Fiji
Why
The Fiji Islands are located in the Pacific Ocean near the Equator. The country consists
of 322 islands, of which only about a third of them are populated, and an additional 522
islets. The islands are covered in tropical forests and their height reaches up to 1300
meters above sea level. Among the islands is an incredible chain of reefs, considered to
be the third largest in the world. This staggering chain of reefs has a rich habitat and is
one of the most beautiful and colorful in the world, known as one of the worlds most
sought after and exciting diving destinations.
If you are planning to visit Fiji, it is recommended to plan a longer vacation and
enjoy the islands themselves. Residents of Fiji are very friendly and communicating
with them is easy and pleasant and can sometimes lead to exciting visits to the local
villages and unforgettable experiences.
When
A vacation in Fiji is possible and comfortable all year round due to the tropical climate,
and open seas and relative proximity to the equator.
The dry season is between May to October. These months are less hot, and humidity is
lower with less rainfall is expected. Average temperatures are about 25C degrees.
The rainy season is between November and April and there is a risk of cyclones that
are not dangerous due to the distance from the continent.
How
Arriving on relatively comfortable flights is possible via Seoul in Korea,
Australia or New Zealand.
There are two main ways to visit Fiji, either a vacation in a resort or a liveaboard.
It is of course possible to combine the both and enjoy the best of both worlds.
Those who prefer nature and active recreation should opt for a luxurious liveaboard
and diving holiday while those seeking a romantic vacation with golden beaches,
sunbathing and relaxation should opt for a resort.
Diving Cruises: The optimal and most professional way to visit diving and
snorkeling sites in the region with comfortable and luxurious liveaboards that
sail among these magical islands. Guests can complete several dives a day and
between dives can enjoy luxurious meals, cozy and air-conditioned rooms and
spacious, well-equipped decks for comfort and quality time between dives.
כללי על היעד
אופי הצלילות
מה רואים
Dive Sites in the Namena Marine Reserve
This nature reserve includes the entire reef that surrounds Namena Island located
between Fiji’s two main islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. Since the 90’s fishing
is prohibited in the reserve and the reef here is rich, healthy and colorful. Turtles,
different types of whales and dolphins migrate here and in the area you can see
more than 400 species of corals and thousands of species of fish.
North Save a Tack Passage
This huge site attracted Jacques Costo to Fiji. This is a spectacular dive in which
we will dive next to a 30m sloping wall. The wall structure is interesting and
includes stone arches and crevices. Above the wall there is a plateau dense in
schools of hundreds of large fish, among them mackerel, barracuda, reef sharks
and more that swim among the abundant soft coral rocks. At the end of the dive
in the shallow part of the plateau along a sandy channel and eel garden, there are
two large boulders connected by a spectacular, huge stone arch, covered in a variety
of coral colonies such as Gorgonia (fan) and black coral, with all the reef fish you
could ever imagine swimming among them.
Level: Suitable for all diver's levels.
Depth: Maximum 30 m.
Two Thumbs Up \ Tetons \ Mushrooms
Three great dive sites in the southern part of Namena Island Barrier Reef. A huge
underwater mountain right on the edge of the wall, on which soft colored corals
grow, surround by dense schools of thousands of fish. These sites also have lots
of macro sea creatures and camouflaged fish like Leaf Fish, Ghost Pipe Fish,
Pygmy Sea Horse, Scorpions, Shrimp, huge Moray eels, cleaner fish and more...
Level: Suitable for divers of all levels.
Depth: Maximum 30 m.
Diving Sites in the Gau Region
The barrier reef that surrounds the island is vast and remote offering a range of
fantastic dives in this area that promises views of underwater beauty, renowned
in the Fiji Islands.
Jim's Alley
A spectacular diving site, characteristic of Fiji's rich and vibrant underwater beauty.
Three huge rocks which are home to a garden of mostly soft coral and thousands of
colorful reef fish - almost all species known today! Mantas can also be seen on this
site, they come here in search of food. The site is also popular to beautiful macro sea
creatures such as Nudibranchs and shrimp.
Level: Suitable for divers of all levels.
Depth: Maximum 20 m.
