Recommended sites near Taveuni (Fiji)?

[Paco II]

Heading off to Fiji next month (last two weeks of October) and staying near Taveuni. Wondering if there are any dive sites that just can't be missed. Also, would love to know what kind of water conditions and temperatures I can expect. Thanks!

 

[bkman211]

We stayed near the airport on Taveuni at the Maravu Plantation. We dove the Rainbow Reef and in my opinion (as well as everyone else on the boat that day) the Great Wall, also call the White Wall, was the best of the best. Everywhere else we went on the Rainbow Reef incredible.

 

[Paco II]

It's now down to a only 1.5 weeks away. Very excited! 10 days for glorious Fiji diving

 

[bkman211]

If you would like to see some photos of our trip you can check them out here:

Picasa Web Albums - Brian & April Kel... - 06_07 Fiji

Have Fun!

 

[nereas]

Great White Wall is the best, around Tavenuni. The soft corals there are snowy white along the side of a deep, clear drop-off about 250 ft.

The D/Ms use reef hooks at many of the other sites, so if you can, bring your own. At the white wall you will not need it however. At many of the other sites you would.

Bring a good light with you and a backup for the night diving. This is when the scorpion fishes come out at Fiji. If your batteries are rechargeable, you can get universal adapter packs at any travel-luggage store before you leave.

Currents are strong here due to the configuration of the islands. You should at least have a surface marker buoy with you, and you will probably use it at least once.

Right now is springtime in the South Pacific, so the waters will just be beginning to warm up. You will probably need a 3mm wetsuit, but no hood. Gloves are normally not allowed by the boat crews.

Sometimes hoods can be nice, however, for a little added warmth. Drysuit style hoods fit better than wetsuit hoods, the latter having extra material at the neck for stuffing into your wetsuit, which you really do not need for the warmer waters. I always bring a drysuit hood with me, and decide after the first couple of dives whether to wear it.

Overall, I believe Fiji has the clearest waters that I have ever seen, mostly due to the strong currents cleaning everything out nicely. This also feeds the soft corals and the many reef butterfly fishes and angel fishes. But the reefs tend to be smaller and so the dive boats tend to moor rather than drift dive. Therefore you need to work harder underwater to see a given location.

Bug repellant lotion for the return flight is something that you would never think of. However at the main airport at Suva, lots of mosquitos board the plane with everyone else on the tarmac. The terminal is not enclosed. You will want to put bug repellant on your ankles and legs before you board. The security will make you toss the bottle (it might contrain nitro glycerine after all, and your cell-phone could contain a detonator). So better to apply the lotion before you check in at the airport.

 

[Diver Dave1]

Dove the Rainbow reef and great white wall and loved every dive. The current was strong above the reef. The dive guides selected the dive spots based on tide and current. They seemed to know them well. We used Swiss Divers on Taveuni and liked them. Others may be good as well, did not use them. If on Tav. for a time, visit the pizza place on the cliff near Maravu for really fresh food and great pizza. Its a great view, great food and great scenery. There is also a great waterfall trip on Tav, about 45 min from Maravu and Matei point area.

I was in a 3mm full, 2 mil vest and a beanie style hood. All felt comfy. We were there in July, 2006 so the water was low temp then.

The safety stops were fun, in my opinion. Since the current was ripping on top of the wall (but not below it when doing most of the dive), the DM tied off on the wall and we hung onto the rope for the time. It was like being a flag waving in the wind. Actually got many of the best photos on the safety stop with all the little fish running around. The sun was out, the water clear and the fish friendly. Then when the timer ends, we disconnect from the reef and fly away for a boat pickup. I recommend being right next to the hook into the reef. THen you are close to the reef for pics of the fish, coral, etc. But then, you have to do the unhooking.

When there, there was a large octo. in mid day that sat on top of a small coral head and let me take photos forever. He changed color from time to time. He did not seem to mind be being close for close up photos but I also made a point of no touching. Hope he is there for you!

Since the locals fish those waters, there was little in the way of large fish of any kind. Did not slow down the fun for me at all. Just thought you might want to know.

It was a great trip and would do it over in a minute. HAVE FUN!