Beqa, Fiji vs. Poor Knights, NZ - on a tight budget!

[humuhumu_]

Hi all,

I am unusual for a diver in that I'm a biology PhD student with no money, and diving is well...a very expensive hobby. Until recently I also lived in Ontario - not anywhere near the ocean. So I don't get to go very often at all, but my experiences have been fairly diverse (certified on Vancouver Island, have dived a little in Venezuela, Maui, FL, and Quebec -the latter with drysuit).

My department is going on a subsidized field trip to NZ over Christmas/New Years. I am interested in taking 2-4 days extra before or after the trip to dive. Our flights pass through Nadi. What I'm trying to decide is whether it is more practical to dive in the Poor Knights or take a few days in Fiji. I am looking at Beqa because I cannot afford a flight to another island. Similarly, I can't afford to stay at those nice looking resorts -more likely a hostel ($10/night) in Nadi and commute to Beqa.

I think that accomodations in Nadi are going to be cheaper than Whangarei, as are the dives (although not by a lot - maybe $150 total). However, I'm not sure which location would be better for my experience level and/or the time of year. I'm curious about the Beqa shark dive, but is it suitable for relatively inexperienced OW divers? Or should I stick to reef dives in Fiji? (and is Poor Knights any more suitable? I have read there are strong currents at times)

Any advice at all would be appreciated!

 

[TutukakaGirl]

Can't help you decide where to go but if you decide to dive the Poor Knights contact us at www.pkdive.co.nz and we will see what we can do to assist a poor student.

 

[michael71]

I have no experience diving NZ (only snowboarding south island), but can tell you that you will NOT regret Fiji!!!!

I was there in 06. I stayed in Pacific Harbor / Bega Lagoon. Dove w/Aquatrek (www.aquatrek.com). Good outfit, safe, great dive masters, and an excellent shark dive Wed & Sat's.

We stayed at The Pearl (hotel where Aquatrek is located). Its a fancier place, and food was overpriced. Not sure of their rates now...but probably still high.

There is a place a few min walk down the road called Art's Village. Lots of cafe's, etc. and I know they have discount hotel/hostel there. I can't tell you the conditions, only that its cheap. Aquatrek will pick you up/drop you off for diving as well.

You can also check out Uprising Beach Resort down the road from that. On the beach, and they have dorm rooms available (Aquatrek will pick you up here as well)

Also, Pac Harbor is about 2 hrs drive from Nadi (but worth it). However I fully understand time/budget constraints. My fiance was there in 06 as well and stayed at the Hideaway on the coral coast. Closer to Nadi, cheap, and there is diving near.

Good luck!

 

[alijtaylor]

Hi all,

I think that accomodations in Nadi are going to be cheaper than Whangarei, as are the dives (although not by a lot - maybe $150 total). However, I'm not sure which location would be better for my experience level and/or the time of year. I'm curious about the Beqa shark dive, but is it suitable for relatively inexperienced OW divers? Or should I stick to reef dives in Fiji? (and is Poor Knights any more suitable? I have read there are strong currents at times)

Any advice at all would be appreciated!

Hi
I can't do compare and contrast either but I first dived Poor Knights with about 30 dives (inexperienced) and have never encountered strong currents there although I am sure they are possible and there have occassionally been moderate ones which have dictated the direction of our dives. It is a good location for inexperienced divers.

The holiday park at Tutakaka offers moderately priced accommodation although between Christmas and New Year is peak season and you should book as soon as you can. Any of the operators up there would help you with finding the best priced deals.
Good luck where-ever you go.

Alison

 

[TutukakaGirl]

Ali makes a very good point about accommodation. With it being school holidays and Christmas/New Year, Tutukaka gets packed out, even the holiday park so definitely worth making arrangements in advance. There are backpackers in Whangarei but then you need to get from Whangarei to Tutukaka which is about 30km. www.tutukaka-holidaypark.co.nz is probably your best bet as it is walking distance to the marina and has cheap bunk rooms if you are on a budget.

 

[Plumb bob]

I can vouch for the holiday park there, It's clean and well set up with a washing and lock-up drying space for dive gear.

Being woken up by the "dawn chorus" of native birds in the forest surrounding the campground is wonderful and the reason I always stay in a tent when I'm there. I do a lot of tramping and have heard larger numbers of birds in the mornings but have never heard such a beautifully melodious chorus before, of course being a Southerner I haven't been in the Northern bush all that much... (right this isn't a "twitchers" forum so back on topic.).

 

[humuhumu_]

Thanks for the replies. Looks like I'll be diving Poor Knights...works out better with the constraints of my class schedule. Price isn't as bad as I expected - the NZD is still pretty crummy against the USD (which I didn't expect). I'm also going to tack on a daytrip to Tiritiri Matangi Island (bird conservation area) on my last day before flying out of Auck. Booking the flights tomorrow!

I'll look into Tutukaka...definitely not dragging any gear out there except mask/snorkel though! All I own besides that is fins and they take up too much room.