Frequently Ask Questions

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1) Hi, I have questions that are not answered below, can I text the owners of the house? 

Yes! If you couldn't find your answer below, Text Tony and Katie. We are the owners! We live in the United States- 1.714.313.4449 Text us! Love to chat with you. You can also message within airbnb or vrbo website https://airbnb.com/h/walkingonwaterfiji

Do you think we need a car rental for that week, or just taxi around? Taxi is probably the way to go, Our caretaker arranges this for you. Or you could get your own car from Aloha Taveuni Travels and Tours. If you are from the USA, driving is on the wrong side of the road. Rental car info alohataveuni@gmail.com  +679 902 8375   Rates Prius is $100/day. In 4wd we have Mitsubishi Nativa for $160/day and twin cab L200 for the same price as Nativa $160/day. All in FJDollar which means a Prius is $50 US dollars. We recommend a Taxi if you don't like driving on the left side of the road. Our taxi friend is near by and he is friendly guy! Highly recommend him. You can also rent bikes at coconut grove for about $25fj a day which is about $16 USA Dollars per day. Check availability (prices subject to change)  

Here are some approx rates to prepare you:  Approx rates for a Family of 2-4 people.    

 -Round Trip from the house to Tramonto's Restaurant- $15 FJ  

-Round Trip 1/2 day Shopping Trip- $100 FJ 

-Round Trip 1/2 day Bouma Falls- $140 FJ 

-Round Trip  from house to The Dive Cafe- $15 FJ 

-Round Trip 1/2 day Shopping and WaterSlides- $120 FJ 

-Round Tip Full Day Levena Coastal Walk- $180 FJ 

Total $570 FJ  or roughly $285 US Dollars. This was our Taxi Fees for the week. Prices subject to change based on current gas prices.  5-8 people plan approx $20FJ more. 

request the rates for 8-16 people. Always get rate before you ride.

 Are there restaurants? Yes. We have Coconut Grove 2 doors down. 1 minute walk. They serve Breakfast Lunch and Dinner. Please call for reservations. Tramontos is great for dinner sunset and serves great food. 20 minute walk or 2 minute taxi ride. The Dive Cafe- 20 min walk, is great as well and serves coffee in the morning as well as meals. All 3 restaurants have amazing views. We like to walk to The Dive Cafe at 8am and drink coffee and relax. If we have energy, walk back to the house or grab a taxi. You can also kayak to The Dive Cafe and pull up on their beach! only go on a rising tide! 

I heard about a famous spot called Honeymoon Island. Is that near the house? Yes, from the backyard, paddle out to Honeymoon Island. Honeymoon Island is a small island about 1 mile from the house. If you don't want to  paddle, our local guide can take you by boat and drop you and your loved ones on your very own beach for snorkeling and a lunch picnic. Round Trip boat ride is approx. $60FJ to $150FJ.  A picnic lunch can be packed by our caretaker with advanced notice.  The most amazing coral garden you might ever see is at your finger tips. See what our guests said about it.  https://youtu.be/SFkxWRj_d_c

Can I get a covid test at your place? Yes! 

As of September 1st, Fiji has dropped all covid testing requirements. But if you would like a test, Vakanananu Retreat can help do a test. please schedule this with them. Grants email. bula@vakanananuretreat.com

Fiji Airways is saying we need Covid-19 Travel Insurance? As of 2022 to enter into Fiji they are asking all passengers to fiji to have Covid-19 Travel Insurance, but please check with your airline before you arrive.  $39.99 for 15 days. Here is the link to purchase if you need it. https://www.fijivisitorsinsurance.com

We arrive to Nadi airport at 5am on Sunday,  I guess we will need to fly to Matei Taveuni Island from there.  What airline would we use from Nadi to get there.  If there are more than one, which do you suggest we take to arrive there and be able to check in.  I dont imagine we can hang around the airport.

I would suggest booking your flight straight thru to Matei Taveuni, it will take care of your luggage. 

Our airport is TVU in matei taveuni. Fiji Airways is the way! You will still stop in Nadi, but If you already booked to Nadi, then book another flight from Nadi to Taveuni with Fiji Airways. Our home is flexible on checkin and checkout times based on your flight times. 

How many bags are allowed on the plane to Matei?  We will have two carry-ons, one checked bag and one fishing rod tube (6 feet).
This might have changed. Check with Fiji Airways website. You should be able to bring those items
if you're flying on Fiji Airways, you can book your flight all the way through to Matei Taveuni giving you your international luggage allowance all the way. If not, the domestic luggage allowance will apply (15 kg/33 pounds). Any excess beyond that is charged at approximately FJD$10 per kilo.

