Fiji - changing money and SeaFiji water taxi and Mana Island questions

Hi Guys
am heading to Fiji this weekend with an overnight at the airport Novotel before heading out to Mana Island.

Does anyone have any advice on where I should be changing money - do I get better rates at the airport or is there somewhere in Port Denerau you suggest?

Also, I'm planning on using the SeaFiji water taxi service to Mana Island as there is a group of us. Does anyone have any feedback - good, bad or otherwise?

On Mana Island, do you know if it is possible to buy any fresh fruit from the local village community? If not, is there anywhere in Port Denerau or nearby the Novotel that you would recommend.

Cheers

there is an ATM at the airport which is handy and also one at Denarau, there would mainly be the basic bananas, papaya pineapple and coconut in the village, have not been to Mana, if you wanted apples oranges or pears you could walk from the Novotel to a supermarket close by. it would be cheaper than what is available at Denarau

Get cash from an ATM rather than change other currency. The ATMs do charge a 1% fee and dispense a maximum of F$900 at a time, but money changing in those places will be worse.

There is a good small supermarket at Denarau which will have lots of stuff you might be used to that won't be available in other places, but other places will be cheaper. Nadi town is only a short cab or bus ride from the airport. It has a good fruit and veg market and lots of supermarkets. Watch your wallet.

Cheers,
Peter

Hi,

Yes, I'd agree with most of the above. Avoid changing at airports — they're nearly always more expensive. Best way is to withdraw money directly from an ATM. We also got a credit card specifically for travel that doesn't have any fees to pay for using it abroad. Try to use the national or well-recognised banks for $ withdrawals.

Peter & Kia
atlasandboots.com

The only things I can recall Mana villagers selling were trinkets and shells from a few souvenir stalls.
So you'd better do your fruit-shopping in Nadi indeed.

If you stay in Mana island resort, they will serve you so much fruits at the restaurant.
Or do you stay at the backpacker?