Where to stay? Beqa, Matava or Garden Island Resort?

[Heymo]

My husband and I are planning a side trip to Fiji after visiting our son in Australia in early October. I have been doing some research into dive resorts, and have narrowed my search down to Beqa Lagoon, Garden Island Resort and Matava resort on Kadavu. We are advanced divers, but our experiences have been mostly in the Caribbean and Hawaii.

The travel specialist at our dive shop recommended Matava. However, we are concerned about being able to charge up all our photographic equipment at an "eco resort" that only has charging stations in a few places. (at least that's what we've been told)

Beqa Lagoon looks very nice, as does Garden Island Resort. I've been told though that the diving around Taveuni is MUCH better than Beqa...

I know there are a few people who have been to Fiji many times, and have read several great trip reports. I'd be very interested in hearing your preferences! We are hoping to book the trip soon.

Many thanks!

[OnTheSpot]

Hi There,

Is there anything special that you are looking for when diving in Fiji?

I think you have norrrowed it down to three really good choices and can't see that it is possible to be disappointed with the diving.

Matava Resort (http://www.dive-the-world.com/dive-resorts-fiji-kadavu-matava-resort-main.php) does recommend taking spare batteries. You can charge one during the day and use the other - shouldn't be a problem.

Beqa Lagoon Resort (http://www.dive-the-world.com/dive-resorts-fiji-beqa-beqa-lagoon-resort-main.php) does not involve an intra-island flight so maybe easier to get to.

I would generally lean towards diving in Taveuni (http://www.dive-the-world.com/diving-sites-fiji-taveuni.php) but I like the colours in the soft corals and the possibility of seeing bigger things, the health and variety of dive sites.

[Heymo]

Thamks for your reply. I think we are not looking for any one thing in particular, just a little bit of everything. Soft corals, maybe some pelagics would be cool...I shoot with a wide angle lens and my husband shoots macro, so we like to see a broad range.

Getting to the places is a concern- we'll be flying from Sydney and it seems there's only one flight in a day on Qantas which gets in at 7 p.m.. I'm thinking one way or the other we may have to stay a day in Nadi before we get anywhere, or at least overnight. The baggage limits on the flights to Taveuni are different than the Qantas flights- don 't want to get hammered by overage fees.

I appreciate your input, and happy diving!

[BB1]

First off check out Pacific Blue rather than Qantas, they get in a little earlier and are cheaper.

Their baggage allowance has a good bonus for sports gear. A bag full of scuba gear counts as 5kg's of your 20kg individual allowance no matter how much it weighs!

Can't help you on the connection flights though as we are headed to Beqa! This involves an overnight at Pacific harbour as you cannot make the ferry on the same day as landing. Beqa lagoon resort have been really helpful so far and we'll be there on Saturday!

[Heymo]

You actually did help as far as answering the question about getting to Beqa after the flight. I know it was a 3 hour or so bus ride from Nadi to the other side of the island where the boat departs from.

The reason we're flying Qantas is we got the best rate flying them from the states to Sydney, then to Nadi then home.

Have a great time, and thanks for your input!

[Cajuncru Diver]

Heymo: We just came back from a trip to Taveuni staying at Garden Island. (March 27th to April 2) The resort is great, the diving even better. Only other place we have experience with is Wananavu diving the Bligh waters....it was outstanding, but if I had to choose Garden Island wins hands down. If you desire any more info or pictures send me a pm and I'll be happy to forward any info you request.

[Heymo]

Thanks, Cajuncru...just had a travel agent tell me NOT to book at Garden Island, said they had new owners and things were not very good there right now. Will send you a PM- would love to hear your take on the place!

[Cajuncru Diver]

Heymo: Look forward to the PM and will respond further. Let me assure you, we just spend a delightful 8 nights and 9 days at Garden Ilsand---one week after Cyclone Tomas passed right over Taveuni.....cannot beleive how organized and first rate Garden Island was...yes there is new ownership and the new owner Mark in on sight 18 hrs per day---lives on premises and his management and staff are outstanding....do you get the idea that we liked Garden Island...wrong...we LOVED the place and the people.....have been fortunate enough to have been to many different places in this old world and I have never been anywhere else that I enjoyed more than Garden Island.

[Heymo]

I appreciate you sharing your personal experience. I usually do all our travel booking myself-(and have never booked us somewhere we hated) but this one is a daunting task. Want to make sure we don't fly half way around the world only to have a lousy experience!

[Cajuncru Diver]

Can relate to that --Jackie usually does the same for us, but this time we used Ryan for kind of the same reason, and with the problems related to the Cyclone, thank goodness we did.

[OnTheSpot]

As far as I know, Garden Island Resort (http://www.dive-the-world.com/dive-resorts-fiji-taveuni-garden-island-resort-main.php) had new owners more than a year ago. They did change their managers but that was about six months ago.

They have also had a complete renovation about a year ago.

I think you would love the place too :)

[Heymo]

Thanks for the input. We'll make a final decision this weekend- I appreciate the assistance!

[BB1]

Well we just got back from Beqa Lagoon - full report tomorrow but quick feedback is that we had an awesome time!!