Diving Fiji

[BamaMML]

Anyone know about diving Danarau Island? My friend is getting married on that island in April of 2011 and we are attending the wedding and plan to make a long dive trip out of it as well. Her and her fiancee have suggested places to stay on Danarau but I see Taveuni Island is close and I have heard good things about the resort there. What is the boat ride like if anyone knows? Any suggestions or thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[BamaMML]

Let me correct the previous post: it is Viti Levu Island that the wedding will be held on in the Denarau area... So does anyone know about diving on Viti Levu or how far the island is from Taveuni Island? Thanks!

 

[jlevine]

Viti Levu is the main island of Fiji. Nadi is the main international gateway on the west coast. Denarau is a few minutes from Nadi. You can find all the info here: Denarau Fiji Islands. For a map of Fiji go to: Map of Fiji Enjoy your trip!

Google is your friend!

 

[ColoDale]

I have not dove near Viti Levu but did around Taveuni so I don't have much info on your intended area. If I understand your location near Nadi, then the Mamanuca group is nearby with some sites to the South (Momi bay area possibly).

I suspect there are some posts about the Mamanuca and Nadi area in this forum or I think a poster or two that work in Fiji.

Getting to Taveuni from Nadi by air is about an hour to 1.5 hours. It depends on if there is a stop in Vanua Levu (Savusavu). Our inbound flight to Taveuni was direct but outbound had a stop at Savusavu, Vanua Levu. The Savusavu stop was not on our itinerary tho.

I hear there might be a ferry and that it leaves from Suva on the main island, Viti Levu. I have spotty information on the schedule and might be an overnight (and 7 hour trip). Suva btw is on the other side of the main island. If time is a constraint, I would fly. There are quite a few flights from Nadi to Taveuni

 

[BamaMML]

Thanks for the input... I will continue to research.

 

[UndrWatrDan]

I am currently researching dive resorts on and near Viti Levu for a group trip I am putting together. Beqa Lagoon Resort is on the south side of Viti Levu on Beqa Island which is going to be one of our stops and the other could be either Wananavu or Volivoli Beach Resort both located on the northern tip of Viti levu. I have heard good things about both.

 

[fiji_diver]

Hi
The diving at Volivoli and Wananavu is run by the same operator, Ra Divers, (who also owns Volivoli). They pick up form both resorts and also a couple of places on the adjacent island of Nananu-i-Ra. Steve Darling runs the operation and is a good chap with generally a good crew of mostly Fijian dive staff.

Volivoli is much more a flashpackers resort although there is some more up market accommodation there now to. You get a good atmosphere in the evenings at the beach bar / restaurant with locals frequenting the place.
Wananavu is more 3-4* and feels far more like a hotel resort. Food is far better there, but of course you are paying for what you get. Both are fine but I prefer Volivoli.

Best way from Beqa (Pacific Harbour) to Volivoli (or Wananavu) is to private hire a minibus. probably around FJ$250 one way.

Please let me know if you want any more info.
I live and dive in Fiji but am not affiliated to any resort.

Cheers
Greg

 

[fiji_diver]

Hi
Just to clear up a bit of geography. Denerau is a small island but it is joined to the mainland of Viti Levu by a road so you won't really notice. It is close to the international airport at Nadi.
Viti Levu is Fiji's biggest island and it would take you about a 10 hours to drive around it.

If you are going to be in Fiji for a while, you probably want to get away from Denerau if you want good diving, although there are operators who run or pick up from there.
Lots of options.
Easiest is to get the ferry from Denerau to one or more of the Mamanuca or Yasawa islands. Everything from backpacker to 5* boutique and most have dive operations. You can find details of the various multi island packages when you are there or book in advance on-line.
If you are a little more adventurous, you can get up to Pacific Harbour - about a 3 hour taxi ride from Denerau. Here you can do the Shark Dive with Aquatrek or BAD and dive the coral sites Beqa Lagoon is famous for. Definitely worth a few days. Stay at Uprising or the Pearl.
If you really want to see the best sites, go to Taveuni where you can dive the White Wall and Rainbow reef. You can fly there from Nadi airport which is 20 mins in a taxi from Denerau. Flight is about an hour.

I live and dive in Fiji but am not associated to any resort.
Please feel free to mail if you want any more info.
Have a great trip
Cheers
Greg