Fiji-Raki Raki & Beqa Lagoon info?

[picxie]

Okay, got back yesturday. *Sigh* Was lovely and warm. Well, actually, it was HOT! Very very hot. Water temp was 27C (81F I think), day and night. Lovely. Wore a long 3mm all week and made a great change from the full FJ 7mm I usually wear! Most people wore a 3mm shortie but I get cold easily and found the long suit perfect.

Stayed at Wananavu Beach Resort. Cannot say enough nice things about this place. The bures were great, the staff were fantastic, meals and drinks just devine (I ate so much I'm a bit worried about getting into my normal clothes now!!). This is just a fantastic place for a holiday and they offer many activities for non-divers. We spent a couple of days doing non-diving tours and really enjoyed them.

You can dive with one of two dive operations, and will get picked up from the resort each morning. We dived with Ra Divers, the other is Kai Viti Divers. From the looks of things, Kai Viti market more towards the Americans, and Ra Divers was always full of NZ'ers and Aussies. Kai Viti boat was bigger and had a platform to drop off. Ra Divers was a smaller boat and you did a back roll into the water. No issue for me, some divers might prefer more comfort. The trip out is about 20min, to a huge variety of dive spots. There is a wreck but I wouldn't recommend it. Hardly any fish life and it was a bit of a boring dive. The dive spots are great for micro life and corals. Saw a couple of reef sharks but other than that there are very few large fish. Vis was only okay - I was a bit disappointed as I was expecting it to be great. 10-20 metres, it got better as the week went along but I'm sure that was just coincidence. Best vis is August/September we were told.

Some very good diving, it depends what you are after and what you are used to. This spot is definately one to go to if you are wanting to see corals and tropical fishlife.

Not sure about Kai Viti Divers, but Ra Divers will pick you up anytime between 8 and 9am, then get you back between 1 and 2 pm after having two dives. Plenty of time for lunch at the resort which finishes at 2.30. We did two night dives and got picked up at 5.30, had to wait a bit for it to get dark at about 6.30, then was back at the resort around 8/8.30pm. Again, plenty of time for dinner when last seating is 9.30pm. Oh - plenty of time for breakfast too which starts at 7.30am. The dives are all guided, they didn't really let anyone go off on their own. This was fine, meant we could relax and enjoy. Groups were 4-6 people generally.

Hmm, what else. Depths - deepest I got to was 30m. Most were 18 - 25m so not very deep and good for all levels. All the good stuff is generally up around the 10m mark anyway.

Gear - we bought all but weights and tanks. I ended up hiring one of their wetsuits as mine was just going to be too thick. They do hire gear and many people on the boats hired, it all looked in good condition. Not sure on prices.

That's all I can really think to report on ... let me know if you have any queries though and I hope that has helped!!

[Reg]

I'm heading there in March 08 for 7 Days. We are staying around Pacific Harbour, and after seeing discussion on the forum wouldn't mind squeezing in a Dive at one of the Raki Raki location.

BTW Thanks for the tip ..dump the 5mm and hire a shorty

[Travelnsj]

Originally Posted by picxie

Hey Travelnsj

You're in luck ... I'm off to Raki Raki (staying at Wananavu Beach Resort) in a little over 2 weeks

I will be able to give you a report when I get back! I had hoped to go down to Beqa Lagoon to do the shark dive too, but it's a bit far away.

Sorry missed your report until now...was in Wakotobi.....Did you see any Mantas....I'm surprised you did not see much big stuff....My travel agent raved about it but she was there in Feb......starting to get a little more interested in booking a trip next year.

[picxie]

Originally Posted by Travelnsj

Sorry missed your report until now...was in Wakotobi.....Did you see any Mantas....I'm surprised you did not see much big stuff....My travel agent raved about it but she was there in Feb......starting to get a little more interested in booking a trip next year.

Sorry, not been on the forum for a while as have been very busy with various things.

No, didn't see any Manta's, but I heard of people who did while we were there. Just didn't see any ourselves.

[azdiver]

first time i went to fiji was in march in the mid-90's just as the coup was coming to an end... stayed at pacific harbor and dove bequa with aquatrek... great service, great people, great dives.... warm water but cloudy skies.

last time is was there in the summer and went to taveuni. stayed at garden isle and dove the straits with aquatrek... warm water, sunny skies, AWESOME diving, lots of the big guys, lots of the little critters, great people, great service.

I love doing business with auqatrek and can't give them enough props for always going out of their way to give great service and make sure everyone has a good time.... safety always a pirority with them!

[Travelnsj]

I'm probably going in March 09....I will do Beqa and Raki Raki....that is a land/day transfer from from either location. Have not heard anything that knocks my socks off about Raki Raki yet....I may just go to Palau instead....decisions...decisions

[azdiver]

If you go to Palau you have to do at least a 3 dive day stopover at yap so you can watch the manta highway aka mill channel :-)

[Travelnsj]

I've been to Palau 8 times and Yap 2 times.....Yap diving to me was a waste of time I would strongly suggest to anyone spend your time in Palau.... I've seen more Mantas at Devilfish City in Palau and even Kona than I have seen in Yap.....LOL....But the Island is nice.

[azdiver]

Originally Posted by Travelnsj

I've been to Palau 8 times and Yap 2 times.....Yap diving to me was a waste of time I would strongly suggest to anyone spend your time in Palau.... I've seen more Mantas at Devilfish City in Palau and even Kona than I have seen in Yap.....LOL....But the Island is nice.

Things sure must have changed there over the last 15+ years!! When I dove Mill Channel in Yap we hung on the side and counted more than 30 of those beautiful mantas zoom down the highway. We did another dive with several chutes and caverns filled with lionfish everywhere... it was the first time I saw them... now I seem to find them everywhere included the caribbean!

[Travelnsj]

I have heard people sighting many Mantas in Yap...But I think that is an exception. Plus the diving I found...just OK. I think I saw maybe 5 at one time. This last August in Kona I saw 10 on a night dive. The most I have seen in Palau at any given time is about 3 or 4. Kiribati (Christmas Island) I saw them everywhere especially on the surface.