Is this a place to bring a seven year old to snorkle? My husband and I do scuba, though he is much more experienced than I am. We decided to go to Fiji and somehow in all the research I did not see the words that are leaping from the laptop into my head at night now- currents and sharks. Are there calm easy snorkle spots on Taveuni? they dont have to be spectacular just safe. Should I be trying to undu our reservations? I am wishing I had stuck with the idea of Castaway now-- I was just enchanted with the many different things to do on Taveuni. Are we making a mistake?
need honest answer about Tavenui from those who have been there
- Thread starter Mamabear
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cjames
Contributor
There are plenty of places to snorkel on Taveuni. We stayed at Dive Taveuni (now under a different name) and they had a great beach that you can tide pool on as well as snorkel. There is plenty of current in the SomaSoma (spelling) Straights but that is well off shore. In terms of sharks, there are no more or less than you will find in any tropical waters. We never saw sharks close to shore, only diving. There are sea snakes in the costal waters and we saw tracks going on to the beach. Sea snakes are normally docile and won't attack unless molested. I'm sure at 7, you will be with him at all times and will be watching for such things, so not really an issue either. The really neat thing for your son may end up being the big waterfall inland on Taveuni, its gorgeous and you can swim right up to it. One final plug for Taveuni, the people were absolutely fantastic. We got married on the island and got to know a number of folks and think the world of them. They're very kid friendly and just pleasant people to be around.
PM me if you want more information.
PM me if you want more information.
Shasta_man
Contributor
Great people? The best. Very friendly.
Easy to snorkel? Sure. As the shore can be tidal, from 6 feet deep to 1 foot deep at low tide, you have to go to some spots, but they're no problem. There is plenty to see and heaven.
Lots to do? Not in my opinion. To do, yes, lots, no. It's the place to dive. Don't worry about current or sharks. After diving with them, you'll find they couldn't care less about you. No hand feeding and you'll be fine. The ocean critters tend to respect size and they'll just cruise in the distance. Your dive guide should take you to the right spot for current. Current is great for seeing more because the current brings food. Stay with your guide and they'll take good care of you. "Bula" is hello. "Vinaka vaka levu" is thank you very much. You'll always be greeted by a big BULA from any locals. The tourists will still act as they do here, non-response.
Easy to snorkel? Sure. As the shore can be tidal, from 6 feet deep to 1 foot deep at low tide, you have to go to some spots, but they're no problem. There is plenty to see and heaven.
Lots to do? Not in my opinion. To do, yes, lots, no. It's the place to dive. Don't worry about current or sharks. After diving with them, you'll find they couldn't care less about you. No hand feeding and you'll be fine. The ocean critters tend to respect size and they'll just cruise in the distance. Your dive guide should take you to the right spot for current. Current is great for seeing more because the current brings food. Stay with your guide and they'll take good care of you. "Bula" is hello. "Vinaka vaka levu" is thank you very much. You'll always be greeted by a big BULA from any locals. The tourists will still act as they do here, non-response.
Mamabear:
dolphin adventures
Guest
Taveuni is not the best place to go in Fiji if your primary interest is snorkeling. It is a great dive destination, and yes, it does have current and sharks,( the sharks are usually in the deeper water). There have been 7 shark attacks, (mostly tiger sharks), on Taveuni in the past 4 years....most of these have been local Fijians fishing, a swimmer, a diver and a snorkeler. This should not alarm you too much....in all the cases there were some contributing circumstances. There are some new really wonderful resorts and small properties in the Yasawa group of islands in Fiji that have incredible snorkeling and great diving. The Yasawa's get a lot less rain than the rest of Fiji and really beautiful beaches. Since this part of Fiji is not as well known as Taveuni, you don't hear how great the diving really is. Also another recommendation would be Toberua, a great resort on a small island off the East coast of the main island. We just visited there and the snorkeling was great and they take you out twice a day to different reefs to snorkel for free. They have good diving too. The prices are great. If you want to chat feel free to email..... I visit Fiji 3 or 4 times per year.
Mamabear:
dolphin adventures
Guest
Hi: When I told you I would call you back I didn't realize your phone number did not show up on my cell phone, (my office calls are forwarded). The answer is yes...they have space.
Hope you get this email.
THanks,
Mary Jane
Hope you get this email.
THanks,
Mary Jane
Mamabear:
We just got back, and had an AMAZING time in Taveuni. We stayed at Matei Point, and we would wake up each morning and go for a little snorkel outside our bure, as there was a reef close by.
I'm new at diving and snorkelling, but I had a great time. We had no problems with sharks OR currents when snorkelling. We also spend a day at the Marine Park, where the reef is deeper, which was also nice.
I think the people of Taveuni are the kindest, friendliest on earth. I also disagree that there isn't a lot to do. In ten days, we only spent TWO at our bure hanging out. The other days were spent diving, snorkelling, kayaking, hiking through the rainforest, visiting beautiful waterfalls, horseback riding up mountains, and we even went to church (yes, church...they say don't miss it. It was the coolest service I've ever been to). We made plenty of friends, both local and tourist, and never had a boring moment.
It was our first certified dive in Taveuni, and the guides were great. The first day's dives were a bit more advanced than we were ready for, but we handled them well, and the second day was amazing. Yes, there was a current, but it was really cool! There were also some white-tipped sharks, who couldn't have cared LESS that we were there. The coral was very cool, and the fishies were great.
I hope you decide to go....Matei Point was our paradise. We were treated like gold, learned plenty about the culture, and many tears were shed when we left, both Fijian and Canadian!
I'm new at diving and snorkelling, but I had a great time. We had no problems with sharks OR currents when snorkelling. We also spend a day at the Marine Park, where the reef is deeper, which was also nice.
I think the people of Taveuni are the kindest, friendliest on earth. I also disagree that there isn't a lot to do. In ten days, we only spent TWO at our bure hanging out. The other days were spent diving, snorkelling, kayaking, hiking through the rainforest, visiting beautiful waterfalls, horseback riding up mountains, and we even went to church (yes, church...they say don't miss it. It was the coolest service I've ever been to). We made plenty of friends, both local and tourist, and never had a boring moment.
It was our first certified dive in Taveuni, and the guides were great. The first day's dives were a bit more advanced than we were ready for, but we handled them well, and the second day was amazing. Yes, there was a current, but it was really cool! There were also some white-tipped sharks, who couldn't have cared LESS that we were there. The coral was very cool, and the fishies were great.
I hope you decide to go....Matei Point was our paradise. We were treated like gold, learned plenty about the culture, and many tears were shed when we left, both Fijian and Canadian!
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