anyone been to FIJI?

[Dive Diva]

HI, we're planning a big dive trip for April or May and we are seriously looking at Fiji, anyone have first hand experience diving there? We love walls, reef, intermediate diving, lots of life but also want some big animals some days and some diversity, most of all....we're guerilla divers, sleep eat and dive with the local economy. Love to hear ideas if Cairns or BonAire is better? We are doing Cozumel again in Nove and Feb (love Planacar, and Columbia) also Belize ( hurricane ) . Second, need opinions on computers. Yes, it's true, been diving w/o a computer. Yes, I am that stupid. Hope someone out there in descending, I'm dirt bound in the mountains and about to stick head in the sink with my reg on just for a fix. Glad to meet you!
Dive Diva and hubby EagleRay J.

[boarder06]

I spent time on Wayalailai in the Yasawas (actually got officially certified there 10 years ago) and on Kadavu at Waisalima in 2002. Both have been great and really low key. The little "resort" on Wayalailai is run by the local villagers and it is fairly easy to visit the village and get in touch with the locals. Waisalima is pretty remote (flight from Suva and one hour boar ride around the Island). Both offer only 2 dives/day in the morning (Me: "How many dives do you do? 3 or 4? DM: Haha you are funny!"). There are plenty of other things to do and once you adjust to Fiji Time it will be fine. I would contact the operators directly. That usually keeps prices down and the money in their pockets.

You are probably aware that there has been a coup in Fiji recently and once again they declared martial law a few days ago. That wouldn't stop me from going. After all, the coup was postponed for a rugby match and politics seem pretty remote on the outer islands. However, you should keep an eye on things. I am going in Nov/Dec for four weeks. Hoping to hit Ovalu, Taveuni, Vanua Levu this time.

[bversteegh]

Fiji is very nice diving, you will enjoy it. Also nice that it is a direct flight from LA - so not nearly the PITA to get to that Micronesia, Malaysia, or Indonesia can be.

If you want 4/5 dives per day, do a liveaboard. Naia is a nice, although a little pricey.

If you want more than 2 dives/day, check with the resort in advance. Lot's of operators have a vote the day before - so you need to lobby the others on your boat to get in a 3rd dive.

As far as computers go - get one that will do both air & nitrox, not really any more expensive now. Also, water activated - I had an older US Divers computer that required you to push a button before you submerged - if you forgot, you had to surface to turn it on; very annoying. I like one that beeps a warning as you approach deco - as a photographer, I need something to grab my attention if I am being a little too careless.

[Foo2]

I've never been to Figi, but I wanted to welcome you to ST!

[Dive Diva]

Hey Board and Bve, thanks for the good advice, i forgot about the politics but that won't stop me, i wondered why the airfares were so good. amazing how that happens when governments are being overthrown. LOL. love to travel to war zones. cheap and exciting. I am a pacifist, or pacifier, or ok, I'm a diving liberal. I will book locally, thanks for the tip. 2 dives a day, if you can hear me whining, OMG come on....... gotta do at least 3. I don't know about the live aboard thing. I like fish, not people, and less than 12 people in that small an area gives me the creeps. I see people all day. Love ya, but nothing but bubble, okay.
Great stuff on computers. hope I am not offending anyone. Divers are unique, my hubby is the shutter bug, he runs out of air a lot, so he'll appreciate your advice. good thing I look at the gauge once in awhile. Life is good. Diving is better. Gotta go treat patients.

[vimalp]

We just came back from Fiji and it was a wonderful vacation.
We stayed and dived with Beqa Lagoon Resort. It is a 4* resort with excellent dive shop. The diving in Beqa Lagoon is very good. There are a lot of sites of different kinds. Mostly the diving is around 'bommies'. The soft corals that we saw were very healthy and the critters were just awesome.

Also, you will be able to do Shark Dive (a must) in Beqa Lagoon. This is the only place in Fiji that offers Shark dive (AFAIK).

Fiji is a wonderful place. People are very friendly and the diving is very good.
You will enjoy it.

Vimal.

[Zyxistal]

My parents actually live in Fiji about 6 months out of the year starting up schools. Went snorkeling there on my last trip with them but thats it. If nothing else I can get in touch with them and see if they might be able to point you in the right direction. Or at least get you in touch with someone locally who could help out.