A couple more Fiji questions

[Ms. Ann Thrope]

Thanks to everyone who's been so helpful on my other Fiji thread. I've decided not to go to Kadavu, still want to dive the Bligh waters, and am wondering about a couple of other things. I'm leaving in a few weeks and I'm still woefully undecided.
1. Has anyone gone diving off of Levuka/Ovalau with Ovalau Watersports? It sounds like there might be some nice big-stuff diving out there, but I'm not finding much in the way of reviews or evidence that people go there to dive often--and if I'm the only diver there, I doubt they'll even take me out.
2. Do the Bligh waters pale terribly in comparison with Taveuni--in other words, should I not be missing Taveuni?
3. Anyone been to Manta Ray Island or thereabouts in the Yasawas--and might it be worth it for a day or two if indeed there are Manta Rays?

Thanks for all input!

 

[maddmike]

I've never heard anyone say diving in Bligh waters was worse than Taveuni. Lots of people say Bligh waters is better. (we went to Taveuni and Kadavu). The Rainbow Reef is certainly wonderful.

We had a lot of fun on Taveuni when we weren't diving. The waterfall hike in Bouma and the waterslide near Somosomo were both great experiences. Matei is a hoot in it's sleepy-little-island-town kind of way.

 

[reubencahn]

IMO, Taveuni pales in comparison to the Bligh Waters. I cut my stay on Taveuni short to return for few days to the Bligh Waters.

 

[almitywife]

Diving in the Ywasawas was a dissapointment for us and ive been told many times (since) that the diving is much better elsewhere

cheers

 

[pupdiver]

We dived the rainbow reef in the Somosomo strait from Taveuni and it was amazing. The Great White Wall is a world class dive and one of the most spectacular things I have ever seen. We dived with people who had dived the Bligh waters on the Nai'a and said it was different but as good as Somosomo. We dived with Swiss Fiji Divers for most of our dives. They have a very nice operation near the town of Matei. We also did a few dives with a local operation called Jewel Bubble Divers that is right next to Swiss Fiji. We were very impressed with them and they were much more of a personal operation than Swiss Fiji. The boat they had was very small though and had no cover. Hopefully they have a better boat by now though.

As always, I highly recommend checking the reviews on Undercurrent for unbiased reviews of dive destinations.

 

[rickydazla]

Thanks to everyone who's been so helpful on my other Fiji thread. I've decided not to go to Kadavu, still want to dive the Bligh waters, and am wondering about a couple of other things. I'm leaving in a few weeks and I'm still woefully undecided.
1. Has anyone gone diving off of Levuka/Ovalau with Ovalau Watersports? It sounds like there might be some nice big-stuff diving out there, but I'm not finding much in the way of reviews or evidence that people go there to dive often--and if I'm the only diver there, I doubt they'll even take me out.
2. Do the Bligh waters pale terribly in comparison with Taveuni--in other words, should I not be missing Taveuni?
3. Anyone been to Manta Ray Island or thereabouts in the Yasawas--and might it be worth it for a day or two if indeed there are Manta Rays?

Thanks for all input!

1. Yes, it's good. Although only when there is no wind as the best sites are at the islands of Wakaya and Makogai and the stretch of water that separates Ovalau from these gets very, very rough, it's a fair way from Levuka and they only use a small boat to get there. If it's calm then you may see hammerheads and all sorts.
2. No, they do not.
3. Yes, but mantas are only there June-August in any numbers and otherwise the diving is fairly average in comparison.

 

[Ms. Ann Thrope]

Thanks all, and especially for the bit of info about Ovalau. I plan on giving it a try--but maybe I'll also pack a seasickness pill or two just in case. Looks like it's Bligh and Levuka for me.

 

[rickydazla]

Levuka's really nice - quaint little colonial town with nice atmosphere.