Yasawa Islands

From Halal Explorer

Revision as of 05:04, 19 September 2024 by Admin (talk | contribs) (Text replacement - "<h2 class=subheader>What to see in {{FULLPAGENAME}}</h2>" to "<h2 class=subheader>What to See</h2>")
(diff) ← Older revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)

The Yasawa Islands are a group of islands in north-western Fiji. Approximately 30 resorts are spread through the 12 major islands in the group. Most resorts provide basic accommodation and meals with access to natural and cultural sites.

Islands of Yasawa Islands

  • Kuata
  • Nacula
  • Nanuya Lailai
  • Nanuya Levu - "The Blue Lagoon"
  • Naviti
  • Tavewa
  • Waya
  • Waya Lailai
  • Yaqeta
  • Yasawa - airport

Travel as a Muslim to Yasawa Islands

Awesome Adventures Fiji provide the Yasawa Flyer as the primary transport to and through the Yasawa Islands from Nadi. Although local taxis can provide better value on short trips in good weather and the Flyer is your best option for longer trips, like travelling to and from the Islands. Awesome Adventures have an office in the main street where you can book. They will help you plan your itinerary - which islands to stop off at, for how long, and where to stay. The Yasawa flyer is a good organisation who don't try to rip you off or convince you to stay at one place in preference to another.

Get Around

If you came by the "yellow boat" (Yasawa Flyer) then it will pick you up on its daily run and take you to your next island. If you have a 5, 7, 10, 12, 15 or 21-day 'Bula Pass'], this is included in your fare, otherwise, it can cost between Fiji#Money|$]]45 to $70 to go from one island to the next. A local water taxi can provide a far cheaper means to transfer between islands, especially for shorter trips when the weather is reasonably clear. Some resorts will pick you up from your current resort for free, otherwise rates tend to range from $5-15. It always pays to ask around before you book, especially with the resort you are travelling to (that wants your business more than the one you've just paid for). Like all prices in Fiji and these charges are often negotiable, especially if you are travelling in a group (since most charges are per head, you can bargain for a group discount). One caveat: Local boats are slower and have been known to run out of fuel and never carry oars, so don't take local boats if such surprises would ruin your holiday (but if slow, reactive responses to problems is going to frustrate you, Fiji is probably not your ideal holiday location - Fiji time!)

What to See

The Yasawas are beautiful and unspoilt. The best two natural activities are hiking (many of the islands have high hills that provide great views of all the nearby islands) and snorkeling or diving (most of the islands have some level of reef life, although note the comments under 'Sleep' about the re-growing reefs).

What to Do

Snorkeling and diving are excellent. Some islands even have spectacular snorkeling right off the beach. Diving rates are cheap. You can get certification if you need it. Manta Ray Island Resort offers special snorkeling trips to see manta rays when they are passing a shallow passage between islands. Be sure to stay alert - you have to jump the boat in 5 minutes from "manta ray alarm".

Most islands have good hiking, e.g. Wayalailai where you can climb to the top to see the sun rise, or hike the length of the island and cross the spit to Waya. Guides are available, or you can go alone.

Almost all islands will have someone who can teach basket or bracelet weaving, using palm fronds and banana leaves.

There are regular kava ceremonies on many islands. Guests are invited to join. On smaller and more intimate islands it would be rude to refuse.

Go to church in one of the villages for the Sunday service. The local residents are welcoming, and you will be awed by their beautiful harmonious singing.

Ask the local residents to take you through their plantation and show you the bananas, papaya, mangoes, breadfruit, casava and other fruits and vegetables growing for your eating pleasure.

Various day trips are available including the cave trip (diving through a tunnel 30 cm down and 1.5 metre long to visit several underground caverns) and the Blue Lagoon (not the real one, which is privately owned) and local trips such as fishing or snorkeling. You can also do day trips on the island to visit local villages and schools.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Yasawa Islands

Some islands have souvenirs but these are generally cheaper to buy on the mainland (e.g. in the streets and markets of Nadi). The key souvenir you may like to buy is a local sulu for that resort. Otherwise, your money is likely to be spent on drinks (water, organic juice or cocktails) and Snacks (chips, biscuits, etc.).

Halal Restaurants in Yasawa Islands

There are three levels of catering - (i) sparse plates and buffets that run out, (ii) generous serves of high carbohydrate meals and (iii) broad balanced meals with endless buffets to suit all appetites and preferences. If you like fish, please be sure to let the local residents (especially the chef) know - they often think people prefer Chicken. Beef is quite expensive in Fiji and you are not likely to see it very often. Vegetarianism is generally poorly understood and for strict Vegetarian or people with allergies it can be quite difficult to explain that even Sauces, spices and flavourings are not suitable. If you have any kind of allergy or strong dietary preference you must talk to the chef as soon as you get on the island (lunch often follows shortly afterward) and explain it in detail (e.g. "must be cooked completely separate from any Meat, fish, Chicken, oyster Sauces, seasoning, etc."). It is often valuable to say what you can eat (e.g. "any vegetables or fruit, even raw!") to give them a sense of what they can do.

Most people are reasonably happy with the food provided at resorts, although healthier eaters may miss a balance of non-starchy veggies.

Most resorts provide drinking water at meals, but sell water ($4-$5 for a 1.5 litre bottle) at other times. Water supplies are generally from rain (off corrugated roofs), springs or imported from the mainland.

