Fiji Yasawa Islands Blue Lagoon Cruises Barefoot Manta Island Resort Oarsmans Bay Lodge

Fiji Yasawa Islands Blue Lagoon Cruises Barefoot Manta Island Resort Oarsmans Bay Lodge (5/8-26/2025)

FIJI MAKES YOU FEEL ALIVE!

Wonderful Snorkeling in Fiji!

This trip is a fantastic way for you to enjoy a magically wonderful Fijian adventure with authentic warm Fijian island hospitality and warm ocean water (28C, 85F). We enjoyed our Blue Lagoon Cruise visiting many beautiful Fijian Yasawa Islands with fantastic snorkeling (see photo), picturesque tropical beaches lined with palm trees, visiting small Fijian villages, plenty of good food, and fun excursions and activities with time to just relax enjoying the breathtaking scenery and conversations with fellow travelers.

Tropical Beach Days with Warm Ocean Water

Blue Lagoon Cruises cherrypicks many of the top attractions in Fiji’s Yasawa Islands (details below). We then took the comfortable hop on / hop off South Seas Cruises ferry out of Port Denarau and stayed on two wonderful Fijian Islands in beautiful laid-back resorts (Barefoot Mana Island Resort and Oarsman’s Bay Lodge – described below).

We used Fiji’s Awesome Adventures to make our ferry, resort, and transfers reservations to the Yasada Islands. They were helpful answering questions, offering advice based on our preferences, booking our Fijian resorts, and providing an itinerary with transfers.

Fijian Resort

Before detailing this idyllic South Seas tropical adventure in Fiji, first a bit on the Fijian Islands consisting of over 330 islands with 110 inhabited mainly with small Fijian villages and resorts (see photo). Major hotels are located on the main island Viti Levu where a vast majority of the Fijian population lives in Nadi and Sava. Nadi (NAN) is Fiji’s main airport great for assessing the nearby Marmanuca and Yasada Islands for a wonderful tropical Fijian island experience.

Warm Fijian Hospitality!

The Fiji island resorts are small with private bures (small cottages on or near the beach) greatly accented by warm Fijian hospitality (see photo). The Fijian islanders live a simple life without the stressful Western distractions. They have hearts of Gold and you feel their caring for you. A big part of a Fijian Yasawa Islands vacation is learning from these beautiful people how to be joyful and loving. Very good English is spoken in Fiji.

Colorful Corals in Fiji

Fiji has some of best snorkeling in the world and the Fijian Yasawa Islands are home to some of Fiji’s best snorkeling and diving spots – many can be accessed directly from the beach. Be aware that some resorts offer much better snorkeling than others.

Blue Lagoon Cruises

We loved our Fiji Blue Lagoon Cruise!

Wonderful Snorkeling on Waya Island

Our 7-day Fijian Blue Lagoon Cruise had many great experiences with incredible snorkeling opportunities every day enjoying top attractions of the Yasawa Islands. Day 1 we started with a short beach walk on Modriki Island. This island is called the ‘Castaway Island’ because was made famous where the movie ‘Cast Away‘ with Tom Hanks was filmed. I looked for his volleyball friend Wilson but couldn’t find it. The Captain’s dinner was great. We then had an amazing reef snorkel excursion on Waya Island. The corals are incredible in Fiji (see photos).

We also visited the Fijian village of Soso and learned about village life in Fiji – an interesting experience to see the happiness of uncomplicated Fijian village life in this paradise part of our world (see photo of Soso’s Church and below Fiji village visit etiquette).

Swim with Sharks at Mouva Reef

Blue Lagoon Cruises sails to Soso Bay where you can swim with reef sharks at Mouva Reef (see photo) followed by a beautiful beach day on Navita Island. Day 3 in the Yasawa Islands brought us to the other side of Waya Island once again for more sensational snorkeling and a relaxing beach day. Snorkeling gear is provided throughout the cruise.

BBQ Lunch on the Beach

Day 4 on the Blue Lagoon Cruise is a very special day spent on Nanuya Island, Blue Lagoon Cruises’ private island, where you have a BBQ lunch and Fijian Lovo dinner on the beach (see photo) making for a very special tropical beach day. You can participate in optional activities such as kayaks, paddle boards, volleyball, and water aerobics in the warm ocean water. 

