Headed to Fiji and looking for the best things to do in the Yasawa Islands?! You’re in the right place! From snorkeling with black tip reef sharks and exploring the Sawa-i-Lau Caves to simply looking for colorful shells on the beach and watching the sunset with a tropical drink in hand, there’s actually a LOT to do in the Yasawa Islands!
When I first booked my trip to Fiji, I was a tad worried I’d end up bored outta my mind. Yes, I love the beach, but I tend to get restless and cannot for the life of me sit still for more than an hour if I’m lucky (even if the scenery’s gorgeous). For example, I recently spent 3 days on the beach in El Tunco during my week in El Salvador, and I simply did not know what to do with myself, haha. So, safe to say I wasn’t sure exactly how 10 days in Fiji (solo at that) would be.
Well my friends, I somehow filled up the days and nights with so many Yasawa Islands activities that it was actually hard to be bored! Yes, of course there were moments that weren’t planned (which I then spent snorkeling off the beach or looking for shells), but I was pleasantly surprised by just how many things there were to do at the resorts and around the islands.
And that’s what surprised me most about the Yasawa Islands: there’s actually a LOT to do. Or you can do nothing at all; the choice is yours! You can have one day where you’re swimming with manta rays or snorkeling with black tip reef sharks, and then the next day you’re got nothing planned except swaying in a hammock all damn day, haha. Maybe with a cocktail, or two. And honestly, some of my favorite moments weren’t even the big excursions. They were the random little things I stumbled into at the resorts, like crab racing, kava ceremonies, and just wandering around to see what was going on.
So, if you’re wondering what to do in the Yasawa Islands, I’ve rounded up 15 of the best Yasawa Islands activities based on what I actually did during my 10 days island hopping around the Yasawas. Some are the big, must-do experiences I’d absolutely recommend, like the Sawa-i-Lau Caves and swimming with manta rays, while others are much more low-key (and sometimes downright random, haha). But hey, they all kept me entertained – and that’s saying something for someone who can barely sit still on a beach for an hour!
Psst – a lot of these things to do in the Yasawa Islands are water-based (the whole country is a group of islands), so… if you don’t like being in the water, the Yasawas and Fiji in general probably aren’t the best trip for you, haha. Just putting that out there! Of course you can lay on the beach (and yes, they’re stunning), but what I especially loved about Fiji was the ridiculously clear turquoise water and plentiful marine life. You can go to a beach anywhere, lol.
A few things to note before we get started:
- Not all activities are offered every day of the week. This wasn’t something I was aware of, so I was kinda upset when I didn’t get to do certain activities I was initially excited about (I somehow missed out on all the cooking classes, argh!). If there’s something you REALLY want to do, check the activity schedule before you book (if possible…) so you can plan around it. But just know resorts change around activities all the time, haha.
- Activities vary by resort. Not all resorts offer all activities. Some are dependent on the resort’s proximity to certain islands, channels, reefs, or other attractions, while others simply aren’t offered for one reason or another. For example, if you want to visit the highly popular (for Fiji standards, anyway!) Sawa-i-Lau Caves, you’ll need to stay at a resort in the Northern Yasawa Islands, like Blue Lagoon Beach Resort on Nacula Island. And if swimming with manta rays is high on your Fiji bucket list, you’ll want to stay somewhere near the Drawaqa Channel, like Barefoot Manta or Manta Ray Island Resort.
- You’ll book all your activities upon arrival: This is so different from how I normally book trips (I’m a planner by nature and typically have all my excursions booked way in advance!). But in the Yasawa Islands, you’ll generally book your activities either the day of or the day or two beforehand, once you get to the island. If there’s an activity you REALLY want to do, though, definitely sign up as soon as you get there. Some activities have limited spots, and you don’t want to find out they’re already full when it’s too late.
- Some activities are paid while others are free. Things like swimming with manta rays, snorkeling with sharks, visiting the Sawa-i-Lau Caves, and village visits require an additional fee, but there’s also plenty of free things to do in the Yasawa Islands. Beach snorkeling, hiking, swimming, shell hunting, sunset watching, and stargazing won’t cost you a thing!
