Taveuni Island Resort and Swiss Fiji Divers

[Shasta_man]

No, it's Bula! With enthusiasm!

And Fiji time. Fiji time is relaxed time and Fiji style is a simple way of doing things. Vinaka is thank you and Vinaka Vakalevu is thank you very much.

That's really great for you. My wife loved water but it took warm water to love diving. After years of admiring it, we were certified especially for the Fiji trip. Now we're planning a trip to Palau early next year.

This is late but we found what we felt was the most awesome way to see Fiji or any islands actually. We chartered a sailboat for a week. The whole boat to ourselves with Captain and chef. After Taveuni we went to the Mamanucca Islands. Easy seas and no problems. Cruising to any destination and snorkeling in the beautiful water. Met by the chef after diving with an awesome meal. We met resort dive operations for our diving. In Palau, we're hooking up with a sailboat with compressor on board to dive right off the boat. Any time. Consider this for your next trip.

Sam is the divemaster at Swiss Fiji and he's a great guy. Snorkel off the beach at the surface interval because they have great coral heads and lots to see. There is a lionfish at ~40 feet in a coral head right off the beach. Sam pointed us to it.

I suggest a full 5mm suit for Taveuni. Rental gear is always shorties and that isn't enough after a while in the water. Water temps were ~73 degrees.

Enjoy your trip and we'll be thinking of you.

Shasta-man,

Bula (Practicing already). THanks for the info. We are counting the days - 18 to wedding - 20 to Fiji (21 if you count losing a day).

Luckily for me, the fiance is why I'm into diving. Always wanted to but hadn't taken the time until she said she had always wanted to get certified also. So off we went - now 1 year and several thousand dollars poorer we continue to talk about the 'next' dive trip. Side note - I actually proposed underwater in Cozumel, :07: only time I ever came back with more air.

Thanks again for the info. When I get back I'll post a full report along with the pics (more money for UW gear).

 

[filamastiff]

My husband and I visited "Dive Taveuni" in 1997. I received my referral OW cert during our visit. The owners Ric and Do were away so we never got to meet them. But the resort was left in very capable hands.

Memories of Dive Tavueni in 1997.

The resort staff and dive crew, all Fijian except the instructor were amazing. Very polite and professional.

Upon flying into Tavueni's very small dirt airfield you were quickly met by a resort staff member who all by "herself" loaded all of our luggage and dive bags in the resort van. After a very short drive up a dirt road you were at the resort. Staff unloaded the luggage and walked us to our Bure. She asked that we leave our BC/Reg/Wet Suit outside the door so that the dive crew could store it until morning and have it waiting assembled on the boat before we boarded. Well we did so with hesitation. No sooner than we closed the door to our Bure our Dive Gear was gone.

But our attention was immediately caputured by our Bure. Never before have we stayed in such a beautiful exotic room. Louvered windows on several walls, a very clean seperate room with a sink and toilet, and then the most amazing feature, the outside stone wall inclosed shower. Ladies this is a treat let me tell you! Bare butt naked outside surrounded by a stone privacy wall with a second door leading to your very own outside patio. And the view is simply breath taking.

The tropical grounds were lush and green. I remember seeing staff members walking by picking up flowers that had fallen or anything that was out of place. They even swept the grass!

When it came to the food it was outstanding. We missed breakfast most mornings because we were to darn tired to get out of bed. Lunches were service on the dive boat. Dinners were delicious! And its presentation 5 Stars. All the guests sat in an open aired room round table styled if memory serves me correctly. You had an chance to meet people, discuss the days dives and say goodbye to those that were leaving the next morning.

On the boat you dare not lift a finger. You sat down on the dive platform and your BC/Tank was brought to you and slipped on. When you exited the water your BC was slipped off and quickly re assembled. All you need do was find a place to lay down and enjoy the view or eat lunch provided between dives. The crew would find a cove to anchor in during lunch break and you were welcome to snorkel till it was time to relocated. We were never out of the water. It was just to beautiful!

During our dive we were guided through the most awesome pallet of colors ever assembled on earth. Between the endless fields of soft corals and the thousands of sorbet colored Anthias holding just above the bommies in currents that would wisk you away if they could. And fiesty Clown fish that would challenge anything that came close to its Anemones. My gloved finger got nipped enough that I learned to spot the Carpet Anemones several feet away.

