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Mamanuca & Yasawa Groups

Includes  Why Go? Bounty Island. . . . 118 They’re but a streak on the map, the 50-odd islands that Island. .119 make up the Mamanuca and Yasawa groups are a behemoth Mana...... 120 of beauty that pack a powerful – and paradisiacal – punch. Though they’re easily accessible from Nadi, the region is . . . . . 122 home to everything far-flung-tropical-island daydreams are Modriki...... 122 made of: rustling palms, obscenely blue waters, blinding . . . 123 white sands and local smiles just as bright. Incredibly, this ...... 123 eden is open to all; no matter your budget, you’ll find quality Kuata & Wayasewa. . 128 accommodation and million-dollar views. The 20 or so picture-perfect coral atolls and islands of the Waya & Around. . . .130 Mamanucas arc west through the large lagoon formed by the Malolo Barrier Reef and . It’s a treasure trove of surf breaks, sea turtles, reef sharks and vast schools of Best Places to Eat multicoloured tropical fish. To the north, the volcanic islands of the Yasawas reward ¨¨Navutu Stars (p133) visitors with blue lagoons, exquisite beaches, technicolour ¨¨Mantaray Island coral gardens and craggy landscapes aching to be explored. Resort (p132) ¨¨Botaira Beach Resort (p133) When to Go ¨¨Travellers Tea House Mamanuca & Yasawa Groups (p136) °C/°F Te mp Rainfall inches/mm 40/104 16/400

12/300 Best Places to 30/86 Stay 8/200 ¨¨ 20/68 Coconut Beach Resort 4/100 (p135) ¨¨Beachcomber Island 10/50 0 J FDM A M J J A S O N Resort (p119) ¨¨Blue Lagoon Beach May–Oct Gen- Oct–Dec Fewer Jan–Mar Steamy Resort (p136) erally sunny travellers, greater green wet season; dry days, with choice of accom- expect some ¨¨ Island cool(ish) nights modation; evening transport delays Resort (p120) that make for rainstorms and in stormy weather. ¨¨Castaway Island good sleeping. humidity increase. Resort (p123)

------Activities Back on sand, the islands have enough have Back on sand, the islands resemblance to the Life here bears little Thoughthey’re their nat for more valued MAMANUCA GROUPMAMANUCA son, depending on how many islands areson, depending on how many visited and whether lunch is included. and sunny hospitality, whether they choose hospitality, sunny and couples-only or budget ac family-friendly, they that almost mind – number locals. Not all resorts lease their land from local com and physical munities and so, while heavy hang over metaphorical clouds may rain shines on the the mainland, the sun always magical Mamanucas. 2 sports are all about water The Mamanucas extremeWhetherand arerelaxation. you non or visiting for a day, for a week staying sports snorkelling,motorised water (like windsurfing, and sailing in cata kayaking provided free of are nearly always marans) isan engine the moment However, charge. can expect you fired trips to be billed. Village on the outer reef costor snorkelling between $25 and $50 per person, and reef-fishing hour per around $150 to $170 trips average tours cost for four people. Island-hopping $80 and $200 per per between anywhere es of marine life await those who take the those who take es of marine life await into their crystal-clearplunge De waters. spite the subsurface calm, the Mamanucas are also home to a collection of world-class surf breaks. facilities, activities oppor and adventure everytunities to satisfy (and day-tripper Thosethere are a lot of them). who come to with a bellowing bula! are welcomed stay commodation. realities experienced Only by most Fijians. sup and Malolo, resort islands, Mana two tourists though out port villages, Fijian ‘Tropical paradise’ might be the most might be the hack paradise’ ‘Tropical world, neyedin the travel-writing cliché here: from it away no getting but there’s tick every islands withthe Mamanuca box, brilliant seas and beaches so brochure-blue unto them celebrities they’re Hollywood dis and a relaxation With romance, selves. proportional number of fantasticresorts on unsurprisinglyis group Mamanuca the offer, most popular destinations. one of ’s theycontribution any than attributes ural culture, to the national nobody couldmake of being beauty accuse Mamanucas’ the reefs and mass shallow: kaleidoscopic coral 44444 444444 4 44 a ) or i a ay k n l t i n o a u t w o c w 4 4 44444 44 44 44444 44 44444 4 444 44444 44444 44444 44 4444444444 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 44 4 4 444 444 u es a a di o a 5 e Y ) and s # a N m #\ s u La a l ag e N o Y 6 6 6 6 6 a

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