kingsnwings
Registered
Dive Operator: Taveuni Ocean Sports
Resort: Nakia Resort & Dive (Same family as Taveuni Ocean Sports) & Coconut Grove Beach Cottages
The only chamber in Suva, Fiji is non-operational and is rumored to not be for some time
Dive sites:
8 days (16 dives) July 17 - 29
Highlights: White Wall, Jerry’s Jelly, The Ledge, Barracuda Point, Rainbow’s End
The Rest: Swirling Rainbow, Rainbow’s Passage, Rainbow Freeway, Ark, Coral Garden, Cabbage Patch, Storm’s Warning, Sam’s Point, Purple Wall
Diving was incredible. The reefs looked great and didn’t seem damaged from the hurricane. Hard and soft corals were nice. The size, color, and abundance of the soft corals in current was stunning. Large abundance and variety of reef fish. Current attracts large schools of bait fish and pelagics. Regular white tip sightings. Other divers in our boat saw a single manta ray and sea turtle. Virtually zero rain for 2 weeks and the temperature was 70 – 80 F 24/7.
You feel so peaceful and secluded on Taveuni. There are zero crowds on the water, at the “resorts”, or at the beach. All you do is eat, dive, and sleep without any noise or distractions. Well worth the extra money and flight to get away from more populated and tourist destinations. Other divers said Taveuni diving was superior to Kadavu in their experience.
Absolutely awesome diving and relaxing top side; add it to your list of destinations.
Taveuni Ocean Sports:
Extremely nice dive shop, highly recommended. Equipment was nice and in good condition. No problems observed for any diver. Small operation so book well ahead of time.
The dives: 2 tank dives at 8:00 am. Air only, no nitrox. 40 – 60 minute drift dives depending on air consumption. They don’t want you within 10 minutes of no-deco limit because of the non-operational chamber in Suva. 2 – 4 divers per dive master. They will split you and add DM’s as needed to separate beginners from experienced divers. Informative dive site briefings about topography, current, dive plan, etc. Fresh fruit, hummus, snacks, fresh breads, juice, tea, towels provided.
Staff: Experienced, friendly, fun, professional staff. DM’s make sure everyone is comfortable and gets to do the kind of diving they want so long as it is safe. Every dive is a drift dive so of course you still need to stay in groups, especially during safety stops and surfacing. Guides are very knowledgeable and good at finding critters. They will work with you and let you choose sites; the current worked for us and we did White Wall two different days. The first day every operation was there (still not crowded); the 2nd day we were the only divers on the wall and the corals were even bigger.
Other: Not many boats are on the Rainbow Reef; their 2 dive boats are the nicest from what I could see. The shop will pick you up in a van if you are located north of the shop. If you book through your hotel the dive shop has to pay a commission. 78-80F water, 5mm suits. This is a top notch dive shop worth every penny. Everything about it is professional. You will always be safe, see the best dive sites, and have the best experience.
Nakia Resort & Dive:
Chose to dive with Taveuni Ocean Sports based on reviews, Nakia Resort & Dive and Taveuni Ocean Sports are owned and operated by the same family. 7 nights at Nakia were incredible.
Food: 5/5 incredible familiar and local cuisine. 10 acre plot of land with organic gardens for fresh fruits & vegetables. Day consists of: Breakfast, snacks on boat, lunch, tea & cookie time, 3 course dinner. Highlight was the fresh cookies and dessert which were different every day/night.
Room: Perhaps 2 or 3 resorts are the exception, but Taveuni is not for luxury resorts. Relative to Taveuni, this is a 5/5 room. Otherwise more like a 4/5. Sunset Bure; incredible views of the Somosomo Strait from your bed, comfortable bed, everything you need, nothing you don’t. Hot water is not unlimited, but wasn’t an issue given the air temperature.
Other: 5 minute walk to the dive shop / coast for snorkeling or kayaking. Daily maid service, extremely friendly staff, owners are friendly and sweet. Food is seriously amazing, you will order mint tea and then watch it get picked from the garden. Very nice, large pool to cool off in and get refreshed after diving. Quiet and isolated, you are in the jungle on a 10 acre plot so don’t expect to see or hear anything besides the ocean and wildlife. Books available to read. Extremely nice resort, highly recommend.
Coconut Grove:
Stayed here because they have a private sandy beach and we wanted to relax a few days without diving.
Food: 4/5 good food with American and local cuisines. More store bought ingredients compared to Nakia. Breakfast, lunch, dinner included. Coffee and tea available upon request. Nice views from the restaurant.
Room: 5/5. 3 rooms on site, Banana Bure located only a 3-4 meters from the beach. Highlight was the private outdoor shower allowing you to watch the ocean; unlimited hot water. Daily maid service. Bare essentials once again, nothing you don’t need.
Other: 1 minute from the airstrip, one of the closer resorts to Lavena and Bouma. 20 – 30 minute kayak to a series of 3 small islands with very nice snorkeling and sea snakes. The beach is very nice and private, easy to fall asleep in the hammock on the beach under the coconut trees. Owner is nice and friendly. Staff is great. Weather in Matei seemed colder and less humid. Books provided. Highly recommended. ~15 minute drive to Taveuni Ocean Sports (courtesy van provided for free by Taveuni Ocean Sports).
