Island stays in Fiji
Tuesday, 21, Jun 2005 04:04
ITV1's reality TV show Celebrity Love Island drew to a close on Monday, with Fran Cosgrave and Jayne Middlemiss walking off with the £100,000 prize. Whatever disagreements the 13 Love Island celebs had during their five-week stay, they all agreed on one thing - the beauty and intrigue of their surroundings, whether relaxing on the beach, sampling some of the local Fijian culture, or taking in the stunning scenery.
For those of you seeking a relaxing break on your own Fijian love island, Travelbite explores some of the options:
The Islands
Celebrity Love Island was based on Bounty Island, part of the Mamanuca Island group. This, along with the Yasawa Island group, is the main destination for tourists seeking an island stay in Fiji due its close proximity to the main island Vitu Levu, where the transport hubs of Nadi International Airport and Port Denarau are located.
Mamanuca Islands
Bounty Island
Bounty Island is 48 acres of white sandy beaches and unspoilt wilderness only a short hop from the airport. Billed as an eco-tourism resort, accommodation on Bounty Island includes tents, dorms and private rooms. Bathroom facilities are shared. Prices range from £15 per person per night for a dormitory bed, to £75 per night for a beachfront bure (a traditional thatched-roof Fijian hut). This does not include meals or transfer to the island.
For more information see: www.fiji-bounty.com.
Castaway Island
Castaway Island was the main location for the Tom Hanks' film Castaway - hence the name. It was also the island where Fran Cosgrave and Liz McClarnon spent a night under the stars in Celebrity Love Island.
Castaway is a 174-acre island surrounded by calm, reef fringed waters. It is about 20 miles west of Nadi and is reachable by boat, seaplane or helicopter. Accommodation comprises 66 spacious bures, most of which can sleep up to four people. Prices start from £190 per room per night.
For more information see: www.castawayfiji.com.
Beachcomber
Beachcomber Island is well known as a party island, and is crammed full of young backpackers unwinding and having a good time. Accommodation ranges from private bures on the beach, twin lodge rooms with private facilities, or the 'Grand Bure' - a 98 bed unisex dormitory. Prices, which include meals, start at £25 per night for a dormitory bed, and go up to £125 per night for a top of the range bure.
For more information see: www.beachcomberfiji.com
Yasawa Islands
The Yasawa Islands are further from Viti Levu than the Mamanuca Islands and as such have a more off the beaten track feel. Accommodation and facilities are typically more primitive than on the Mamanuca Islands, and they tend to appeal more to the independent traveller.
Kuata Island resort
Kuata Island is the self-proclaimed gateway to the Yasawas. Sandy beaches and clear blue water are set against a volcanic backdrop. The island has one resort and there is no electricity after dark - oil lanterns light the way. Accommodation is in simple bures.
Korovou resort, Naviti Island
Naviti Island is situated in the middle of the Yasawa group - nearly three hours from Port Denarau by boat. Accommodation includes six beachfront cottages, a 24-bed dormitory and a family size bure. A dormitory stay will cost £18 per person per night, while double bures will cost £42 per night. The resort also accepts campers who bring their own tent. Snorkelling with Manta Rays is one of the options open to guests.
Nanuya Lailai
Nanuya Lailai, nearly four hours from Denarau by boat, was the setting for the remake of Blue Lagoon the 1980s classic starring Brooke Shields. There are several backpacker resorts on the island. Those seeking more exclusive accommodation should head to the $1,500-per-night resort on neighbouring Nanuya Levu where Brooke Shields stayed during filming. The island is also a good base for a trip to the Sawailau Caves, which contains caverns that can only be accessed by swimming underwater - as visited by Celebrity Love Island winners Jayne and Fran on one of their daytrips.
Getting around the islands
South Seas Cruises' catamaran 'Tiger IV' is the best way of travelling to the Mamanuca Islands. It sales three times a day from Port Denarau on Viti Levu - 0900, 1215 and 1515 (www.ssc.com.fj). The Yasawa Flyer, operated by South Seas Cruises' subsidiary Awesome Adventures, departs daily from Port Denarau for the Yasawa Islands at 0915 (www.awesomefiji.com).
Turtle Airways operates short sea plane flights to many of the islands. See www.turtleairways.com for more information. Alternatively, Island Hoppers (www.helicopters.com.fj operates helicopter flights.
Packages
One of the easiest ways to spend time island hopping between several of the Fijian islands is to go for a package. Awesome Adventures offers a range of packages from a simple two-night stay on one island, to an 11-night stay on four islands, including three nights aboard the Wanna Taki cruise vessel. Extra nights can be added to the packages.
See: www.awesomefiji.com