Nigali Paggage
A fantastic shark dive! This site is a narrow crevice in the island’s barrier
reef that creates an opening to the open sea, we will dive along its length
in a wonderful current dive. Here it is possible to see gray reef sharks, and
even small reef sharks less than half a meter in size, huge schools of barracuda,
snappers, groupers and more ...
Level: Suitable for divers of all levels.
Depth: Maximum 28 m.
Dive sites in Vatu-I-Ra \ Bligh Water Region
These amazing dive sites are located between the central islands of Viti Levu and
Vanua Levu, they are part of the barrier reef, and are thus well protected from strong
currents. These sites have stone rocks surrounded by many species of coral and fish.
This is where the “Coral Reef Adventure” documentary was filmed and is known as
the best area for reef dives in the world!
E6
A giant underwater mountain, the foot of which is 915 m deep into the sea, and its
summit, which reaches almost sea level is located right in the middle of the channel,
making this area rich in nutrients, allowing impressive and healthy growth of soft
corals, Gorgonian corals and more. These corals are a home to many species of reef
fish such as Tang and Scorpion fish and around the mountain top huge schools of
barracuda, stingrays, reef sharks, and more. On a spectacular night dive, you can
meet special sea creatures such as the Giant Cuttlefish, the largest species in the
world that can reach half a meter, and special crabs such as Arrowhead Crabs,
fluorescent fish etc. This site is a photographer's paradise!
Level: Suitable for divers of all levels.
Depth: Maximum 30 m.
Cathedral
Right on Mount E6 this is an amazing dive between 2 walls on which many soft
coral ‘trees’ and Gorgonian corals grow. Between the two walls there is a narrow
passageway that allows sun rays to penetrate through and shine on the spectacular
corals, the reef fish and the many nudibranchs found here. The walls have many
small cave-like crevices that serve as great hiding places for lobsters, who emerge
during the nighttime.
Level: Suitable for divers of all levels.
Depth: Maximum 18 m.
Mount Mutiny
An underwater mountain that resembles a smaller version of Mount E6, named after
the famous mutiny aboard the British Bounty in the late 18th century. Parts of the ship
can be seen in the Fiji Museum.
In terms of underwater life this dive is similar to the dive on Mount E6. The most
beautiful landmark at this dive site is the Rainbow Wall, a wall covered in special
structures of vibrant, soft, fan corals that seem to create a huge colorful "blanket"
that covers the south side of the mountain.
Level: Suitable for divers of all levels.
Depth: Maximum 18 m.
Cat's Meow \ Human Nature \ Undeniable
Three spectacular coral garden dive sites covered in a variety of soft and hard,
corals that are home to numerous reef fish, colorful nudibranchs, turtles and more.
Level: Suitable for divers of all levels.
Depth: Maximum 20 m.
The comfortable sea conditions that characterize the Fiji Islands, for example,
warm water filled with neutrons, are almost perfect for the healthy growth of
coral reefs, and indeed among the islands lays a huge, healthy and breathtaking
barrier reef and huge underwater mountains.
Fiji is home to over 400 types of coral and 1200 species of fish, five species of
turtles (out of seven known in the world), species of dolphins such as the common
bottlenose dolphin and the Stenalla dolphin (small, spotted dolphins famous for
their impressive flick flaks), and whales such as the Humpback whales that migrate
between July and October, and Sperm whales.
A traditional in Fiji (that is still preserved in the area today) is to give a tooth of
the Sperm whale as a gift.
This area is home to 8 species of sharks - gray reef sharks, bull sharks, lemon sharks
that carefully camouflage in the sand, black-tipped sharks, white-tipped sharks, huge
Tiger Sharks, Silver Tip Sharks and Nurse Sharks
International Time Zone
GMT + 12.
Entry Visas
No special visa is required to visit Fiji. For more
information please contact the nearest embassy in your country.
Vaccines
It is recommended to keep up to date with your Ministry of Health website
regarding additional precautions and also worthwhile stocking up on antibiotics,
travel and seasickness pills.
Personal Documents
A passport with at least 6 months validity.
Travel and diving insurance - can be purchased on this site.
