January 28 - February 9, 2017
The Island
Fiji is comprised of 332 islands. Sub-Aquatic Sports has only dove 8 of them; how sad! We have had some great dives in Fiji and some...well, not so great. This trip to Paradise Taveuni resort certainly ranks in the ‘great’ category. What makes it so special? Here are just a few things. What We Love: The Diving
Diving is our primary focus. Paradise Taveuni stands out for many reasons. 1. The resort has a wonderful house reef. If you want/need a relaxed vacation then this is perfect. Don’t worry about jumping on a scheduled dive boat, simply grab a tank and dive the house reef when the mood hits you. You’ll see amazing things, both big and small. Photographers will especially love the freedom of diving at their own pace. 2. There’s enough boat dives to satisfy the most hard core of divers. We have 24 scheduled boat dives built into this package. There are 40 different dive sites so you’ll never repeat a location unless you request to do so. 3. Sites are classified by levels so you know what to expect before jumping on a boat. The depths, currents, and wave conditions determine the classification. Level 1 is for beginners and you’ll have plenty of options. Some of the favorite sites, however, are better suited for intermediate and advanced divers. 4. Fiji’s most famous dive site, Rainbow Reef, is a boat ride away from the resort. You don’t want to miss this signature site. Famous Dive Sites
Rainbow Reef’s Great White Wall: Level 2 Fiji is often called the Soft Coral Capital of the World and this is where it got it’s name. Great White Wall is home to beautiful soft corals. You have to hit this site at just the right time, at slack tide when the soft corals come out to feed. The wall is steep and blanketed with beautiful soft coral. We’ve never seen anything like it. If you can take your eyes off the wall, however, you may see a manta swimming by. There may be a surcharge to cover the extra gas to dive Rainbow Reef sites. Vuna Reef: Level 2 This wall dive faces open ocean and is where the big stuff hangs out. Sharks, rays and Napoleon Wrasses are common. Schools of Spanish Mackerel and Giant Tuna may swim by. Best yet, this parade of fish can be seen in only 60ft of depth so you have some great bottom time. The Zoo on Rainbow Reef: Level 3 This is an extreme marine experience! Schools of barracuda are often found circling above White Tip sharks that are resting in the sand. Moray eels, grouper and small reef fish are plentiful. Occasionally, graceful bronze whaler sharks patrol these waters. |
What We Love: The Total Experience
Fijians are warm and welcoming people, rich in culture and customs. It would be a shame to travel all this way and only experience the underwater world. Paradise Taveuni does a wonderful job introducing you to an array of entertainment and activities. Visit a village, learn the language, try your hand at opening a coconut or weaving a basket from fronds. Experience a traditional Lovo dinner and participate in a ceremonial drink of kava. All of this is complimentary. Take some time to explore beyond the resort. Ride horses through the rain forest, hike to waterfalls and visit the International Date Line. Here you can physically stand in two different days. This is Fiji. Take it all in! What We Love: The Resort Your home for the week is a thatched roof bura. It has both a living area and bedroom. The living area has a mini bar, refrigerator and tea-coffee maker. French doors open up to your private sundeck where you’ll find a Fijian Day Bed, perfect for reading books and relaxing in the sun. The bathrooms are a favorite (that sounds weird). You have a indoor bathroom with large vanity, toilet and shower but there’s also an outside bathroom. Step out into your enclosed private garden and enjoy a shower or soak in the Jacuzzi under the stars. Can you say paradise! There are 3 categories of accommodations: tropical view buras, ocean view buras and the new Vales which are ocean view buras with air conditioning. We suggest making your reservations early to get the best accommodations. The resort has a on-site dive operation which is super convenient for maximizing bottom time. The outdoor restaurant serves all meals and the ocean view bar is where happy hour occurs. The picturesque pool is perfect for relaxing and getting a quick rinse after the dives. The spa is… well a must do in Fiji. What We Love: The Ambiance Paradise Taveuni is a small resort of 16 buras. We’ve stayed in an array of hotels in Fiji and this place feels the most authentic to us. Some places come across too prepackaged and touristy. The staff is from the local village and you’ll love their warmth and graciousness. The owners, Allan and Terri Gortan, are originally from Australia. They are committed to making your vacation perfect. They are also committed to the community. On our last trip, the resort was opened up for a village celebration. It was a great way to meet the locals and share in the fun. Allan is the chef and has worked at many restaurants in Melbourne and the Gold Coast. Terri’s background is hospitality. After working several years at a large resort in Nadi, they decided to buy this place and have made constant improvements. The Gortans adopted two children from Suva and you’ll see Jessica and Thomas as well as their two dogs roaming the resort. Cost:
Important: Prices are based on current exchange rates and may fluctuate before the final payment. A $300 non-refundable deposit is necessary to guarantee your space on the trip. Final payment is due November 15, 2016. Package Includes:
Airfare: Airfare for this trip will be published in March of 2016. You should budget $1500 to $2000. Sub-Aquatic Sports can assist in making the reservation. Departure date is January 28th in order to arrive into Taveuni on January 30th. No, the flight isn’t 2 days long! You cross the International Date Line and lose a day going to Fiji. No worries, you’ll gain it back on the return flight |
