Air New Zealand Air Points - Fiji

I am booking a SQ/NZ Circle Pacific ticket and was thinking of stoping in Fiji on my way back. Can any one recommend a moderately priced hotel and a good dive operator. (As well as good dive sites...)

Thanks


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DL Gold, NW Plat, SQ PPS

From what I've heard, Taveuni is the island most renowned for diving, however to get there you need to take an internal flight I think. Not sure what accommodation options there are there besides an ultra-luxury resort which is clearly not what you are looking for.

I would avoid the Coral Coast (midway between Suva and Nadi) which is where many of Fiji's modestly priced hotels are, as the beaches and diving didn't appear good there. I did go to a lovely and moderately priced resort called Naigani Island resort, which is northeast of Suva and accessible by launch from Natovi Landing. Although I didn't do any scuba diving there the snorkelling was right up with the best I've seen (compared to Red Sea, Zanzibar, Cook Islands etc) so one assumes the diving would be good.

Hi jgoldman

I second mad_atta's comment on the coral coast, neither the beaches nor the diving are all that good. I'd say the best places to find mid-priced accommodation with great diving would be Taveuni, Nananu-I-Ra, or the cheaper places in the Yasawas and Mamanucas. Any accommodation in these areas will offer great diving, so see what kind of rates you can get. But here are some of my recommendations http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Taveuni: The Garden Island Resort offers good dive/accommodation packages, and the dive operation is very good. This is where I got my certification (although I didn't stay in the hotel as I actually live on Taveuni half the year and my house is just ten minutes away http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif). Alternatively, you can get good budget accommodation around Matei (The Coconut Grove is nice) but it's a longer ride to the dive sites. Taveuni is a beautiful island, but because it's volcanic there aren't many nice beaches so I only recommend it if diving is your top priority (it has some of the best diving in Fiji). You can get there either by small plane (one and a half hours from Nadi, there are about 4 flights a day and tickets are about US$180 return) or ferry (3x per week from Suva, takes about 24 - 36 hours, first class return tickets are around US$80 and it can be quite an adventure, nice way to see local culture).

Yasawas: beautiful islands off the north west coast of Viti Levu, this is definately the place to go if you're looking for secluded tropical islands with beautiful white sandy beaches along with good diving. The cheaper options are Oarsman's bay lodge and Albert's place (and a couple of others that I can't remember) and both are nice. Accommodation in the Yasawas starts at US$20 per night including all meals and goes up to the thousands so you should be able to find something matching your budget. You can get to the islands either by boats that run daily and take a few hours, or seaplane, which to some of the budget resorts is now only about US$45 each way.

Mamanucas: almost as beautiful as the Yasawas, the accommodation here is a little more expensive but the resorts are very nice. Matamanoa Island Resort has accommodation from US$135 per night, Musket Cove from about US$100, Plantation Island Resort from about US$90, all have great diving. Transfers are by boat or light plane if the resort has a landing strip. They can be arranged by the hotel and cost around US$40 each way.

Nananu-I-Ra: nice island off the beaten track, just off the northern coast of Viti Levu and has good diving. Mokusigas Island Resort is the nicest place on the island, rooms start at about US$100. There are a couple of cheaper places there too, I remember renting a cottage there with some friends for about US$40 in 1998 and the price should be about the same now. There is only one dive operation on the island that caters to all the hotels so the diving is the same no matter where you stay. Getting there from Nadi is either by bus (US$3) or taxi (US$40) to Ellington Wharf near Rakiraki and then the hotels will pick you up by boat for the 15 minute trip to the island.

Overall any of these places will be good, and the diving will certainly be excellent. If you've got any questions on any of the places feel free to post them (Fiji's my favorite subject, even more than flying http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif).

Cheers, Zac

Zac, Mad_atta, Thanks for the info. I just made tentative reservations into Nadi for a 4 day stay. (Not a bad way to end a business trip...) Now its time to do my research and pick my dive spots!



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DL Gold, NW Plat, SQ PPS