388 replies to this topic

[Resqdew]

My vote is for the liveaboard which would offer the maximum diving (4 dives a day) for the high cost of the trip, plus the required time and effort to get there.

Just my 3200psi.......

[WreckWench]

Thank you Susan. We are thinking of doing a liveabaord and then offering a partial or full week landbased option since not everyone is a liveaboard fanatic and/or the liveaboard does not do ALL of the good diving in Fiji. So are you interested in the 7 day or 10 day option?

[Resqdew]

Going that far, paying that much, l'd vote for the 10 day trip!

Thanks!

[Buzo Guero]

SHOULD this trip roll into 2015, I would commit to Truk 2014, Galapagos 2014 & Fiji 2015. Roll Cocos Island into 2015 & I could die a happy guy at 50!

Guess I'll be getting used to the live-aboard lifestyle in the next couple of years, with Turks & Caicos on the front end. Oh, well. I guess it's my cross to bear...

[Diver Ed]

Here is a comparison of the 7 day trip and the 10 day trip. Both trips spend 1 day at Namena Marine Reserve, 2 days at Taveuni, and 1 day at Koro Island. The 10 day trip has a second day at Savusavu, two additional dives at Wakaya Island, and adds stops at Gau Island and Naigani Island. My preference is for the ten day trip. Ed


LOMAIVITI & TAVEUNI
ISLANDS 7 NIGHTS
FIJI
The following is a sample itinerary of where you might dive during your holiday with us. We
wish to show you the very best diving but a number of factors can determine where we visit.
Weather, tides and currents h
ow busy a site is with other dive vessels all play a part in the
Cruise Director's decision of which route the yacht takes. The safety of all on board is
paramount and we always do our best in offering diving at alternate locations. The Cruise
Director is
happy to listen to requests from guests to visit or remain at certain sites and
providing it is possible and the schedule allows, then guest's requests are respected.
Lomaiviti & Taveuni Islands, Fiji
-
7 Nights
24 Dives including up to
4 night dives
Day 1
-
Welcome Aboard
Meet members of the crew at
Volivoli Beach Resort in Viti
Levu and transfer to the waiting S/Y Fiji Siren
.
After a short boat briefing and introduction to
your crew you have time to relax, settle in and get
acquainted with the
S/Y Fiji Siren as she moves to
one of the many local sites for your first dive of this
7 night safari
.
A suitable check
dive site will be chosen based on the local conditions of the day.
Day 2
–
Namena Marine Reserve
-
4 dives
We start the day with a dive at
North Save a Tack
offers a diverse reef structure and steep
reef wall. We descend to 30m (100ft) to watch for large pelagics. Schools of big eye jacks
congregate here as do hundreds of unicorn fish and red tooth trigger fish. Continuing along
the reef southwards we come to a pinnacle known as
"Kansas"
named for the likeness to the
wheat fields of the US State, due to an abundance of golden leather corals. A wide variety of
reef fish, anthias and gobies can be seen along with octopus
and garden eels.
Other sites within the reserve include
"Two Thumbs Up", "Grand Central Station", "Magic
Mushrooms",
"Ned's Heads" and "Keenans".
The following 3 dives we make will be based
on the currents and conditions but you can expect to see plenty of macro species including
ribbon eels, garden eels, fire gobies. We are also likely to see several species of shark and
schools of tuna and trevally jacks. Manta rays have been known to visit also whilst the
shallow waters of the nature reserve are the epitome of healthy hard coral gardens.
Day 3
–
Savusavu
–
4 dives
Diving in the Savusavu Bay has become synonymous with sightings of hammerhead sharks
we will spend the day here at
a variety of reefs and looking out for the oddly shaped but
graceful pelagic
fish. There are many sites to choose from and your cruise director will
pick basedon the optimum conditions of the day. Sites we visit include:
Barracuda Point
offers a slope and wall to 25m /80ft,
covered with corals and with numerous gorgonian fans. At the wall's point a large school of barracuda congregate in the current and you may also see longfin batfish lining up to be cleaned by the tiny wrasse.
Dreadocks
–
Two large coral bommies peeking up to 5m / 15ft adorned with hard corals and
a plethora soft corals in many shades and colours. Spot for flatworms and other molluscs
lurking amongst the coral branches and see sweetlips, butterfly fish and plenty of lionfish.
Nasonisoni Passage
–
not for the faint of heart, this is a truly speedy drift dive!
The steep
wall, dropping well beyond 50m, is adorned with purple soft corals, which will seem as a blur
as you hurtle along spotting sharks, jacks and a whole host of other pelagic fish. Your express
ride ends in a small bay with pretty corals and plenty
of reef fish to keep you amused on your
safety stop.
Dreamhouse
–
Healthy corals in many varieties provide a haven for the small and medium
sized fish that seek shelter on this large reef pinnacle. And it is easy to see why they would
need to when the curr
ents are running! Reef sharks, hammerheads and even tiger sharks can
be seen cruising about, along with schooling jacks and tuna.
Day
4 & 5
–
Taveuni Island
-
8 dives
The dives we make at Taveuni Island
are largely dependent on the currents and tidal
conditions. Timing is crucial to your enjoyment of the diving in the region. High slack tide is
often the best to enjoy the soft corals when they are open and bright without the ripping
currents. Your cruise director will assess conditions and choose from the
many sites the island
has to offer. We will make a total of 8 dives choosing from dive sites which include:
-
Great White Wall
–
A steep wall covered with white soft corals. The incoming water
encourages the coral polyps to open and feed creating a "bushy"
effect and take on a purplish
tinge. Stunning scenery on their own the corals also shelter square spot anthias & gobies.
Rainbow's End
–
a submerged pinnacle prone to currents, we make a negative descent and
find shelter from where we can watch white tip reef sharks being cleaned, blue runners,
triggerfish and unicornfish. Gardens of soft corals and healthy hard coral bommies attract
may other species.
Purple Wall
–
Steep wall with purple soft corals and numerous banded sea snakes.
Qamea Freeway
–
Sloping reef wall with sandy patches, the current takes you over the sand
to admire the hard coral bommies attracting large schools of banner fish & unicorn fish.
White tip reef sharks can also be seen before finishing your dive drifting gently up the reef
slope.
Coral Gardens
–
Numerous gorgonian sea fans & hard corals shelter anemone fish and
damsel fish; with regular sightings of white tip reef sharks and the occasional manta ray.

