TikiMark
Registered
We're newly certified and off to Fiji for our first independent dive experience. June in Fiji HAS to be better than 48F shore diving off Newport, RI.
We start with a few days at Botaira in the Yasawas, then to Savusavu for a week, then Tokoriki in the Mamanucas for a few days. I was hoping to do one or two dives in the Savusavu area, and the same in Tokoriki. So...
Savusavu - We're looking at Namale and Koro Sun for dive operators. Any feedback on these? And where to go! I know Namena is accessible from Savusavu, but should we go THERE for our first real dive, ever? It seems pretty advanced, but I really don't know. There is very little information about any of these areas. We've been on some horrific small-boat trips in the Galapagos, and don't really want to repeat that experience, but if Namena is the one place not to miss...I'll need convincing.
Tokoriki has their own dive shop, which I hear is very good. They have dozens of sites we could choose from. Do we just go with whatever is thrown at us or are there specific sites that are not to be missed? The goal is to see what makes Fiji special, such as spectacular soft coral and giant clams. I'm more of a critter hound; mantarays, sharks, eels, etc.
We have 3mm shorties. Should we bring them or is this too optimistic for Fiji in June? We're renting most other equipment and could just rent suits there.
I'm looking for a comfortable experience, trusted equipment, patient operators(!), and no hassles but want to see as much as we possibly can! For us, it is a vacation with the chance of diving vs. a dive trip with a chance of vacation (so far, who knows, that might change!)
Many thanks for ANY feedback!
We start with a few days at Botaira in the Yasawas, then to Savusavu for a week, then Tokoriki in the Mamanucas for a few days. I was hoping to do one or two dives in the Savusavu area, and the same in Tokoriki. So...
Savusavu - We're looking at Namale and Koro Sun for dive operators. Any feedback on these? And where to go! I know Namena is accessible from Savusavu, but should we go THERE for our first real dive, ever? It seems pretty advanced, but I really don't know. There is very little information about any of these areas. We've been on some horrific small-boat trips in the Galapagos, and don't really want to repeat that experience, but if Namena is the one place not to miss...I'll need convincing.
Tokoriki has their own dive shop, which I hear is very good. They have dozens of sites we could choose from. Do we just go with whatever is thrown at us or are there specific sites that are not to be missed? The goal is to see what makes Fiji special, such as spectacular soft coral and giant clams. I'm more of a critter hound; mantarays, sharks, eels, etc.
We have 3mm shorties. Should we bring them or is this too optimistic for Fiji in June? We're renting most other equipment and could just rent suits there.
I'm looking for a comfortable experience, trusted equipment, patient operators(!), and no hassles but want to see as much as we possibly can! For us, it is a vacation with the chance of diving vs. a dive trip with a chance of vacation (so far, who knows, that might change!)
Many thanks for ANY feedback!