MUDGEE'S ONLY DIVE CENTRE

FIJI ISLANDS

PAST TRIPS: DECEMBER 2004 - MAMANUCA'S
                      JANUARY 2011 - BEQA LAGOON

     

Click on the islands map for more information

Fiji is an ideal holiday destination for divers with a non-diving partner. Fiji is known for its palm-fringed beaches, lush rainforests, cascading waterfalls and spectacular underwater world, teeming with fish and corals. The Fijian people welcome visitors with a smile and friendly greeting 'BULA' (meaning "life" or "good health") heard throughout the islands.

The range of accommodation varies throughout the islands and caters for all tastes and budgets, including "eco-friendly" hideaways, small family hotels, large resorts & romantic, exclusive retreats.

The tropical climate is ideal for a wide range of water sports. These magical islands offer some of the best snorkelling and diving in the South Pacific, as well as the opportunity to experience the traditional culture of this tropical wonderland.

Scuba Diving in Fiji

The coral reefs surrounding the Fiji Islands abound with a wide variety of marine life. The world's second largest coral reef is located in these waters. Brightly coloured soft corals, yellow and red gorgonian fans, a myriad of small tropical fish, tunnels, caves and spectacular drop-offs await the visiting diver.

Dive sites vary from shallow lagoons, suitable for newcomers to the sport, to sheer walls and pinnacles for the more experienced divers.

Fiji enjoys the tag "Soft Coral Capital of the World", and is deservedly rated as one of the top 10 dive destinations in the world. The coral formations attract a wide variety of marine life, including large schools of small tropical fish, making Fiji a great location for underwater photography.

Beqa (pronounced Mbengga) lies 7.5 km south of Navua, the closest town on the Fiji main island of Viti Levu, separated by a 260 m deep marine passage. The entire Beqa Island covers 36 km2.

There is a fringing reef around the island and the barrier reef (68 km) around the lagoon of Beqa. They are both made up of colourful coral developed over hundreds of years.

The conditions for coral reef are excellent: light and shallow water, water temperatures never below 18°C and supply of zooplankton food for these plant-like animals.

Beqa Lagoon is know worldwide for the brilliance and abundance of soft coral gardens and gorgonian forests, abundant fish and marine life all found in this natural unspoiled environment.

This is one of the world largest reefs, providing you with over 100 dive sites all within a twenty minute boat ride from the resort.

These include two shipwrecks and an optional shark and big fish encounter. You can also see Blue Ribbon Eels, Lion Fish, Leaf Scorpions and Clown Triggers. The water is clear and warm; temperatures stay a fairly constant 26 degrees.

The Coral Coast is the name given to the southern coastline of Viti Levu, which became a popular tourist retreat before the Mamanuca Islands were made accessible.

A beautiful stretch of beach, it offers all sorts of accommodation from international-style hotels to simple Fijian style bures.

About 190 kilometres on the Queen's Highway between Nadi and Suva, the Coral Coast offers tours to other islands and to sights on the mainland, as well as coral viewing, hiking and shopping.

WHERE WE STAYED JANUARY 2011: 
Uprising Beach Resort - Click the LOGO to visit their website! 

                                                     

WHO WE DIVED WITH IN JANUARY 2011:
Aqua-Trek - Click the LOGO to visit their website!
                                                         

 

  

Kadavu Island is located south from the main island of Viti Levu and is only a 45-minute flight from Nadi.

The island is off the beaten track from Fiji's mainstream tourist attractions and is an ideal location for taking a holiday, offering spectacular scenery and a glimpse of everyday Fijian lifestyle.

The southeast side of the island is surrounded by the famous "Great Astrolabe Reef", which stretches for 45km. The undisturbed reefs boats an abundance of corals and marine life.

The Nadi region offers all the traditional tourist attractions of hotels and resorts, duty free shopping, restaurants and a close proximity to Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands. The surrounding waters offer some fascinating diving in the pristine marine environment.

Once a small community of farmers and shopkeepers, Nadi has mushroomed into a mini megalopolis of approximately 30,000 inhabitants - Fiji's third-largest city. The area surrounding Nadi - a patchwork of sugar cane fields - has the highest concentration of hotels and resorts in the entire country.

