Fiji resort for someone who usually travels as an independent traveller . .

I liked the Yasawas very much, but they are the most expensive part of Fiji. With only 4 days, staying on the mainland or close to it may be a better use of time versus transferring around on boats.

Blue Lagoon is a better option than Octopus. Smaller, newer, better food, better beach. At Octopus you're not supposed to walk around the island without a local guide (for which you pay), whereas at BL you're not as restricted to stay at the resort if you want to go for a hike. Most of the activities at BL were also a couple of dollars cheaper. Having said that, both places are very enjoyable.

Transfers (aside from the short trips off the Yasawa Flyer) are separate costs, and Blue Lagoon is presumably more expensive since it's further away.

Should work out to somewhere around $100/day, maybe a bit more. With only 4 days, you could always splurge and fly to Blue Lagoon with Turtle Airways, thus saving you from spending the better part of 2 days on a boat. Even with Octopus you're losing the equivalent of a day just to get to/from there.

In Nadi, Bluewater Lodge is superb. Technically geared toward budget travellers, but it's more like a mid-market B&B with what you actually get. Good food, too. Nadi itself is nothing special and lacks a good beach, but it makes a great base for day trips to some islands, the coral coast, and the highlands around Abaca.

My info is dated (I was in Fiji in 2003), but I want to agree with #1 that Octopus does indeed limit your ability to walk around, and when the place is full it can feel quite cramped. The food was only so-so, and the best entrees would run out if you didn't get in line fast enough. When I stayed at Octopus, the boat trip was not included, although I was merely staying in the dorm.

Yes, you are right about having to stay in Nadi on your first and last nights. Octopus and Blue Lagoon are both excellent choices - but as you are looking at dates only a few weeks away, you should ring and find out whether they have availability before thinking further - they are both very popular and booked up well ahead.
With both resorts the boat transfer is extra. For BL you will have to go on the Yasawa Flyer, for Octopus you have the choice of the Flyer or on their own boat, which does 2 trips a day. The Flyer leaves Denarau daily at 8.30am, gets to Octopus at 11am, and up to BL around 12.30/1pm. Last year the Flyer cost to Octopus (one way) was FJ$100 pp - it may have gone up a little. The Octopus boat was a bit cheaper.
Food at both is excellent, (I go to Octopus every year) - and good snorkelling at both although I think at BL might be better - have only snorkelled once there and was impressed.
I agree that Bluewater Lodge in Nadi is good - you can have either an ensuite room or there are small (3 bed?) dorms with shared facilities. We have also stayed many times at Raffles Gateway, medium range and fine for an overnight stay.

I agree with Marilyn thatthe food at Octopus is quite good , so not sure why #1 and 2 didnt like it.

TIts true that the beach at Blue Lagoon is better than Octopus (though the latter is still very nice), however for someonbe tavelling for only a few days, take into account that to get to BL, the ferry is a 8+ hour round trip - Octopus 2.5 hours.

You could have a look at heading to Nananau-i-Ra Island about 2+ hours from Nadi. It has a variety of accommodations but Safari Lodge might work out best. There is snorkeling/surfing/kite sailing etc. available as well as the opportunity to do some hiking. We used a private taxi to get to Elkington(sp?) Wharf - if your flight schedule permits you might be able to be picked up at the airport and headed off when you arrive. Another place on the mainland in the same area is Voli Voli - you could have a look at what they have to offer as well. PM me if you would like more information.

Thanks everyone!

Blue Lagoon is booked out so my options are now Octopus, Oarsmans Bay or Fanny & Otto's - I know the last 2 are quite a bit further out - thoughts?

I'm almost sold on Octopus, except for the having to take a guide out hiking - any other comments about this?

Also - any insights on how many "extra's" there are at Octopus and a rough guide to costs? Things like snorkelling, hiking, massage.

Last but not least: Bluewater lodge is booked out as well so I'm thinking Raffles Gateway (thanks taimarilyn) - any other suggestions welcome.

Helga

Again, my info is dated, but massages were extremely cheap at Octopus when I was there--on the order of $10 an hour. Because I was staying in the dorm, I had my massage in either the laundry room or in a spare tent.

To clarify on the food, it isn't that it was terrible or anything, it's that there would often be one entree that everyone wanted, and if you weren't towards the front of the line, you couldn't get it. I remember they had a filter tap that we all refilled our water bottles from, and nobody got sick so I assume it was fine.

What was expensive was the tours--the snorkeling tour, hiking, and the like. It's been too long for me to remember prices; I only remember that as a solo traveler staying in the dorms that I could only afford one snorkel trip (a manta ray trip, though we saw no mantas) plus the village visit.

I found the snorkeling right off the beach to be so-so. One one hand, there was a lot of marine life. On the other hand, the water was rather murky and there were some dangerous riptides. In fact, one idiot divemaster told a group of us that we should go through an opening in the reef to snorkel just outside of it, not mentioning that the riptide would make it near impossible to get back to shore! I nearly drowned trying to do the wrong thing and stupidly fighting against the current. FWIW, they do not charge extra for use of snorkel gear. [I will say that I'm spoiled on the snorkeling front from Palau]

I do want to say that the Octopus staff was very friendly, and I found the dorm to be quite comfortable (though bring ear plugs in case there are snorers). My bed had a mosquito net and a fan pointed at it, plus a reading light.

"Tilos" is indeed out of date with Octopus info, and was unlucky with sea conditions. In my 16 years of visits there I have struck those conditions only twice - and I am not a strong swimmer who would disregard a current.
Massages are now FJ$30. Guided walks (in groups) around FJ$28 - but a guide is necessary on that island due to the steep terrain and (often hidden) drops. Spectacular views from the hilltops - you will need at least good strong walking shoes or sandals. You can however walk around the coastline at low tide (wear reef shoes - those black rocks are HOT). Remember that FJ$ convert to far less in AU$$. The snorkelling is good with a big fish population - the resort has negotiated a "reserve" status there, so no fishing takes place in front of the resort.
They have kayaks for hire, and do visits to the village (free) - about a 20 min walk over the hill. The people of Nalauwaki will perform a meke (local songs and dances) for guests, and they hold a small market for souvenirs after that - take smallish denominations of notes/coins for purchases. If you are there on a Sunday a visit to church is a real treat to hear the singing, even if you are not a regular churchgoer - although the village choir usually comes over to the resort in the evening to sing for guests. On Friday nights the staff perform their own meke beside the swimming pool - one of the best in Fiji. Other nights there is the band from the village, and a Saturday night party night. Can't remember which night is movie night - outdoors by the swimming pool.

Of your other 2 options - Oarsmans is next door to Blue Lagoon, but is quite run-down now, and I have heard very little about Fanny & Ottos in recent years.

Bula Helga, I see you like hikeing etc. Look into Rivers Fiji Rafting and Zip Fiji. Both are not far from the other. Location is Pacific Harbour about 2 and half hours from the airport. I've been on the Rivers Fiji one and was great. If it appeals to you get back to me via PM and I;ll update you on the sort of accommadation I think you are looking for.