Where would you go...Turks and Caicos, Fiji, or Hawaii?

[jbay31]

We are trying to determine where to go on our next dive trip. We have narrowed it down to Turks and Caicos, Fiji, or Hawaii (Big Island and possibly Kauai). Out of these three places where would you go and why? We are wanting to get the biggest bang for our buck and want to see beautiful coral reefs, big fish, and really just lots and lots of sea life.

 

[mjh]

FIJI! FIJI! FIJI! the only problem is when you go to the South Pacific it will "ruin" the Carib for you, lol. It will be the most expensive of the choices but you get what you pay for. We have done all three and Fiji is by far and away the best.

 

[Rhone Man]

Liveaboard or shore based?

If it was liveaboard, I'd probably shoot for Turks.

If it was shore based, I'd probably shoot for Fiji (although that is a long flight from O'Hare).

But you will get as many different opinions as you get replies.

 

[robint]

Fiji. That is where we are planning to go for our next trip.
Here is the reason: Awoosh Fiji

if you have a PC (not a Mac), download and watch her slideshow!
Awoosh 2024 X 768 Multimedia Slideshows

robin

 

[jbay31]

I had a feeling most people would say Fiji. We are just trying to determine if its in our budget...would like to stay between 6-7K. Did see some great rates at the Beqa Lagoon Resort...just not sure if thats the resort to stay, but liked the all inclusive.

 

[robint]

I had a feeling most people would say Fiji. We are just trying to determine if its in our budget...would like to stay between 6-7K. Did see some great rates at the Beqa Lagoon Resort...just not sure if thats the resort to stay, but liked the all inclusive.

look at packages for Wananavu resort (the one from that trip report I posted above).
You can get the packages from all the dive travel experts, like Caradonna and Island Dreams, etc. They are easily within your budget including the airfare from LAX. Beqa is more expensive.
http://www.caradonna.com/Fiji/Wananavu-Beach-Resort-7-night-DEMA-Dive-Package.aspx

robin

 

[ScubaduoAdventures]

We recommend Fiji first on the Naia Liveaboardhttp://www.naia.com.fj/ they are worth the money and you will not be dissappointed.

Second Hawaii on the big island though not as good as Fiji you can do the Manta Ray night dive which we had the pleasure to guide divers on many times and is awesome and there is so many other things to see and do there and if you combine it with Kauai during the summer months ask for a trip to dive to Ni'ihau which is some of the best diving in Hawaii, we recommend Fathom Five Divers on Kauai

 

[wader]

We just got back from the Big Island. Had a great trip. 11 dives, 7 boat, 4 shore. Flight from Boise, ID, diving, condo (one the beach, bottom floor from VRBO) food, etc came in at $3500. The manta ray dive was amazing and we did the blackwater dive as well. That being said, we really want to go Fiji ourselves, but had to settle for the cheaper vacation. Never been to the other two places. I don't know if it matters, but no passport concerns to Hawaii.

 

[Woodiver]

I’m also in the Fiji camp, been there a couple of times and there is absolutely no comparison to either diving in the Caribbean or Hawaii. Hawaii has the chance of seeing larger marine life but the corals and critters don’t even come close to the South Pacific. I haven’t been to Turks and Caicos but have been to many other places in the Caribbean and I have a good idea of the type of coral and fish life that you would see there. Fiji has beautiful soft corals and tons of life. As others of said, it will be more expensive than the Caribbean but it’s a fairly easy over night flight from LAX. From IL you are going to have 3+ hours to the west coast and another 5-6 to Hawaii unless you’re lucky enough to have a direct flight. For Fiji, you still have the 3+ hours to LAX but flight is a night flight leaving at 11 for 10 hours, you have a chance to sleep while still arriving in the early AM Fiji time.
If you’re willing to travel longer distances, Indonesia is a great value. Sure airfare is more but the other parts of the trip can be very inexpensive. Recently, we were looking at doing a 10 day dive tour on Bali, 18 dives, lodging, guides, transportation, breakfast and lunches on dive days for under $1000 per person.

 

[jake11]

There are some great deals out there right now for Wananavu Beach resort in Fiji!
Check out the World of Diving website out of California. They have a deal for Wananavu under their specials page.
I absolutely loved our stay there! Diving in the Bligh Waters was incredible! The viz was fantastic, the corals were beautiful and the fish were plentiful. It was like jumping into a giant aquarium! You will love the resort.. great food.. great people and gorgeous rooms and views! We have been to the Big Island , and while the diving was nice there is NO comparison to Fiji!! I agree with Woodiver. There are some great deals out there for Indonesia and the diving is amazing there! Have fun!