Swimming Off the Boat Tied to a Coconut Tree

A traditional Fijian Lovo dinner is prepared underground in a specially prepared covered rock oven heated by burning wood. Interestingly here in the Yasawa Islands they secure the ship to a coconut tree and you can swim to the beach (or take the tender boats). Where else can you take a cruise where they tie the ship to a coconut tree?

Sawa-i-Lau Caves

Other Blue Lagoon Cruises’ adventures of our 7-day cruise around Fiji’s Yasawa Islands included visiting the limestone caverns of the Sawa-i-Lau Caves (see photo) – a fun experience swimming in natural caves used in filming the movie The Blue Lagoon. This cave experience is doable and the crew staff is there to assist you.

Hike through Tropical Forests

Other included excursions include swimming with manta rays off the coast of Drawaqa Island (May through October), exploring the famous Blue Lagoon, Marine Biologist talk, taking interesting guided hikes through tropical forests (see photo), and connecting with local islanders with visits to traditional Fijian villages. Afternoon tea is served everyday, sometimes on the beach. Daily activities are subject to change due to weather and ocean conditions.

Fijian Island Girl

Some other Blue Lagoon Cruises’ activities available in the Yasawa Islands include fishing, traditional church service in Fiji (to listen to the beautiful choir singing), a couple of free happy hours, themed dinners, map reading with the captain, and cooking demonstration. Activities offered at an additional charge include scuba diving on two days, massage spa experience, and souvenirs shopping for handmade Fijian beaded items with shells and other. Complimentary Wi-Fi Internet is available in public area (location permitting).

MalaMala Island Beach Club

If you arrive in Fiji the day before be sure to do the Moments at MalaMala Island beach club day excursion (see photo). We had a great time with a wonderful lunch and pool swim overlooking the ocean. Snorkeling was good just right of the the pier with some colorful corals and tropical fish. Blue Lagoon Cruises also has a 3-day and 4-day option. The 4-day second half is the better of the shorter cruises.

Blue Lagoon Cruises’ M.V. Fiji Princess

The small size of Blue Lagoon Cruises’ ship, M.V. Fiji Princess, makes it special. You can access bays and islands in Fiji that would be impossible to reach for a larger ship in the Yasawa Islands. The cruise has maximum of 68 passengers with yacht style air-conditioned en suites. Thirty Fijian crew treat you with wonderful Fijian hospitality. The dress code is casual and informal.

Blue Lagoon Cruises

Every day is something different swimming in warm Fijian clear lagoons (see photo), exploring spectacular palm-lined beaches, having some of the best snorkeling you will find anywhere, gazing at postcard tropical vistas you thought only existed in the movies, participating in fun after dinner activities, and enjoying the company of fun-loving interesting people. Tip: Book your Yasawa Islands Blue Lagoon Cruise in Fiji at least 6 months out and receive 25% off.

For more information, see the Blue Lagoon Cruises website: www.bluelagooncruises.com

Best Time to Visit Fiji

Pat Swimming in Warm Ocean Water

Fiji is a year-round destination with a warm, Fijian tropical climate, and plenty of sunshine. The best time to visit Fiji for clear blue skies is from May through September (blue skies, low humidity, and little rain). The rainy season is from November to April, typically occurring in brief downpours. It is also the warmest months the year. The coolest months are July and August and the warmest months are January and February, although there is not a lot of a variation in temperature throughout the year. The most economical times to visit Fiji is February, March, June, October, and November considered to be the low season and you can find off-peak deals.

Lots of Tropical Fish in Fiji

Bottom line: Best time to visit Fiji… Traveling to Fiji in the shoulder seasons (May through June and October) offers a better chance of decent weather and less expensive rates. Also, these months are generally outside Fijian school holidays so it will be less crowded.

Fiji’s Yasawa Islands

Beautiful Fijian Yasawa Islands!

A visit to Fiji’s Yasawa Islands is like living on a deserted South Pacific tropical island with small picturesque Fijian resorts and villages. Most of the islands are undeveloped beautiful tropical paradise. Fiji’s Yasawa Islands consist of around 20 volcanic tropical islands and are known for being the filming location of the 1980 Hollywood film, The Blue Lagoon.

Map – Fijian Islands

Despite their remoteness, the Yasawa Islands can be easily reached from Fiji’s major airport in Nadi (NAN), either by a 20-40 minute helicopter flight or a 2-5 hour ferry boat transfer from Port Denarau (see logistic details of our trip below). These Fijian islands are blessed with dramatic peaks covered with palm trees and other tropical trees, and long stretches of sandy beaches (often deserted) surrounded by clear warm turquoise and sapphire blue ocean water. Paradise!!

