Good time for Fiji travel?

[icestac]

The wife and I went to GIR for a week and then Beqa for a few days last summer. We had a wonderful time. GIR is no Ritz, but we loved it. Everything was clean and tidy and we just enjoyed relaxing and diving.

We did a shore dive the day we got there to get wet and check out the gear and weights and such. Nothing much to see and we only did that one. I would go back there in a heartbeat. We actually enjoyed GIR better than The Pearl South Pacific in Beqa Harbour (but those shark dives were cool).

Be sure to check out the local stuff (village tour, natural waterslide, walk to the dateline, etc) there is so much to do in between diving, eating, and laying on the hammock.

We went in June/July so I can't comment for other times of year. The weather was fine for us.

I would suggest packing a surface marker bouy (OxyCheq has a sweet one), a reel, and a signalling device (mirror, whistle, etc) just in case. There are some wicked currents and I would rather be prepared.

~Jeff

 

[Trixxie]

The wife and I went to GIR for a week and then Beqa for a few days last summer. We had a wonderful time. GIR is no Ritz, but we loved it. Everything was clean and tidy and we just enjoyed relaxing and diving.

We did a shore dive the day we got there to get wet and check out the gear and weights and such. Nothing much to see and we only did that one. I would go back there in a heartbeat. We actually enjoyed GIR better than The Pearl South Pacific in Beqa Harbour (but those shark dives were cool).

Be sure to check out the local stuff (village tour, natural waterslide, walk to the dateline, etc) there is so much to do in between diving, eating, and laying on the hammock.

We went in June/July so I can't comment for other times of year. The weather was fine for us.

I would suggest packing a surface marker bouy (OxyCheq has a sweet one), a reel, and a signalling device (mirror, whistle, etc) just in case. There are some wicked currents and I would rather be prepared.

~Jeff

Thanks for the info.

I spoke with one person who has been there twice. They stayed 2 weeks, but that's longer than I would want to stay. He mentioned the same thing about currents and going back in a minute if he could.

It's just such a long way to go to do 10 dives. Although everyone says it's well worth it. Too bad there is not a place with Bonaire's shore diving potential with the beauty of the South Pacific that is affordable......

I have read that Dec - March is their rainy season and it's much more humid during those times. I hear that their winter months (ha like the tropics have a real winter..) are less rainy and less humid. Kind of around our summer time since they are located south of the equator.

The travel agent suggested Beqa if we wanted to do more diving than just off the boat.

 

[icestac]

It's just such a long way to go to do 10 dives.

It really is. We had 2 weeks vacation but lost about 3 days for travel.

Although everyone says it's well worth it. Too bad there is not a place with Bonaire's shore diving potential with the beauty of the South Pacific that is affordable......

The Philippines is a good option too. I know it is not South Pacific, but they have great diving, warm waters, and lots of options. I was there March of last year (unfortunately for business) and had a good couple of dives and I did not even get to the "really good sites".

The travel agent suggested Beqa if we wanted to do more diving than just off the boat.

We did 4 shark dives off Beqa and had a good time, but the resort was high $$ and there wasn't much to do off the resort (just a strip mall and a firewalking thing which we missed due to diving -- oh well). I think it all just comes down the to the $$$. Aqua Trek divers will do night dives if there are enough people (or enough $$$). I wanted to, but apparently the others at the resort that week were not as hard core.

If you want to get an overdose of diving, just do Bonaire or Little Cayman It is sooooo much easier for us East Coasters.

~Jeff

 

[Trixxie]

If you want to get an overdose of diving, just do Bonaire or Little Cayman It is sooooo much easier for us East Coasters.

~Jeff

just a little tired of the caribbean scene... REALLY wanting to do something in the pacific.

the only drawback to the pacific is price and travel time...

thanks!!

 

[icestac]

just a little tired of the caribbean scene... REALLY wanting to do something in the pacific.

We were in the same shoes. If I had all the time and money in the world, I'd keep diving it, but it is a big trip from here. The northern pacific has some great diving too and is likely going to be a little cheaper (depending on where you stay) -- Philippines, Thailand, etc.

BTW - I saw most of the same fish in the Philippines as I did in Fiji. And it was warmer.

the only drawback to the pacific is price and travel time..

There's always cave diving just a couple hours drive away

~Jeff