Fiji Advice

[GREG S]

Hello all!

My wife and I are planning a trip to Fiji in late October of 2008. We have been through the carribbean and Hawaii, but this will be our first trip to the south pacific. We are looking for advice on where in the islands we should stay as well as some recommendations for lodging (hotels, rentals, condos?). We are interested in an area that has great soft coral and hard coral development, with as much diversity in fish life as possible. Another very imortant aspect for us is good shore snorkeling as we like to spend much of our time between activities exploring shore sites on our own. Topside activities including hiking, fishing, (and of course shopping) are a plus. We are hoping to find a good mix between an authentic island setting, good service, and the creature comforts of a resort. We hope we can find this in the $200-$250/nite range. Also any advice on dive operators/dive sites is appreciated (I prefer the larger, faster boats with groups of no more than a dozen divers). Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Greg

 

[robint]

Hello all!

My wife and I are planning a trip to Fiji in late October of 2008. We have been through the carribbean and Hawaii, but this will be our first trip to the south pacific. We are looking for advice on where in the islands we should stay as well as some recommendations for lodging (hotels, rentals, condos?). We are interested in an area that has great soft coral and hard coral development, with as much diversity in fish life as possible. Another very imortant aspect for us is good shore snorkeling as we like to spend much of our time between activities exploring shore sites on our own. Topside activities including hiking, fishing, (and of course shopping) are a plus. We are hoping to find a good mix between an authentic island setting, good service, and the creature comforts of a resort. We hope we can find this in the $200-$250/nite range. Also any advice on dive operators/dive sites is appreciated (I prefer the larger, faster boats with groups of no more than a dozen divers). Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Greg

Good luck! I don't think there is any place on earth that has all you are asking for..... you are going to have to compromise on something.
I was going to recommend to you Wananavu Resort until you said you wanted snorkeling, too. No topside activities closeby either.
Maybe Castaway Island, Garden Island or Kandavu. No shopping at those though. Garden Island and Kandavu have topside activities though. I haven't heard about the diving at Castaway, but the other two are supposed to be good. I've heard the Pearl is nice also but not as nice as Wananavu.
Check out some options here: Fiji Resorts and Diving Packages for Divers.


robin

 

[GREG S]

Robin,

Thanks for the reply. We didn't expect to find all of the things we're looking for, but I figured if people knew what interested us, we could take their advice and see how many of the things on our list we could get to intersect in one place. I fully understand the need to compromise, and expect to do so. I was just trying to gather info. to make a good decision. Thanks for the suggestions, we really appreciate the help! Since this is our first trip to Fiji, there is a lot of info. to sort through. I know it will be worth it in the end though, it always is!

Good diving!
Greg

 

[nzm]

The island of Taveuni should satisfy most of your requirements - except the shopping! They have some of the best soft coral dives, and the hiking is incredible up to the mountain which is the only place in the world where the tagimaucea (pronounced tangimorthea and is a type of orchid) grows.

Try South Seas Adventures who have some good packages from the USA from time to time.

Moody's Resort is also on our list to try out sometime - they are slightly to the west of Taveuni. A smaller island with hiking trails with lots of diving and snorkelling.

 

[RockyHeap]

Do a search on my name for numerous fiji posts. Been there 3 times in the last 5 years.

Skip the shopping, get out of nadi as fast as you can,

Lots of topside fun and awesome dives in Fiji, friendliest people on the earth.