English backpackers will be happy to hear that organic juice (Fiji Bitter or Fiji Gold $5-6 per can) is in plentiful supply, and most resorts will also provide other forms of drinks including cocktails ($10-18 depending on resort and cocktail). Buy supplies like soft drinks or cookies in mainland if you are short on budget.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Yasawa Islands

Yasawa Islands - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Yasawa Islands, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Yasawa Islands. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Yasawa Islands and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Yasawa Islands. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Yasawa Islands. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inYasawa Islands: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Yasawa Islands.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Yasawa Islands: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Yasawa Islands, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Yasawa Islands.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Yasawa Islands, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Yasawa Islands, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Yasawa Islands and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Yasawa Islands, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Yasawa Islands, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Yasawa Islands without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Yasawa Islands is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Yasawa Islands.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Yasawa Islands is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Yasawa Islands, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Yasawa Islands Media: info@ehalal.io


Muslim Friendly Hotels

Most islands have some kind of budget resort, where you sleep in a dorm or bure (thatched hut). Food (set menu, mostly local dishes) is usually included in the price or is a compulsory addition (no local alternatives exist). Some islands have considerably more upmarket hotels.

Accommodation varies significantly in quality, from vary sparse rooms with open through to comfortable, Asian-style superior Muslim friendly rooms with a toilet, hot shower and secure doors and windows (Nalova Bay). If the bures are not reasonably airtight then a good mosquito net is a real necessity, although a top sheet can also help to keep the mosquitoes at bay. Most beds are not grungy, but do vary from vary soft through to firm.

Sleep is also affected by the nightlife of the resort. Most resorts have a main bure with a and some form of night activity (dancing, international night, singing, etc.) Usually this concludes at a reasonable hour and people continue to talk quietly and drink until they go to bed. At some locations, a much more festive spirit is felt, and if the dorm/bures are anywhere near the main bure, sleeping may prove difficult.

Cold showers are the norm, which is fine during the days (usually quite warm), but salt water or mixed salt/fresh water showers are not uncommon. Drinking water is a somewhat scarce resource on the islands, but is usually provided free at meals. Some resorts have unlimited water, others require you to buy bottled water outside of meal times (typically USD8-5 a 1.5L bottle).

The final factor in deciding where to stay is the surroundings and activities, which is somewhat subjective. Up until about five years ago, many areas in Fiji dynamited their coral to sell to aquariums, so there are large patches of dead coral with an occasional patch of life. However and there are an increasing number of marine sanctuaries and even coral farms that are bringing the coral (and accompanying sea life) back. Some places have a great variety of fish up to 1 m in length and some even have sharks and turtles. On the whole, however, Fiji reef life is not yet up to the standard seen in other tropical areas, especially the Whitsundays and Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

Awesome Adventures Fiji,] provides backpacker accommodation packages throughout the islands. Packages range from 3-12 days and include accommodation, vessel transfers, meals, and activities. Alternatively and the "Bula Combo Pass" provides an easy, hassle free way to pay for accommodation, as many properties do not accept credit cards or travellers cheques, only cash.

Drawaqa

  • Barefoot Island Lodge - ☎ +679 670 1823

Kuata

  • Kuata Natural Resort - ☎ +679 651 0504, +679 651 3598

Matacawa Levu

  • Long Beach Resort -

Nacula

  • Melbravo Resort -


  • Nabua Lodge Resort
  • Nalova Bay Resort - ☎ +679 666 9055
  • Oarsmans Bay Lodge - ☎ +679 672 2921

Nanuya Balavu

  • Manta Ray Island Resort - ☎ +679 664 0520, +679 672 6351

Naviti

  • Botaira Beach Resort - ☎ +679 666 2266
  • Coconut Bay Resort -


  • Korovou Eco-Tour Resort - ☎ +679 651 3173
  • Manuka Bay Resort - ☎ +679 672 3559
  • Qereqere Resort -


  • White Sandy Beach -

Tavewa

  • Coral View Resort - ☎ +679 922 2575
  • David's Place - ☎ +679 665 2820, +679 672 1820
  • Kingfisher Lodge - ☎ +679 665 2830
  • Otto & Fanny's - ☎ +679 666 6481

Turtle Island

Turtle Island - GPS: An island resort that is gaining fame for its celebrity honeymooners.

Waya

  • Adi's Place - ☎ +679 665 0573, +679 992 6377
  • Bayside Resort
  • Octopus Resort - ☎ +679 666 6337, +679 666 6442
  • Sunset Waya -

- Waya Lailai=

  • Waya Lailai Eco Haven Resort - ☎ +679 666 1572

| tollfree=

Yaqeta

  • Navutu Stars - ☎ +679 664 0553 +
  • Sanawai Resort -

Travel Next from Yasawa Islands

  • Mamanuca Islands - The Mamanuca Islands just off the coast from Denarau offer beautiful crystal clear waters, palm fringed long sandy beaches and abundant coral reefs. There are islands, villages, resorts to visit, and snorkelling and swimming. South Sea Cruises have a range of day cruises to choose from. A popular choice for travelers is the Seaspray Sailing Adventure - an all-inclusive day, sailing the Mamanucas on an 83-foot (25-m) schooner. Copyright 2015 - 2024. All Rights reserved by eHalal Group Co., Ltd.

To Advertise or sponsor this Travel Guide, please visit our Media Kit and Advertising Rates.