- You will have some downtime. Just accept it. If you’re like me and need to fill every spare minute with something to do, you’ll undoubtedly be upset. Take it all in, and embrace the fact that you’re on a freaking beautiful tropical island with nowhere else you need to be. Read a book, go for a swim, snorkel off the beach, take a nap (I know, who am I?!), or just sit and stare at the water for a while.
- Most activities are scheduled around meal times. Since meal times are set by the resort and there’s literally no other food to get on the island (bring snacks!), the resorts time the activities really well to ensure you don’t miss any meals. So you don’t need to worry about choosing between an excursion and lunch – you’ll generally be able to do both, phew!
- Some activities require a minimum number of people and/or are weather permitting. Yup, activities don’t always go off as scheduled. For example, during my stay at Octopus Resort, all water activities were cancelled for two days because the seas were too rough for the boats to safely go out. Sure, it was a bummer (especially when you’re excited about an activity!), but what can you do?! The weather is gonna do what the weather is gonna do, so just be prepared to be a little flexible with your plans.
Psst: If you’re looking for the nitty-gritty on where to stay, how to get between islands, how much a Yasawa Islands trip costs, and how I planned my 10 days, check out my super comprehensive 10 day Fiji itinerary post. Yes, I’m exceptionally wordy, but I promise you there’s tons of good info in there!
So, let’s get to it! All my favorite things to do in the Yasawa Islands, Fiji coming right up!
Things to do in the Yasawa Islands
1. Snorkel with Black Tip Reef Sharks
We’re starting off strong here with snorkeling with sharks!!! Don’t worry, there’s tons of other snorkel/ocean excursions if you’d rather skip the sharks and snorkel with the (much) smaller fish instead. BUT, if you’re anything like me – this is one activity not to miss.
Staying at Octopus Resort like I was? Make sure you sign up for the Shark Point Snorkel! This was easily one of the most thrilling things I did in the Yasawa Islands, and there were SO many black tip reef sharks swimming around us. Like, a LOT.
I had actually swam with black tip reef sharks years and years ago in Bora Bora, but of course I was still super excited to do it again. And yes, it was just as thrilling the second time around! The sharks came oh so close to us too, which was both incredibly cool and, if I’m being honest, kinda scary at a few points. There were definitely moments when I was thinking, uhhh, is that shark getting a little TOO close to me?!
And it wasn’t just sharks, either. We also saw tons of colorful fish and coral while snorkeling around Shark Point, so there was plenty to look at when I wasn’t busy watching the sharks swim past me. If you’ve never snorkeled with reef sharks before, don’t let the name scare you – black tip reef sharks are generally considered harmless to humans. But being surrounded by a bunch of them in the open ocean is still pretty freaking exciting!
Psst – Barefoot Kuata Resort offers a very similar experience, and also a dive with bullsharks if you’re so inclined, haha.
2. Swim with Manta Rays
Swimming with manta rays is definitely one of the best things to do in the Yasawa Islands! Fiji’s manta rays feed in a narrow, nutrient-rich channel between Drawaqa Island (where Barefoot Manta Island Resort is located) and nearby Naviti Island, making this one of the best places in Fiji to see them.
But – and this is VERY important – you’re not guaranteed to actually see them. Surprise, surprise, they’re wild animals, haha. I learned this the hard way. My first attempt was a total bust. Womp, womp. My group went out from Barefoot Manta and didn’t see a single manta ray. Not one! I decided to try my luck again another day, and thankfully we finally saw one—but only for a very brief moment. Other groups got MUCH luckier and saw three!
If you can, sign up for the 6am manta ray snorkel. Yes, it’s insanely early, but there’s a pretty big perk: you’ll likely have the channel almost entirely to yourselves. Other boats don’t typically start arriving until around 9 a.m., so you can avoid the crowds and have a much more peaceful experience. Just know that the manta excursions are highly dependent on the tide, so you may not always have a choice of what time you go. The resort schedules the snorkels around when the tide conditions are best for finding the mantas.
