Best Things to Do in the Yasawa Islands, Fiji
- Aug 17
- 8 min read
Swimming with manta rays and reef sharks, exploring caves, hiking and snorkelling — these are some of the best things to do in the Yasawa Islands, plus our tips on which islands to visit and how long to stay.
Swim with Manta Rays
Swimming with manta rays was one of the biggest highlights of our Fiji trip. It was absolutely magical!
We stayed at Barefoot Manta Island Resort on Drawaqa Island, where manta rays regularly pass through the nearby channel during manta season, generally from May to October.
When a manta ray is spotted, the staff blow a conch shell to let everyone know the mantas are nearby. You then have about 10 minutes to get ready, grab your snorkelling gear and jump on the boat.
Within minutes, you can be swimming alongside these majestic ocean giants.
The experience costs roughly $85 AUD per person, and for us, it was worth every cent.
Our tip: Have your snorkel, GoPro and underwater phone pouch ready to grab in your bungalow. When that conch shell blows, you don't have much time!
Visit Monuriki (Castaway Island)
Monuriki Island is where the movie Cast Away with Tom Hanks was filmed.
Technically, Monuriki is part of the neighbouring Mamanuca Islands rather than the Yasawas, but we were able to visit on a day trip while staying on Wayasewa Island.
We were lucky enough to have our trip arranged through Ruci & Mali's Homestay. Our hosts organised a neighbour to take us across in his boat, and we spent the day with him, his wife and daughter. Our girls loved having another little girl to play with, and it was really nice spending a few hours with a Fijian family.
When we arrived, we had the entire island to ourselves!
We walked to the top for incredible views before spending time on the beautiful white-sand beach, swimming and snorkelling in the crystal-clear water. We also loved that "HELP ME" is still written in coconuts on the beach, just like in the movie!
If you're staying in Nadi or Denarau, you can also visit the Mamanuca Islands on a full-day trip from the mainland, often combining several island stops with swimming and snorkelling.
Explore Sawa-i-Lau Caves
If you're travelling through the northern Yasawas, the Sawa-i-Lau Caves are definitely worth adding to your itinerary.
We visited while staying at Nabua Lodge, on the same island as Blue Lagoon Beach Resort, so it was an easy boat trip to the caves.
The first limestone cave is easy to access, with clear saltwater and natural light streaming in from above.
Getting into the second cave is a little more adventurous. You follow your guide, hold your breath for a few seconds and swim underneath a rocky passage before popping up inside the dark cave.
With a torch, you can then swim around and explore before heading back through the same underwater passage.
I'd recommend the second cave for confident swimmers and older children or teens who are comfortable swimming underwater in a dark space.
Our tip: If Sawa-i-Lau is high on your list, stay in the northern Yasawas to avoid a long boat journey from further south.
Hike “Big Rock” on Wayasewa Island
If you're staying on Wayasewa Island (Waya Lailai), hiking towards the top of the island is a must.
You'll need a local guide, which your homestay can arrange for a small fee. We actually had three little kids from the village leading the way—they made it look a lot easier than we did!
The trail gets steep in sections, so take plenty of water and wear decent shoes. Allow a few hours and avoid hiking during the hottest part of the day if you can.
Older kids who are used to hiking should be fine, but it's definitely more than a quick walk to a lookout.
Snorkel with Reef Sharks
While staying on Wayasewa, our homestay hosts also arranged for a local to take us out by boat to snorkel with reef sharks. It was another incredible experience - and something we probably wouldn't have discovered without staying with a local family.
Stay in a Homestay
Even if you're planning to stay in resorts for most of your Fiji holiday, we'd recommend spending a couple of nights in a local homestay.
Rooms are usually basic but clean, and meals are home-cooked and shared with your hosts. We loved the food at every homestay we stayed in, and as vegetarians, we were always well catered for.
But the best part is getting a glimpse into everyday island life.
You meet neighbours and extended family, the kids make new friends, and you experience a side of Fiji that's very different from staying in a resort.
At one of our homestays, the Fijian national rugby team happened to be visiting and helping the family build an extension on their house!
If you're travelling with kids, it's a particularly special experience. Our girls played with local children and got to see a completely different way of life.
What to expect: Don't arrive expecting resort facilities. Bathrooms may be outside or shared and accommodation can be very simple. Come with an open mind and enjoy the experience for what it is.
