We returned last week from a trip in which we sandwiched a long trip to NZ with two weeks of land-based diving in Fiji. (Relatively speaking, it was attractive to do business class roundtrip to Nadi, Fiji, and connect to Auckland via 3 hour flight in coach; during the NZ trip, we stored our dive gear in Nadi.)
First stay was in the second week of February at Taveuni Dive Resort on the island of the same name, which is Northeast of the main island. Less than an hour on a puddle jumper from Nadi; resort picks you up at the small airport and transports you around the island. This resort is located short minutes from the Rainbow Roof and the famed "white wall," which we finally dove this trip. The white wall is only worth diving at certain times in the lunar cycle and necessitates a deep dive (~100ft). As was true all week, they were good about sending two separate boats (and guides) out for different ability/desired_profile diver groups.
The usual routine for most of the guests was two-tank morning dive with a surface interval and snacks on a beach. We also did an afternoon dive each day--which (like night dives) only requires two divers willing and able.
The dive guides were extremely good at helping one of us find tiny nudibranchs for photography. The soft and hard corals were both magnificent; we didn't see any deterioration since we were at this resort in 2018. Here are a few of our pictures and video, via DW's personal (no ads) blog: Diving in Fiji — Lisa's (& Steve's) Travels (apologies for some of the badly lit shots--one strobe failed at the outset.)
The food and facilities were top notch - delicious and varied food, nice swimming pool, and super friendly staff. Definitely recommended.
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In mid-April, we returned for more diving, this time on Ono Island, which is south of the main island, on the "Astrolabe Reef," which we hadn't dove before. Transport again involved a short puddle-jumper from Nadi to Kadavu, followed by a short walk to a boat and a 1-2 hour passage (depending upon water conditions!) to the resort on Ono island. This stay was at the oneta resort, which is higher end than we usually choose--and we were impressed enough that we'll likely return.
Oneta has outstanding dive operations (Note: no Nitrox though, which turned out to be unfortunate for DW's diving plans), but doesn't really limit itself to "dive resort." (which again is something that we were not used to). The dive sites were a longer boat ride than at Taveuni, but were equally good. The highlights were snorkeling with a Manta several days (this is almost a given at a cleaning station near the resort), and the reefs atop and on the sides of a submerged volcano some 45+ minutes from the resort (not doable except on calm days due to having to cross an open channel). We again have photos, and close-up video of a Manta at DW's blog. Diving Fiji - take 2 — Lisa's (& Steve's) Travels Note, however, that most of her photos are from snorkeling (skin bends hit on Day 1 took her out of the diving pool, but she was fine after an hour with the resort's O2).
The resort, in addition to diving and snorkeling, offers outrigger canoes, stand-up paddle boards, massages, island nature tours, deep sea fishing, etc. By happenstance, we were the only guests, but total capacity looks to be around 20 (depending upon how big of families are in the bigger villas).
Even for Fiji, the staff stood out for their friendly competence, which is saying a lot.
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I'll post something about our longer time in New Zealand later today or tomorrow.
First stay was in the second week of February at Taveuni Dive Resort on the island of the same name, which is Northeast of the main island. Less than an hour on a puddle jumper from Nadi; resort picks you up at the small airport and transports you around the island. This resort is located short minutes from the Rainbow Roof and the famed "white wall," which we finally dove this trip. The white wall is only worth diving at certain times in the lunar cycle and necessitates a deep dive (~100ft). As was true all week, they were good about sending two separate boats (and guides) out for different ability/desired_profile diver groups.
The usual routine for most of the guests was two-tank morning dive with a surface interval and snacks on a beach. We also did an afternoon dive each day--which (like night dives) only requires two divers willing and able.
The dive guides were extremely good at helping one of us find tiny nudibranchs for photography. The soft and hard corals were both magnificent; we didn't see any deterioration since we were at this resort in 2018. Here are a few of our pictures and video, via DW's personal (no ads) blog: Diving in Fiji — Lisa's (& Steve's) Travels (apologies for some of the badly lit shots--one strobe failed at the outset.)
The food and facilities were top notch - delicious and varied food, nice swimming pool, and super friendly staff. Definitely recommended.
_______________________
In mid-April, we returned for more diving, this time on Ono Island, which is south of the main island, on the "Astrolabe Reef," which we hadn't dove before. Transport again involved a short puddle-jumper from Nadi to Kadavu, followed by a short walk to a boat and a 1-2 hour passage (depending upon water conditions!) to the resort on Ono island. This stay was at the oneta resort, which is higher end than we usually choose--and we were impressed enough that we'll likely return.
Oneta has outstanding dive operations (Note: no Nitrox though, which turned out to be unfortunate for DW's diving plans), but doesn't really limit itself to "dive resort." (which again is something that we were not used to). The dive sites were a longer boat ride than at Taveuni, but were equally good. The highlights were snorkeling with a Manta several days (this is almost a given at a cleaning station near the resort), and the reefs atop and on the sides of a submerged volcano some 45+ minutes from the resort (not doable except on calm days due to having to cross an open channel). We again have photos, and close-up video of a Manta at DW's blog. Diving Fiji - take 2 — Lisa's (& Steve's) Travels Note, however, that most of her photos are from snorkeling (skin bends hit on Day 1 took her out of the diving pool, but she was fine after an hour with the resort's O2).
The resort, in addition to diving and snorkeling, offers outrigger canoes, stand-up paddle boards, massages, island nature tours, deep sea fishing, etc. By happenstance, we were the only guests, but total capacity looks to be around 20 (depending upon how big of families are in the bigger villas).
Even for Fiji, the staff stood out for their friendly competence, which is saying a lot.
____________
I'll post something about our longer time in New Zealand later today or tomorrow.
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