Planning a Fiji island hopping trip? In this guide, I’m sharing my 3-island Fiji itinerary, including where I stayed, how I travelled between the islands and my personal experience on South Sea Island, Mantaray Island Resort and in the Yasawa Islands. If you’re planning your own Fiji island hopping adventure, this itinerary will give you an idea of what to expect and how to organize your trip.
I travelled to Fiji during my semester abroad in Australia, flying directly from Brisbane to Nadi International Airport. The flight took around four hours, making Fiji an easy destination to combine with a trip to Australia. My return ticket cost approximately €400.
For our Fiji island hopping adventure, we booked our trip with Awesome Adventures Fiji. We could choose which islands we wanted to visit, how long we wanted to stay and what type of accommodation we preferred. Our island transfers were organized as part of the trip, which made travelling between the islands incredibly easy.
Where is Fiji and which ocean is it in?
Fiji is an island country in the South Pacific Ocean, located east of Australia and north of New Zealand. The country consists of more than 300 islands, many of which are known for their tropical beaches, coral reefs and crystal-clear waters.
My Fiji Island Hopping Itinerary 🏝️
During our week in Fiji, we visited three different island stops, spending between one and four nights at each. For us, this was a great balance between exploring different parts of Fiji and still having enough time to relax.
Our Fiji island hopping route:
South Sea Island → Mantaray Island Resort → Blue Lagoon Beach Resort
Stop 1: South Sea Island
We started our Fiji island hopping adventure with one of the smallest islands of our entire trip. Our first stop was a tiny gem called South Sea Island. You can literally walk around the entire island in just 5 minutes! 🏝️ It’s super small, but incredibly charming, perfect for relaxing, swimming and watching the sunset with a coconut in hand. 🌅🥥
Exactly how I had imagined Fiji: white sand, palm trees and crystal-clear water.
Seeing the tiny island from the ferry really shows just how small it is. It’s surrounded by nothing but turquoise water, which made arriving here feel even more special.
During the day, many visitors come to the island for a day trip, but it never feels overcrowded. By late afternoon, most of them leave and only around 20 overnight guests remain, making the island feel wonderfully peaceful. In the evening, the local Fijians prepared a delicious homemade dinner, and we ended the day watching the sunset.
From our cozy beachfront room, we could look straight out onto the white sandy beach and the crystal-clear turquoise waters of the ocean. Palm trees swayed gently in the breeze and the peaceful sound of the waves completed the perfect island atmosphere.
Stop 2: Mantaray Island Resort
Our second stop was Mantaray Island Resort in the Yasawa Islands. Compared with tiny South Sea Island, this stop felt much bigger and more adventurous. What I loved most was the incredible underwater world. We went snorkeling in crystal-clear water surrounded by colorful coral reefs and tropical fish. It was easily one of my favorite snorkeling experiences in Fiji.
At Mantaray Island Resort, we stayed in a cozy room that felt almost like a treehouse. We had to walk up a small path to reach it, but the beautiful view of the lush surroundings made it worth it. The room was small but comfortable, with a balcony overlooking the tropical greenery.
Stop 3: Blue Lagoon Beach Resort
Our final stop was Blue Lagoon Beach Resort in the Yasawa Islands, and it ended up being my personal favorite of our Fiji island hopping trip. The resort had everything I had imagined Fiji to be: crystal-clear turquoise water, white sandy beaches and a wonderfully peaceful atmosphere. We stayed in a cozy beachfront bungalow and could go snorkeling directly from the shore.
Our beachfront bungalow had a terrace, bathroom and bedroom. Each morning, we stepped outside and enjoyed a beautiful view of the sea. It truly felt like a dream come true.
🪸 The coral reefs were stunning, and we saw so many colorful fish that it felt like swimming in an aquarium. With its white sand, crystal-clear water and incredible snorkeling, Blue Lagoon was easily one of the highlights of our Fiji trip. 🏖️✨
Sunsets during our Fiji trip
Sunsets in Fiji paint the sky with breathtaking colors and create unforgettable moments of peace and beauty. Every evening, we paused to soak in the magical views.
It felt magical watching the sky slowly transform into shades of orange, pink and purple. 🌅
How to get around Fiji while Island Hopping
Getting around Fiji during our island hopping trip was surprisingly easy. We booked our transfers through Awesome Adventures Fiji, so the boat connections between our island stops were already organized for us.
Before each transfer, we were told exactly when our boat would arrive, and the resort staff reminded us again on the day of departure. Small boats sometimes brought us from the resort to the larger ferry, which then continued to the next island.
If you’re planning your own Fiji island hopping itinerary, I definitely recommend organizing your island transfers in advance, especially when visiting several islands in the Yasawa or Mamanuca Islands.
How Many Days Do You Need for Fiji Island Hopping?
We spent around one week island hopping in Fiji, which worked really well for our three island stops. I wouldn’t recommend trying to squeeze too many islands into a short trip, as every transfer takes time.
If you have around one week in Fiji, I would choose two or three islands and spend at least a couple of nights at each stop. This gives you enough time to relax, go snorkeling and actually enjoy each island without feeling rushed.
If you have more time, you can travel further through the Yasawa Islands or add another stop to your Fiji island hopping itinerary.
Is Fiji Island Hopping Worth It? ☀️
For me, absolutely. Our week island hopping in Fiji was one of the most unforgettable trips I’ve ever taken. Visiting several islands gave us the chance to experience different beaches, resorts and snorkeling spots without making the trip feel rushed.
South Sea Island was tiny and peaceful, Mantaray Island Resort was fantastic for snorkeling and nature, and Blue Lagoon Beach Resort was my personal favorite for its beautiful beach and relaxed atmosphere.
If you’re planning your first Fiji island hopping trip, I would definitely recommend spending several nights on each island rather than trying to see as many places as possible. Fiji is best enjoyed slowly.
My Fiji island hopping tip 🌴
If you have around one week in Fiji, I’d recommend choosing two or three islands instead of trying to see as many as possible. Staying a few nights on each island gives you enough time to relax, snorkel and actually enjoy each stop. For us, three island stops were the perfect pace.
Have you ever been island hopping in Fiji, or is Fiji still on your bucket list? Let me know in the comments! 🌴