Swirling Coconut
-
Exhilarating fish filled drift dive with lush corals and schools
of colourful reef fish. 2 central pinnacles allow the currents to swirl around feeding the purple soft corals
and their attendant orange anthias. White tip sharks & juveniles can be seen.
Other sites include
Barracuda Hole, Jerry's Jelly, Annie's Bommie,
Fish Factory and the Zoo.
Day 6
–
Koro Island
–
4 dives
Dive 1
–
Shark Fin Point, best dived when the tide is running to ensure sightings of reef
sharks, barracuda and eagle rays. The reef also supports angel and butterfly fish species and
plenty of crustaceans.
Dive 2
–
Koro Gardens, full with hard corals makes a change of scenery from the soft corals
of the previous days.
Dive 3
–
At Shark Fin Point we drift along in the current passed white tip reef sharks and
squadrons of eagle rays. Whale sharks can also be spotted around the island so we take some
time after the dive to spot for them.
Dive 4
–
We return to Shark Fin Point for our night dive, where moray eels, crustaceans such
as lobsters and shrimps are coming out to graze.
Day
7
–
Wakaya Island
–
2
dives
Dive 1 Manta's Rock
–
We dive out into the blue to watch for patrolling hammerhead sharks
and manta rays.
Dive 2
–
Blue Ridge
-
this sloping coral wall develops into plateaus at 18m (60ft) and 30m
(100ft) coral bommies on the plateaus hide leaf fish,
dart gobies and blue ribbon eels
.
After
these final dives at
Wakaya Island we make our cruise back to Viti Levu stopping on
the way at Moon Reef, which is a critical resting habitat for spinner dolphins. Snorkelling and
other in water activities are not allowed in the Marine Protected Area however we can view
the dolphins from a safe distance.
In the evening you may enjoy a freshly prepared bbq feast
in the evening and start planning your next adventure with Worldwide Dive and Sail and the
Siren Fleet.
Day 8
–
Disembark at
After breakfast disembark the S/Y Fiji Siren
at the Volivoli Beach Resort
and continue your stay in Fiji
.
Dive more of the Bligh Waters with Volivoli Beach Resort's in house dive
operator, take a day trip to Beqa Lagoon and explore
the local villages of the Rakiraki province.

