Cost of dives in Fiji and advice – is it really worth it?

[Russjstewart]

traps for young players are Fiji VAT, when we were quoted for a trip in 2022 the Fiji Gov had lowered VAT due to COVID, but raised it by the time we paid our bill at the end of the trip. That hurt. Generally prices are quoted ex VAT. The other gotcha is credit card surcharges, if paying by CC in Fiji. I can’t remember what the surcharge was but it was a bit of bill shock at it included the VAT charges.
Despite that is was still an awesome trip

 

[mikeisthesquid]

I'm planning a 2-3 weeks trip to the Fijis in August 2024 and have been looking at the websites of a few resorts. All of them seem expensive, but what I found bit disturbing (and unusual at the very least) is that they do not specify how much diving costs (like a standard 2-tank dive), nor they have a "diving+stay" package (at least, they do not advertise them on their website). I'm asking myself why. Could anyone who's been there let me know what's the average cost of diving at resorts in Taveuni, Volivoli, Beqa/Pacific Harbour? (Of course, it is implied here that I intend to book the trip directly with the resorts rather than diving tour operators, which may offer such packages).

My budget is (relatively) limited and I have to carefully plan in order to understand whether I can make it or it's better to stick to other destinations that for a similar price would offer a great experience. I've been diving since 1995 all around the world, especially in Indonesia (remote world-class locations including multiple trips to R4,Banda Sea, Halmahera, Sulawesi, Komodo, etc.) as well as Australia, Palau, etc. I love sharks and big fish so I would rather opt for French Polynesia or Galapagos/Malpelo/Cocos island, but I also love soft corals and want to see Fiji at least once in my life. I'm from Europe and will be flying from SEAsia (Singapore does not seem to have many direct flights... any other options?).

I wanted to do a live aboard on Nai'a, which has fabulous ratings, but the cost is absolutely out of my budget—nearly 5000 euros for one week diving that from what I've read is comparable to R4 is way too much for me, and I'd rather spend it on a trip to French Polynesia, Galapagos, or some new destination in Indonesia (i.e. Triton Bay, which is however impossible to do in August).

Any suggestions for stay+dive options that are nice yet will not put me out of pocket would be much appreciated!

Realdiver

August should be a good time to do it. New local dive agency regularly dives the sites.. loads of advice ..waterlustfiji.com

 

[loady]

we are in Fiji staying on an island in 3 weeks time …we always dive ….but 425 fjd for two dives plus 35 for gear!!! my snorkel will be packed

More than French Polynesia. Looks like I’m not diving Fiji if that’s a normal price, almost $100 USD per dive. Is that normal pricing in Fiji?

 

[loady]

It's more like $380 all in including gear hire and nitrox, but I feel like the main issue is the difference in exchange rates to FJD. USD gets almost twice what NZD does per dollar, so it feels much less expensive.

$ means US dollar . What currency is this in? 380 what?

 

[runsongas]

380 fjd is 168 usd, but that rate is also peculiar to beqa because they do the shark feed dive. other shops generally run closer to 240 fjd for a two tank and down to about 200 fjd if you do a one week package.

Pricing Dives – Koro Sun Dive

korosundive.com

 

[Learner Diver]

Cost of dives in this resort as opposed to diving in Fiji would have been more prudent.

 

[cetacean]

as I mention.. $425 for two dives and extra for nitrox and gear hire…yeh nah

That's $95 USD a dive - not outrageous, but not cheap either.

What resort are you staying at?

 

[jonnierowe]

Just checking. How was your trip? Assuming you did the Fiji Shark Dive? Which operator did you choose? Where did you end up staying?

 

[loady]

I didnt go to fiji