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Taveuni overview
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Scuba Diving Taveuni, Fiji
Water temperature: |
22°C (72°F) in winter to 30°C (86°F) in summer |
Suit: |
3mm shortie in summer, 5mm wetsuit in winter |
Visibility: |
20 - 50 metres (65 - 165 feet) |
Type of diving: |
Walls, reefs and drifts |
Marine life: |
Pilot whales, reef sharks, turtles, barracuda, eagle rays, squirrelfish, angelfish, fairy basslets, butterflyfish, scorpionfish, triggerfish, soft and hard corals, giant fans and sea whips |
When to go: |
Easter is a great time to visit Fiji as it is just after the cyclone and wet season. Pilot whales can be seen in November |
How to get there: |
Taveuni is a short flight from Nadi, which has connections with Brisbane, Queensland and Melbourne, Victoria. Nadi is a very busy, dusty town with a number of businesses and is by no means a wonderful place to visit, so try to avoid stop overs |
Taveuni is the 'Garden Isle' of Fiji, the result of a gigantic volcanic eruption which has left the soil immensely fertile. The island is dominated by Mt Uluqalau with the peak more than 4000 feet above the sea. Taveuni is Fiji's third largest island, separated by a narrow strait from Vanua Levu. Within its reef are also the islands of Qamea, Laucala and Mantagi. Somosomo Straight (Fijian for 'good water') has strong tidal currents, which provide a constant flow of nutrients, ideal for soft coral growth and diverse fish life.
The flight to Taveuni Island is in a twin-engine otter that seats 17 people, takes about 1 hour 15min and has a wonderful view of the islands and surrounding waters. Once in Taveuni a short drive will take you to the resort or there is an alternative of a seaplane that takes 10 people that will drop you right at the resort! The cost of this would make most people take the scenic route by road.
We spent the first day settling in and slowing down to Fiji pace! Some of the group went snorkelling; others made the first dive getting their gear and weight sorted out. In the evenings we enjoyed fantastic sunsets while enjoying a beer or cocktail before dinner. The food was great, every meal different and all with the Fiji feel to it; your salad or desert often comes in a coconut.
Taveuni is renowned for the spectacular soft corals at sites such as Rainbow Reef. Rainbow Reef is a fringing reef almost 32 km long on the southwest corner of Vanua Levu. It is also home to an abundance of fish life including reef sharks, turtles and fantastic coral. In November, pilot whales are frequently observed, which are also very occasionally spotted during other parts of the year. The outer reef is as enjoyable as Rainbow Reef dive sites. The reefs are in great condition, with plenty to see and lots of colour. One thing Taveuni does lack though is the big schools of pelagic fish. You can only imagine what the diving would be like if it was not for the long line fishing boats cruising around the area. Any fish life of any decent size was very scarce; if seen they were usually roaming as individuals.
Baggage weight is limited to 25kg including scuba kit. Excess baggage costs $2.88 per kg Fiji and they want the money! The resort is a bit out of town so if there are cigarettes, snacks and bits you have not brought with you get them on your way from the airport.
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