Diving Resorts
Vanua Levu, Taveuni & Sun Coast
North | Beqa | Kadavu | Mamanuca | Liveaboard
With 30 rooms, Garden Island Resort is the largest property on Taveuni. A 
modest hotel (it used to be Travel Lodge) it's located 30 minutes by road from Matei airport on the shoreline. There is no beach. The rooms are modest in comparison with other Taveuni properties such as Maravu and Dive Taveuni, but comfortable. There are also two units with dorm-style bunks for budget travelers. The chief advantage of this property is its proximity to major dive sites. Dive equipment and teaching standards are 1st class. Room US$92 per person double occupancy. Meals extra. (Photo courtesy of Aquatrek).
Diving: First class diving that includes Great White Wall and Blue Ribbon Eel Reef. Strong currents at times--not for beginners.
Distance from most dive sites: 15 to 20 minutes
Dive Operator: Both the hotel and the dive operation are owned and operated by the same organization, Aquatrek, headquarted in the United States. It's considered one of the best dive operations in Fiji. The crew is well trained, responsive to clients and the head divemaster is a seasoned pro.
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Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort, located on Vanua Levu Island, was 
founded by a family whose name is synonomous with scuba. Jean-Michel Cousteau oversees the dive operation and the educational programs associated with the resort (although he's not often there.) Located on Lesiaceva Point, a ten minute taxi ride from town the property has 26 bures, located on 17 oceanfront acres with views of both the Koro Sea and Savusavu Bay. All have king and day beds, a large tiled bathroom, and private decks. It's one of those rare dive resorts where you can take the kids. There's also a marine biologist and a Fijian naturalist on staff. Live Fijian music is performed in the evenings and there's an open-air restaurant with local and International dishes prepared with many ingredients from the resort's garden where vegetables and organic fruit are grown. Menus include homemade soups, fresh salads, a choice of a vegetarian, fish or meat dishes, and desserts made daily by the pastry chef. JMC was named "World's Best for Diving," by Harpers Abroad (2003)
Dive Activities and facilities: As you would expect, the resort's dive operation - L'Aventure - is geared for diving, and diving is accorded the
serious respect expected from resort guests. Divers of all skill levels
are catered to, and even snorkelers rate their own boat for daily
snorkeling trips. Education is one area that really sets L'Aventure apart
from other diving resorts. The in-house marine biologist presents
educational (and very entertaining) seminars and can answer any of your
questions. In addition, there are excellent reference materials. 
There are 5 dive Instructors on staff, and all dive guides are at least
PADI Divemaster qualified. The in-water ratio of guides to divers is 4 to
1. L'Aventure is affiliated with both PADI and TDI (Technical Diving
International) and accepts referrals for open water certifications from
all agencies. Courses are available through Assistant Instructor. Small,
personalized classes and dive trips are the norm. The dive shop utilizes
US Divers equipment in its rental program, and offers sales and service,
too.
They have 3 mono hull dive boats that carry 10 divers each. The dive sites range from 5 to 60 minutes away, with the average boat ride being around 15 minutes one way. The shore diving is not great, but is OK (there is a charge), but the snorkeling is excellent.
Outside divers are accepted on a space available basis from the Savusavu area, but no transportation is provided.
Comments from the editor of Undercurrent Magazine: Read Ben Davison's comments regarding diving at Cousteau and see map of dive sites in the area.
Price: Prices range from US$535 for garden view bures to US$1950.00 for a villa. Prices includes all meals, activities (except scuba diving), and transfers to and from the Savusavu Airport. Children 12 and under stay free.
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Moody's Namenalala Island is a 110-acre resort and nature reserve, 24 km south of Vanua Levu (off Wainunu Bay) and 32 km north-west of Koro. It houses twelve guests in five hand-crafted bures situated among trees and jungle vegetation. The island is crisscrossed with paths that lead to precipitous cliffs and lonely beaches. As one observer said, it’s as close to a “Survivor” scenario as you’re likely to see.
The accommodations feature, two bath rooms, floor-to-ceiling sliding wooden doors on three sides so that you’ll both get a get views and the cooling effect of the wonderful trade winds. The bures are built atop cliffs,
offering spectacular views. The visitor is treated to a canopied king-sized bed with mosquito netting and the sounds of the sea lapping at the shore.
The owners, Tom and Joan Moody, make use of both fossil fuels and solar energy. Each unit has a propane tank to heat the shower water, a hot plate for coffee, and to power the gas lamps. Roof gutters capture rainwater (no well water on this island) which is stored in a cistern below the floors. Seawater is used for flushing the toilets. A solar panel powers a small reading light and fan over the bed.
