Savusavu or Taveuni or other - Where to base ourselves

[dh]

Heading to Fiji in early 2011 and wondering where to spend the last 6 days of our trip.

Thinking of basing ourselves either around Savusavu or on Taveuni.

We're hoping to dive, hike and explore. Not really into big all inclusive resorts.

Any comments on these areas or others welcome.

Thanks

 

[OnTheSpot]

Hi dh,

Not sure where you will be beforehand or what underwater life you are looking for...but AS Tui Tai seems to be right up your street.

She offers hard or soft adventure on her all-inclusive five night trips out of either Taveuni or Savusavu. During the adventure you will kayak, hike through rainforests and waterfalls, go mountain biking, snorkel vibrant coral reefs, dive a number of world-class sites, and visit some Fijian villages!

 

[Eau_Girl]

Hi dh,

Here's the link for my trip report on my stay in Savusavu last November.

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/pa...fiji-savusavu-trip-report-october-2009-a.html

I had considered Taveuni as well, but availabity and flights didn't work out as well for me. I enjoyed my time at Daku and diving with Cousteau.

 

[dh]

Hey OnThe Spot,
Thanks for the quick reply.

Funny enough we will be on Tui Tai for the first part of our trip in Fiji.

That's great you recommend it.

We actually did a Thailand liveaboard through your company a few years a go and had a great time... MV Philkade

I didn't realize you booked Tui Tai also.

We'll keep you in mind for next years trip.

Cheers,
dh

 

[fiji_diver]

Hi
Taveuni is far better for the hiking / exploring aspect but short on amenities, restaurants or shops, but fabulous diving.
You will have seen some of the best diving with Tui Tai by the time you get there though. However I don't think they usually go to Namena which is one of Fiji's best being the longest established, and largest marine reserve in Fiji.
Savusavu is a lovely little town with a marina. The Copra Shed, frequented by numerous yachties alongside locals bars and eateries.
The dive operators in Savusavu are based at Cousteau Resort and Koro Sun. Both very nice places to stay although Koro Sun doesn't have much of a beach.
They both go to Namena regularly and also to the renowned White Wall and Rainbow reef as well as their more local sites.
The Taveuni resorts rarely go to Namena but are closer to the other sites....
So....
Well they are both great places to stay and dive, but I would probably vote for Taveuni.
Have a look at Garden Island Resort
Cheers
Greg

 

[OnTheSpot]

Hi dh,

You have made an excellent choice with AS Tui Tai - she was voted one of the worlds sexiest cruises

Agree with fiji diver about the better diving off Taveuni - Garden Island Resort is a great choice.

I bet you loved your trip on Philkade - pity she has been sold and does not do charters anymore.

 

[JMorben]

Check out Moody's Namena. It is a small resort with only 6 bures. You would probably be the only ones on the dive boat. Another suggestions that we are going to over Christmas is Nakia Resort on Taveuni. Check out the reviews on tripadvisor. Another suggestion in a different area is Koromakawa (Kadavu, Ono Island). We were there last Christmas. The resort is only one guest house so you would be the only ones staying there with good diving and great service.

 

[dh]

Thanks for all of the tips guys.

I think we are going to go for taveuni for the last part of our trip.

If anyone has any tips on getting to Taveuni from Savusavu would be great.

I have been advised to go via the small ferry out of Buca bay which is a 2.5 hr taxi ride from Savusavu but can't find much on a schedule or how long this ferry takes.

Again any info is much appreciated.

Cheers

 

[fiji_diver]

Hi
3 ways.
1. the bus / ferry as you describe - the ferry is a short hop < 1 hour. Not a very big boat though :cool2: Bus ride takes about 2 hours or so. Not very comfy I should warn you.
Operated by Grace Shipping. I am not sure of their current schedule but they used to depart daily in he morning. Cost about FJ$25

2. Use the Suilven ferry operated by Bligh Water Shipping. This departs Savusavu at 6am on Thurs, Sat and Tuesday every week. Cost about FJ$60
Bligh Water Shipping
and takes 4 1/2 hours. It is a big boat and usually very reliable in terms of schedule.

3. Fly. Not really an option as you have to go via either Suva or Nadi and the timetables make it hard to do on the same day. See Fiji Flights, Fiji Domestic Airline, South Pacific Holidays ? Pacific Sun
It is also very expensive and not always reliable.

I vote for the Suilven ferry. You can buy your tickets in Savusavu the day before.

Trivia - the Suilvan was originally a Caladonian MacBrayne ferry in the Scottish Hebridean islands.

Have a fun trip.

 

[silvertip]

I second taking the Sulivan. Try not to go on the SOFI, it's a piece of crap!

Moody's would be good if $$ not a concern. It's pretty pricey, but the diving is killer, arguably the best in Fiji.

If you want "off the beaten track" , cheap accomodation and reasonably close access to Namena (weather dependant) you could stay on Koro Island. ~30-45 mins to Namena if it's calm. Great hiking! However, what you will save on accomodation you may have to spend to charter the resort boat to go to Namena. Talk to the local residents who dive as the more people that go the cheaper it is.

Do a search for Koro Beach Resort.

Cheers,
Roman