The experience at Barefoot Manta is also a little different from what you’ll get at other resorts. For starters, the boat ride to the Drawaqa Channel is literally less than five minutes, so don’t expect some epic boat journey, haha. Other resorts offer manta ray excursions too, but you’ll spend considerably longer getting to the channel.
Once you get there, the whole thing feels pretty low-key. Everyone at Barefoot Manta gets into the water quickly and quietly, and then you swim through the channel together while the guides look for mantas. At many other resorts, everyone waits on the boat until a manta is spotted, and then the entire group jumps into the water at once – which means lots of splashing, and the mantas aren’t exactly fans of that! I much preferred Barefoot Manta’s approach. You get three chances to swim through the channel, so hopefully you’ll spot one (or three!) along the way.
I’d previously swam with manta rays on the Big Island of Hawaii when we spent three days in Kona, but this was a VERY different experience. In Kona, you snorkel with them at night while a boat shines blue lights into the water to attract them. In the Yasawas, you’re swimming through the channel during the day while the mantas naturally pass through to feed. Both are super cool, but they’re really two completely different experiences.
Another thing I really liked about Barefoot Manta was its focus on marine conservation. They offer conservation talks, and they even have marine biologists on site at times who can teach you more about the manta rays and the work being done to protect them. If you’re interested in marine life, definitely take advantage of it!
The best time to see manta rays in the Yasawa Islands is May through October, with July being one of the best months for sightings. I visited during this window and STILL didn’t have great luck. Meh. Clearly, visiting during the “best” season doesn’t mean the mantas are gonna cooperate, haha. If swimming with manta rays is high on your list, I’d give yourself a couple of chances to go out rather than counting on seeing them the first time. I’m very glad I did!
3. Snorkeling Boat Trips around the Yasawa Islands
If you’re into snorkeling, definitely take advantage of the snorkeling trips offered by the resorts. I’m kinda a snorkeling snob (yes, I admit that), and I was honestly pretty blown away by the snorkeling in the Yasawa Islands.
I went on a snorkeling trip through Blue Lagoon Beach Resort, and we visited two different spots. And the first one?! I swear, it felt like I was swimming in an aquarium. There were SO many colorful fish everywhere I looked, and the reef was packed with life. I saw TONS of colorful fish including tiny damselfish, trumpetfish (always fun to see their long skinny bodies!), bright blue and yellow parrotfish, butterflyfish, and even a few Moorish idols and blue sea stars (my favorite!). I basically didn’t know where to look because there was so much going on!
And get this: I had just snorkeled in the Great Barrier Reef in Australia the summer before, and I honestly thought this first spot was almost as good, if not even better. How crazy is that?! I definitely wasn’t expecting the snorkeling in Fiji to hold its own against the Great Barrier Reef, but here we are, haha. Obviously, I’m not saying every snorkeling spot in the Yasawas is going to rival the Great Barrier Reef, but this particular spot Blue Lagoon Beach Resort took us to was REALLY impressive. And I don’t say that lightly.
However, I wasn’t as impressed with the second spot… this one was all about the coral. There were HUGE cauliflower coral formations (which were cool to see) along with tons of other colorful coral, but I’ll be honest: after the first spot, I was kinda disappointed by the lack of fish.
Still, I’d absolutely recommend doing a snorkeling trip while you’re in the Yasawa Islands. You’ll get to explore parts of the reef that you can’t necessarily reach straight from your resort’s beach, and for me, that first snorkeling spot alone made the whole excursion worth it.
4. Snorkel Straight Off the Beach
Yes, another snorkeling activity! Fiji is basically a group of islands in the middle of the ocean – what did you expect, haha?!
But seriously, you definitely DON’T need to book a paid snorkeling excursion to see some really fascinating underwater life in the Yasawa Islands. Of all the resorts I stayed at during my 10 days in Fiji, Barefoot Manta Beach Resort had by far the best snorkeling right off the beach. I especially loved snorkeling from Sunrise Beach, where the reefs were SO colorful and healthy. You know it’s impressive when I go every single day, sometimes twice!
