Fiji compared to those two places is like chalk and cheese. What I discovered and experienced in Fiji far exceeded my expectations. So in answer to your question, do you swim or 'hitch hike' to the islands, I'm glad to say, neither. 

One of the ways to get to the islands
(Photo taken by and copyright Maria Ngo)

In years past, this might have been almost the case when Fiji was mostly a back packer's destination and it was a challenge to get to the outer islands. But after the development of more up-market resort style accommodation (thanks to some enterprising Kiwis) on these islands took off, a consortium developed an efficient and cost effective means of moving people via fast speed catamaran.

On board the top deck of the Yasawa Flyer
(Photo taken by and copyright Maria Ngo) 

The Yasawa Flyer is a fully equipped modern vessel and offers an upper deck which has unhindered ocean views, a middle deck which has outdoor seating to the rear of the vessel and air-conditioned seating on comfortable seats towards the bow on the lower deck.

Departing the Yasawa Flyer for the island
(Photo taken by and copyright Maria Ngo) 

If you are travelling out to an island resort, the process of off-loading (and also on-loading) your luggage and yourself is a well refined process. Just follow the instructions as they are announced on the PA. If you have luggage, just before arriving at your destination you will be asked to identify your luggage on the lowest deck. After identifying your luggage, just wait on the bottom deck for further instructions.

Two boats from the resort will meet you at the Yasawa Flyer You don't have to physically lift any of your luggage onto the smaller craft. The staff will do that for you. (I was worried about having to do this myself before my trip! I was not sure how I was going to manage this being rather wobbly at sea.) One of the smaller crafts will be just for luggage while the other will take on passengers.

Smaller transfer crafts
(Photo taken by and copyright Maria Ngo) 

Mantaray Island welcoming party
(Photo taken by and copyright Maria Ngo) 

This is a well honed process and is undertaken with almost military precision with effective communication from the island to the vessel to time the meeting of the vessels perfectly and with the least amount of time wasted in transferring people and luggage.

No sweat - for me at least
(Photo taken by and copyright Maria Ngo) 

The Yasawa Flyer makes quite a number of stops to drop off and pick up passengers as it makes its circuit in a northerly direction from Port Denarau out to the furthest resort which is about 4 hours away. On its return trip it'll do the same at each resort or island.

Yasawa Flyer route
(Photo taken by and copyright Maria Ngo) 

There are other ways of getting to the islands that are closer to the main island. Smaller pleasure crafts that seat anywhere from 8 passengers to about 40 (as a guestimate) are not uncommon. If speed is of essence I recommend the Yasawa Flyer. But if you enjoy a more leisurely sailing experience, then opt for one of the other options.

Another day another cruise
(Photo taken by and copyright Maria Ngo) 

Onboard entertainment
(Photo taken by and copyright Maria Ngo) 

Not ABBA but they come close!
(Photo taken by and copyright Maria Ngo) 

We experienced both. Our first sailing experience was with an intimate small group of seven - five passengers (we, as a family of four), one other passenger and the two owner operators. We got home-made chocolate cake and tea for afternoon tea and a lovely sandwich lunch on our cruise with Freewind Sailing Adventures.

Captain of Freewind
(Photo taken by and copyright Maria Ngo) 

Freewind
(Photo taken by and copyright Maria Ngo) 

If you are taking the Yasawa Flyer, you might prefer to bring your own supplies. But you can also purchase snacks on board the vessel.

Tickets for your transfers from your hotel to Port Denarau can be purchased easily online or in person at the Passenger Terminal which is well organised and extremely clean - and I include the toilets in this assessment.

Passenger Terminal, Port Denarau
(Photo taken by and copyright Maria Ngo) 

Transfers from the hotel to the port are also well organised and systematic. They run a number of large comfortable, clean, modern coaches for the morning run to the port and vice versa in the evening.

Front seat view from the coach
(Photo taken by and copyright Maria Ngo) 

Did I mention that everyone speaks English? And the signs are in English also? If that's your language you'll be right.

So I hope that has answered your question on how to get from the mainland to the outer islands. In short, it's quite a breeze - as long as you book ahead. And with modern effective telecommunications infrastructure in place (which is even available in the villages) and just about every company having their own website, travelling has never been easier.

Have a great holiday!

Vinaka vaka levu for checking out my blog.

Sailing with the wind
(Photo taken by and copyright Maria Ngo) 

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