Headed to Rainbow Reef Fiji, what do I need to know?

[Shiva dog]

So I just booked a week at Dolphin Bay Divers, just off Taveuni and right on the Rainbow Reef in Fiji. We will be there in November. Me and the wife have dove Hawaii and the Caribbean, and figure this trip will be a major step-up in diving awesome-ness.

We will be renting our dive equip from Dolphin Bay. Otherwise, from those who have been diving on the Rainbow Reef, what do we need to know and bring?

So excited to have the opportunity to dive such a spectacular place, and want to make the trip the absolute best it can possibly be. All advice appreciated!

 

[shutsal]

You will love it. Soft corals there are absolutely amazing. The fish/critter life I thought was not quite as rich as other Pacific sites but the corals make up for it. And the Fijians really are the nicest people in the world.

Put in a request to dive the white wall when you get there. It is only worth diving at the right time with the tides/currents so that the white soft corals are fully out. It's quite remarkable.

 

[Shasta_man]

Second the comment on Fiji people. YOu will fly into Nadi and then take a smaller plane to Taveuni. It's not that unusual to be bumped from your flight if there are a lot of people but don't worry as they will get you on a flight. This would be your first introduction to an important Fiji concept: Fiji time. It's not a specific time but a general concept. When referring to something to do, then Fiji time means we will get to it soon and no worries. When referring to now, it means you are relaxing and no worries. Everything is always done on Fiji time. If you go through Savusavu, it's cool because it's a neat landing on Savusavu before going to the grass strip on Taveuni. Some planes fly lower than others so you can look right down into the water.

 

[Hutch12]

Just take your selves and be prepared to be blown away! Your eyes will not be able to absorb every thing you see. Amazing colours and vast amounts of small fish life and critters.

As above, you have to dive the Great White Wall, other sites of note are the Fish Factory, Jerry's Jelly, The Purple Wall, all breathtaking.

We were so impressed we are revisiting later this year.

Get a driver and have him take you a tour around Taveuni, local villages, waterfalls, the church, 180 degree meridian.

Enjoy.