Hi there,
We may have a week to play in October or November and are thinking about a diving holiday in the Pacific somewhere. We live in NZ and have dived Vanuatu, Cook Islands and Great Barrier Reef. Thinking now maybe Niue, Samoa, Tonga ...... any suggestions on best diving without having to pay huge airfares to get there?
Cheers.
jacobella
1
onthespot
Hi Jacobella
How about Fiji? It's the best diving in the South Pacific and direct flights from New Zealand.
You should do some research into the different price options available for Fiji Liveaboards and Resorts .
Have fun.
2
borisphotosafari
Fiji is nice
Check out Beqa Adventure Divers in Pacific Harbor on Fiji. 8 types of sharks, lots of action.
Kadavu was remote and relaxing, not bad diving, beautiful coral there.
Taveuni was good diving, nice island,
4
nightrox
Other options in Fiji: www.kaivitidivers.com - expensive, but very good diving
www. owlfiji.com - a bit out of the way, good diving, Levuka is a very nice old town
5
hfl1
Suggestion- no idea as to airfares from NZ -are lesser known islands of French Polynesia (Fakarava is one of the best and most unspoilt dive spots in the world, Rangiroa is better known). Diving on Fakarava was particularly stunning, hundreds of sharks, spectacular big marine life, pristine, handfuls of tourists/divers.
I think this will be pricier than Fiji though...
6
jacobella
Ka pai,
After many hours on this thread we are thinking of going to Kadavu in Fiji, tough decision making tho - so much choice out there.....
Thanks again. Maybe Fakarava next year.
Cheers.
7
borisphotosafari
On Kadavu, I stayed at Wasilima Resort. It was great. Really out of the way, great staff, great food. Relaxing.
8
globaldiver
Fakarava/Rangiroa in French Polynesia superb but very expensive (and that's from someone who lives in London). Solomon Islands are pretty wonderful as well and far cheaper
9
luko
None of the destinations you mentioned come close to Fiji.
I second the good word of mouth upon Kaiviti divers on Viti Levu northern coast although you don't have to stay at expensive Wananavu resort where they're based, you can sleep on Nananu-I-Ra cheap bungalows (Mcdonald's, Betham's, etc.). The diving is positively impressive LOTS, I really mean LOTS!!! of colorful soft corals, grey reef, white tips and huge spanish mackerels on every dive, 25m viz minimum.
I have also stayed on Kadavu : Waisalima is very enjoyable, Mo is really someone to meet (don't forget to bring a bottle of champagne, a bad habit I gave her), he people in her place are simply fantastic, I swear you will shed a tear when leaving. It's a place that injects you more trust in the humankind. As for the diving, it's difficult to beat Kadavu for hard corals, although a bit short on middle sized fish; sharks will be on every dives, and manta rays on season.
Never been there but everybody says Taveuni's somosomo straits might be the best dive spot in the whole pacific island.
Solomon islands : never been neither but I dream of Uepi check out www.uepi.com
Of course there's also PNG : Kavieng, Walindi, Madang and all those legendary dive places
Pro tip
Lonely Planet
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