I also love being able to snorkel straight from the beach because I can do my own thing. I don’t have to join a group tour where everyone is swimming around at different speeds and, inevitably, someone is kicking their fins like they’re trying to win an Olympic gold medal, haha. I’m a much happier snorkeler when I can quietly float around at my own pace, without someone accidentally kicking up sediment, scaring off the fish, or swimming directly into my field of view. If you’re an experienced snorkeler, there’s something really nice about being able to take your time and move gently through the water.
I didn’t see anything particularly huge while snorkeling off Sunrise Beach, but I saw SO many schools of fish (dozens at a time!!!) along with tons of colorful coral. There was always something swimming around, and I could easily spend an hour out there without getting bored. And considering I just told you at the beginning of this post that I’m incapable of sitting still on a beach for more than an hour, I think that says a lot, haha.
You can rent snorkel gear from the resort, or bring your own if you have it. Definitely grab a pair of fins, though! They make swimming around the reef SO much easier and let you venture a little farther out without working nearly as hard. Such a lifesaver for me.
Just pay attention to the tide. I snorkeled at both high and low tide, and I much preferred high tide because it was significantly easier to get out over the reef. At low tide, you’re obviously much closer to the coral and fish (which I really loved), but it also means you have to be MUCH more careful about where you’re swimming.
It’s really easy to accidentally scrape yourself on the coral, and yes, it hurts. And no, you obviously don’t want to touch or stand on the coral because it’s not good for the reef. Please leave the coral alone!
One other important thing: I’d only recommend snorkeling here if you’re a strong swimmer or experienced snorkeler.There’s no guide, and once you’re out in the water, it can be surprisingly easy to get disoriented and not realize just how far you’ve drifted from shore. Keep an eye on where you are in relation to the beach, and don’t just blindly follow the fish farther and farther out. They have no idea where you’re staying, haha.
5. Try Night Snorkeling
I’ve snorkeled dozens of times in my life, but never once had I gone night snorkeling! And wow – what a different experience that was. I’ll admit, it was a little spooky at first being out in the open water after dark with nothing but a small underwater torch (basically a waterproof flashlight) to see what was around me. You can’t see very far beyond the beam of your light, so every time I pointed it somewhere new, I had no idea what I was going to find (for good or for worse, haha). But I quickly got over the initial slightly terrifying feeling and ended up really enjoying it.
And the underwater world looks completely different at night. We saw lobsters, stingrays, pufferfish, and all sorts of little creatures that come out after dark. Our guide also shined a special light on the coral, which made it fluoresce under the light. It was SO cool to see the coral suddenly glowing in these bright, almost neon-looking colors. Our guide said they also sometimes see sharks, octopi, and moray eels on the night snorkel, although of course there’s no guarantee you’ll see any of them.
We also tried looking for bioluminescence, which is another really cool thing you can sometimes see in the water at night. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much happening during our particular outing, but we still gave it a shot by waving our arms around in the water to see if we could get any little flashes of light. No such luck for us, but hey, you can’t win ’em all!
And PLEASE be smarter than me and just wear the wetsuit provided. Let’s just say I was shivering by the time the snorkel was over, whoops! The water definitely felt noticeably colder at night without the sun shining down.
6. Visit the Sawa-i-Lau Caves
Visiting the Sawa-i-Lau Caves is one of the signature Yasawa Islands experiences, and it’s definitely one you’ll see mentioned over and over again when researching what to do in the Yasawas. Locals even consider the caves to be one of the most important cultural and natural attractions in the area. And after visiting them myself, I can see why they’re so popular!
The Sawa-i-Lau Caves are located on Sawa-i-Lau Island in the northern Yasawas, so this is one activity where where you stay actually matters. Resorts in the Northern Yasawa Islands, including Blue Lagoon Beach Resort on Nacula Island, offer excursions to the caves. If you’re staying farther south in the Yasawas, you generally won’t be able to pop over here for the afternoon, so keep that in mind when choosing where to stay.
