April 30th 2023 Update: We are now open everywhere except in James 1-5 Homestay. Both Seabus and Yasawa Flyer now run daily. Check out official Fiji Travel website for the latest information.
Navotua, Malakati and Naisisili villages are located on the unspoilt Nacula island, in the far north of Yasawa archipelago in Fiji. Taven, Navi and Evidan are private homestays situated around Naisisili village, while Qeleni, Vatia, Vaturua and Waitauvou sister homestays are located further south in Malevu village on the beautiful Naviti island. Nabukeru Homestay is on pristine and northernmost Yasawa island. There are several ways to get to Yasawas:
The red Tavewa Seabus ferry is the fastest way to get to all our homestays by sea. We recommend taking this local ferry if you will be coming straight from mainland (Viti Levu island), such as from Lautoka or Nadi. The ferry leaves daily including Sundays from Lautoka Wharf at 7.30 AM and takes 2h30min to 3h to get to Yasawas; it arrives back to Lautoka at around 3 PM. One way adult fares are $205 FJD (to Nacula or Yasawa island) and $190 FJD (to Naviti island), but this goes down to $193 and $180 FJD respectively, a special offer FOR OUR GUESTS ONLY. You can buy discounted Seabus tickets directly with us. No fuel surcharge. From Nadi airport or anywhere in Nadi region, please take a taxi to Lautoka Wharf or get picked up from your hotel by this ferry's free bus shuttle. Once you board on, please let the crew know of the exact village you're going to and follow their instructions. To complete the trip, you will transfer to our small fiberglass boat as the ferry approaches your final destination.
If you will already be on another island in Yasawas or Mamanucas, the daily Yasawa Flyer ferry may be your best and only choice to travel. This fast catamaran visits various islands on its very scenic but not so direct 4h30min journey along the beautiful Yasawa archipelago. From Nadi airport or anywhere in Nadi region, please take a taxi to Denarau Marina or get picked up from your hotel by this ferry's free bus shuttle. Once in Denarau, get on Yasawa Flyer ferry (run by South Sea Cruises and Awesome Adventures), which leaves at 8.45 AM. Your ticket must be for "Blue Lagoon Beach Resort" (if you are going to Navotua, Malakati or Nabukeru), "Nabua Lodge" (if you are going to Naisisili, Evidan, Taven or Navi) or "Barefoot Manta Island Resort" (if you are going to Qeleni, Vatia, Vaturua or Waitauvou) ferry stop. A one way ticket from Denarau costs around $210 FJD, inclusive of the fuel surcharge fee. When a ferry crew calls your name - as the ferry stops somewhere in the sea - please hop off the ferry and hop on our small fiberglass boat floating just next to the ferry. Please always double check the small boat is from your allocated village before stepping on it. Going back to Denarau, the same ferry arrives back at 6 PM. You can buy your return ticket once on the ferry.
In case you will already be on Nacula, Tavewa, Nanuya Lailai, Matacawa Levu or Turtle island on your check in date or are going there on your check out date, there is no need to take any ferries if your homestay is on Nacula or Yasawa island. Please send us the NAME of your resort and we'll pick you up or drop you off by our small boat usually for free or for a small fee, depending on the exact location. The actual time of your pick up will be flexible but is typically between 10 AM and 1 PM, depending on the tidal cycle and other guests. If your homestay is on Naviti island, we can directly pick you up only if you're already staying on the same island.
If ferry schedules do not connect well with your international flight, or you do not wish to lose one day in Nadi area, treat yourself with a Turtle Airways seaplane journey. This very scenic flight takes off from Wailoaloa beach (next to Nadi airport, transfers included), lands on a lagoon in front of Turtle Island, lasts around half an hour and costs 400-800 FJD each way. We will pick you up from Turtle Island. There may be a small boat surcharge fee for this trip. At least two more helicopter companies operate flights from Nadi to Yasawas too: Island Hoppers Fiji (around 700 FJD each way) and Heli-Tours Fiji, landing directly in our villages.
Once you know your option, please let us know to ensure your smooth pick up by our small fiberglass boat from the right place. Your drop off takes place in a similar way.
