HI All
Our family are planning on a trip to fiji- but looked at a few sites and recommendations.
We just want to relax on the beach and snorkel- and epsecially just have fringe reefs- or shallow reefs to snorkel in- this is what we really want
That is the main thing we would be doing for 5 days.
Any recommendations for islands?
I saw that Navani island is recommended? Would this be good for fringe reefing?
Trip to Fiji in Mid October - Recommendations?
Fly there…
If you are happy with the price then Navini is pretty good. However keep in mind that its tiny, basically the only things you can do are sit around and water sports; you only get one restaurant with limited menu (not that Navini is unique amongst Fijian resorts with this limitation), you cant escape the other guests very easily but on the other hand its easier to strike up conversations if you want to be more sociable. There is no swimming pool and, while the waters around Fiji look great for swimming, the ocean floor tends to be more coral than sand and so swimming isnt as nice as you might expect (again, not unique to Navini; also take some water shoes/booties).
I havent stayed at Navini but have stayed in a couple of other small Fijian resorts for various reasons and about 5 days is my limit before I start getting frustrated and bored, or have to start buying expensive day trips for fishing etc.
But if sitting around doing very little and drinking is your thing (and it is for others in my family and the popularity of cruises suggests it is for many), then go for it.
Other places in Fiji will also have snorkelling etc and are cheaper; but correspondingly more people, lower 'quality' etc. The main island resorts allow you to wander out of the resort if you get bored, but the above applies to most of the small island resorts regardless of price or quality.
Nanuya Island or Beqa Lagoon Resort are also options, although the latter is probably more a dive resort. However Navini is a good choice especially for less experienced.
thanks thats a lot of information- the main thing is just have shallow or just like 1-3m deep areas we can snorkely and fringe reef etc?- Which island would be best for this ? Navini? or another island?
Once you are in water deeper than you can stand, the depth doesnt really matter - 2m, 6m, its all the same (ie deeper than you can stand in). The depth will vary with the tide, generally at low tide the coral is quite close to the surface. Looks like Navini has around a 5ft tide, so at high tide things close to shore will be around 2-3m deep and at low tide it will probably only be around 1m or less. On the reef proper it might be a few inches deep at low tide. So go at the right time for the tide (mid to high tide) and you will be totally fine. Low tide is relaxation time.
Look at the reviews on Trip Advisor, seems like the resort has shallow coral/rocks right off shore with fish and some reef sharks etc; then they take you out on a boat to the reef proper each day. If you are inside the reef and not near an entrance, generally there wont be much in the way of waves or current so its ideal for floating about. If you arent great swimmers, usually the resort can line you up to wear a life jacket or provide a body board or some other floatation assistance to help you out
As a tip - 'snorkelers back', as I call it, is a real risk. That is where the part of your back and legs that is out of the water when you are snorkeling gets very sunburnt. Take long sleeve rash vests and wear them all the time. If you have any particularly sun sensitive people in your group, they should wear tights as well (running or lulumom type tights are fine). Make sure your neck and ears are properly sunscreened
Check out Plantation Island, very easy to get to from Nadi airport
is it nice shallow snorkelling ?
Yes, we did the sank bank snorkeling, shallow enough to stand up (up to my knees in the shallowest parts), was a highlight of the trip.
They do reef snorkeling as well for stronger swimmers.
We went to Lomani last year, which is on the same island but adults only, amazing place.
thanks is lomani good for snorkeling— we're not good swimmers though
@funnysht1: Lomani was great for snorkeling, they do daily reef snorkeling (and dolphin tours) all inclusive of the room price. You can also do the sank bank snorkeling as well at Plantation as they're all owned by the same company (same with restaurants, can dine at them all).
Don't need to be a great swimmer, just as long as you can tread water with flippers. There are two staff members on a boat nearby, so if you get tired or are struggling then can signal them to pick you up and chill on the boat for a bit.
Pretty pricey, we paid $600/night and probably another $100/day per-person for food and cocktails, but it's a very easy option and I'd definitely recommend it
@Jolakot: do you know much about serenity resort island? Seems good reviews for snorkelling etc..lomani seems booked out sigh…
also if you stay in plantation resort can you go visit lomani area ? i see few hundred meters only?
Coral Coast