________________________________________________________________________________

10 day sample itiniary

The following is a sample itinerary of where you might dive during your holiday with us. We
wish to show you the very best diving but a number of factors can determine where we visit.
Weather, tides and currents
how busy a site is with other dive vessels all play a part in the
Cruise Director's decision of which route the yacht takes. The safety of all on board is
paramount and we always do our best in offering diving at alternate locations. The Cruise
Director is
happy to listen to requests from guests to visit or remain at certain sites and
providing it is possible and the schedule allows, then guest's requests are respected.
Lomaiviti & Taveuni Islands, Fiji
-
10 Nights 34 Dives including up to 5 night dives
Day 1
-
Welcome Aboard
Meet members of the crew at the Volivoli Beach Resort in
Viti Levu and transfer to the waiting S/Y Fiji Siren
.
After a short boat briefing and
introduction to your crew you have time to relax, settle in and get acquainted with the
S/Y Fiji Siren as she moves to one of the many local sites for your first dive of this 10 night
safari. A suitable check dive site will be chosen based on the local conditions of the day.
Day 2
–
Namena Marine Reserve
-
4 dives
We start the day with a dive at
North Save a Tack
offers a diverse reef structure and steep
reef wall. We descend to 30m (100ft) to watch for large pelagics. Schools of big eye jacks
congregate here as do hundreds of unicorn fish and red tooth trigger fish.
Continuing along the reef southwards we come to a pinnacle known as
"Kansas"
named for the likeness to the
wheat fields of the US State, due to an abundance of golden leather corals. A wide variety of
reef fish, anthias and gobies can be seen along with o
ctopus and garden eels.
Other sites within the reserve include
"Two Thumbs Up", "Grand Central Station", "Magic Mushrooms",
"Ned's Heads" and "Keenans".
The following 3 dives we make will be based
on the currents and conditions but you can expect to see plenty of macro species including
ribbon eels, garden eels, fire gobies. We are also likely to see several species of shark and
schools of tuna and trevally jacks. Manta rays have been known to visit also whilst the
shallow waters of the nature reserve are the epitome of healthy hard coral gardens.

Day 3 & 4
–
Savusavu
–
8 dives
Diving in the Savusavu Bay has become synonymous with sightings of hammerhead sharks
and during our 10 night itinerary we will spend 2 days here at
a variety of reefs and looking out for the oddly
shaped but graceful pelagic fish. Our 8 dive sites chosen will be based on
the optimum conditions of the day choosing from
Barracuda Point
–
offers a slope and wall to 25m / 80ft,
covered with corals and with numerous gorgonian fans. At
the wall's point a large school of barracuda congregate in the
current and you may also see longfin batfish lining up to be cleaned by the tiny wrasse.
Dreadocks
–
Two large coral bommies peeking up to 5m / 15ft adorned with hard corals and
a plethora soft corals in many shades and colours. Spot for flatworms and other molluscs
lurking amongst the coral branches and see sweetlips, butterfly fish and plenty of lionfish.
Nasonisoni Passage
–
not for the faint of heart, this is a truly speedy drift dive! The
steep wall, dropping well beyond 50m, is adorned with purple soft corals, which will seem as a blur
as you hurtle along spotting sharks, jacks and a whole host of other pelagic fish. Your express
ride ends in a small bay with pretty corals and plenty of reef fish to keep you amused on your
safety stop.
Dreamhouse
–
Healthy corals in many varieties provide a haven for the small and medium
sized fish that seek shelter on this large reef pinnacle. And it is
easy to see why they would need to when the currents
are running ! Reef sharks, hammerheads and even tiger sharks can
be seen cruising about, along with schooling jacks and tuna.
Other sites include "
Hole in the Wall", "Fingers", "Goldilocks"
and "Shark Alley"
Day 5 & 6
–
Taveuni Island
-
8 dives
The dives
we make at Taveuni Island
are largely dependent on the currents and tidal
conditions. Timing is crucial to your enjoyment of the diving in the region. High slack tide is
often the best to enjoy the soft corals when they are open and bright without the ripping
currents. Your cruise director will assess conditions and choose from the many sites the island
has to offer. We will make a total of 8 dives choosing from dive sites which include:
-
Great White Wall
–
A steep wall covered with white soft corals. The incoming water
encourages the coral polyps to open and feed creating a "bushy" effect and take on a purplish
tinge. Stunning scenery on their own the corals also shelter square spot anthias & gobies.
Rainbow's End
–
a submerged pinnacle prone to currents, we make a negative descent and
find shelter from where we can watch white tip reef sharks being cleaned, blue runners,
triggerfish and unicornfish. Gardens of soft corals and healthy hard coral bommies attract
may other species.
Purple Wall
–
Steep wall with purple soft corals and numerous banded sea snakes.
Qamea Freeway
–
Sloping reef wall with sandy patches, the current takes you over the sand
to admire the hard coral bommies attracting large schools of banner fish & unicorn fish.
White tip reef sharks
can also be seen before finishing your dive drifting gently up the reef
slope.

