hypersonic
Contributor
Diving Fiji was on the top on my must do dives. The next question was where in Fiji? Fodor's guide book, In Focus Fiji ($10.95 @ Barnes & Noble) provided the most comprehensive review of resorts in Fiji as well as a brief summary on diving in the local areas.
Matangi Island fit the bill for my wife and I. Just the opposite of the commercial chaos of Cozumel, Matangi is a perfect example of an unspoiled South Pacific Island...peaceful and serene. We were not disappointed.
We booked an early morning flight to LAX which gave us enough time to take a day room at the Raddison near the airport. After a nice nap, shower and dinner we made our way back to the terminal for the 22:45 Air Pacific 10.5 hr flight to Nadi.
After arrival in Nadi, there is a fairly short wait for a connecting flight to Taveuni, 75 minutes in a Twin Otter. On Taveuni, a Matangi van took us on a bit bumpy 20 min drive to a beach where you wade out to a Matangi boat for the last 20 min leg of the journey.
The boat is met on the Matangi beach by the resort staff singing a traditional Fijian welcome and a fresh cut coconut with a straw to drink the milk. Everyone calls you by your first name and it is remembered for the duration of your stay.
The resort started out as a dive resort, today I suspect most of their business is honeymooners. For the first day of diving it was us and a couple from Philly finishing their open water. They had their DM and we had ours. For the next four days we were the only divers and for the week, we never even seen another dive boat.
Late January is the middle of their summer and the rainy season. Yep it rained a couple of days, usually in the afternoon. But the weather varied from near-perfect to calling the second dive on day two due to it being a bit rough on the surface (plus we were tired). We had nine exceptional dives and can't complain a bit.
Did not see a lot of big stuff, just a handful of white tips and a couple of schools of barracuda. Coral and small fish were there in abundance. Everywhere one looked was a Kodak moment, we had nearly a thousand underwater pictures. Still trying to sort thru them. There are miles and miles of reefs to explore, we barely scratched the surface.
Our typical day was dive, eat, read and relax. Just exactly what we were hoping for.
Can't say enough about the Fijian staff. About the most friendly people I have ever met. They love to smile, love to laugh, love to sing and harmonize. Talk to them one on one and they will share details about their lives and are interested in how we live as well.
The food was creative and very well presented. Typically two choices for a starter and two choices for the entree (both lunch and dinner), fruit or a sweet treat for desert. Fresh baked cookies are available 24/7...sodas and other snacks extra co$t. Fiji beer is Gold and Bitters? Never tried the Bitters as the Gold fit our palate just fine. Wine and mixed drinks also available, a bit expensive as they are at any remote island.
Included in the stay is a private lunch on a secluded beach in Horseshoe Bay to skinny dip or play in the sand (use your own imagination). We opted out and had them take us to the bay for an afternoon of snorkeling instead.
Wireless internet is available in the dining area or guests can use a computer in the office for 50 cents (Fijian) per minute. Vodafone had a rental kiosk at the Nadi airport and a few people at the resort were using cell phones though am not sure which carrier they were using.
Clocks are in short supply at the resort, and things tend to run a bit late. It might also be wise to bring your favorite snacks like nuts or energy bars since the resort has a limited $election.
All too soon the week in paradise was over. The staff sings you off, the boat makes a high speed pass by the waving crowd and you throw a lei into the water signifying an early return to the island. We should be so lucky!
ps. There are several shops in the Nadi departure lounge for gifts and souvenirs.
pps. A couple of miles from Matangi is a slightly larger island. Steve Forbes sold it to the Austrian owner of Red Bull for ten million. Red Bull is building the world's second seven star resort (yes 7). Bures will go from $10k to $15k per day. Soon to open...there goes the neighborhood.
Matangi Private Island Resort
Matangi Island fit the bill for my wife and I. Just the opposite of the commercial chaos of Cozumel, Matangi is a perfect example of an unspoiled South Pacific Island...peaceful and serene. We were not disappointed.
We booked an early morning flight to LAX which gave us enough time to take a day room at the Raddison near the airport. After a nice nap, shower and dinner we made our way back to the terminal for the 22:45 Air Pacific 10.5 hr flight to Nadi.
After arrival in Nadi, there is a fairly short wait for a connecting flight to Taveuni, 75 minutes in a Twin Otter. On Taveuni, a Matangi van took us on a bit bumpy 20 min drive to a beach where you wade out to a Matangi boat for the last 20 min leg of the journey.
The boat is met on the Matangi beach by the resort staff singing a traditional Fijian welcome and a fresh cut coconut with a straw to drink the milk. Everyone calls you by your first name and it is remembered for the duration of your stay.
The resort started out as a dive resort, today I suspect most of their business is honeymooners. For the first day of diving it was us and a couple from Philly finishing their open water. They had their DM and we had ours. For the next four days we were the only divers and for the week, we never even seen another dive boat.
Late January is the middle of their summer and the rainy season. Yep it rained a couple of days, usually in the afternoon. But the weather varied from near-perfect to calling the second dive on day two due to it being a bit rough on the surface (plus we were tired). We had nine exceptional dives and can't complain a bit.
Did not see a lot of big stuff, just a handful of white tips and a couple of schools of barracuda. Coral and small fish were there in abundance. Everywhere one looked was a Kodak moment, we had nearly a thousand underwater pictures. Still trying to sort thru them. There are miles and miles of reefs to explore, we barely scratched the surface.
Our typical day was dive, eat, read and relax. Just exactly what we were hoping for.
Can't say enough about the Fijian staff. About the most friendly people I have ever met. They love to smile, love to laugh, love to sing and harmonize. Talk to them one on one and they will share details about their lives and are interested in how we live as well.
The food was creative and very well presented. Typically two choices for a starter and two choices for the entree (both lunch and dinner), fruit or a sweet treat for desert. Fresh baked cookies are available 24/7...sodas and other snacks extra co$t. Fiji beer is Gold and Bitters? Never tried the Bitters as the Gold fit our palate just fine. Wine and mixed drinks also available, a bit expensive as they are at any remote island.
Included in the stay is a private lunch on a secluded beach in Horseshoe Bay to skinny dip or play in the sand (use your own imagination). We opted out and had them take us to the bay for an afternoon of snorkeling instead.
Wireless internet is available in the dining area or guests can use a computer in the office for 50 cents (Fijian) per minute. Vodafone had a rental kiosk at the Nadi airport and a few people at the resort were using cell phones though am not sure which carrier they were using.
Clocks are in short supply at the resort, and things tend to run a bit late. It might also be wise to bring your favorite snacks like nuts or energy bars since the resort has a limited $election.
All too soon the week in paradise was over. The staff sings you off, the boat makes a high speed pass by the waving crowd and you throw a lei into the water signifying an early return to the island. We should be so lucky!
ps. There are several shops in the Nadi departure lounge for gifts and souvenirs.
pps. A couple of miles from Matangi is a slightly larger island. Steve Forbes sold it to the Austrian owner of Red Bull for ten million. Red Bull is building the world's second seven star resort (yes 7). Bures will go from $10k to $15k per day. Soon to open...there goes the neighborhood.
Matangi Private Island Resort
I hope I can get some night dives in to boot.