Love the Wonderful Snorkeling in Fiji

The Yasawa Island resorts offer a diverse choice of beachfront bure accommodations ranging from luxurious five-star to affordable low-budget backpackers touring these islands. Where ever you choose to stay you can expect restaurants serving Fijian and other cuisine and plenty of water sports and activities to keep the active busy having fun. Of course, having a Chill Fiji day just being lazy on a wonderful South Pacific tropical island is certainly a very viable option. The warm balmy evenings are magical.

Many Resorts – South Seas Ferry

Travel Tip: With the South Seas ferry stopping at so many wonderful Yasawa Island resorts, it feels like a kid in a candy store where the temptation is to visit many Fijian resorts for fewer days each. Be aware that each resort has is unique and it takes a couple of days to get into their vibe and transfers take precious time in the middle of the beautiful day. So when deciding which islands in Fiji to enjoy we recommend to stay at least 4 days and try more than one if you can.

While in Fiji, be sure to try the traditional Fijian dish Kokoda. Fish marinated in lemon or lime juice, submerged in coconut milk with spring onion and tomato.

Barefoot Manta Island Resort Fiji

Beautiful Barefoot Manta Island Resort

We greatly enjoyed staying 4 days on Barefoot Manta Island Resort (see photo). You can think of it as a refined Robinson Crusoe tropical island offering a laid-back truly Fijian Island feel with its three beaches and very lush paths. Although lovely, most other resorts in Fiji are on a single beach. Barefoot Manta Island Resort has some of the best off-the-beach snorkeling in Fiji!

You have your own personal somewhat rustic but functional ensuite bure (room – see photo) a few steps from the beach looking out to beautiful turquoise ocean views well-shaded by dense coconut palms and tropical plants canopies. 

Fiji’s Barefoot Manta Island Resort’s private outdoor shower under palm trees is very fun (see photo) – the cold water only is refreshing in this warm Fijian Yasawa Islands tropical climate. Although there is no A/C, we found the fan and cross breezes to be very sufficient and slept well. Also, there are more affordable dorm rooms that budget-minded people can stay and enjoy this fun resort.

Marine Talks at the Marine Conservation Center

Unique to Barefoot Manta Island Resort, the Marine Sanctuary surrounding the resort certainly sets it apart from other Fijian Yasawa islands offering some of best snorkeling from the beach in Fiji with abundant colorful coral gardens teaming with marine life in clear warm waters. It is the only resort in Fiji with a dedicated Marine Conservation Center and they offer very interesting marine talks (see photo) twice a day that we enjoyed.

Swimming with Manta Rays

Also very unique to the Fijian Barefoot Manta Island Resort is an incredible experience to swim with large Manta Rays (see photo) in Fiji from May to October. The channel they come to feed in is also full of thousands of fish making a very fun excursion. Complementary use of kayaks and standup paddle boards are also available.

Pat at Sunrise Beach

Of Fiji’s Barefoot Manta Resort’s three beaches our favorite during the day was Sunrise Beach (see photo) located out the back of the main dining area. It has the best beach snorkeling only 20 yards from the beach that can be enjoyed during both high and low tides. There are nicely padded lounge chairs with both sun and shade. Snorkeling tip: Swim out to the outer edge of the reef for the best snorkeling.

Beautiful Fijian Sunsets from Sunset Deck

The other two beaches are Manta Beach and Sunset Beach where snorkeling is available during high tide with the best corals found way out about 100 yards from the beach. In the evening head over to Fiji’s Barefoot Manta Island Resort‘s lively Sunset Deck (see photo) on Sunset Beach to enjoy a fabulous Fijian Yasawa Islands sunset (see photo) with a beer or cocktail. There is a well marked hike (1 hour round trip) to the other side of the island for great view lookout points.

Singles are Mostly Young Women – Men Get Busy!

Located on the Fiji’s Drawaqa Island, Barefoot Manta Island Resort has a 82 guest capacity attracting a wide cross-section of guests from different countries of varying ages including couples, families, and solo backpackers (see photo). At times the resort has many excited younger adventurous people. You can join them for some fun or easily escape to a more quiet Fijian beach or lounge in your own personal tropical area around your bure.

