How to Backpack the Yasawa Islands

"I found the Yasawa Islands to be a picturesque chain of 20 volcanic islands offering incredible diving (I actually learned to dive here), snorkeling, hiking and a surprising range of accommodation from budget dorms and guesthouses to luxury resorts, which makes the islands far more affordable than you might expect. The islands were closed to tourists until 1987 and now host roughly 1,000 residents with tourism as the main source of employment. Getting around is easiest with a Bula Pass — a hop-on, hop-off boat pass (5-day passes start at $246 USD, up to 15-day passes at $449 USD) that you can buy when you arrive and use on Awesome Adventures and South Sea Cruises — or by the faster Tavewa Seabus (catamaran, prices start at 205 FJD for single journeys). Practical tips I learned: a free shuttle is often provided to/from the airport so don’t pay for a cab, buy water and alcohol on the mainland (they’re about 40% cheaper), many ferries run late so don’t rush, and cold/lukewarm showers (often mixed with some salt water) are common due to scarce fresh water. You can visit year-round (peak July–August and December), but October–November is much quieter, and while credit cards are widely accepted on larger islands you should carry cash for smaller islands where ATMs are rare." - Matthew Kepnes