Fiji with family in August. Any recommendation?

[robcap]

Hi all,
planning a holiday from Melbourne to warmer climates in August. 10 days or so.
Travelling with wife (who will do a couple of dives) and 4 yo baby.
I need a baby friendly place with good diving. Is that asking too much?
Nice beach (a must) and possibly nice house reef.
I am planning to do as much diving as possible (3-4 a day, so a couple by boat, a couple from house reef).
I cannot afford been on a boat all day as the rest of the family would claim daddy back.
Ah, almost forgot, sunny island. I've been to Beqa Lagoon 3 years ago or so. Beautiful shark diving but it was raining every day.
Sun + beach is a must.
thanks

PS: open to alternatives to Fiji (consider we are from Melbourne)

 

[cbm32]

Not sure when you were at Bega. I wouldnt think that August would be very rainy. I was diving Naigani Island Resort in early to mid Sept and we didnt have much rain. I was in Bega the whole month of Oct. The first week was fine but the last three weeks were rain, rain, and more rain. I LOVED the shark dives but the rest of the diving was, at least in my opinion, substandard for Fiji.

I would suggest Naigani Island Resort. Great diving with a nice beach and I cant imagine a more family friendly place. It is also a fantastic value. Dive with great hammerheads and manta rays when they take you to Wakaya Passage and E6 is a world famous site as well. Some really really good diving right out in front of the resort, but you may have to wade pretty far out before it gets deep enough to go submerge.

If you are really worried about rain, I would suggest Blue Lagoon Beach Resort in the Yasawa's. Fantastic beach and very family friendly. Blue Lagoon Beach Resort is very near the end of the Yasawa's and the islands there are what you picture when you think of a desert island. The movies Blue Lagoon and Return to Blue Lagoon were shot very near where the resort is. You wont have to worry about rain there at all. Before I went I was told that I would be disappointed in the diving in the Yasawa's. The diving there didnt measure up to that at Naigani, but I wouldnt say I was THAT disappointed either. Some really nice long swim throughs, a good number of lobster (including the biggest lobster I have ever seen anywhere) and generally good diving I thought. They also do a really nice shark dive three times a week. Not the number of sharks as the Bega shark dives, but a much more relaxed atmosphere. I really loved the shark dives at Blue Lagoon.

So, I would recommend Naigani, but if you are paranoid about rain think about heading up to Blue Lagoon Beach Resort or someplace else in the Yasawa's.

 

[OnTheSpot]

I don't think you should have too many worries regarding rain in August, as a general rule of thumb the smaller islands get less rain, though keeping your 4 y o entertained on the smaller islands can be a bit of a challenge. For your accommodation, considering you have a whole family to please then Volivoli Beach Resort is a family friendly resort, has a great beach and a house reef and it's not one of the more expensive resorts. Paradise Taveuni Gardens has access to some great diving and your usually back at the resort just after 1pm so this also might fit in with your family plans. You can compare these resorts and others here. Enjoy!

 

[robcap]

thanks cbm32 and OnTheSpot.
Heard of Blue Lagoon. Sold out
I'll check the other places you recommend.
Ta

 

[cbm32]

I am actually the US Rep for Naigani...so if you need more info or help with booking there, just shoot me a PM here or email me at naiganius@gmail.com

 

[mike0479]

Naigani Island is Amazing!!! If you have any questions regarding them please PM me. I was there for 2 weeks this past Jan and my wife and I had a great time. I did a lot of diving and she snorkeled and we both couldnt have been happier with the the staff and dive sites. The p[lace is truly amazing and I would like to be selfish and keep it a secret but I also want others to experience the charm too...
Mike

 

[cbm32]

Saw a picture today that was taken at the Naigani house reef of a black tip shark and an eagle ray in the same pic