Sunset Deck – Barefoot Island Manta Resort

All the facilities at Barefoot Manta Island Resort are kept very clean. Dining is a daily meal plan format payable directly to the resort for each day – about $60US per day per person. Menus always feature a vegetarian option. The food is pretty good with some very good days. We had a fun ‘Fiji night’ on Friday with music, dancing, and Fijian dances.

Snorkeling at the Outer Reef

The Yasawa Island’s clear warm Fijian water surrounds the Barefoot Manta Island Resort. Do plan a visit Barefoot Manta Island Resort’s well equipped dive shop to collect your complementary mask, snorkel, and fins to use on the resort. They have very nice gear. The largely Fijian friendly staff provides advice on where to enter the water for beach snorkeling. The dive shop is very professional offering scuba diving as well as snorkeling excursions offered for about $45US to their amazing outer reef (see photo).

For more information about Fiji’s Barefoot Manta Island Resort, go to their website: www.barefootmantafiji.com

Oarsman’s Bay Lodge

Beautiful Blue Lagoon – Oarsman’s Bay Lodge

Remember the stunning ‘The Blue Lagoon’ movie? Oarsman’s Bay Lodge is located right on Fiji’s incredibly beautiful Blue Lagoon (see photo). It is an upscale adults-only beachfront resort nestled in this tranquil remote Fijian Yasawa Islands paradise. The beach is silky soft sand with nice snorkeling available right off the beach. Oarsman’s Bay Lodge is a quiet resort with a variety of activities available. The clean comfortable bures (small cottages) have breathtaking Blue Lagoon ocean views. This is adult Chill at its best!

Adults-only Oarsman’s Bay Lodge

Located on Fiji’s Nacula Island, Oarsman’s Bay Lodge is situated on a stunningly pristine beach that stretches for a mile (see photo). This is one of the Yasawa Island’s most magnificent locations between the magnificent turquoise waters of the Blue Lagoon and beautiful high peaked forested hills with views of the famous Fijian Blue Lagoon ‘Nalova Bay’ and Yaromo Island. You can take a walk on an often deserted beach (shell collecting is fun) and swim and snorkel in the very calm protected marine area.

Lounging in Paradise – Great Chill Resort

Or just relax mesmerized by the postcard-perfect Fijian scenery lounging in one of the hammocks or lounge chairs (see photo). You can enjoy Fiji’s Oarsman’s Bay Lodges’ beautiful South Seas Sunsets from your deck, hammock, or at the North Bar for the nightly sunset show as the sky turns to pastels and the stars appear. 

Beautiful Fijian Sunset at the North Bar

We had a very fun ‘Fiji night’ on Saturday with music, dancing, and Fijian dances. Otherwise, we found the evenings not very lively – remember Oarsman’s Bay Lodge is a wonderful adult Chill resort. For a more lively evening happy hour sunset watching (see photo) and music you can wander over to the seaside Blue Lagoon Resort bar just a few minutes walk down the beach.

Cottage-like Bures – Oarsman’s Bay Lodge

Fiji’s Oarsman’s Bay Lodge is small and never crowded having only about 20 ensuite air-conditioned bures (47 guest maximum) shaded by palm trees and equipped with decks, sun lounges, and hammocks (see photo). The bures offer privacy and ocean views. All the facilities are kept immaculately clean. Oarsman’s Bay Lodge has their own private ‘Honeymoon’ Yaromo Island that you can reserve to be all by yourselves for 5 hours with a picnic lunch. You can act out whatever fantasy that comes to mine alone together on a Fijian tropical island beach or just work on your full body tan. Commentary Wi-Fi Internet is available in the main dinning area and North Bar – when one is slow, try the other.

Love the Blue Starfish in Fiji

The Fijian vibe at Oarsman’s Bay Lodge is Chill but there are several things to do if you wish. Grab a complementary mask, snorkel, and fins and you are ready to enjoy Fiji’s undersea treasures. There is a snorkeling reef waiting for you right off the beach. The best snorkeling is to the left just past the Blue Lagoon Resort sign next door. The reef to the right is a nice option – go past the first part to the outer part.  

Snorkeling tip: Go at low tide when the reef is exposed – it forces the fish to the edge for great fish viewing. There is a 3-stop snorkeling excursion to the outer reefs and a sunset excursion to their private island to enjoy a Fijian sunset. Other fun daily activities are offered. Scuba divers can use the dive shop at the neighboring Blue Lagoon Resort.

Water Slide – So Much Fun!

