Fiji assistance

[Cajuncru Diver]

Wife & I are booked on a dive vacation. Arrive Nadi via Continential on 3/20 late night. Leave next am for Garden Island Resort on Taveuni via Pacific Sun for a week and then back to Wananavu for a week on the main island. Wondering, is US money widely accepted and if not any place near airport convenient and good to exchange money. Looks like mainly morning dives at Garden Island and afternoon dive depends on demand and weather....any suggestions for non-diving deco time......any access to grocery for supplies like snacks and lunch material while on Taveuni,,,,,whatever info you can share greatly appreciated.
Thanks all!

 

[Eau_Girl]

If you are paying in cash, you'll need Fijian dollars. There is a bank at the airport that will exchange cash or travellers cheques. There is an ATM there as well. The Australian banks have branches with ATMs (ANZ, Westpac, etc) around the country.

 

[OnTheSpot]

There is lots to do close to Garden Island Resort after your diving.

There is a beautful waterfall close by and some really nice hikes. Kayaks are available for a paddle and there is a pearl farm which is worth a visit. The resort can organize this and a shopping trip to the small village on the island - bring cash for better bargaining power.

There is lots of choice in the resort food on offer and you can buy a meal plan - take any special snacks that you cant live without.

Have a great stay!

 

[KUFan452]

I think Eau Girl meant to say that the ATM is at the Nadi airport. The Taveuni airport doesn't really have any services. It's more of a shelter than an airport.

 

[Cajuncru Diver]

I think Eau Girl meant to say that the ATM is at the Nadi airport. The Taveuni airport doesn't really have any services. It's more of a shelter than an airport.

Thanks, that what I understood about Taveuni "airport".

 

[cany920]

I was in Fiji this past November and spent some time on Taveuni. Several stores I shopped at took US currency. We had to pay an overweight bag fee when we flew off the island and the airline took our dollars for payment.

There is a small snack bar at the Taveuni airport and they only would take Fijian currency. I didn't spend a lot of time near the airport but I think I recall seeing a small grocery store about a mile away.

 

[Cajuncru Diver]

I was in Fiji this past November and spent some time on Taveuni. Several stores I shopped at took US currency. We had to pay an overweight bag fee when we flew off the island and the airline took our dollars for payment.

There is a small snack bar at the Taveuni airport and they only would take Fijian currency. I didn't spend a lot of time near the airport but I think I recall seeing a small grocery store about a mile away.

How about "plastic"....is it widely accepted or just at the major resorts?

 

[tyguypb]

on outer islands like taveuni, cash is king, there are a few grocery stores on the island but don't be expecting anything like vons or ralphs, there is a large grocery store called the MH just south of the main town called Somosomo, forget what it stands for, but it is pretty big and depending on the time of week, its about as good as any grocery store in Fiji. Pretty sure like most things on Taveuni, its not open on sunday. if you go to check out the Date-line it is right on the way. And if memory serves me correctly, garden island isn't to far from Somosomo. My main advice, while on Taveuni, leave at least a day or two to go hiking the bouma falls and the Lavena coastal walk are pretty top notch. well worth a day out of the water. Have a blast, taveuni is a pretty special place.

 

[Where2Next]

Can you buy alcohol/liquor in the grocery stores - specifically the SomoSomo on Taveuni? I am taking a little plane to TVU - I rather not drag bottles from Nadi, but is it better to purchase in Nadi or SomoSomo? Thank you!

 

[Cajuncru Diver]

Thanks for the good info tyguypb....sounds like a plan...heard about doing some deco time hiking the falls, etc and that is on the agenda....thanks for the confirmation that its a must do......thinking about the offer of a round of golf one afternoon courtesy of Garden Island...what the heck just to day done it........long as it doesn't intefere with the diving.
Thanks again