fiji dive boat tipping

[Ms. Ann Thrope]

So I'm headed off to Fiji, beginning with the Bligh Waters, and have done lots of reading. It sounds like tipping at the hotels and land-based businesses is not encouraged and pretty much limited to "Christmas Fund" type donations. But what about the dive boats? Tip? Don't tip? Ask if they have one of those "Christmas Funds"? I neither want to stiff nor insult. Also, what are people's general policies on tipping if the dive is captained and divemastered by the actual owners?

All answers appreciated.

 

[D_O_H]

I'll be interested to hear some other answers to this, as I'm not sure I ever figured it out during my 3 weeks in Fiji. My thinking is no, don't tip the dive people.

The first place we stayed, I contributed to the Christmas fund for the staff and tipped the dive guys seperately. They seemed a little bit uncomfortable about the whole thing, but did take my tip without any resistance. The second place we dove with, the dive guys would not accept a separate tip, so we gave their tip to the general christmas fund. The third place we stayed at, I did not even try to tip the dive guys and they were perfectly nice to us even after it was clear that they probably weren't going to get a tip.

I think Fiji is the first place I've ever been where everyone goes above and beyond the call of duty for some reason other than the desire to squeeze a tip out of you.

Incidentally, we brought over a few goodies (toys for kids, guitar strings, etc.) and handed these out to people who went out of their way for us. The little gifts seemed to go over really well without any kind of awkwardness. We will definitely bring more of this kind of stuff when we go back to Fiji.

 

[pupdiver]

When we were in Fiji some of the dive shops also had "Christmas Fund" tipping policies.

One other tip. Consider giving school supplies as gifts for kids. A lot of Americans tend to give toys and candy but they really prefer school supplies and things that are useful to them. School supplies are very expensive for them and the Fijians try very hard to have good education for their children.

 

[almitywife]

if found in the pacific - Fiji is with the tipping more than anywhere else.... but it does depend on where you are. ive found when further away/on a island, christmas funds or tipping collectives exist.

what i always do on trips is take gear im replacing like masks/boots/flashlight/batteries/knives/suits/fins ect so i leave it on the island and give it to guide/dm that i dived/liked most. ive even left a bcd once and on return visits ive found the gear still being used.

last time we went to fiji, i took a huge case of kids clothing/school supplies and gave them to the local village on a visit and it was greatly appreciated.

 

[rickydazla]

T-Shirts, caps etc will be much more appreciated than cash.

 

[RockyHeap]

My 3rd trip to fiji is only 65 days away.

Taveuni then Beqa and Kulu Bay resort, last 2 weeks of December and christmas.

oh feel my pain. <grins>



We take balloons, balsa wood gliders, crayons, sticker books, and other treats for the kids.

You really think they'd love a bunch of baseball hats? hmmmm, small and packs light, sure why not.


As for tipping the dive guides, we normal strike up a good friendship with one or two of them during our stay and we'll leave them a dive mask or other gear, as thats like gold to them getting new equipment.

 

[alashas]

Hi Ann,

We dove with a great group of DM's for 2 weeks last summer from "Subsurface Fiji" while staying at several different resorts in the Mamanucas. In lieu of tipping, we invited all of them to dinner at our resort the last night we were there and the DMs seemed very appreciative. We also swapped some of our t-shirts.

We spent the first week at Yasawa Island Resort and took items for the school children. I also copied of disc of dive pics for the DM and he grinned from ear to ear.

You'll have a great time in Fiji! alashas