We are spending 7 nights at your place, then want to go to the Yasawas somewhere for a week.  How do we get to Yasawa area from Matei ... are there flights over to those islands or do we have to go back through Nadi?  Any boat cruise to get us over there?
You will need to fly back to Nadi, or Suva, unless fiji airways has some special route that day, check their site. Have you considered Captain Cook Cruises from Nadi to Yasawa!!!! My wife and I loved it.

We were wondering if there is a store near the house to pickup food, groceries and drinks.
Yes, we have Sun City grocery Store down the street. You can walk from the house, 5 minute walk. They have most everything you may need during your stay, they even carry wine, overseas beers, and tonic waters. Our market will have most things you need for cooking all your meals and snacks!

We also have another store called Satish, 4 minute walk. It has some basics like bread, chicken, eggs, drinks and snacks.

We were wondering if we can see a Fiji show with dancers and music. 

Yes! this is something you should see. Our caretaker can arrange this. They can come pool side to sing and dance.  Price for dancers music and Show is Approx $160 FJ for an hour.

Just Music group is Approx $80 FJ for 2 hours. We recommend a Fiji Style Meal during your stay. It is called a Lovo. Approx 30FJ per person. Lovo is recommended for 4 or more guests.

For couples we suggest a Fiji style home cooked meal, lots of options to request! Famous fish tacos are amazing. Approx $20FJ per person. We recommend reservations with our caretaker. Prices subject to change. You can also watch a great show every week at The Dive Cafe and includes Fiji dance and  Lovo Dinner. Reservations Required with Vinna. 

A big reason for us going is to fish. We prefer surf fishing and wonder if its ok to surf fish along the shore lines there and if there are other places we can fish from the surf around Taveuni.   I will likely fish everyday.  If you know of a boat captain/boat there that we might be able to hire out for a day big game fishing we might do that as well.    Yes, you can fish the shoreline, yes it its tidal! Kayak fishing will be your best bet I think. I have the kayaks! You can fish along the small islands and snorkel in the day to find the fish :)
Leave some for me :)  offer the neighbors some fish!!! You can hire a small boat to take you around to fish! Our caretaker will hire him to pick you up in the backyard. Timing the tide of course!!!
A real charter for big game is Johnny from Makaira, or ask for Baba another great fishing local.   Our caretaker (Vinna and Robert) will know. Baba real name is Varun Narayan. (Facebook him)

Do we need any kind of fishing license to fish there.  No  -A FISHING LICENSE IS REQUIRED IF YOU SELL THE FISH! Just Don't fish infront of Tramontos restaurant to Matei point, they are protecting it. Fishing off our beach is fine and from the kayaks around the islands.

What are some of the local attractions or things to do there.
www.ilovetaveuni.com  www.walkingonwaterfiji.com  kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing, snorkeling, diving, surfing, golf, short hikes, swimming, waterfalls, rock waterslide, beach combing, visiting a village, kava ceremony, shopping and church visits.

I'm assuming there are some kind of grocery stores near your house and maybe a restaurant or two?  I'll cook some there as well, especially if we get any fish.
Walking distance is the store for all your basic cooking needs. Vinna can cook you up a great meal if you arrange this with her. She can do a basic dinner or a traditional Lovo Dinner!! Look it up!
The Sun City Store isn’t big, but it has most items. Yes there are a few restaurants in town, and at the hotels. Coconut Grove, Tramonto,, Kai Time, The Dive Cafe, Taveuni Dive Resort, but some 
are trying to get back up and running from covid.  (not sure who is open on which days)
Our caretaker Vinna can make reservations or confirm they are open. Some nights they are not open. But we do have good food.

What kind of food can the cook provide during our stay at the house?

Fish, beef and chicken are ususally on the menu. Fish coconda is done in coconut milk. Chicken can be roosted or with coconut milk and peanut butter or Indian style curry. Beef with veggies. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinners can be provided with advanced notice. Roughly $10-$15 USA Dollars per person, or $20-30 FJ Dollars. Prices subject to change.

Guests can choose or we just cook everything and take it over. Ask Vinna what's on the menu.

Do we need plug in adaptors for our computers etc?  I know in Australia I do.
Yes you do, just like Australia. We have some at the house. See this website for details.

But the house does have adaptors.

https://www.worldtravelplugadapter.com/fiji/

Is there anything we need to bring that might be hard to find there for our stay?  
You can find most items here, just not the brands you want. There is always an alternative item. We are in the tropics, so basics like  bug spray/lotion and sunscreen. (Garden Island)
Sun protection shirts and hats. Food is cheap, clothing and products are not.

Fiji is serviced with flights from USA, New Zealand, Australia, China, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Korea. Fiji Airways codeshares with Qantas and American, while Air New Zealand codeshares with United. Both fly into Nadi airport with almost daily connections. Once at Nadi you get a domestic flight (Fiji Link is Fiji Airways Domestic Partner) to Taveuni (Matei airport) – a flight time of approximately 60 minutes. From the Matei airport it’s a 3 minute walk to our home.

