Fiji plan under distress, seeking alternatives

[ycyc1999]

I planed a Fiji (Taveuni) diving trip for Nov. 18 to 25. I just read news reports of potential unrest. As I obssessively check websites for latest on Fiji's political situation, somehow, something in my head is telling me to have a backup plan. I did a ton of research on Fiji and don't know whether I have time to start from scratch again. Any suggestion on a good diving spot in mid/late November? I like to see fish, micro creatures under the sea and coral reefs, not so much into wreck. Thanks!

 

[almitywife]

Yc, sorry about the stress... but trust me, Fiji goes under this threat every few years, it usually happens around Suva (down south), when an election is due or summer heating up and if your out on one of the outer islands chances are you wont even know if something has happened until you get to the airport

i will say that the Australian Govt announced that it has 2 naval ships on standby for evacs if needed

Alternatives - Vanuatu (Vila if you dont want to do Santo but you should consider Santo), Nuie, Solomans or PNG

 

[Scububbs]

My wife and I dove at Beqa Lagoon this past February and two weeks before departure there were several news stories about a possible military coup. My primary shock revolved around the knowledge that Fiji had a military! We worried a little but were informed by other divers that even if a coup actually occurred it would be on the main island of Suva and we would never know it had happened. They would go to great lengths to keep tourists safe and spending money in the islands.
My advice is to stick with the original plan and don't give it a second thought. That's what we did and we had the best diving of our lives.

 

[Tom Winters]

Don't worry about the unrest. I almost moved to Fiji when they had the coup in the late 80's. The dominant population is actually Indian, but they are not allowed to own land or serve in the military. And after the coup, the educated, top-tier professional Indians read the writing on the walls and left, pretty much consigning Fiji to permanent Third-World status since they ran the economic infrastructure.
The Fijian military is a huge source of revenue for the country - every time a UN peace-keeping force is deployed, there is usually a component contingent of Fijians earning hard currency for the government.
Don't cancel your trip - you won't even be going through Suva, the capital, just Nadi (pronounced Nan-di) where the airport and largest community of Indians live.
Taveuni is a great island and you'll have a blast.

 

[Packhorse]

They have coup in Fiji as often as we have elections. I supose in saves on all that pointless voting.
I dont think anyone have ever been killed in one though. And as a tourist on an outer island I would think you would be pretty safe.

 

[ziongyal]

BULA!
I dove Fiji in August and I already bought my ticket to go back in December......as you can see I'm not too worried about unrest... but I can't wait to get on "Fiji Time" again. FYI...I've heard some dives around Taveuni (Somosomo) can be a little more challenging so if you are new like me check it out before you dive in to have fun

 

[almitywife]

I dont think anyone have ever been killed in one though..

yes they have but no-one has ever been a tourist

as said earlier, Fijians need & want the tourist.

like in Bali, the hard workers dont deserve having their livlihood scared off by the bombers, nor do the Fijians by the coups

 

[akbpilot]

I would look on it as an opportunity to get a good deal on the trip. Last coup I know about was in 2000/2001. 3 months after the coup 5 of us (wife, 3 girls and I) booked air out of LA, 8 nights all inclusive w/transfers etc for 4200 US, half of what the package would have been before the coup a year earlier. Not to gloss over your concerns, but a coup in Fiji is a pretty low-key event. I would follow the advice in the above post and stay out of the Suva area, does always seem to be where most of the problems occur. I would however suggest travel insurance, because you can never be sure how the airlines will react. BTW, thanks for the info, I just logged on after a long absence to do some travel research, and will definitely be looking at Fiji

 

[Ms. Ann Thrope]

I was just in Suva a couple of days ago. The newspapers are full of coup talk, but the feeling on the street didn't seem tense--although there were a lot of police on the streets. One of the cab drivers didn't seem to think the coups affected ordinary citizens all that much--maybe a few evening curfews, things like that. The US ambassador to Fiji was on television saying that his thoughts were that Americans in Fiji should stay in Fiji, and those planning visits should continue with their plans because Fiji is such a nice place to be.

I can't imagine that life in Taveuni would be horribly affected, unless the flights get messed up. I didn't dive in Taveuni, but I would have gladly exchanged my crummy weather for a mild coup.

 

[almitywife]

i think the thing to add to this is that this coup doesnt seem to be about the indians V the fijians (this time)

it seems to be more about a powerplay between the fijian PM and the fijian Army cheif and i think the issue is the PM wants to release from jail some coup leaders that were after the army chief last time.... seems to be about ego

so go, enjoy and relax!