Pikas, While I'm not a diver I have been tio FIji 12 times and have paid attention as I do snorkel. Your best diving in Fiji is found in the north, around the island of Taveuni. Kadavu, the fourth largest isle in the Fiji chain, Taveuni is third largest, has the Great Astrolabe Reef. Kadavu is in the south of Fiji by the way. I did some deep water snorkeling on the Astrolabe Reef in 1996, I must say it was spectacular. I accompanied a boat load of divers, they went their way and I went mine. All them later said the diving was world class. I would think the resorts on Kadavu would be cheaper than Taveuni though I would encourage you to go to both islands to get some variety. I will also say that going from Minnesota to Fiji, a week will not be enough. Two weeks should be perfect. Thee are some rustic places on Kadavu that should help to make your trip as economical as possible. Check the listings on this site for a start. Pub

The very best diving is in the North of Fiji..........the Somo Somo Straight is world famous./.............soft corals, white wall and many hundreds of other wall dives........truly beautiful.

sunny regards,

shully

Fiji has terrific diving. For the best sites (I'm a diver and have lived here for almost 10 years) your best bets are: Beqa Lagoon, Kadavu Island, Taveuni and Savusavu. For a backpacker budget, I'd definitely recommend Kadavu. Check out Matava Resort. They are wonderful, have dorm rooms (plus private bures) and have a whole slew of activities as well. The owners (English and Americans) are right on site, and the dive masters and guides are great. Food is exceptional - organic and fresh. I highly recommend it. I love it and am sure you will as well.

ENJOY!

Fiji-Suz, did Nukumbalavu go under? That's where I went in 96 when I visited Kadavu. Pub

Pub 7, Nukubalavu became Waisalima a number of years ago after a change of ownership. Currently Dave Dickinson (ex-Aqutrek and Rainbow Reef Divers) is setting up a dive centre there under his new company Viti Watersports. The resort is (as far as I know) still running under Maureen Riggs.

Back to the original question of "where is the best diving in Fiji?", well this qustion could take me all day and I could write a novel. I've been diving professionally in Fiji for almost 10 years now, and have run dive centres from Yasawa to Taveuni to Lau to Kadavu.

For a start see my Go-List:

tripadvisor.com/GoListDetail-i922-Best_scuba…

Now having said that on a budget I'd agree with Fiji-Suz with Matava for some great diving on an outer island. Sept should have some good viz as well, winter just ending here, water heating up.

Another alternative if you're on a tight budget and can't afford to head out to Matava is the new resort Mango Bay. Alex and Alice at Diveaway run an excellent op there, run by Scott Wade (of Hideaway family fame). The accomodations are new, fresh, funky and the nigthlife is also supposed to be brilliant. The diving is good Fiji diving on huge walls with canyons.

Stuart

GM, Tui Tai

Stuart / Suz - I'm curious what resort/dive operation you'd recommend for diving the Somosomo Straits. The Nai'a didn't go up in that area, and we were too far away from the key sites staying at Qamea. I'm already planning for our next trip and figured we'd split the trip between something in that area and something in the Yasawas. Any recommendations for something in the realm of Qamea or similar? Thanks!

Couple of resorts to consider, right next to each other:

1.Taveuni Island Resort (used to be Dive Taveuni)

2. Maravu Plantation

Both use Swiss Fiji Divers (Domique) for their diving services and hois boats go to the Somosomo Straits daily.

Other resorts dive there, but are not of the level you want after Qamea.

Stuart

GM, Tui Tai

tripadvisor.com/GoListDetail-i922-Best_scuba…

Thanks, Stuart. Appreciate the recommendation. I've heard other good things about both resorts as well.

i am a die hard about Matava...truely paradise. food, people, seclusion, diving, enjoy

Don't mean to hijack this thread.

I'm a keen diver and headed to Matamanoa. Does anyone know anything about the dive operation AquaTrek run out of Matamanoa? Also what are the dive sites like they take you?

Thanks,