Coral Gardens
–
Numerous gorgonian sea fans & hard corals shelter anemone fish and
damsel fish; with regular sightings of white tip reef sharks and the occasional manta ray.
Swirling Coconut
-
Exhilarating fish filled drift dive with lush corals and schools of colourful
reef fish. 2 central pinnacles allow the currents to swirl around feeding the purple soft corals
and their attendant orange anthias. White tip sharks & juveniles
can be seen.
Other sites include
Barracuda Hole, Jerry's Jelly, Annie's Bommie, Fish Factory and the
Zoo.
Day 7
–
Koro Island
–
4 dives
Dive 1
–
Shark Fin Point, best dived when the tide is running to ensure sightings of reef
sharks, barracuda and eagle rays. The reef also supports angel and butterfly fish species and
plenty of crustaceans.
Dive 2
–
Koro Gardens, full with hard corals makes a change of scenery from the soft corals
of the previous days.
Dive 3
–
At Shark Fin Point we drift along in the current passed white tip reef sharks and
squadrons of eagle rays. Whale sharks can also be spotted around the island so we take some
time after the dive to spot for them.
Dive 4
–
We return to Shark Fin Point for our night dive, where moray eels, crustaceans such
as lobsters and shrimps are coming out to graze.
Day
8
-
Gau Island
–
4 dives
The
Nigali Passage is a deep channel and with an incoming current attracts schools of
pelagic fish. Barracuda and trevally jacks are a common sight at the channel mouth whilst
grey reef sharks form schools at just 18m / 60ft. hang out in the channel for most of the dive
and watch the action then end your dive in the shallow lagoon as the channel ends.
Also of note are the huge groupers that cruise about. We will spend the day diving here and overnight
in the sheltered lagoon.
Day
9
–
Wakaya Island
-
4
dives
Dive 1
Manta's Rock
–
We dive out into the blue to watch for patrolling hammerhead sharks
and manta rays.
Dive 2
–
Wakaya Passage
–
A wall dive with swimthroughs & overhangs, covered with soft
corals. Another great spot to look out for manta rays and hammerhead sharks.
Blue Ribbon Eel Ridge
-
this sloping coral wall develops into plateaus at 18m (60ft) and 30m
(100ft) coral bommies on the plateaus hide leaf fish, dart gobies and blue ribbon eels
.
Dive 3
–
Blue Ribbon Eel Ridge
-
this sloping coral wall develops into plateaus at 18m (60ft)
and 30m (100ft) coral bommies on the plateaus hide leaf fish, dart gobies and blue ribbon
eels
.
Dive 4
–
we return to the Wakaya Passage
for a night dive to watch the light show!

Day 10
–
Naigani Island
–
2 dives
Dive 1
–
Seven Peaks
–
Coral heads formed by a combination of hard and soft corals where
scorpion fish can be seen resting, occasional white tip reef sharks and barracuda cruise
by andthere is a superb swimthrough with whip corals and sea fans.
Dive 2
-
Three Heads
–
As the name suggests this site consists of 3 pinnacles dropping to
15m, where we search for a variety of nudibranchs, flat worms and pleurobranchs.
After the final 2 dives at Naigani Island we make our cruise back to Viti Levu stopping on the
way at Moon Reef, which is a critical resting habitat for spinner dolphins. Snorkelling and
other in water activities are not allowed in the Marine Protected Area however we can
view the dolphins from a safe distance.
In the evening you may enjoy a freshly prepared bbq.
Day 11
–
Disembark
After breakfast disembark the S/Y Fiji Siren at Volivoli
Beach Resort on Viti Levu Island.
Connect to your international flight or continue your stay in Fiji

Edited by Diver Ed, 01 April 2013 - 01:29 PM.