One dive in a more sandy area I was introduced to the resident Trigger fish. This fish was bigger than my fins and didn't want any part of me looking around his area. My instructor notice his interest in me and kept him at bay while I wander around overwhelmed by EVERYTHING. One of the only creatures your warned to avoid is the Crown of Thorns. And they were everywhere. They can deliver one of the worst pains you'll ever experience and it last for over a week. One of the staff crewmembers showed me his hands after being stuck by one a week earlier. Nasty, nasty nasty!

When your done diving for the after noon your on your own to enjoy the sights of the Island. Go the the Falls. Swim in the COLD water and enjoy one of the place the Blue Lagoon was filmed. Take a drive to the International Date marker for a photo open. The only place on earth where you can stand in one place on 2 different days.

Go shopping at the local stores. You'll want to get some Coconut soap or crafts made out of local exotic woods. It was 2 Fiji dollars to 1 US.

If your lucky like my husband and I were, you'll be invited to a celebration. Fiji people like to celebrate. The drink of choice is Kava. Tastes similar to drinking dirt but after 2 cups (1 cup shared by everyone continually passed around in circles preceeded and followed by traditional clapping and chant, if memory serves me correctly) you won't taste it anymore. Your tongue goes numb, shortly followed by your brain. Very relaxing.

Things have changed since I last visited. Dive Tavueni is now Tavueni Island Resort. They don't appear to have their own dive staff or boat anymore but rather use an indepentant called Swiss Fiji Divers.

Dive Tavueni was up for sales after I visited so this could be the change that occured. If it is anything at all like I remembered or experienced you'll be in for the diving/vacation of a life time.

Hope you have a great time. Wish I could go with you!

P.s. The free wandering guard dobies were a nice touch.

 

[wadeNC]

We did a honeymoon there, but weren't yet certified 5 years ago! *spanks himself*

We did spend hour upon hour underwater though. Its a great place, and there is plenty to do if you enjoy nature... waterfalls, highland lake, jungle walking, etc. Just takes a bit of getting to see them.

Wade

 

[ltlmi]

Taveuni has great diving. I went with Swiss divers and would not go back there again. Check out Tyrone. He is the premier dive master/instructor on the island and recently opened his own shop. Lots of personal attention, very safe diving and a personable guy. I know you can find him on the travelmaxia.com website.

 

[slee416]

My best friend, dive buddy and soon-to-be wife (all the same person) ......

What more could you ask for? Except for what you already mentioned....more U/W camera gear to immortalize the trip! :rock_band

I'm eagerly awaiting my WA and Macro attachment lenses for our trip to Bali this September. We were gonna do Fiji but the flights to Bali worked out better. Big difference in prices too, for the diving at least. But I'll miss out on the Kava and the local Fijans. Never been and already I like them.

 

[Shasta_man]

Care to elaborate on what you didn't like about Swiss? So we could evaluate whether it would affect us?

Taveuni has great diving. I went with Swiss divers and would not go back there again. Check out Tyrone. He is the premier dive master/instructor on the island and recently opened his own shop. Lots of personal attention, very safe diving and a personable guy. I know you can find him on the travelmaxia.com website.

 

[dolphin adventures]

Hi Randy:

I just took a quick tour through Taveuni Island Resort in June. They were closed for remodeling but the owner was kind enough to show us the new changes as we had stayed a couple of times before. The new rooms are really beautiful and the remodeled rooms are even better than before. You will really enjoy your stay there. We dove with Swiss Divers in the past and they are an excellent operation. They are located on the beach just a short ways from Taveuni Island Resort. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to email me: dolphinadventures2004@yahoo.com. Mary Jane

My best friend, dive buddy and soon-to-be wife (all the same person) will be honeymooning in Fiji (August 16 - 24) and staying at Taveuni Island Resort. Since Swiss Fiji divers seems to have a lock on the resort dive activities I was hoping I could get some feedback on the resort and dive operations.

We are both looking forward to the trip and I keep buying more U/W camera gear to immortalize the trip.

Any info, good or bad is appreciated.

Randy