A credit card is accepted in most places, saving the need to carry excess cash.
Diving certificate, valid diving insurance and a diving logbook.
Photocopy of your passport, diving certificates and travel insurance.
Make sure to keep it in a separate file from the original documents.
Photography
This is certainly a destination to document. The Fiji Islands dive sites and
landscapes are magnificent both above and below the surface! You do not
have to be an expert photographer in order to take spectacular photos to
capture some amazing, unique and unforgettable moments.
Diving packages are available for most kinds of cameras, for photography
above and under water. Easy-to-use extreme cameras are also a popular and
available choice. We will be happy to advise you regarding purchasing the most
optimal equipment and our team of instructors will be happy to offer appropriate
underwater photography tutoring.
Clothing
Diving to a tropical destination does not require you to bring to much clothing.
Light clothing for during the day between dives is recommended. The dress code
is casual and one or two buttoned shirts for the evening can be useful. Swimsuits
and lycra anti rash tops are great for spending a long time in the water and hanging
out on the beaches. You can avoid bringing shoes and in most cases, a pair of sport
sandals is sufficient. Towels and bed linen are provided by hotels and liveaboards.
Medication and First Aid
Pre-equip yourself with enough personal medication, the chance of obtaining specific
drugs is not always an option. Pack a high factor sunscreen to protect you from
prolonged exposure to tropical weather and travel/ sea sickness tablets as necessary.
Flights
Most flights have one or even two stopovers, depending on the airline and where
you fly from. When you receive your flight ticket, please ensure that your name
is spelled exactly as in your passport! Whilst checking in, make sure that the label
on your suitcase shows the final destination of your trip. You must arrive at the
airport at least 3 hours before departure for an international flight. The number
of bags and their weight should comply with airline restrictions to avoid overweight
charges.
Transportation, Arrival and Pick Up
On arrival one of our representatives will await you to coordinate domestic fights,
transfers and transportation to and from the boat or hotel according to the package
you have booked. We will send you a ‘’Booking Organization’’ file that will include
your itinerary and the name and telephone of our representative.
Communication
The resorts and liveaboards offer internet access, however take into account that the
reception is not as reliable as at home. We recommend purchasing a local sim card
at the airport on your arrival. The sim cards are not expensive and this way you can
ensure you stay connected if you need to. It is recommended to insert the sim and
check its integrity before you leave the store.
Climate
Due to its tropical climate, open seas and close proximity to the equator, the Fiji
Islands are an optimal and comfortable destination to visit all year round. The dry
season is between May to October and these are known as the cooler months with
low humidity and less rainfall is expected. Average temperatures are about 25C.
The rainy season is between November to April, and there is even a risk of cyclones
that are not dangerous due to the distance between the islands and the continent.
Sea Conditions
Fiji is an ocean state where the sea is the center of life. The inhabited and sailing
areas are protected by the islands. Most of the activity takes place in pleasant and
calm waters, but seas can be high due to winds whilst sailing to the island, back
to the mainland and sailing to the various dive sites.
Some sites have currents that we will make the most of to dive in the direction of
the current or maintain our location by using a Reef Hook. Use an inflatable buoy
to mark your location until the dive boat arrives.
Underwater visibility is good and ranges between 10-25 meters. Keep in close eye
contact with the team leader according to the visibility conditions on site.
Electrical Supply
230 V. We recommend you bring a universal adapter to avoid problems.
There are a variety of sockets that can be used here, therefore it is
worthwhile to prepare in advance. For a detailed explanation click here.
Most of the liveaboards have adaptable charging stations.
Money
The local currency is the Fiji Dollar but there is no need to exchange Dollars or
Euros to the local currency as all service providers accept the aforementioned
currencies and all prices are quoted in dollars. If you wish to anyway exchange
money you may do so at the airport and in touristic areas. When visiting small
local villages, we recommend you take small bills with you to purchase souvenirs.
Credit cards are accepted by most of the tourist service providers, on the
liveaboards and at resort reception desks.
Local Taxes
All liveaboard guests pay a port tax of $200 per person and an additional $15
entrance to the nature reserve. There is no airport tax on your departure, it is
included in the flight ticket.
