Travel and Tourism Information

Travel - International

AIR

The national airline is Air Pacific (FJ) (website: www.airpacific.com), which operates to the Pacific Island nations as well as to Australia, New Zealand and the USA.

International Airports

Nadi (NAN) is 8km (5 miles) north of Nadi town on Viti Levu island (website: www.afl.com.fj). To/from the airport: A bus to the city operates 0700-1830 (travel time – 20 mintues). Taxis are also available.

Facilities: 24-hour bank/bureaux de change, duty free shops, 24-hour bar, restaurants, 24-hour left luggage office, tourist information, parents room, porter service, post office and car hire.

Suva (SUV) is at Nausori, 16km (9 miles) from Suva. Travel time: 30 minutes. To/from the airport: Taxis and car rental. Facilities: Parking, a small duty free shop, a snack bar, and car hire. Nadi is where most international flights arrive, while Suva is the internal hub.

Air Passes

The Visit the South Pacific Pass is valid for many airlines operating in the South Pacific, including most of the larger ones, such as Air Caledonie, Air Marshall Islands, Air Nauru, Air Niugini, Air Pacific, Air Vanuatu, Polynesian Airlines, Qantas, Royal Tongan Airlines and Solomon Airlines. Offering reductions of up to 40 per cent on normal airfares, this sector-based pass allows for flexible island-hopping between the destinations of the Cook Islands, Fiji, Nauru, New Caledonia, Samoa, Tahiti, Tonga, Vanuatu and the more remote Melanesian and Micronesian islands, together with major cities in Australia (Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney) and New Zealand (Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington). It is only available for people resident outside of the South Pacific. The journey must be started outside the South Pacific and only one stopover in Australia is allowed. A minimum of two sectors must be bought before departure (extra sectors can be purchased en route). There is a maximum of one pass per person, and passes must be used within six months of the first day of travel. Children under 12 years of age pay 75 per cent of the adult fare. For details and conditions, contact the South Pacific Tourist Organisation (see Top Things To See & Do).

SEA

The Main ports: Suva (website: www.portofsuva.com/) and Lautoka (Viti Levu). Passenger lines serving Fiji include Crystal, Cunard, Peter Deilmann, Princess Cruises, Seabourn and Society. Several cargo lines stop at Fiji including Bank Line and Pacific Forum Line. There are regular sailings to Kiribati, Nauru, Samoa and Tuvalu.

Travel - Internal

AIR

Fiji’s domestic airlines, Air Fiji, Air Pacific and Sun Air operate shuttle services around the islands, particularly between Nadi and Suva (Nausori) with additional regular flights to Vanua Levu, Kadavu and Taveuni. The flight time from Nadi to Suva is approximately 30 minutes. Air Fiji also operates from Suva to Ovalau, Koro, Cicia in the Lau group and Gau, and from Nadi to Labasa. A Discover Fiji ticket is available which gives virtually unlimited flights (Rotuma and Funafuti in Tuvalu not included) for 30 days. Contact Air Fiji, PO Box 1259, Suva (tel: 331 3666 or 331 5055; website: www.airfiji.com.fj). Sun Air operates daily flights to Malololailtai (for Musket Cove and Plantation Village), Kadavu, Labasa, Taveuni and Savusavu from Nadi (tel: 723 016; website: www.fiji.to). Pacific Crown Aviation LTD operates a helicopter service out of Suva which is available for charter. Turtle Airways ( website: www.turtleairways.com) flies to Turtle island from Nadi. The flight time is approximately 30 minutes; flight prices are high as the island is privately owned; Only 14 couples are allowed on the island at one time as there are only 14 guest houses.

SEA

Government and local shipping companies operate freight and passenger services linking the outer islands. Cruises to offshore islands leave Nadi/Lautoka and Suva. A ferry goes back and forth regularly from Suva to Labasa, and to Ovalau and Koro Island. Yachts and cabin cruisers are available for charter. Inter-island trips can take anything from a few hours to a few weeks, and are usually very inexpensive. In general, timetables are not posted. Persons wishing to travel about the islands in this way should enquire at the offices of one of the local shipping agents, being sure to confirm all arrangements with the captain once the vessel is in port. A number of ferries now operate between the major islands, greatly reducing travel times. These boats can take between 300 and 500 passengers and have a full range of facilities, including bar, TV lounge and snack bar. A F$2.5 million catamaran called 'Lagilagi,' launched by Beachcomber island resort provides two cruises from Fiji, servicing Lautoka, Nadi, Nanu-i-ra, Savusavu and Wananvu. It leaves Port Denarau every saturday morning at various times.

ROAD

Traffic drives on the left. There are about 5000km (3100 miles) of roads, 1500km (930 miles) of which are paved and useable all year round. The speed limit in built areas is 50km/h (30mph) and highways are 80km/h (50mph). Beware of livestock on the roads as they wander freely during the night, although it is best to avoid driving during the night altogether. When driving past villages, drivers are advised to slow down as locals use the roads as footpaths. Front seat passengers must wear their seat belt at all times. The approximate driving time from Nadi to Suva is three hours (on a tar-sealed road). The main roads on Viti Levu follow the coast, linking the main centres.

Bus: Local open-windowed buses operate across Viti Levu and the other main islands between all towns and on suburban routes. Express air-conditioned buses operate between Suva and Nadi and between Suva and Lautoka. Carriers are usually multi-passenger vans and small trucks which service remote villages and less travelled ares. Rates are lower then those of taxis, in many areas matching bus fares, but this form of travel is only for those who do not mind the crowds.

Taxi: These are metered in towns. A fare table for long distances is required.

Car hire: Car hire is available (Avis, Budget, Hertz and Central). Limousines and chauffeurs are available. Contact Fiji Visitors Bureau (see Top Things To See & Do)

Documentation: International Driving Permit required if driving a locally registered vehicle. Overseas and international permits are valid for six months.

Resorts & Excursions

There is much of scenic and historic worth in Fiji, including its copra, ginger, sugar cane and cocoa plantations. The capital, Suva, has many old shops and markets selling various artefacts and handicrafts. Places of historic interest include the National Museum, situated in the lush surrounds of Thurston Gardens next to Government House and the old Parliament Buildings. Other sites of note include the Cultural Centre at Orchid Island, the mysterious earthworks just outside Suva, and the protected Bouma Forest Park and Taveuni Island Reserve. 11km (7 miles) from Suva, visitors can enjoy the beauty of the protected Colo-I-Suva Forest Park. Other natural attractions include the acres of orchids and flowering plants in the Garden of the Sleeping Giant at the foot of the Sabeto Mountains and the Sigatoka Sand Dunes off the main Queens Highway on Viti Levu.

Cruises on large schooners or yachts to the different islands can be arranged, and coach tours around the main islands are also available. For the hardy, hiking in the mountains with dramatic views of the islands is another option. Tavarua is one of Fiji's main tourist destinations, with over fifty resorts and hotels and excellent facilities for snorkelling and scuba diving. The new Outrigger Reef Resort, opened in October 2000, is located in Korotogo near the scenic town of Sigatoka. It combines the qualities of mainland and island, with over 200 hotels and resorts (for further information contact their website: www.outrigger.com)