Snorkelling Fiji

[acefreemok]

I'm looking at going to Fiji in the near future and the main activity I'll be looking to do is snorkeling, although I'll probably do some guided scuba (don't have a PADI certificate).

As I have a family, I'll be staying at a kid friendly resort.

Has anyone have any suggestions on a resort to stay at.
Basically I want something with good snorkeling at my door step and possibly situated where I can easily access other sites as well.

Any suggestions/comments would be appreciated.

 

[RalphinOrmond]

It was a long time ago, back in the 80's, that I went for a diving vacation in Fiji. Thanks for reminding me of it. I stayed in Taveuni which I understand has enjoyed, or suffered depending upon one's view of things, a lot of tourist development since I was there. No doubt there is presently a resort on Taveuni that would delight your family. Anyway, to the point. Although diving is the main focus ("The Great White Wall"), there is also plenty of shore-accessible coral and fishes for snorkeling. But I remember that everywhere we went diving (by boat) there was superb snorkeling as well. I thought then, and since then, that my lunch time snorkels were every bit as beautiful as the dives that came before and after. If you do chose to go to Taveuni, surely you could at least once arrange for a small boat to take your family to some nearby islet or shallow spot for what is unquestionably among the very best snorkeling in the world. If you do go to the island, there is an easy hike up the highest hill. On that "mountain" grows what was said to be the rarest orchid in the world. I hoped to see one. The young fellows who operated the radio station on top came out of their enclosure to greet me. When they heard of my quest they did find an orchid in bloom and got it for me (it was a ways up a tree!). This might give some hint of how friendly and kind I found the people of Fiji to be. Have a great time!!!

 

[Fiji Dive Guy]

There are a few places that I'd recommend, but you may want to consider the Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort out of Savusavu or Matamanoa in the Mamanuca group of islands off of Nadi. Matamanoa has some great snorkeling right off the beach. You didn’t mention how old your kids are, but Cousteau has a Bula Club that offers daily activities for kids as well as individual Nanny services (included in their rates). They also have a dedicated snorkeling boat and a resident marine biologist that leads trips. The snorkeling just off the beach is pretty good too, but the boat will take you to some great areas.

 

[danvolker]

I'm looking at going to Fiji in the near future and the main activity I'll be looking to do is snorkeling, although I'll probably do some guided scuba (don't have a PADI certificate).

As I have a family, I'll be staying at a kid friendly resort.

Has anyone have any suggestions on a resort to stay at.
Basically I want something with good snorkeling at my door step and possibly situated where I can easily access other sites as well.

Any suggestions/comments would be appreciated.

I did a dive trip at the Beqa Lagoon Resort in Fiji 2 or 3 years ago....The resort should be nice for kids, though I don't think they have special kid programs or directed activities...what they have for snorkeling is an amazing reef you can swim to just off the beach--about 100 feet out...and on 85% of the scuba trips we went out on via the dive boat, the depths were good for freediving. As I enjoy both scuba and freediving, I was compelled to freedive alot of the time....the typical dive sites are pinnacles that are about 100 feet in diameter ( roundish) and come up from 80 feet of water up to perhaps 5 feet from the surface--a freediver is in heaven in such an environment. You can snorkel the tops on the surface, or do drops down the sides, to any depth you want--always staring at fantastic corals, anemonies, and the most colorful fish you will ever see.

Let me know if you want to hear more.
Regards,
Dan V