The excursion takes you to two different caves, and the whole experience is much less intimidating than it might sound. The first cave is easy to get into – you just climb down a short set of stairs, and voila, you’re in the cave!
The second cave is where things get a little more interesting. I had heard you have to swim through an underwater passageway (through a narrow opening) for a bit to reach it, but it’s way less intimidating than it sounds, haha. You literally hold your breath for two seconds and a guide on both ends help you through. Really not too bad.
Once we made it into the second chamber, though, it was PITCH BLACK. I couldn’t even see my hand in front of my face without the guides’ light. We all swam to the back, the guides turned off their lights, and we all just sat there in complete darkness. So crazy.
One thing I definitely want to point out, though: you should be a relatively strong swimmer to really enjoy this experience. While the actual underwater portion into the second cave only requires you to hold your breath for about two seconds, you’ll be in the water for quite a while.
At some points, I swear we were treading water/swimming for more than 20 minutes. There’s a weird little concrete slab you can hold onto in the cave, but it’s only big enough for maybe 4-5 people to comfortably hang on at once. There’s also a few spots toward the back of the cave where you can sit, but I definitely wouldn’t bank on getting one of those spots. If you’re not a confident swimmer, this probably isn’t the activity for you. I’m really confident in the water, and even I had a tough time at points (although my fitness level isn’t where it should be).
As for what to bring, keep it simple. You really don’t need much inside the caves. I brought my phone in a waterproof pouch so I could take a few photos, and everything else (beach bags, towels, etc) stays outside on a table with your group’s belongings.
7. Learn Traditional Fijian Skills: Coconut Demonstrations & Basket Weaving
I joined this activity on my first day in Fiji before I really got the hang of island life (aka I didn’t know what to do with myself, haha), and am so glad I did! At Blue Lagoon Beach Resort, we learned how coconuts are traditionally opened and processed, all the different ways locals use a single coconut, and even tasted the meat from a mature coconut – so different than the soft, jelly-like flesh I typically have from a young coconut.
We also learned how to weave baskets using coconut palm leaves, and then got to try it ourselves. Spoiler: I was not very good, haha. It looked so easy when the staff demonstrated it, but I couldn’t for the life of me remember the steps. Guess I’ll keep my day job, lol.
I really enjoyed getting to learn about these traditional skills, especially because it was something completely different from all the snorkeling and beach activities. And best of all, it was completely free, so if your resort offers a coconut demonstration or basket-weaving activity, definitely do it!
8. Race a Crab
Okay, this one is kinda random (lol) – but also SO much fun. If you’re wondering WTH is crab racing, don’t worry, I had the exact same thoughts. It’s one of those quirky little island activities that’s just so unexpected and odd yet super entertaining at the same time. It actually reminded me a lot of the chicken drop in Belize, iykyk.
It’s really simple: You pick a crab you think will win (most people go for the larger ones), pay a few bucks to enter it into the race (it was 5 FJD at my resorts), and then all the crabs get tossed into a bucket. The bucket then gets dumped into the middle of a hand-drawn circle in the sand, and then you wait to see which crab makes it across the line first. That’s literally it. And somehow, it’s incredibly entertaining.
The races only last a few minutes, but everyone gets surprisingly invested in them. Everyone (kids and adults) were cheering them on, and it’s just a really fun way to spend 10 minutes or so. Add it to the list of random things you can do in the Yasawa Islands!
9. Get a Traditional Bobo Massage
You’re on vacation – get yourself a massage! You deserve it. And if you’re in Fiji, why not try a traditional Bobo massage? Bobo (pronounced “bom-bo”) is a traditional Fijian massage that uses deep pressure and a combination of kneading, stretching, and rhythmic movements to work out tension in the muscles. It’s traditionally influenced by Fijian healing practices and often uses coconut oil, which makes the whole experience feel very different from your typical Western spa massage.
