Fiji on a budget: Island Hopping Adventure With Kids
- Kerry Purnell
- May 12
- 5 min read
Updated: May 17
We spend just under 3 weeks exploring the sun-drenched islands of Fiji, exploring beyond the resorts and into the heart of real Fiji. From the mainland town of Nadi to the remote, rugged beauty of the Yasawa Islands, this adventure gave us a taste of paradise, one island at a time.
Places and Islands we visited
Nadi (on the mainland)
Wayasewa Island
Monuriki Island (where Castaway was filmed)
Drawaqa Island (Manta Ray Island)
Nacula Island
Sawa-I-Lau Caves
Octopus Island
Getting around the Islands of Fiji
To explore the Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands, there are a few transport options:
Offers daily transfers between the islands and Nadi
You can book single island stays
Great if you want everything organised ahead of time
Awesome Adventures Bula Pass (Our Pick!)
This is a hop-on, hop-off ferry pass that runs from Nadi to the top of the Yasawa Islands
Choose a pass from 5 - 15 days and stop wherever you like along the way
It gave us the freedom to travel at our own pace and discover the islands of our choice
Awesome Adventures Fiji Awesome Pass If you are looking for a more organised trip with accomodation, ferry and transfers all included Awesome Adventures Fiji also offer The Awesome Pass
For Island Day Trips from Nadi to the Mamanuca Islands, South Sea Cruises offers some great trips
When travelling on the BULA PASS you board the South Sea Cruises Ferry. At each stop smaller boats would come from the islands to take passengers to their accommodations, resorts or homestay. It’s very well organised, the staff on board are extremely helpful and we always managed to find where we needed to get off and the families that we stayed with always found us!
Our Favorite Island: Drawaqa Island (Manta Ray Island)
One of the highlights of our trip was our stay at Barefoot Island Resort Fiji on Drawaqa Island, also known as Manta Island, where we had the unforgettable experience of swimming with Manta Rays!
We absolutely LOVED our stay at Barefoot Manta Island Resort - and honestly, we can't recommend it enough.
The Beachfront Villa was magical! The staff were warm, welcoming and incredible with kids. The snorkeling was incredible!! The food was some of the best we had in Fiji. And the resort has resident marine biologists who run sessions on manta rays, coral reef conservation and marine life protection. It was fun, educational and inspiring for all of us
We booked our stay with booking.com
Where to Stay (And How to Book)
On the islands all accommodation can be booked via:
We booked all our homestays with Airbnb
Resorts in Fiji can be pricey, and all of them require you to purchase a compulsory meal plan. These typically cover three meals a day, but prices vary wildly—anywhere from $30 to $200 AUD per person, per day, so always double-check this before booking.
Homestays and Locally Owned Resorts & Lodges are a lot cheaper - to sleep & to eat - they also require you to purchase a meal plan, however, they are significantly cheaper! Ranging from $18 to $40 per person, per day. The meal prices should be clearly stated when booking. All homestays we stayed with also catered to most dietary requirements.
We mostly stayed in homestays and we absolutely loved the experience. It gave us a genuine glimpse into everyday Fijian life on the islands, far beyond what you would see at resorts. We always felt so welcomed by the families and the extended family! Be aware most homes if Fiji have only the basics, sometimes the beds are hard and the toilets are always outdoors, but those little quirks only added to the authenticity and charm of the experience.
Tips on Choosing Islands
Choosing which islands to stay on can feel overwhelming—there are so many options, and they all look amazing! Here’s what we learned:
• West-facing beaches are more protected from wind—generally calmer and more ideal for swimming.
• Octopus Resort, for example, is tucked in a sheltered cove and has beautiful weather even on windy days. And the snorkeling is amazing!
• Wayasewa Island was one of my favourite—dramatic mountain landscapes and lush greenery.
• Mamanuca Islands are closer to the mainland, smaller and flatter—great for short visits, first-time visitors or those travelling with very young children.
• Northern Yasawa Islands are more remote, and while stunning, the weather can be a bit more unpredictable.
We share photos and more details of each island on our Instagram @wanderers_at_heart have a scroll to get a visual feel for the islands and where might suit your family best.
Budget Tips for Family Travel in Fiji
Fiji isn’t a cheap destination—but with a little planning, it can be done on a budget:
• Choose local homestays or smaller resorts.
• Meal plans- Look for ones that offer good value or include kids’ meals.
• Bring snacks—this was a lifesaver for us! Between swimming, snorkeling, and ferry rides, our kids were constantly hungry. Most islands don’t have shops, so pack muesli bars, crackers, fruit cups and other shelf-stable snacks in your luggage.
Flights:
• Fiji Airways often has fantastic sales from Australia
• Sign up for their newsletter and watch for deals around Boxing Day and the Easter long weekend
• Know your dates in advance so you can jump on a sale when it hits.
When to Visit Fiji
• Best time: April to October (dry season, lower humidity, more stable weather).
• Cyclone season: November to March—still beautiful but can be windier and wetter, so pack accordingly.
Things to see and do on Wayasewa Island
Climb Big Rock 🪨
Snorkel with sharks 🦈
Visit to Monuriki Island aka Castaway Island (day trip)
Village tour and school visit
Things to see and do on Drawaqa Island
Snorkle with manta rays
Kayak around the island
Take a walk up to the lookout for some spectacular views
Enjoy the abundance of fish while snorkeling off any of the beaches
Things to see and do on Nacula Island
Explore Sawa-I-Lau caves
Snorkel local reefs
Take a boat ride to other nearby reefs
Great walking tracks around the island. Friendly dogs may join in on your adventures too!
Things to see and do in Nadi
Sabeto Mud bath
Indian Temple - Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami Temple
Check out the Local Markets - you can catch a local bus into town for less than $1
Day trips to closer islands with South Sea Cruises
Final Thoughts
Don’t stress too much about picking the “perfect” island—they’re all stunning in their own way. From vibrant coral reefs to volcanic peaks, from sleepy villages to luxury beachfront villas, every island has something magical to offer.
Just go! Say YES to the adventure. And let Fiji work its magic!
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