The real charm of this dry western side of the island is the mountain ranges inland from Nadi and Lautoka. Koroyanitu National Park offers overnight hikes through semi-rainforest to some excellent vantage points, waterfalls and small villages. Day trips to the Garden of the Sleeping Giant are also very popular for the ornamental orchids on display together with forest walks through botanical wonders.

The Mamanuca Islands are located off Viti Levu's west coast. White sandy beaches, turquoise waters and coconut palms distinguish this group of island resorts.

These small islands offer plenty of fun for visitors of all ages with a variety of activities including diving, snorkelling, fishing to wind surfing and sailing.

Many of the Mamanuca Islands are ideal for romantic getaways as well as scuba diving adventures.

WHERE WE STAYED JANUARY 2011: 
Seashell Cove Resort - Click the LOGO to visit their website! 

                                                     

WHO WE DIVED WITH IN JANUARY 2011:
Scuba Bula - Click the LOGO to visit their website!
                                                        
Raki Raki

The Nadi region offers all the traditional tourist attractions of hotels and resorts, duty free shopping, restaurants and a close proximity to Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands. The surrounding waters offer some fascinating diving in the pristine marine environment.

Ra Divers is located on Nananu-Ra Island, just across from Raki Raki and conduct the diving for Wananavu Beach Resort.

There are more than 50 dive sites, which Ra Divers regularly visit, most of which are no more than 20 minutes by boat from Nananu-I-RA Island.

The diving in these waters is superb with schools of barracuda, Spanish mackerel and trevally frequently sighted roaming the coral heads with the resident sharks. Black coral trees, multi-coloured soft and hard corals, sea whips and prolific tropical fish make these dives a photographer's paradise. Dives such as Breath taker - a deep reef where schools of big fish and many sharks are found, will leave you as the name suggests!

Set like a crown jewel amidst Fiji's 300 islands is Taveuni, also known as "the Garden Island". Taveuni is the third largest island and is only a 45-minute flight from Suva or 60 minutes from Nadi. The island is home to some of the world’s most remarkable dive venues.

Enthusiast divers of all ages and levels of skills will marvel at the famous "White Wall" and "Rainbow Reef" located here.

Fiji Travel Tips

Time Zone: Time zone approx 12 hours ahead G.M.T (2 hours ahead of AEST)

Electricity: Fiji operates on 240 volts / 50 cycles power supply using 3 pin power outlets, identical to those in Australia.

Climate: Fiji experiences a warm tropical climate. The summer season is from December to February (average temperature 30C) with the cooler season being from June to August. (Average temperature 26C)

Visa Requirements: All visitors to Fiji must hold a ticket for onward travel and a passport with at least 6 months validity. Australian, New Zealand passport holders and US are granted a free tourist visa upon arrival, valid for stays of up to 3 months. For further information or to confirm your status please contact your local Fiji Visitors Bureau.

Currency & Banking: Local currency is the Fijian dollar. Major credit cards are accepted at most large retail stores, restaurants, resorts and hotels. ANZ and Westpac banks operate in Fiji and are open Monday - Friday from 9:30am - 3:00pm.

Eating & Drinking: Fiji offers a range of Polynesian, Asian and European cuisine, with a heavy emphasis on seafood. Water is safe to drink in all cities, resorts and urban areas.

Health: Fiji is free from most tropical diseases and vaccinations are not necessary unless arriving from an infected area. Medical and dental services are available 24 hours a day. Anti-malaria medication is not usually required, however consult your doctor for further medical advise.

Water temperature: The water temperature varies throughout the year, though the water is warm enough to swim all year round and averaging about 27 degrees.

Language: English is the official language, although Fijian and Hindustani is widely spoken by the locals.

Tipping: Although tipping is not compulsory in Fiji, excellent service can be rewarded by the visitor through tipping.

Dress: Light and casual but not too brief, especially outside your hotel. Tropical clothes for evening wear; open necked shirts are fine but no ties.

Departure Tax: A departure tax of FJD$20 is payable upon your departure from Fiji.

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