Waya is one of the larger and more varied islands in the southern Yasawas, with a dramatic landscape of steep volcanic peaks, several villages, and a coastline that alternates between rocky headlands and sheltered sandy bays. It sits close to Wayasewa and the two are sometimes treated as a pair, though they have distinct communities and characters.
The island has several kilometres of walking tracks connecting the villages on its western coast, and the ridge walks offer some of the best views in the southern chain. Likuliku, Bukama, and Natawa are the main villages; all three receive visitors, and accommodation is available in a mix of family bures and small guesthouses. This is not a luxury destination — the facilities are basic — but the hospitality is genuine and the setting is spectacular.
Diving and snorkelling from Waya's western beaches is good, particularly around the rocky headlands where the current concentrates marine life. The island is a reasonable base for a few days of combining swimming, hiking, and village visits without the polish — or the price — of the purpose-built resorts elsewhere in the chain.