WARNING: Do not try to use small fibreglass boats that occasionally run between Lautoka and Yasawas. Even though this is how some locals travel, the journey is extremely dangerous. There had been at least 3 accidents last year. The sea is almost always rough and the vessel is too small to cross this stretch of water safely.
In case of James 1-5 Homestay, you can walk straight out the terminal building of Nadi Intl. Airport (10 min walk), or tell your taxi driver to take you to Nadi Airport Transit Hotel. Our villa is just behind the hotel.
Book your stay directly with homestay owners and obtain the following discounted all inclusive rates (low season only).
NAVOTUA, MALAKATI, TAVEN, NAVI and EVIDAN HOMESTAY
These Nacula island homestays provide a classic homestay experience with well thought hospitality.
QELENI, VATIA, VATURUA and WAITAUVOU HOMESTAY
The Malevu village homestays feature village houses (not bures) so slightly higher rates apply.
NABUKERU and NAISISILI HOMESTAY
Jewels of our homestay family, these deluxe bures are located on absolute beachfront. They are both en suite and are the most comfortable in our family.
GOOD TO KNOW: Rates above are ALL INCLUSIVE and are our best rates you can find online. They include both pick up from and drop off to your ferry of choice by our fiberglass boat as well as three ample island-style meals per day for all people in your group, plus afternoon tea with snacks. They do not include your sevusevu, ferry tickets or optional activities. One US dollar is about 2.30 Fiji dolllars (FJD) as of November 2023. You will be required a pay a deposit to secure your reservation. Refund policy: the deposit is fully refundable up to 30 days before arrival.
We are family friendly homestays and offer discounts for families. For children aged six through 11, half the adult rate applies while children under six are free of charge. Larger families got further special discounts.
All rates above may be up to 20% higher during High Season (July, Christmas and New Year holidays and some other short periods). Although some homestays require stays of at least 2 or 3 nights, we accept one night bookings too however a boat surcharge fee may apply depending on your allocation. We offer additional discounts for stays longer than 7 nights, please inquire. Monthly stays are welcome too and special monthly rates apply.
Fan fact: we've made several lasting friendships with long staying visitors, and some keep coming back!
Standard Fijian village etiquette applies in our villages too. All visitors must present sevusevu (a bundle of kava roots) to the village Chief upon arrival. In addition, in Malakati village only, a $10 FJD cash donation per each adult is a mandatory part of your sevusevu. Please note that in Yasawa islands kava is expensive and is not always available. You can prepare your bundle of kava roots by buying it from any marketplace in mainland Fiji. Please do not wear sunglasses or hats in the village. Women should wear a sulu (a Fiji style skirt) while inside the village. You can borrow a sulu for free in the village. The beach is not considered part of the village. Outside the village you can do whatever you like. There are no village rules in James 1-5 Homestay.
Three ample island-style meals plus afternoon tea and snacks are served daily and are all included in our village homestay rates. We drink clean rainwater in the village, but it might not be a bad idea to use bottled water if you have a sensitive tummy. Bottled water is usually available in the village store. There are no restaurants in the village nor cooking facilities in your bure. No ice or alcoholic drinks in the village. Although no meals are served in James 1-5 Homestay, a plenty of affordable restaurants are available in Nadi area. You can also make use of a fully equipped modern kitchen in your villa.
There is only one ATM on Yasawa islands and it is usually out of order. Please make sure to depart with sufficient FJD cash for your entire Yasawa excursion before you leave Nadi. There are ATMs both at Nadi airport and in Denarau Marina. Depending on your travel needs and interest in various activities, we advise you to bring a minimum of 50-150 FJD per person per day in cash wherever you go in Fiji, especially in remote areas. This estimate does not include any accommodation costs & transfer fees which may be due in cash.
Please note that we are not a resort. We are authentic and traditional village homestays located in a remote area. If you faint on the sight of a harmless spider, please reconsider visiting us. There is no vehicular traffic, and virtually no shops nor walk-in restaurants on Yasawa islands. There is no electricity nor WiFi, but you could charge your mobile device with our solar panel. Network reception for your mobile phone is okay. We hope you will enjoy very much our friendly villages, while relaxing in the wonderful surrounding area. Once you are back from your Yasawa adventure, why not reconnect to the world and stay in our Nadi villa with all the modern facitilies? If you have any further questions, please contact us.