And when I say deep pressure, I truly mean DEEP pressure! This isn’t one of those super-gentle massages where someone lightly rubs your back for an hour. My massage therapist really worked into all the knots and tight spots, and honestly, it was exactly what I needed after all the hiking, swimming, and general adventuring I’d been doing.
I also found the Bobo massage to be much more budget-friendly than a typical massage back home in the States. I left feeling oh so light and relaxed – all my knots were definitely out! So if your resort offers a Bobo massage, go ahead and book it. Your muscles will thank you.
10. Hike to a Sunrise Viewpoint
If you can drag yourself out of bed in the early AM, I highly recommend doing the sunrise hike on Nacula Island. I know, I know – waking up ridiculously early on vacation doesn’t exactly sound appealing. But I promise the views are worth it. And it starts right at Blue Lagoon Beach Resort, so you can literally wake up and go, haha!
Staff estimate it takes about 45 minutes to reach the top, but my new friend and I made it up in about 25 minutes or so. It’s not super strenuous by any means, but we definitely broke a sweat and were extra cautious about where we stepped (just lots of rocks and loose gravel and such). Since we left super early, we had to hike in the dark for part of the way up, so we used our phone flashlights. They worked fine, but I definitely think a headlamp would’ve been better since it leaves both hands free for climbing.
And once we got to the top – wow, just wow!!! Watching the sun slowly light up the islands and ocean below made the early morning alarm all worth it! Just look at those pics! Absolutely stunning!
I had an easier time going up than coming back down (like I typically do). The trail gets pretty slippery, there’s loose sand on the steeper sections, and I had to basically mountain goat it down in some areas (no shame in doing the crab walk!).
One important note: don’t confuse this with the sunrise hike at Octopus Resort. That’s a completely different beast. It takes over three hours, and every person I met who did it described it as HARD. Like, really hard. I ended up skipping it because I wasn’t convinced my fitness level was up for it, and I figured I’d rather enjoy my trip than spend three hours questioning my life choices before breakfast.
11. Visit a Fijian Village or School
If you have the opportunity to visit a Fijian village or school, definitely do it! I did two village visits during my time in Fiji (one on Nacula Island in the Yasawas and one on the mainland near Nadi) and I loved getting a glimpse into everyday life beyond the resorts.
All village visits are pretty similar – you’ll walk around the village, learn a bit about the community and how they live, and possibly even get some special performances (the locals performed some super fun dancing and we also watched the church choir!).
I especially loved visiting the schools and meeting the students (!!!). I work in a high school so I was super interested to see what the students were learning, what their classrooms looked like, and what a typical school day was like. The students were also SO excited to see us, which made the whole experience even more fun. We got to chat with them for a bit, and they were oh so sweet!
As for what to wear on a village visit, keep it respectful and modest. I wore lightweight pants and a loose button down (keep your bikinis and shorts for the resort). You’ll likely be asked to remove your hat or sunglasses in certain situations, so just follow the lead of your resort guide.
I really loved getting to see this side of Fiji – it’s easy to spend your entire Yasawa Islands trip bouncing between beautiful beaches and snorkeling trips. So, see a little local life as well!
12. Go Shell Hunting
I’m an absolute sucker for shells, and I can spend hours upon hours staring down at the sand looking for unique shells. It’s my all-time favorite beach pastime… just ask my parents how many containers of shells they found in their garage when they were selling their house, haha. So naturally, I spent a LOT of time shell hunting in the Yasawa Islands.
And the Yasawas are a pretty great place for it! Whenever I didn’t have an activity scheduled, I found myself on the beach (especially during low tide) to see just how many tiny treasures I could find!
Thankfully, I found SO much! Plenty of purple top cowries (oh so many!), conch shells, turret shells, cone shells (be extra careful with these and NEVER pick them up if found in the water; their sting can be fatal), and even a few larger tiger cowries (my favorite ones!). Some were perfectly intact, while others were broken or worn down, but of course I still had to inspect every single one. You never know what you’re going to find!
