Dec/Jan dive trip relaxation reqd!! Fiji, Solomon's, Palau??

[angycoleman]

I am living in Brisbane and want to plan a amazing scuba diving trip late December early jan. I have 3 weeks and a good budget not bottomless!! I love liveaboards but am happy to do day diving as well. I was initially thinking Fiji or Solomon's?

Please shares ur experiences and recommendations for diving and accommodation


thanks!

 

[Heg]

Fiji will be slap bang in the middle of cyclone season, but if you still want to head there, then Wananavu resort and dive is a good option. We were there in May and had a fantastic time. Bear in mind that viz won't be at a premium at this time of year though.

 

[JMorben]

I highly recommend Nakia on Taveuni. We have been there twice over the Christmas holidays. Tripadvisor reports areall very accurate. You will not be disappointed with either the resort, food, or dive operation. It is simply the best.

 

[bbarada]

Another vote for Wananavu. We were there a couple years ago and the diving was fantastic, when the weather allows you get to the Bligh Waters. Food was excellent and the service was outstanding.

 

[cbm32]

With three weeks to do Fiji I would schedule a couple of days in Pacific Harbour to do the Shark dive with Aqua-trek.

I would do a week at Naigani diving the head of the Bligh Waters and getting out to Wakaya and maybe Dolphin Reef and/or E6. Hammer heads, Manta Rays, eagle rays and lots of reef sharks.

A week in Taveuni or SavuSavu and then use the last few days up in the Yasawas where it is normally dry even in the rainy season. Blue Lagoon Beach resort has a nice swim throw, and several dives that feature different kind of coral as well as a shark dive that has as totally different vibe than the one in Pacific Harbour.

Matava on Kadavu is another option but that time of year it is hard to get outside of the reef but the manta rays there year round and it is almost a given that you will manage to see them.

 

[Stransky]

Uepi solomons hands down, 3 weeks may be a little to long,10 days would not be.
january pretty much cyclone season in pacific rim, but coming from brissy you would know this.
pm me if you want to know more.

If you're determined to do 3 weeks then maybe Fiji is a better option.

start in taveuni , fly back to Nadi,up to wananavu or voli voli ,down to,pacific harbour ,waidroku
So many options in Fiji
weather can be s...t there in January though.
good luck.

 

[Moray]

I've been on the Nai'a in Fiji and the Bilikiki in the Solomon's.both had great crews and comfortable rooms.The Nai'a is more luxurious and I thought it had better diving than the other.The interaction with the villagers on the Bilikiki (village visits and buying produce and handicrafts) more than made up for it.I had more fun on it than any other trip I've taken.

 

[OnTheSpot]

As some of the others suggest it may not be the best time of year to dive Fiji. Have you looked into Raja Ampat? It's a special place both above and under the water. With the length of stay you're planning you could also have some time on the islands in Indonesia. Sulawesi or Lembeh - excellent diving that won't break the bank. You mentioned Palau in your title, another good option for that time of year. A friend of mine who dives all over the world recently came back from there and it's rare for him to be so enthused by the diving, he was thoroughly impressed with Palau.