Moody's prides itself on using local vegetables and fruits into their menu to create a blend of South Pacific/International Cuisine. They make various soups including the local pumpkin (squash) and rourou (taro leaves which looks like boiled spinach.) Dinners include cassava, dalonitano, kumala as the starch; tubua (local spinach), rourou, green pawpaw cooked in lolo (coconut milk) and a dessert specialty is coconut pie rather than cheesecake. We often bake the pumpkin as Americans bake Acorn squash (a bit of butter, bacon bits and brown sugar). A variety of pasta dishes minus the tomato sauce (vegetables, parmesan cheese and tossed in olive oil). The island grows loads of papaya (pawpaw) so their cuisine serves homemade papaya jam and fresh-squeezed blend of papaya, lemon, mango (when in season), etc. In keeping with the ethnic Indian population, they also serve local curries. You’re not going to starve here.
The most stunning aspect is the pristine state of the flora and fauna. Because in the past there was no constant supply of fresh water, the island never supported a permanent human population. Consequently the island remained undisturbed. The Moody’s have in fact left the island a wildlife sanctuary. Turtles lay their eggs on the beaches and other fauna such as flying foxes, small colonies of red-footed boobies and other bird life can be seen. Guests often include birders as well as divers. 
The island has superb diving and snorkeling, kayaking, and fishing. (See below for detailed description of underwater sights at Moody's).
Moody’s has a five night minimum stay which includes accommodations and meals. Package rates include both return taxi transfers between the Savusavu Airport and downtown Coprashed Marina and also the round-trip sea transfers between Savusavu and Namena Island. Depending upon prevailing weather the day of transfer, the speedboat takes one hour; the cabin cruiser takes 2+ hours. Five night ackage cost is US$1375.00 + tax per person based on twin-share (2 people sharing a bure. Additional nights add US$215 + tax per person. Only additional-pay activity is scuba diving @ US$50 + tax per dive; must be a certified diver.
Dive Activities and Facilities: Diving around Namenalala Island is spectacular. The Namena Barrier Reef
which surrounds the island is over 30 km long with walls, bommies and a
healthy, diversified ecosystem. In June 2004 the waters within the vast
Namena Barrier Reef were declared a marine reserve with all commercial
fishing banned. To compensate the native Fijian owners and to help
preserve the ecosystem there is an annual fee of F$20 charged to each
diver. There are sheer walls and drop-offs a mile deep at North
Save-a-Tack Passage, and beautiful wall dives that wrap around the
southern tip of the reef. On the opposite side of the reef at South
Save-a-Tack Passage the diving consists of more sea mounts with small
caverns and swim-throughs peppering the bommies. Note that some of the
sites south of the island are not accessible during the winter months
(July and August) due to their greater exposure. There are no moorings in
the reserve, so Namena's boats never drop anchor. Namena's Barrier Reef
is home to hundreds of varieties of reef life from nudibranchs, clownfish
and beche-de-mer (sea cucumbers) to sharks, trevally, and manta rays.
There are 2 species of turtle that nest on Namenalala, with Hawksbill
being the most prevalent and green turtles being seen also. The turtle
breeding, nesting and hatching season is typically between Nov and Mar.
Expect water temperatures to be in the 75-78 degree F range during the
winter (Jul-Aug) and 80-82 in the summer (Jan-Mar). A skin suit -2mm
wetsuit is recommended for summer use, and 3-5mm suit for the winter
months. There is a nominal charge for shore diving and snorkeling is also
available from the resort. The shore diving is not comparable to the boat
diving, but the snorkeling is good.
Namena does not offer any educational classes or a traditional dive shop. They do have 2 dive boats, each with a capacity of 12 divers; the Tofua is a 33' cabin cruiser and the Salt Shaker is a 28' launch with a 200 hp engine (making it almost twice as fast as the Tofua). Namena's dive guides are all at least Rescue certified and maintain an in-water ratio of no more than 1 guide to 6 divers. A typical dive day is a morning dive (departing at around 9:00 and returning around 11:00) and an afternoon dive (usually departing between 1:30 and 2:00) with a surface interval and lunch back at the resort between dives. Additional diving may be done on request at the resort. Depending on sea conditions snorkelers may join the dive boats at no additional charge, and are provided their own snorkel guide. Aluminum 80 tanks, weights and belts are provided for divers, but if you need to rent gear be sure and let the resort know ahead of time so that they can make sure some is available for you.
Distance from most dive sites: The farthest sites are about 20-30 minutes away and the close-in sites around 5-10 minutes. The average travel time is about 15 minutes.
