Volivoli vs Kadavu and where to stay Kadavu

[h20_kat]

I am planning another trip to Fiji. I have been to Taveuni before so I am looking for something different.

I am trying to decide between Volivoli and going to Kadavu for a week in the beginning of October.

I have twice tried to go diving at Volivoli but was unable to dive the first time because I ruptured my tympanic membrane a week earlier in the Philippines. The second time I was unable to get to Volivoli due to massive flooding closing the road. I'm not sure whether to give it another go (maybe I am not meant to dive there!) or try Kadavu instead. I am leaning towards Kadavu so I can see some mantas. Any comparisons of the diving between these two spots would be appreciated. Are the corals nicer in one location? What about the chances for seeing sharks?

If I decide to go to Kadavu, where do you recommend staying? The two places that seem to come up over and over on SB are Mai Dive and Matava. They both sound great but Mai Dive would be a more expensive option. They have a deal where the second person dives free but this doesn't help me as I will be going alone. There is also Dive Kadavu as another option.

Some of the questions/things I will factor into my decision:

• It seems there is no beach at Matava?
• I'd like to do some shore dives and snorkeling from shore. Any particular location better for this?
• Are any of the resorts better located for access to the dive sites? to the manta site?
• What about other options of things to do after diving in each spot? For examples, kayaking, walks, etc.
• How about the food? As a vegetarian, how well would this be catered for?

Thanks for any advice!

 

[cbm32]

The people were fantastic at Matava! Cant say enough good stuff about the staff there. The boats are great (have to point that out as I named the Below Me).

No beach at Matava... none, zero zilch, nada. I think one brave sole did some shore diving but....I dont think he bothered to do it a second time. I dont recall any kayaking or snorkeling. Matava is basically all diving and fishing. There is a village visit and a hike or two that can be done but other than the diving and fishing that is about it.

During the week I was at Matava, we were only able to get outside the reef once due to the weather and swell. That was to do the manta dive. The ride was rough, as was getting back on the boat, but we burned two tanks and saw mantas both dives. Those were really the only two special dives of the week. I am told that when the weather cooperates and you get outside the reef more it is great.

I havent dove Volivoli but I hear it is very good.

I dove four resorts on four different islands during my 9 1/2 weeks diving Fiji. By far the best diving I encountered was Naigani. So much so that I later became their rep here in the US. Try Naigani and dive with mantas and great hammerheads

 

[h20_kat]

I think Kadavu can be amazing or average depending on whether you can get outside the reef or not. It would be great to know how likely that is at the time of year that I plan to go - October.

I actually requested quotes from both Mai Dive and Matava and for what I want they are virtually the same price. Both offered discounts which was fabulous. I have heard lots of good things about Matava and Mai Dive has nothing but good reviews on Trip Advisor. I probably can't go wrong either way. I do like the idea of a beach and being able to shore dive or snorkel which puts Mai Dive slightly ahead. I understand the shore diving there is accessible at all tide levels whereas it can only be done at high tide at Matava. Perhaps that never occurred in the afternoons when you were there.

I have actually never heard of Naigani. Is Naigani Island Resort the only dive resort there? A quick read of reviews on Trip Advisor shows there could be some issues with the reliability of the dive operation. People complaining about not being able to dive due to there being no working boats, no working compressor, etc. It does seem like there has been a management change recently so maybe this has improved? I would hate to go somewhere for a dive vacation and not be able to dive! Are the hammerheads there year round or are they seasonal?

 

[OnTheSpot]

Matava Resort does not as you say have a beach but it certainly ticks some of your other boxes. They have all day free access to shore diving (critter junction) and they're very close to Manta Reef. Kayaking and walking trails are available at the resort and vegetarians are very well looked after - they have their own organic vegetable garden! It's a fantastic little resort and always scores well on trip advisor (certificate of excellence 3 years in a row).
Lots more info here

 

[h20_kat]

Thanks for the input OnTheSpot. Looks like both options are good for Kadavu. Might need to find out a bit more about Naigani as well before making a decision. It would be helpful to know if October is a good month for Kadavu or if I would be better going elsewhere.

 

[OnTheSpot]

October would be fine, you're still inside the main season (just) the waters are a little cooler and it can get a little choppy but nothing to worry about.

 

[h20_kat]

Look like water temps of around 24-26 degrees. Should I pack my drysuit?

 

[OnTheSpot]

Hehe, my philosophy is - if you need a drysuit you need to re-evaluate your chosen destination:shades:

 

[h20_kat]

I started diving in the cold in Canada so I know it can be worth it. But since moving from Canada I have less tolerance for the cold. I complain about the temps here in NZ and my hair certainly doesn't freeze during the surface intervals like it used to in Canada. But when I go on vacation I usually want warmth. I'm usually escaping from the cold at home.

 

[OnTheSpot]

Yep, pretty much same spec. Did my open water dives in a drysuit in the UK in the middle of winter, lots of dives around the UK then discovered the tropics....