Fiji Insider Travel Tips

While U.S. currency is accepted at most locations, carrying some local currency is always advantageous. Check the ATM outside Customs as it’s convenient and also has the best rate on Fiji dollars.

Two-for-one prices aboard Nai’a are sometimes offered via Internet for low-season or last-minute vacancies. Check out their website at www.oceanet.net (a well-done site with good information) for bargains.

Note too that, while Nai’a generally sails out of Lautoka, a half-hour plus ride from Nadi’s airport, sailings that precede crew holidays return to Suva instead. It’s worth inquiring where your trip will terminate. The 4-hour trip back to Nadi is in a bus that is little more than a bucket of bolts with broken a/c and a surly driver — not pleasant.

The Nai’a’s ads say special dietary requests will be accommodated, but on my trip a special request made in advance via the pre-trip registration form was ignored. Frequent reminders and a little noise may be required to insure your request isn’t lost in the shuffle.