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Namale Resort, located 10 km from Savusavu on Vanua Levu (Fiji's second largest island) is one of the most established luxury properties in Fiji. Constructed on the grounds of a 19th century coconut plantation it accommodates a maximum of around 30 guests at a time in 14 large bures and two large villas. Many of the bures are built adjacent to huge volcanic outcroppings and sculpted to fit into the landscape. Unlike most dive properties, Namale strives to be the unabashed lap of luxury. Its Honeymoon Bures offer incredible ocean views over the Koro Sea and include Jacuzzi bathtubs and an ocean view from your oversized bed or sofa. The owner of the resort is Tony Robbins, a well known American motivational speaker and writer known for his "infomercials".
There is a sandy beach (which I understand Mr. Robbins had constructed) with a nearby "swimming 
hole", the size of an Olympic sized swimming pool, surrounded by a reef pool. Other amenities and activities include private dining on one of eight decks overlooking the ocean, two jacuzzis and two pools, horseback riding, tennis, sailing, windsurfing, diving and visits to the local Fijian village. The cuisine is reportedly excellent with a great wine collection to augment the fresh seafood and other dishes. There's a 10,000 square foot spa on a cliff (see Marc Carignan's photo at right) with a fantastic view overlooking the Koro Sea and a "Wellness Center" which consists of a very well equipped gym, with free weights, exercise ball, rebounds, and multiple exercise machines. The other part is a state-of-the-art colon hydrotherapy center with five private "Libbe" beds, the latest in colonics. The resort has received a host of accolades over the years and in August 2004 was featured on the cover of Architectural Digest.
Maravu (next door to Makaira) is located about two km from the airport and is perched on a hill which overlooks the sea. The views are marvellous. Scattered over 54 acres of verdant, manicured grounds are 20 bures. The older ones were "correct" as the French like to say but the newest ones are of a much higher standard. For example the Honeymoon Deluxe Suites have private open-air courtyard with an outdoor shower (which seems to be the rage in Fiji nowadays), a sun deck and a large Jacuzzi Pool with waterfall. There is a decent restaurant on the property with a small bar. The cuisine can be good but service can be slow. There is no beach on the property but a ten-minute walk will bring you to a white sand beach which has good snorkeling. The resort is run by a German couple (Joachim and Angela) who purchased the resort a number of years ago. Prices start at US$180 per person for a single or $130 per person/per night Double and tops out at US$340 for the Oceanview Spa Villa.
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Taveuni Island Resort (formerly Dive Taveuni) near Matei Airport is a family run operation and remains one of the better botique resorts in Fiji. The resort is situated on a bluff (see photo) overlooking the sea and the vista is absolutely spectacular--one of the best on the island. It has 11 well appointed oceanview bungalows all of which have been expanded and undergone upgrading in the last year or so with extras such as new tile floors, king-sized beds, air conditioning/fans, outdoor rock showers,and festive floral arrangements. Several million dollars have been spent on the property and it shows. The food and presentation are excellent. The cliff side horizon pool is one of the outstanding features at the resort. The small powder white beach is a short one minute walk away from the steps of your bungalow. Activities include hiking, kayaking and diving. Prices begin at US $779.00 per bure per night for Luxury Honeymoon Bure and go up to US $ 1,230.00 per night for Luxury Honeymoon Bure. Rates are inclusive of all meals, accommodation, non-alcoholic beverages, transfers to and from Matei airport and 12.5% hotel tax.
Diving:
(Note that Maravu, and Taveuni Island Resort are located within 1 km or so of each other and all share the same dive operator.)
Taveuni is the gateway to the World Famous Somosomo Strait. One of the first areas in Fiji to attract the attention of the dive press, this area was pioneered over 35 years ago by Ric Cammick of Dive Taveuni (now Taveuni Island Resort). Even now the Rainbow Reef still enjoys the reputation of being one of the most desirable dive destinations in Fiji. This area has everything from macro to big pelagics, and everything in between. The unique reef structure and the way nutrients are funneled through make for a diverse and species-rich environment. This area has more world-famous dive sites than many countries! The Great White Wall has been featured in dive articles for over 30 years! There has recently
been some impact on the reef from the Crown of Thorns starfish, but this destination still ranks up there with the best in the world!
Distance from most dive sites: 5-10 miutes. for the close in sites, up to 40-50 miutes for the farthest sites on the Rainbow Reef. The average is 30 min.
