Good time for Fiji travel?

[Trixxie]

Thinking of Fiji in March 09 - Garden Island Resort on Taveuni.

I only recall seeing one person having been to GIR. Any other feedback on them?

Would March be a good travel time or is another time of year better?

Thanks in advance..

 

[BlueDevil]

We went to Fiji in March some years ago. It was pretty warm and the water was also quite warm. The problem was we got hit by a cyclone for the last half of our trip. It is not all that commom for cyclones to occur that late, but they can do so (as we found out!). If you could wait to April the risk would be much lower. It is also still the rainy season in March, and often quite humid.

These days we tend to go in June since it is winter for us in Australia and it is nice to escape the cold and go somewhere tropical. Fiji is quite pleasant at that time - generally nice and warm without being oppressively hot or humid. However the water is not at its warmest at that time. You could probably expect around 26 C or so, maybe 27 C if you are lucky, however on the island of Kadavu in June I have encoutered temps as low as 24 C (even 23 C on one dive)- and you can get a little cool towards then end of a dive, even wearing a 3mm steamer.

 

[bfisher]

I spent a week at GIR in January 2007. Don't expect much. What I mean is, don't expect too much hustle and bustle. The place isn't much more than a two story 15 room motel hidden from the road by greenery. Room are adequate, but nothing to crow about. Besides, it's just a place to shower and sleep.

The grounds are kind of superb for an old guy like me. It's small and intimate. Walk out your door and the water is 25' away. Lay back in a hammock and enjoy. Slow down and live.

The food was, to me, very good, but then I just eat to live. I don't have to have prime rib every meal. Alcoholic drinks not included in the AI package.

The staff is incredible. From the time you register till the day you leave they will remember and address you by name. You become almost part of the family.

AquaTrek? Doesn't come any finer than these folks. You can shore dive here, but only while the shop is open. I remember it closing at 5pm. The reefs were incredible. I could go on, but it's a must-do type of resort. I'd go back in a minute and my LDS knows it. Next time I stay for a month.

 

[bfisher]

Forgot to mention that our winter is their summer. It's also their rainy season if I recall right. Viz was a little off due to rain, but still not bad - 50-80' on most dives. Water temps were in the mid 80's with a high of 87 degrees F. Marine life is out of this world.

You're gonna love it if you've never done the Pacific.

 

[RockyHeap]

Is there a BAD time to dive at Fiji? NOPE! Even in the suckiest conditions it'll blow your mind.

 

[hammerhead man]

I've never been to GIR but we returned from 10 days at Beqa Lagoon Resort in Jul 2007 and had an incredible time. Click on my "view gallery" to see some of my pics from Fiji. The resort was wonderful, the people are incredibly friendly, and the diving was fantastic. We went in Jul because that was their winter and their dry season so we didn't get much rain. The viz was pretty good and the colors (both fish and coral) were unbelievable. I agree with Rocky, if you've never dived in Fiji you have an incredible experience awaiting you. It will blow your mind!!!!!

Regards,

Bill

 

[Trixxie]

I spent a week at GIR in January 2007. Don't expect much. What I mean is, don't expect too much hustle and bustle. The place isn't much more than a two story 15 room motel hidden from the road by greenery. Room are adequate, but nothing to crow about. Besides, it's just a place to shower and sleep.

The grounds are kind of superb for an old guy like me. It's small and intimate. Walk out your door and the water is 25' away. Lay back in a hammock and enjoy. Slow down and live.

The food was, to me, very good, but then I just eat to live. I don't have to have prime rib every meal. Alcoholic drinks not included in the AI package.

The staff is incredible. From the time you register till the day you leave they will remember and address you by name. You become almost part of the family.

AquaTrek? Doesn't come any finer than these folks. You can shore dive here, but only while the shop is open. I remember it closing at 5pm. The reefs were incredible. I could go on, but it's a must-do type of resort. I'd go back in a minute and my LDS knows it. Next time I stay for a month.

Even a medicore room in the south pacific would be better than a 5 star with no diving..... Just some place to lay my head at night (that is somewhat comfortable). I just spent 4 days in a room in Ft Walton Beach Fl that was just a bed and a dresser. The kind of place that you don't ever want to go barefoot in...:11: but I couldn't pass up $52/night during Memorial day weekend.

So no night dives? If they close at 5 will they let you get a couple of tanks before they close or is the diving done for the day when they close?

thanks!

 

[Trixxie]

I've never been to GIR but we returned from 10 days at Beqa Lagoon Resort in Jul 2007 and had an incredible time. Click on my "view gallery" to see some of my pics from Fiji. The resort was wonderful, the people are incredibly friendly, and the diving was fantastic. We went in Jul because that was their winter and their dry season so we didn't get much rain. The viz was pretty good and the colors (both fish and coral) were unbelievable. I agree with Rocky, if you've never dived in Fiji you have an incredible experience awaiting you. It will blow your mind!!!!!

Regards,

Bill

I dove in Maui twice before and that will probably be my option if I don't make it to Fiji...

 

[bfisher]

Aqua Trek kept a couple DM's around one night for us to do a night dive from the boat. Don't know if they'd let you have tanks for a shore dive at night. They had our gear locked up.

When we were done with our boat dives they rinsed and cleaned all our gear; wetsuits included. While they were doing that our group was showering and just laying back in a hammock trying to let all that we saw get absorbed by our puny brains. We did happen to have the world by the butt, so to speak. It was the off season and although there were 4 DM's to show us around there were only 6 of us. In fact there were only 8 people at the resort all week.

There are other things that can be done,too. There are some excursions. One is a Sunday walk to the local waterslide (not manmade). This is a must-do---with a camera. Don't go anywhere without a camera.

 

[bobbieg]

Over the past 25 years I have made in excess of 40 trips to Taveuni. Dec-Mar is a bit chancy for weather. Can be very windy or rainy. Or can be near perfect. Warm waters that time of year also bring less vis. If possible go May-Oct as this would certainly be the more ideal season for diving, flat seas, & blue skies.

GIR is OK but nothing fancy. If at least 2 persons traveling then better to rent a small oceanfront home. Just enter fiji rental accommodations on the www and see what you get.