Just prepare for your neck and back to hurt afterward because you’ll be hunched over staring at the ground for approximately 700 years (or close to it, lol).
One important thing though: please don’t take anything that’s still alive (obviously)! If there’s a shell with an animal inside, leave it right where you found it. The same goes for anything attached to the reef or living coral.
13. Participate in a Kava Ceremony
You’ll start hearing about kava as soon as you get to Fiji, and you’ll probably have plenty of opportunities to try it in the Yasawa Islands. But what is it exactly?! Basically, it’s a traditional Fijian drink made from the ground root of the kava plant and mixed with water.
And before you ask: no, it’s not alcoholic! Kava has a mild relaxing effect and is a big part of Fijian culture and socializing.
As for the taste? It’s not exactly delicious, haha. It’s earthy, peppery, and honestly kind of like drinking muddy water. But hey, when in Fiji! You might also notice your lips and tongue getting tingly or slightly numb afterward, which is completely normal.
Most resorts in the Yasawa Islands offer kava ceremonies, often for free and several nights a week. Traditionally, kava is shared to welcome guests, bring people together, and celebrate special occasions. The resort ceremonies are much more casual, but they still incorporate many of the traditional customs.
And don’t worry if you have absolutely no idea what you’re doing – the staff will walk you through the whole thing. I certainly had a few bowls! The effects are generally pretty mild, although you may feel increasingly relaxed after drinking several.
14. Watch the Sunset
Okay, this one’s kinda a given, but I can’t NOT include it on my list of things to do in Fiji! During my 10 days in Fiji, I managed to watch the sunset every single night, which I’m actually pretty proud of, haha. Watching the sunset is one of my favorite things to do anywhere, but there’s just something about doing it on a tropical island that makes it even better.
And the best part? This is one activity that requires absolutely zero planning. No reservation, no excursion fee, no alarm clock set for some ungodly hour. Just walk down to the beach around sunset and you’re good to go.
Most of the resorts have happy hour around sunset (!!!), so obviously I took full advantage of that. Grab a piña colada (my drink of choice!), find a spot on the beach, and settle in. Some resorts also have music or other little activities happening around sunset, so check the daily schedule to see what’s going on.
One thing to keep in mind: you won’t necessarily be watching the sun actually disappear into the ocean. It depends on which side of the island you’re on and which direction your beach faces. But honestly, I didn’t really care. I was perfectly happy watching the sky turn all sorts of crazy colors either way.
And PLEASE don’t make the mistake of packing up and heading to dinner the second the sun disappears. The show isn’t over yet! I swear the colors can get even better 20-30 minutes after true sunset, when the sky starts turning pink, orange, purple, and blue. Grab another drink, stay put, and enjoy it for a few more minutes. You’re on island time, after all.
15. Stargaze and Look for the Milky Way
This might sound like a weird one to include on a list of things to do in the Yasawa Islands, but it was one of my favorites! Mostly because I’m a sucker for stars, and even more so when it’s crazy dark out! The Yasawa Islands are a pretty fantastic place to stargaze because there’s very little light pollution once you get away from the resort lights (kinda like in Borrego Springs in the desert of California).
I actually managed to see the Milky Way with my naked eyes, which was only the third time in my life I’d ever seen it that clearly – after Lake Titicaca in Peru and the Australian Outback. And every single time, it’s just as magical (swoon, yes I’m somewhat of a nerd, haha).
For the best view, head down to the beach or find somewhere as far away from the resort lights as possible, plop yourself down in the sand, and give your eyes at least 10 – 15 minutes to adjust to the darkness. Seriously, don’t look at your phone during this time! Your eyes need a chance to adjust, and once they do, you’ll suddenly start seeing SO many more stars than you did when you first walked outside.
One night, I grabbed a lounge chair on the beach and ended up staying there for almost three hours. I watched for shooting stars, tried to pick out constellations, spotted a few planets, and honestly just soaked it all in. Pure perfection!
So there ya have it, all my favorite things to do in the Yasawa Islands! Are you planning a trip there soon?!
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