2weeks in Fiji, recommendations? Land and or ship or both?

[Suzyfromoregon]

We have not been diving for a few years though have over 30 dives logged. We want to explore fiji above as well as below the water. We would like to end our trip at a really nice place but don't need or want 5stars mostof the trip. We are looking for recent info on Fiji, the Tui Tai ship experience, where to stay on Kadavu and the most TRUELY wonderful experiences in Fiji. We are thinking of combining land and sea, say arrive do a few days on Kadavu, head to Sauvusauvu and then Tavenui? Thoughts? Also, can we do this leisurely in tow weeks and within a budget?

 

[JMorben]

I highly recommend Nakia on Taveuni and diving with their onsite dive operation Taveuni Ocean Sports. Check the reports on Tripadvisor. They are spot on accurate. It is also priced very reasonably. It is a small boutique resort. We have been there twice and would return in a heartbeat.

 

[shutsal]

I did my honeymoon there in May. Would recommend Paradise Taveuni for diving and nice accommodations. Have great hiking and amazing diving on Taveuni, so win win. If you want to end your trip at a very nice place, I would highly recommend Royal Davui. Resort on their own private island. Very quiet, luxurious, and intimate. How we ended our honeymoon and it was perfect.

 

[fiji_diver]

Bula!
You have picked some nice spots.
Kadavu - 3* have a look at Matava and for a bit more up market, MaiDive on Ono which is just north of Kadavu but in the same reef system. Do bear in mind you will have to fly there and back from either Nadi or Suva (Nausori).
On Taveuni, the resorts mentioned above are lovely but have a look at Garden Island resort as well, or if you want the same dives but a bargain, look at Dolphin Bay Divers Retreat.
Taveuni offers lots of inland walks and cultural opportunities. It is a little more accessible and you don't have to fly there as there is a 3 times a week ferry service from Suva.
Savusavu is great for access to the Namena Marine reserve. You can stay in the town for a bargain price and dive with Korosun dive on a daily basis. They don't go to Namena every day though.
Tui Tai is a one off kind of trip. Rather expensive in my opinion, but you will get to see some of Fiji's less accessible reefs, and have a massage afterwards.
If you wanted the best of Fiji diving on a liveaboard, have a look at Naia cruises. Better value for divers than Tui Tai.
One other thought is a private charter dive / sail available from Suva and you can dive Kadavu, Beqa - including the Shark dive if you wanted, and sail in luxury at the same time. Let me know if that's of interest and I will send you details by PM.
As for an itinerary, I would fly to Kadavu fro Nadi, then fly back to Suva and get the overnight ferry (in a cabin) to Savusavu, Ferry to Taveuni - couple of options there bu the Grace ferry and bus in very cool, if a little bumpy, and then fly back to Nadi from Taveuni.
Or Fly to Sausavu from Nadi, ferry to Taveuni, ferry to Suva and 5 nights sail dive charter around Kadavu.

Easy to do in 2 weeks with a bit of planning.
I can organise bookings for you if you wanted any local logistics assistance
Have a great trip.
Greg

 

[Suzyfromoregon]

Thank you for all the ideas. If you are willing to put together a two week itinery and give a cost estimate, that would be wonderful. We are thinking early May 2013. We like to dive but also to experience the culture and other activities. We would like to finish with a last couple of days somewhere with a great beach and a bit of class. We do have a limited budget.

 

[Frosty]

suzy--Im heading to Fiji in under a week. I have to find the balance between diving and family time so we are staying on little molololili at Plantation island resort. I have a max pac which is three dives a day for 7 days diving with Subsurface fiji.
Jon the head honcho there seems switched on

 

[Barracuda22]

If you decide on Kadavu and have the time, I would go with the ferry over Pacific Sun Airlines. There are two ferries that travel from Suva to Kadavu once a week. The Sinu-i-Wasa, (not recommended, it is literally a cattle ship) departs Suva on Tuesday night. The Lomaviti Princess departs Suva on Wednesday night. It is an overnight trip but if you decide on Mai Dive the first stop in Kadavu is Kavala Bay which is much closer to Mai Dive than the airport. The second stop for the ferries in Kadavu is Vunisea, the capitol and airport city. The resort boat would pick you up at the airport which means it is quite a boat ride back to the Kavala Bay/Ono area. Most of the dive resorts in Kadavu are quite a ride from the airport. There is one that is close. Mai Dive and Matava seem to have the most raves.

The first class fare for the Princess was about $70.00fjd. It worked well for me because I avoided Pacific Sun's luggage fees. First Class on the Princess was pretty nice. They have what looks like seats that would be found in the first class section of a major airline, plenty of space and very few passengers. Coach is pretty packed and also not recommended. They have also have cabins but I found first class comfortable enough.

I also traveled on the Princess from Suva to Savusavu. That was around $90.00fjd. If you go to Savusavu you have to dive Namena Marine Reserve. It is a very special dive site. I spent a week at Cousteau's which is very nice but the dive sites in the area were hit and miss. They said they had some devastation from a crown of thorns infiltration.

My experiences are from March of this year but I don't think much has changed as far as the schedules and prices.

 

[Suzyfromoregon]

Thank you for this helpful info. We have narrowed our ideas some and are thinking May 2013. I am waiting to hear from Figi-diver for specifics. This board has been helpful. Thank you all for writing.

 

[fiji_diver]

Hi
I'll get back to you shortly. Too much time underwater
Greg