Tips
Tips are acceptable with tourism service providers.
When visiting restaurants, leaving a 10% tip is considered the accepted going rate.
When staying for several days at a resort or on a liveaboard, $ 60-$100 per person
is considered the accepted going rate, according to the level of service.
It is advisable to leave a tip openly, before your departure, when the local team
gathers to say goodbye
What NOT To Bring
Maximum 250 cigarettes are allowed or tobacco not exceeding more than
250 grams.
Spirits and alcoholic beverages are limited to 2.25 liters per person or 4.5
liters of beer or wine.
Goods exceeding $ 1000 must be declared.
Emergency Numbers and Decompression Chamber
In case of suspected decompression sickness or serious deviation from
the diving program, the local dive team must apply the usual evacuation
procedure and communicate with the pressure chamber.
Direct contact with the hospital and pressure chamber:
FIJI Dive emergency center- 903 4093
On-call Hyperbaric Doctor (CWM, Suva)
SUVA private Hospital : Dr John Alfred / Mrs Naina Marama : 92 9541 / 992 4047
What is the best choice for diving, a resort vacation or liveaboard?
The answer derives from the purpose of the vacation.
If you are planning a scuba diving vacation, a resort holiday is less suitable.
The dives from the beach are to local sites and not as good as the sites reached on a
liveaboard at the best times and with the most interesting variety of marine life.
However, if diving is not your main objective and you prefer a more tranquil and
romantic vacation, local dives are also enjoyable. The Fiji Islands are definitely
one of the destinations we recommend staying at for at least a couple of days either
before or after sailing.
Do I need to be an experienced diver to dive in this destination?
The Fiji Islands are a fantastic destination for divers of all levels and experience. All
boats have at least two or three experienced diving instructors. Diving is performed in
small groups. During an intense week of diving participants quickly adapt to the water
conditions and their level of diving improves. You can also complete a diving degree
during the trip at an extra charge.
Do I Need Nitrox Certification?
Most modern ships provide 32% oxygen enriched air. During an intensive week of
diving is highly recommended to use nitrox. Using the dive computer in regular air
mode whilst breathing nitrox increases safety ranges. Moreover, there is no dramatic
effect on the overall time spent in water. Use of Nitrox is according to the diver's
preference. Some liveaboards offer free use of Nitrox whilst others charge a supplement.
Do we Disembark the Boat?
The boat is actually a floating base on which all dry activities are conducted including
resting periods between marine activities, sunbathing, relaxing and sailing from site to
site. The rooms onboard are air-conditioned and all meals are served onboard. Most
marine activities are done via the liveaboard's service boat or from liveaboard stern's
platform. During the cruise, there are several initiated stops to isolated, pristine beaches
for BBQ dinners and a visit to local villages where you can meet local residents, take a
tour, purchase souvenirs, etc. and it is more than likely that you will find yourself dancing
in one of the villages with the local children, wearing traditional Fiji clothing.
Do I Need Medical Approval to Dive?
In principle, the requirement for medical approval is international with a medical
statement accepted by diving organizations. If the answers to all the questions in your
health declaration are negative, then there is no problem. If there are positive answers,
consult your diving doctor and get approval. If you are over 45, a medical certificate is
required.
Should I Purchase My Own Diving Equipment?
The answer to this question is according to the number of dives. Naturally, when
planning a scuba diving trip, you can decide to purchase full or partial scuba equipment.
We recommend purchasing your own mask and personal dive computer. We would be
happy to be at your service and offer advice on purchasing equipment.
Do I Need to Bring Booties?
If you have dive booties and matching fins, then the answer is definitely yes! It is worth
remembering that there are no offshore dive and entrance entails crossing reefs covered
in sea urchins so if you have closed heel fins you will not need booties. These fins are
provided by the boats and are ample.
Is the Cruise Suitable for Non-Divers?
The cruise is suitable for all those who love nature, breathtaking views, delicious food
and a tranquil get away, taking into account that the liveaboards are mainly for diving
activities.
However, those who know to amuse themselves will definitely have a great time.