Go Snorkelling!
In our opinion, Fiji has some of the best snorkelling in the world!
The Yasawa Islands are surrounded by beautiful coral reefs and an incredible variety of colourful fish and marine life—and you often don't even need a boat to experience it.
We especially loved Drawaqa Island, home to Barefoot Manta. The reef was spectacular and we found incredible snorkelling straight off the beach.
Snorkelling quickly became part of everyday life for us in the Yasawas. We'd wake up, put on our swimmers, grab our snorkels and head into the water.
Our tip: Bring your own snorkel and mask if you can—you'll use them constantly. Also ask your accommodation about the safest entry points and best reefs, as currents and conditions can vary.
Kayak Around the Islands
Kayaking is another fun way to explore the Yasawas, especially with kids.
Many resorts have kayaks available for guests to use, often at no extra cost. We loved being able to grab one and paddle along the coastline, looking down through the clear water at the reefs below.
You don't need to go far—a paddle around a calm bay is a lovely way to spend an hour.
Our tip: Ask your accommodation about conditions before heading out, particularly on windy days.
Walk Around the Villages
One of our favourite parts of travelling through the Yasawas was simply walking around the villages and meeting local families.
We saw how families grow fruit and vegetables and live off the land, were welcomed into homes and even had the chance to meet the chief of one of the villages.
For our kids, it was another opportunity to meet local children and experience a completely different way of life.
Our tip: Dress respectfully and follow local customs. Your homestay host or guide can tell you what's appropriate before visiting.
Watch the Sunset from the Beach
Fiji has some of the most spectacular sunsets, and watching the sun disappear over the ocean became one of our favourite ways to end the day.
Find a spot on the sand, grab a drink and enjoy!
If you're staying on the western side of an island, you're in for an especially good show.
How Long to Spend in the Yasawa Islands
We'd recommend at least two nights on each island rather than moving every day. The Yasawas are somewhere to slow down and enjoy.
3 Days
Choose one island.
Drawaqa would be our pick, especially during manta season. You'll have incredible reef snorkelling, kayaking, hiking and hopefully the chance to swim with manta rays.
5 Days
Choose two islands.
Wayasewa → Drawaqa
Wayasewa gives you hiking, village life and reef sharks, followed by Drawaqa for manta rays and spectacular snorkelling.
7 Days
Choose three islands.
Wayasewa → Drawaqa → Nacula
This gives you village life and hiking, manta rays and reefs, followed by the Sawa-i-Lau Caves in the northern Yasawas.
10 Days
Choose three or four islands and spend two or three nights at each.
You could follow:
Wayasewa → Drawaqa → Nacula → one more island for example, Waya to break up the return trip to Nadi.
Other great options include:
Kuata Island – adventure, reef shark snorkelling, conservation experiences and hiking.
Waya Island – rugged scenery and hiking, excellent snorkelling.
Nacula / Blue Lagoon area – beautiful northern Yasawas and a great base for Sawa-i-Lau Caves.
Paradise Cove area– a more luxurious option in the central Yasawas, close to the manta ray channel.
Don't get too caught up trying to create the "perfect" itinerary. Choose a few islands offering different experiences and give yourself enough time to enjoy them.
Best Time to Visit the Yasawa Islands
The best time to visit the Yasawa Islands is generally during Fiji's dry season from May to October, with lower humidity, less rain and great conditions for island hopping, snorkelling and hiking.
We visited in August and had beautiful weather with clear blue skies and fantastic swimming conditions.
May to October is also manta ray season around Drawaqa Island, so it's an especially good time to visit if swimming with mantas is on your bucket list.
Fiji's wetter season runs from November to April, bringing higher humidity and a greater chance of heavy rain and tropical storms.
Is Visiting the Yasawa Islands Worth It?
Absolutely! The Yasawa Islands were everything we hoped Fiji would be—beautiful beaches, incredible reefs, welcoming villages and plenty of adventure.
Our biggest advice is don't try to rush them. Choose a few islands, stay for a couple of nights on each and give yourself time to enjoy island life.
We absolutely loved our time in the Yasawas, and they're somewhere we'd return to in a heartbeat.
Travel Insurance for the Yasawa Islands
With boat transfers, hiking, snorkelling and plenty of time in the water, travel insurance is worth considering for a trip to the Yasawa Islands. We use World Nomads for many of our trips.
We receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.
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