The domestic flights are a grand opportunity to view the islands of Fiji, and see the fringe reef systems surrounding them. Having your camera available on this trip!

Fiji's National Airline is Fiji Airways: www.fijiairways.com 

Year round! But May through September gives the best visibility underwater, and the nicest weather topside. That said, if you like warmer water (and a bit lower visibility) and don't mind a bit of rain, October through February is nice. A little less humid May-October.

Yes. We have a local reef break next to Tramonto restaurant, but is it breaking today? You will need to see if it is. The Dive rents soft top surfboards. If its not breaking, have a pizza and beer and wait for it!  It is just down the way from the house. Best surfing is done by boat out to maqai Island, they will pick you up by boat and take you to the surf zones within 30 min boat rides. You can rent boards if needed on Maqai. Check out Maqai Taveuni Surfing. We can arrange this during your stay.

• November to May: 80–82 o F or 28–29 o C. Visibility: 65–130ft or 20–40m
• June to October: 78–79 o F or 26–27 o C. Visibility: 40–100ft or 12–30m

Easy! We are just a few minute walk from the runway. Our caretaker Vinna and Robert will meet you at the runway. If you have lots of luggage, the taxi can take your luggage to the house.  This airport has only 2-3 flights per day. 

Can we take a ferry from Labasa or Savusavu region.

Yes there is a ferry that crosses. From Labasa you can also fly, Check Fiji Airways. But if you want to take the bus, this website shows some information.  Take the bus from Labasa to Natuvu and then the Ferry. Plan for a long day http://www.taveuni.com.au/services/ferry.htm 

taveuni Princess: If you are in Savusavu and you wish to get to taveuni, there is a small ferry (50 person capacity) that goes from Natuvu (Buca Bay) to taveuni ("Korean" Wharf, near Naqara). Known as the taveuni Princess it usually leaves every day except Saturday 1 1/2 - 2 hours to cross the Somosomo Straits. Going this way is quite an adventure, so be prepared for it.  Least Expensive, but long day. 

It is up to you, but we  do recommend guests book their own personal travel insurance prior to arrival, and assure it covers all of your intended activities. Choose a policy that suits your needs. For example, you may wish to cover a pre-existing health condition or you may want extra coverage if you’re planning on trying new sports like scuba diving or bungee jumping. Travel insurance is inexpensive and guarantees a worry-free holiday.

If you had great service, tip with a smile and vinaka, which is Fijian for thank you. If you had a good time and would like to leave a gratuity for our caretaker, as well as their families and kid’s school funds – you are free to do so and they will truly appreciate it. 

Yes, but only from Suva or Savusavu. Check google for boat information. These are Ferry rides are overnight from Suva. and a few hours if coming from Savusavu.

Cyclone season runs November thru April. The house is built to withstand these severe storms. One of the largest Category 5 Cyclones ever recorded in the Southern Hemisphere, Cyclone Winston (Feb. 2016), caused very little damage. the gardens were a bit of a mess – but all these things were fixed and tidied with a little time and effort. 

Taveuni has a mild tropical climate with two seasons – summer (wetter) and winter (drier). The most temperate months are March through to November. Maximum temperatures rarely move beyond 31oC to 26oC (86oF to 79oF) year round. A cooling trade wind blows from the east-southeast most of the year. It usually drops to almost nothing in the evening, and picks up by mid-morning. Rainfall is highly variable and strongly influenced by topography, with the prevailing south-east trade winds bringing moisture onshore and causing heavy showers in the mountain regions. Near the resort, the average yearly rainfall is about 1 meter. Matei has the most sunshine in all of Taveuni!!!!

Average Air Temperatures

• Summer – 23 – 30oC (73 – 86oF)
• Winter – 20 – 26oC (68 – 79oF)

Average Water Temperatures

• Summer – 27 – 29oC (80 – 84oF)
• Wiinter – 25 – 27oC (77 – 80oF)

English is the official language and is taught in the schools. Fijian, Hindi, and Chinese are widely spoken. In Fiji, almost everyone is bilingual.

All commerce is in Fiji dollars (FJD) – there are approximately 2 FJD to 1 USD. You are recommended to exchange currency in Nadi before flying to Taveuni. There are two banks at the Nadi Airport (ANZ and Westpac), as well as a Western Union that will change foreign currency, travellers cheques, and process cash credit card transactions. 

Normal banking hours are from 9:30am to 3:00pm Monday – Thursday, and 9:30am to 4:00pm on Friday. All banks are closed on public holidays. ANZ operates a 24 hour service at Nadi International Airport’s Arrival Concourse.

Most resorts and dive centers in Taveuni are happy to accept USD currency. International credit cards are accepted in some places. On Taveuni, there are two ATM's at the BSP Bank in the village of Somosomo.

