Need some Fiji advice for trip in May

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terapnstn

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Messages
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Location
Bellingham, Washington
# of dives
500 - 999
Hi there!
Four of us are heading to Fiji in May. Two of us are experienced divers, the other two are snorkelers. Normally, when my husband and I travel, we "wing it", and try to arrange diving once we arrive somewhere. Can we do this in Fiji? Can I bargain at all with the dive shops or resort places to get a good deal for several days' diving if we haven't arranged it in advance? Are we likely to show up in May and not be able to dive because the boats are all full?
Would love any advice we can get.
We are probably going to try to visit Savusavu and maybe Taveuni while there, and maybe Kadavu. I've also read the flights may fill up, is that true, too?
I just hate to book everything in advance and not have any flexibility to change our plans - which is, after all, part of travelling!
Thanks in advance for any help and advice!
Reisa
 
Hi there!
Four of us are heading to Fiji in May. Two of us are experienced divers, the other two are snorkelers. Normally, when my husband and I travel, we "wing it", and try to arrange diving once we arrive somewhere. Can we do this in Fiji? Can I bargain at all with the dive shops or resort places to get a good deal for several days' diving if we haven't arranged it in advance? Are we likely to show up in May and not be able to dive because the boats are all full?
Would love any advice we can get.
We are probably going to try to visit Savusavu and maybe Taveuni while there, and maybe Kadavu. I've also read the flights may fill up, is that true, too?
I just hate to book everything in advance and not have any flexibility to change our plans - which is, after all, part of travelling!
Thanks in advance for any help and advice!
Reisa
Hi
Lots of questions...
Simple answer is, book in advance. May is quite a busy month for most resorts. You will generally get a better price for diving as a package. Walk in's are much higher to start with and its hard for you to know what you would have got by pre booking. Now if you just want to do a couple of dives at each place, it may not make a lot of difference. Depends a lot on where you go. Smaller operators will be more likely to negotiate, but resorts where the diving is operated by an operator covering several resorts, you might not get so much flexibility as the real boss is probably not on site and may not be contactable to negotiate.
Internal flight do get full easily as the planes are not big - again it depends on where you are going from and where to. Flights out of Nadi to Savusavu, Kadavu or Taveuni should be booked well in advance as this is the main route. there are sea routes to all destinations, just not so easy to get to and mostly not from Nadi. Flights and sea ferries go from Suva, or close by so you can often find a flight by looking at Suva - Taveuni direct flights for example.
If youlook at it from the resorts point of view, they are much more likely to give you a discounted rate if you book so they can plan ahead. Some smaller places might have no divers on a given day so if you just arrive and want to dive, their boats might be away or the DM might be on a day off etc.
In summary, yes, you can wing it easily enough but you will probably spend a fair bit more especially on flights, if booked last minute.
Happy to help suggest an itinerary with flexibility but need to know your budget and preference for accommodation and activities.
Greg
 
Hey Greg,

If a person was going to do a liveaboard in Fiji, is there an optimal time for that? I've been trying to do some research when the seas are likely to be the calmest with good weather. My initial thought was perhaps late April early May. Any thoughts?

Thanks!
 
Well that's difficult. We get long periods of stable weather and short periods of windy conditions that sometimes last a week or a bit more. Fijians call the latter a "bogi walu" which means literally, 8 nights. Not predictable. The cyclone season has obvious disadvantages so from Oct - April, there is a slight increased risk of a blow out. This year that would have been 2 weeks in the season I think.
Most of the liveaboard boats do much of their diving in the Vatu-i-ra passage, Bligh Waters and Koro Sea. The SE trade winds and associated swell can make the passages between sites something other than flat calm, but rarely rough. I guess that depends on your definition of rough though. Perhaps the enduring popularity of the Naia's trips over many many years, suggests that the weather is a very small factor in most peoples decisions and their subsequent enjoyment I believe Naia has around 60% repeat business. The Sun Dancer boat, locally known as Sera-ni-Wai and the soon to be launched Siren boat out of Volivoli, are all well patronised. The Tui Tai out of Savusavu is also popular but less of a dedicated dive boat, more a 4* floating hotel and spa with to notch diving available. The latter is probably the best bet for a smoother trip as they are often out of the main SE swell. Horses for courses I think.
Contact the Naia for more direct info. Their current, and previous captain, Jonathon Smith, has been sailing and diving Fiji's waters for decades.
 
Hi Greg,
Thank you so much for the information. We have booked a flight to Savusavu and will be there for 5 days at Daku resort and doing some diving. But not sure where we want to go next, and were thinking of being spontaneous after that. Taveuni sounds wonderful, but then, so does every place! We'd probably like to go 3 places and spend 5-6 days at each. Our budget is probably 2-3 star, we'd like to stay at places that are around $175-200 FJ ($100-125 USD) per night for the 4 of us. Two of us are divers, the other two snorkelers. All 4 of us are very into nature and wildlife as well as being in the water. Would love any recommendations you have, and thanks!!!
Reisa
 
Hi Reisa, I am the US representative for Naigani Island Resort in Fiji. I think Naigani would fit your group very well and it is a great value too. PM me or email me at naiganiusa@gmail.com if you would like more information.
 
Hi
I agree with Mike (cbm32). NAigani is lovely. Maybe a little over your budget, but here's an idea.
Go from Daku by bus and ferry to Taveuni - cool trpp via Grace Ferry - book this when you are in Savusavu as impossible to get them on the phone usually. V cheap trip.
Stay with Dolphin Bay divers - which is not actually on Taveuni but they collect you from the ferry landing. You can stay there for a bargain proce - fabulous diving and lotsof other stuff to do. There are also numerous cottage rentals on Taveuni which can be a bargain. You then dive with a resort operator. Again, you can ask around in Savusavu and look on line, you will probably find a bargain - kind of, "my brother has a house you can stay in".... usually exactly that.
You just ask around at the resort and in town and see what turns up :-)
Fly to Suva from Taveuni - or go on ferry then transfer to Naigani as per cbm32. I don't think you will be disappointed.
When in Savusavu, try and get the diver operator - which will probably be Korosun, to go to Namena reserve.
Cheers
Greg
 
Another outfit worth considering is Taveuni Dive - it's a smallish company and very professional - I booked once I arrived (last October) and had no problem getting booked. They take divers and snorkelers. Usually 6 per boat. I did 14 dives over 7 days. The website has a lot of info - taveunidive.com - and definitely take an underwater camera! They service some of the resorts around the island and because they're not an in-house (I mean in-resort) operation, they have the reputation for being better value. I found this to be true.
 
If you are in Savu-Savu do NOT miss Namena. Repeat do NOT miss Namena. Best place around there and one of the best ever. May be a pricey trip but worth it. The snorkeling there would also be magical.
 
Thank you so much everyone! I've already been in touch with Dolphin Bay resort - we aren't booking it in advance because we want some flexibility, but they were wonderful about prompt communication and answered all my questions. Will definitely try to go to Namena while staying at Daku. Naigani sounds lovely, and will check into Taveuni Dive as well. Thanks again for all your help - the trip is coming together.
 

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