Matangi Private Island Resort situated on a horseshoe-shaped, 240 acre private island of the same name located 10 km off the north-east coast of Taveuni. It's owned and operated by Noel Douglas who formerly ran Malcolm Forbes' island and whose family has been in Fiji for 5 generations. The property ranks as one of the finest midrange accommodations in Fiji, offering excellent value. Douglas stresses that Matagi is still a working plantation and he will show guests how a 
plantation is run. Over the years the resort has evolved from strictly a divers hotel to a getaway that now caters to mostly non-divers. Matangi has a total of eleven Beachfront Bures three Tree House Bures, all with splendid views across the Tasman Strait and facing the neighboring islands of Qamea and Taveuni. Most are constructed in a round Polynesian style. All are built from local materials such as hardwood, bamboo and coconut thatching and can withstand 160 km/h winds. There's a new main building with an over-the-water deck which provides great vistas that are best appreciated at sunset with a cold Fiji Bitter in hand. Matangi’s meals are reportedly excellent and regularly feature fresh fish and other seafood, locally grown fresh vegetables, tropical fruit and freshly baked bread. A large selection of Australian and New Zealand wines and champagnes are available. Diving in the area is superb, as is light-tackle sport fishing. There is also deep-sea fishing from September to December, and saltwater fly fishing. Other activities include 
windsurfing, sailing, water-skiing and snorkelling. The island has nature trails, bush walks, caves, inlets and great bird-watching.
This is a wonderful place to stay, especially for honeymooners who really want isolation. The only caveat is that if you want to spend some time sightseeing on Taveuni (the nearest large island) you'll have to take a 30 minute boat ride to get there. In other words, you're really isolated on Matangi but perhaps with the right company, that's not a bad thing. Prices are US$155-US$275 per person and include all meals, nonalcoholic beverages, and excursions.
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Qamea Beach Club is actually not on Taveuni--it's on Qamea, a 15-minute boat ride from the Taveuni's airstrip. It's situated on a small cove fringed by a white sand beach (see below) a kilometer in length. The hotel is nestled at the jagged volcanic cliff which rises prominentsoar behind the property. Qamea can accommodate only a maximum of 28 guests (16 years of age and older) at one time so you're not going to be 
overcrowded nor overrun with young children (as often occurs at other resorts.)
The entire property was renovated in February 2004 and later that year they constructed o two new Premium Villas, each with over 1,600 square feet, including private swimming pools overlooking the beach. The attention to detail is very impressive. Bathrooms have imported European fittings, heated towel rack, hair dryer, outdoor riverstone courtyard showers, and complimentary Pure Fiji (brand) amenities. The eleven (650 sq ft) Beachfront Bures have thatched roofs and with 20 foot ceilings and hand polished local mahogany hardwood floors. There's also a 1,200 square foot honeymoon Villa.
All structures are situated just a few steps from the waterand all have verandahs and face the beach. Among the more interesting amenities is a spring-fed swimming pool. There is also a large restaurant/ lounge bure with a verandah overlooking the which makes for very pleasant dining. The food I had was very, very good. Qamea is a comparatively large island and has plenty of room for nature walks. There are also organized visits to the local Fijian village of Vatusogosogo. Prices start at around US$650.00 double occupancy including meals.
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Wananavu is on the northern "Sun Coast" of Viti Levu. It's located on the northeast corner of Viti Levu island in the heart of sugar cane 
country. Although it's not strictly considered part of the Northern district the type of diving available more closely resembles that of Vanua Levu and Taveuni. The property is
perched on a hillside overlooking the sea and Nananu-i-ra, a private resort island. There are 15 bures, more akin to cottages, spread out over large expanse of land planted with coconut palms, hibiscus and other vegetation. All the units are large and sport lacquered natural pine interiors and "Vesi" hardwood floors. They can accommodate up to four people. There is a comfortable, King-sized bed and a modern, large, extremely clean tiled bathroom. Several hundred feet below the cabins is a swimming beach where you can find benches, shade trees and a fine view of the island offshore.
Snorkeling is available directly offshore but the fish and coral viewing is better on Nananu-i-ra--which is a short boat ride away. Day trips to the island are arranged on a regular basis. Food is good and specials such as fresh sea food or steak are available on a daily basis. The wine selection is quite good with a fine array of New Zealand and Australian wines. The dining and bar area overlooks the sea and there is adeck if you prefer to dine outdoors. Actvities are mosly water-oriented. Given its relative isolation, the attraction is the magnficent country-side and seascapes. Note that Wananavu is located two hours by car from Nadi. One can either rent a car or hire cab from the Nadi Airport. Room prices start at US$151 (double) for the Gardenview Bure and range up to US$350 for the Honeymoon Bure. Self contained units are available for US$293 (double).