Speedboat excursions take you to outer Fijian reefs and Fiji’s Sawa-i-Lau Caves – one of the top attractions in the Yawawa Islands. Kayaks and paddleboards are also available for fun in smooth waters. The active can hike up the hill behind the Oarsman’s Bay Resort Lodge for panoramic Yasawa Islands views. A fun thing to do is swim out to the water slide for a bit of good fun exercise and excitement (see photo). To accent your Chill be sure to book a massage. They have many options available and they are Wonderful!

View from Upscale Dining Room

With stunning views out to the Fijian Blue Lagoon, the restaurant at Oarsman’s Bay Lodge serves upscale meals we greatly enjoyed. It is open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner to resort guests only. The mandatory rate is about $65US per person per day and includes a buffet breakfast, set dish for lunch, freshly baked cakes and fruit for afternoon tea, and a three-course dinner menu. They do a very nice job. For a wonderful dining experience, don’t miss the 10-course Japanese ‘tapas’ delightful evening at the Donu restaurant next door at Fiji’s Blue Lagoon Lodge – it is amazing!

The bures at Oarsman’s Bay Lodge (see photo), located within tropical grounds, offer beautiful views of the famous turquoise and blue waters of the Fijian Blue Lagoon. Very nice more modern larger ‘North Beach’ bures are also available (see next photo). 

Modern Larger North Beach Bure

To keep you cool on the balmy Fiji evenings, you have a choice of air conditioning, ceiling fans, or floor to ceiling fully screened louvered windows to allow for cross-ventilation and sea breezes. In the evening, we slept with breezes rustling the palm trees using the A/C during warmer nights. It’s fun to take a private outdoors shower with hot water available, although a cool shower in the warm tropics is often desirable.

Pat at the Blue Lagoon Lodge

On the day you leave (normally on the 1:15PM ferry), be aware there are showers in the back of the main dining area where you can clean up for your trip after having a full morning swimming in Fiji’s Blue Lagoon, etc. The Blue Lagoon Lodge next to Oarsman’s Bay Lodge is also a nice Fijian resort with two pools that takes families and has a more active evening vibe.

For more information about Fiji’s Oarsman’s Bay Lodge, go to their website: www.oarsman.com

Trip Logistics: To be able to get over our jet lag and lack of airplane sleep in order to be refreshed for and fully enjoy our Fijian Yasawa Islands adventure we flew into Fiji’s Nadi Airport (NAN) a day early and stayed one night around Nadi before joining our 7-day Blue Lagoon Cruise. This also allowed us to enjoy our included add-on of a day on Malamala Beach Club Island. After our cruise, we stayed one more night around Nadi so we could catch the early morning Awesome Adventures/South Seas Cruises ferry the next day out of Port Denarau to stay on two Yasawa Islands. We used Awesome Adventures to plan and book our ferry, resort stays, and transfers in Fiji.

For more information about Fiji’s Awesome Adventures, go to their website: www.awesomefiji.com

Some Fiji Travel Tips:

Fijian Words

- Many activities on the Blue Lagoon Cruise and the Fijian Yasawa Islands are accessed by smaller tender boats for transfers, snorkel and village excursions, and beach experiences so this travel experience is not for those with mobility issues or don’t enjoy beach vacations.
- Don’t over pack – everything is very causal in Fiji
- Drink plenty of water and use sunscreen in this tropical paradise
- Snorkeling gear is provided on the cruise and islands
- Tipping is not expected in Fiji… but greatly appreciated
- Try Kava – it’s just relaxing
- Bring extra wire hangers – typically few hangers are offered
- Bring a small flashlight for evening walks back to your bure
- Two useful Fijian words to use: ‘Bula’ for Hello and Excitement, ‘Vinaku’ for Thank You
- Don’t touch or walk on the corals – it takes many years for them to grow back
- Leave the shells with open ends – hermit crabs depend on them
- Be sure your Passport has 6 months validity through the end of your trip

Some Important Etiquette When Visiting a Fijian Village:

- Dress modesty covering legs and shoulders
- Take off your hat and sunglasses
- Ask before taking photos and follow the Village’s lead
- Take off your shoes before entering a home or meeting place
- Don’t tough people’s head or walk through a gathering of people
- Don’t wander around without a guide

WE LOVE FIJI AND THIS IS A WONDERFUL WAY TO ENJOY IT!

Source: http://unhooknow.blogspot.com/2024/02/fiji-yasawa-islands-blue-lagoon-cruises.html