Fiji Trip Report March 2023

So many people, including me, put up so many great pics from our trip I’m just going to link to them so you can look at them on Facebook.

We hit some great weather and had flat seas almost every day, which was great, the diving was packed full of life, and the FOOD was so, so good.  The resort has really outdone itself with the effort they have put into the kitchen.  They have actually hired a food consultant.  It is really amazing what they are doing there with local ngredients. The cameras came out when the food came to the table, and the taste matched the presentation.

The first-class accommodations were everything we expected and the people with the infinity pools in their private villas seemed happy, lol.  See above to put a deposit on the March 2025 trip.

Here are links to some FB posts with images:

Matt’s (me) post with Fiji pics
Dan’s Day 5 pics
Land and Sea Photography (Kat) Fiji pics

 

Everything below this line is just for historical purposes.  This was the trip description and prices from the trip in March of 2023.  I find it interesting to leave up, so I do.  The next trip is in March of 2025.

 

 

Premium Ocean View

Double Occupancy $ 2239

Single Occupancy $2847

Non Diver without Activities $1533

 

Sold out – at this point it is only spots will open up if there is a last minute cancellation

Recommendation: Premium Ocean view are small stand alone houses all with lanai’s that have full ocean view.  Best upgrade value of all the trips we do and the majority of the rooms that I’ve reserved are of this type.  Worth it, trust me.

The resort is great, the food is amazing, the diving is fantastic, the beach bar paradise incarnate, and the people of Fiji are extremely friendly. We will be staying at The Voli Voli Beach Resort, check it out at volivoliresort.com. The diving is dominated by beautiful soft corals, and the dive sites are 30min to 60min by boat from the resort. Surface intervals are on the boat with snacks, and late lunch is served back at the resort. A typical dive is multilevel starting deep and ending up shallow near the boat which has moved down current. Diving is definitely advanced with the current wrapping around multiple dive site features. After dinner when the restaurant is closing down, the staff sets up the mats around the kava bowl and guests are welcome to participate. The optional kava ceremony is cool, hanging out with the locals around the “grog” bowl.  If you have any muscial talents, bring them.  The locals love it when you share, even if you aren’t that good.

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6 Night Diver Package Includes 

3 days of 2 tank boat diving & 2 days of 3 tank boat diving– includes tanks, weights, and dive guide

Round trip Nadi airport/resort transfers

Accommodations Welcome drink on arrival

Full meal plan – 3 meals daily with juice and milk at breakfast; rainwater, coffee, and tea all day

Traditional Meke performance

Free use of kayaks and participation in a variety of complimentary resort activities

Resort and Government taxes (9%VAT, 10% SST, & 6% ELT)

Unlimited shore diving on day of arrival and dive days (reserve tanks 24 hours prior)

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The reefs in the Bligh Waters are some of the healthiest in the world. (If the name sounds familiar, think “Mutiny on the Bounty”, the area is named after the historical figure Lieutenant William Bligh, who sailed these seas in the 1780’s.) This is the stretch of sea that between the islands of Vanua Levu and Viti Levu. There are no crowds here, we only saw a hand full of other dive boats the whole week. The area is so nice, it’s on upscale live aboard boat schedules. Don’t worry, there are over 50 sites for the small number of boats to choose from.

Currents in the Bligh can be swift, but that is why the reefs are so healthy. Incredibly nutrient-rich waters flow through and feed the corals and smaller fish, which attracts bigger fish. There are many seamounts and pinnacles, (called “Bommies”), covered in colorful fans, hard and soft corals. Famous dive sites like Mellow Yellow, Black Magic Mountain, and Mount Mutiny are roughly 20 minutes away from Volivoli. From steep walls to swim-throughs, macro life to megafauna, beginners to veterans, there is something for everyone.

Itinerary:
You can get there any way you like, but these are the flights that Matt and Sheila are taking:

Sunday – fly out of Honlulu on Fiji Air
02:50 AM Honolulu(HNL) note: you go to the airport late Sat! night. arrive – 07:35 AM ^+1 day Nadi(NAN). These flights at the time I’m writing this are not yet available, but in the past have been under $1000 round trip.  This changed to a Sat late PM flight out.

Monday – arrive (we crossed the date line) and get transported to the resort which is a bit of a drive, about 3 hours with the shopping trip we will make on the way.  Not necessarily part of the tour, but all we have to do is tip the driver and he’ll stop in town and we can explore a local market, and pick up some snacks and drinks for the frig in your room.

Tuesday – Saturday – eat, dive, eat, nap/activity, eat, beach bar, sleep – Repeat 5X.

Sunday – check out and fly home
05:10 PM Nadi(NAN) – 01:40 AM Honolulu(HNL) arrive back same day.  This change to closer to noon fly out.

There is a bit of a wait at the airport on the way out since we have to depart the resort after breakfast so they can get ready for the next group.  In the past we’ve killed the time at the hotel across the street from the airport, some people just hang out in the restuarant, some people get a day room, and a few venture into town in taxis.  Up to you.

1 bag included in flights, the second bag is currently $50 each way. Be aware that they weight your carry-ons, 15lbs max!  Bag weight can be tricky to Fiji, pack carefully!  You can do laundry at the resort.

Not included:
•Airfare
•Tips for staff – have to be in cash at end of the trip and go to the staff Christmas fund which is distributed annually.
•Nitrox ($125 USD prepaid)•Beverages other than tea, coffee, and rainwater
•Lobster and Crab menu items (Market price)
•Personal dive equipment
•Dive Courses
•Extra dives & night dives ( pay direct about $78 USD)
•Dive and Travel Insurance (diving insurance is mandatory)

A wifi pass is also available for 2 devices for $100 FJD (about $50USD)

Note

As of this writing Matt and Sheila are coming in to Fiji from Cairns liveaboard the week before.  See that trip for out flight info.  If you are coming in direct to Fiji send us your flight info.  Most are coming in on Fiji Air from Honolulu.  If you are doing something exotic, let us know.

 

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PAYMENT SCHEDULE
Payments: $500 to reserve
Full payment due 90 days prior to departure

Make check to Dive Travel Services PO Box 30108 Honolulu HI 96820.

If you are traveling solo and want us to help you find a room mate we will.  Just let us know.  Cannot gaurantee that it will happen, but you’ll have an option to get your deposit back prior to date of last payment due if we cannot and you don’t want to pay the single supplement.