coral bleaching in Fiji

[carlw]

I am planning to dive Fiji on the Sere in the next year. Yet , has anyone heard of coral bleaching in Fiji? Has that had a major effect on the overall diving experience in Fiji? If you've gone recently, how was your trip? Did anyone dive on the Sere?
Thanks
Carl

 

[Louie]

I did Fiji a bit less than a year ago. In the Mamanucas, I did see quite a bit of dead coral.
However, there are areas with very healthy coral growth in some of the outlying areas and islands. I saw some very impressive hard coral diving in Kadavu.
Taveuni is supposed to be the soft coral capital of the world and friends who'd dived there tell me it's prolific and beautiful. I wish I'd gone there instead of wasting a few days in Viti Levu.

Have fun.

PS, if you're in Nadi, beware of the Tourist Information centre (the one with the blue and white "i" sign). It looks official but it's not. It is a private business full of the most crooked ripoff merchants. I met many fellow travellers who'd been done over by this lot.

 

[DiveTub]

Coral bleachin is minimal
the Cyclons do most of the damage to the Reefs.

Where are you planning to go in Figi ?

Watch out for the Indians if you touch a product they are pushing in your face then you have purchased it, and they will not stop till they get your money. Stay away from Nadi it is a **** hole.

 

[Hypertexas]

Just spent Oct 10 - 19 in Kadavu, Fiji (Dive Kadavu - Matana Beach Resort). Was with 18 divers from a dive shop in Denver. It was the best dive trip I've ever taken in over 25 years. Yes, there is coral bleaching, but it did not detract from the incredible variety and number of fish, soft corals, etc. Lots of fun swimthroughs, octopus, rays, a few shark, anemonefish, nudibranchs, etc.

Also, aside from remote places in Belize, I've never felt such a wonderful absence of commercialism. Everything is authentic. One caution. If you take the waterfall trek, be careful climbing the slippery vines.

Issac, Joeli, Meli and Mini were terrific DMs and guides. The music by local villagers, clean bures, plenty of hot water and friendly staff run by Bob and Rena rounded out a terrific stay.

If you'd like to see pix, they are at
www.johndaigle.com/divepix

 

[DiveSoCal]

Spent the early part of October at the Garden Island Resort in Taveuni diving the Somosomo Strait. The dive resort is first rate and offers several beautiful reefs for exploration. The resort is small, about 20 rooms, but caters to the diver. In addition, Taveuni's dense rainforest is a sight to behold.