Visitors from many countries can use their GSM handsets in Fiji. Mobile customers are advised to check with their network operators for roaming status and costs before traveling.

For those with 'unlocked' cell phones, both Vodafone, and Digicel (Fiji's two Mobile Network Providers) have kiosks just after departing through Customs in the arrival area of the International Airport. Vodafone on your left, Digicel on your right. Check them out and pick up a SIM that suits your needs during your visit. Call your provider before travel.

Casual dress is appropriate for both night and day. Pack t-shirts, shorts, light cotton dresses and swimwear. For cooler evenings or for out on the water, a jacket is a good idea. Sunscreens and hats are a must; and sandals or sports shoes are good protection for walking and swimming around coral.

Sulus are a good idea for both men and women. The wraparound sulu is Fiji’s most distinctive and versatile form of dress. For women there at least ten different ways it can be used, even for evening wear. Ask our staff for hints on tying and wearing your sulu.

Visitors are asked to be careful not to offend local sensibilities. Wearing bikinis and ultra-brief swimming costumes is fine at a resort but not when visiting villages or shopping in town. This is where a sulu comes in handy.

Electrical power in Fiji is delivered at 240 Volts AC (50Hz) with three-pin power points – the same as in Australia and New Zealand. Many appliances that use a transformer can be used with just a plug adaptor, but you should check your owners manual to be sure.

Yes,  but remember that Fiji is a developing country and the WiFi can be slow at times. E-mail works great, as does facebook, and most browsing. 

DO YOU HAVE TV?

Yes, In the living room. Smart Tv with Netflix and Streaming Videos.

Any website you suggest for learning more about Taveuni (The Garden Island)

Yes.   www.ilovetaveuni.com.

Is your villa CFC Certified for Covid? Yes our home has a Fiji lodging permit with a current CFC Certified certificate. You can book your pre-booked arrival test and any other covid tests with our neighbor resort. They come to the house to do the test for you.

Prebook here: https://www.entrytestfiji.gov.fj/vakanananu-retreat-taveuni/

Grant does all the tests for us, he is the owner of Vakanananu Retreat

Do you have fruit trees on your property and if so what kind? How big is the Property?

Yes, we have mango, coconut and pineapple. You are free to eat, but ask Vinna if it is ready!

The house sits on 1/2 acre on the ocean and is gated!

How are the bugs or mosquitos in Fiji? 

Well this is the garden island so it does have more water then other islands. But Matei town is a little on the drier side of the island, so you have less mosquitos here. Of course all tropical islands have cute Gecko lizards. You might see a spider every now and then. 

In Fiji, you should bring mosquito repellent, or lotion. Our caretaker can provide this if needed for the evenings. We open all the house doors during the day and shut them at night!

We have a great ocean breeze into the house. We don't have air-conditioning, the ocean breeze with ceiling fans keep things cool. 

How about Medical assistance?

Yes, Taveuni has urgent care and hospital facilities.

Will someone be at the airport to help transport luggage? I know you are in walking distance but we will be bringing scuba equipment as well as our clothing. Also, how easy is it to rent a car once there. I cannot find any cars online to rent in Matei. Also, we would be interested in having grilled lobster at tramonto restaurant and we are supposed to book the day before, can this be done through you? You also mentioned your caretaker can make a nice fiji dinner? Can I get details on this?

Answer: Our caretaker will meet you on the runway and help transport all luggage, our taxi driver will arrive to help transport heavier luggage by vehicle, as long as we schedule this in advance. Taxi rides are a call away and its inexpensive to go all over the place. You could also rent a car if you like. Our caretaker can handle your request for reservations to restaurants, just reach out to us with your schedule so she can get this taken care of for you. Our caretaker is also a wonderful cook! You can request meals from her as well. She can provide a wonderful meal, or a full Love spread if you want to go all out. Traditional Fiji Lovo dinner takes days to prepare. Prices very for couples or large groups. 

Please request days in advance. 

We are 4 people travelling - 2 adults and 2 teenagers- but we need three beds. The two teenage girls can sleep in one bed but we'll need separate beds for the two women. Is there a portable bed that we can borrow/rent? 2. Is there a good swimming beach nearby? We now have 3 full bedrooms as pictured.  We just converted the office into a 3rd bedroom with a double bed. 

We have swimming and your own beach. you can walk for miles during lower tides. Swimming is best out further by paddling to the small islands with great snorkeling. High tide not too much beach. You can swim, but we recommend taking out the kayak just a little farther out for amazing swimming and snorkeling to see Nemo! For awesome activities, click the activities link at the top of page.

Other beaches are a short drive away. 

Can we have live music and Fiji dance entertainment show come to the house?

Yes absolutely and we highly recommend this. Advance noticed is recommended. Check with host for pricing.