[WreckWench]

Thank you Ed!!! That is great info!

[WreckWench]

Tim this *may* need to slip to 2015 since we are now talking about doing a liveabaord AND a week landbased as well. We currently have effectively 4 big trips for 2014 so far... 2 to Galapagos and 1 to Truk and 1 to Palau or other add-on trip in that part of the world.

So what do others think? Spring of 2015?

[dive_sail_etc]

Here is a comparison of the 7 day trip and the 10 day trip.

...*Snippet in the Bud!*

Wow, what a detailed and comprehensive comparison! Thanks for all you put into that post Ed; I had to snip it in this reply to be sure you'd get a notice message but still find my grateful post when you opened it!

[Diver Ed]

Hello Brad,

I am happy to help. Fiji is an amazing diving destination, and this is going to be a special trip when Kamala gets it all together. Since I have some exposure to a few places there, I am very willing to help out where I can. Ed

Here is a comparison of the 7 day trip and the 10 day trip.

...*Snippet in the Bud!*

Wow, what a detailed and comprehensive comparison! Thanks for all you put into that post Ed; I had to snip it in this reply to be sure you'd get a notice message but still find my grateful post when you opened it!

[Diver Ed]

Hello Tim,

I like your thought process there. I was also planning on both the Truk / Palau trip as well as the Galapagos trip for 2014. The scheduling for December 2014 was causing an issue for me, so Kamala managed to put an individual Galapagos trip together for me instead. I am actually leaving for that trip in four days. I have not paid for the Truk trip yet, and my wallet is already screaming at me with all of the trips I have in the works, so for me, pushing Fiji into 2015 will also work out great. From what I have researched, I think May is a good time for Fiji. It is out of the cyclone season, still not into the cooler water season, and sort of in the window period between wet and dry season. On top of that, it gives me time to come up with some money to actually afford going. My vote is for May 2015 or possibly early June . Ed

SHOULD this trip roll into 2015, I would commit to Truk 2014, Galapagos 2014 & Fiji 2015. Roll Cocos Island into 2015 & I could die a happy guy at 50!

Guess I'll be getting used to the live-aboard lifestyle in the next couple of years, with Turks & Caicos on the front end. Oh, well. I guess it's my cross to bear...

[soonerdiver]

I would also be for 2015 time frame due to the Galapagos trip being in 2014. And I agree with Susan, the more dives the better so I would be for a 10 day liveaboard.

[WreckWench]

Thanks for the input...we'll get you on the list Steve!

[WreckWench]

FIJI FOR 2014+ (Oct - April/May are best months):

Fiji is now on the watch list for 2014+. Thank you for the insight as to when people can do it. I currently have:

1. KimBuddah 2 weeks Jan is fine (bday timeframe)
2. Critterwatcher 1 week but Jan does not work
3. Buzo Guero almost anytime in 2014 but Dec which is Galapagos if pkg price is right - WOULD DO LIVEABOARD AND LIKE THE 10 DAY OPTION and thinking early 2015 is now better
4. Sqbapal 2014 open for me. Fiji is a must do.
5. DiverEd between Truk and 2nd Galapagos trip in 2014 would say Feb-May 2015 is the best option. Would like the 10 day Siren Liveaboard and possible landbased add-on
6. Resqdew last 2 weeks in March but would consider other dates - Likes 10 day liveaboard
7. ScubaTurtle unclear what dates...depends on other trips he takes
8. Buz aka AirHead anytime just not NYE/Christmas
9. Steve aka SoonerDiver likes 2015 as he wants to do Truk in 2014 and likes the 10 day liveaboard option

[AirHead]

For an update on my interest, I am only interested in a landbased trip anywhere from the 7-10 time frame would be good. Pushing it out to 2015 might make me think about just doing the trip solo next spring.

Buz

[Resqdew]

2015 would be OK, especially if we can stay longer & dive more!

Susan