Resort: Nakia Resort & Dive (Same family as Taveuni Ocean Sports) & Coconut Grove Beach Cottages
The only chamber in Suva, Fiji is non-operational and is rumored to not be for some time
Dive sites:
8 days (16 dives) July 17 - 29
Highlights: White Wall, Jerry’s Jelly, The Ledge, Barracuda Point, Rainbow’s End
The Rest: Swirling Rainbow, Rainbow’s Passage, Rainbow Freeway, Ark, Coral Garden, Cabbage Patch, Storm’s Warning, Sam’s Point, Purple Wall
Diving was incredible. The reefs looked great and didn’t seem damaged from the hurricane. Hard and soft corals were nice. The size, color, and abundance of the soft corals in current was stunning. Large abundance and variety of reef fish. Current attracts large schools of bait fish and pelagics. Regular white tip sightings. Other divers in our boat saw a single manta ray and sea turtle. Virtually zero rain for 2 weeks and the temperature was 70 – 80 F 24/7.
You feel so peaceful and secluded on Taveuni. There are zero crowds on the water, at the “resorts”, or at the beach. All you do is eat, dive, and sleep without any noise or distractions. Well worth the extra money and flight to get away from more populated and tourist destinations. Other divers said Taveuni diving was superior to Kadavu in their experience.
Absolutely awesome diving and relaxing top side; add it to your list of destinations.
Taveuni Ocean Sports:
Extremely nice dive shop, highly recommended. Equipment was nice and in good condition. No problems observed for any diver. Small operation so book well ahead of time.
The dives: 2 tank dives at 8:00 am. Air only, no nitrox. 40 – 60 minute drift dives depending on air consumption. They don’t want you within 10 minutes of no-deco limit because of the non-operational chamber in Suva. 2 – 4 divers per dive master. They will split you and add DM’s as needed to separate beginners from experienced divers. Informative dive site briefings about topography, current, dive plan, etc. Fresh fruit, hummus, snacks, fresh breads, juice, tea, towels provided.
Staff: Experienced, friendly, fun, professional staff. DM’s make sure everyone is comfortable and gets to do the kind of diving they want so long as it is safe. Every dive is a drift dive so of course you still need to stay in groups, especially during safety stops and surfacing. Guides are very knowledgeable and good at finding critters. They will work with you and let you choose sites; the current worked for us and we did White Wall two different days. The first day every operation was there (still not crowded); the 2nd day we were the only divers on the wall and the corals were even bigger.
Other: Not many boats are on the Rainbow Reef; their 2 dive boats are the nicest from what I could see. The shop will pick you up in a van if you are located north of the shop. If you book through your hotel the dive shop has to pay a commission. 78-80F water, 5mm suits. This is a top notch dive shop worth every penny. Everything about it is professional. You will always be safe, see the best dive sites, and have the best experience.
Nakia Resort & Dive:
Chose to dive with Taveuni Ocean Sports based on reviews, Nakia Resort & Dive and Taveuni Ocean Sports are owned and operated by the same family. 7 nights at Nakia were incredible.
Food: 5/5 incredible familiar and local cuisine. 10 acre plot of land with organic gardens for fresh fruits & vegetables. Day consists of: Breakfast, snacks on boat, lunch, tea & cookie time, 3 course dinner. Highlight was the fresh cookies and dessert which were different every day/night.
Room: Perhaps 2 or 3 resorts are the exception, but Taveuni is not for luxury resorts. Relative to Taveuni, this is a 5/5 room. Otherwise more like a 4/5. Sunset Bure; incredible views of the Somosomo Strait from your bed, comfortable bed, everything you need, nothing you don’t. Hot water is not unlimited, but wasn’t an issue given the air temperature.
Other: 5 minute walk to the dive shop / coast for snorkeling or kayaking. Daily maid service, extremely friendly staff, owners are friendly and sweet. Food is seriously amazing, you will order mint tea and then watch it get picked from the garden. Very nice, large pool to cool off in and get refreshed after diving. Quiet and isolated, you are in the jungle on a 10 acre plot so don’t expect to see or hear anything besides the ocean and wildlife. Books available to read. Extremely nice resort, highly recommend.
Coconut Grove:
Stayed here because they have a private sandy beach and we wanted to relax a few days without diving.
Food: 4/5 good food with American and local cuisines. More store bought ingredients compared to Nakia. Breakfast, lunch, dinner included. Coffee and tea available upon request. Nice views from the restaurant.
Room: 5/5. 3 rooms on site, Banana Bure located only a 3-4 meters from the beach. Highlight was the private outdoor shower allowing you to watch the ocean; unlimited hot water. Daily maid service. Bare essentials once again, nothing you don’t need.
Other: 1 minute from the airstrip, one of the closer resorts to Lavena and Bouma. 20 – 30 minute kayak to a series of 3 small islands with very nice snorkeling and sea snakes. The beach is very nice and private, easy to fall asleep in the hammock on the beach under the coconut trees. Owner is nice and friendly. Staff is great. Weather in Matei seemed colder and less humid. Books provided. Highly recommended. ~15 minute drive to Taveuni Ocean Sports (courtesy van provided for free by Taveuni Ocean Sports).
