Driving in Fiji

[scubanicole]

We are staying at Volivoli Beach Resort but interested in renting a car for the week. One of the big reasons is to drive from Volivoli to Pacific Harbour for the shark dive. Yes, I know it is a far drive 4ish hrs and will mean us leaving at 3am to get there. The hotel does not recommend us driving because Fiji driving is different than the US. They can arrange a car for us but it will cost $600 USD. I can rent a car for the week for $400. Is the drive from Volivoli to PH that terrible? Anyone have experience? We have driven in countries where you drive on the left and we do know how to drive manual cars. The hotel can arrange car rental but it's cash only and they don't offer insurance which would be a huge risk. Any good advice?

 

[rmorgan]

Based on one trip . . . Unless you have other reasons for having a car (and I can't think of any, Voli Voli's pretty remote and the dive days are fairly long), I'd suggest adding a day or two to the trip and going to Beqa before or after VV. But assuming that doesn't work, I don't think the driving is intense--it's a good road, you'll need local advice re traffic conditions, etc. (I think WAZE is widely used).

That said, I'd not make a decision based on $200. Falling into a car before dawn and sleeping most of the way--and not having to stay awake after a busy, intense, long day for a 4-5 hour drive back--seems pretty appealing, and human factors make the day trip seem a bit risky and exhausting.