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Destinations
/ Fiji
Bula
Vinaka & welcome to Fiji !!
Geography
Fiji is ideally located in the tropics of the southern hemisphere,
it lies on the 180th Meridian where the dawning of each
new day occurs. Over 300 islands make the Fiji group of
islands with a total land area of just 18,272 square kilometers.
Of the 300 islands, only a 100 or so islands are inhabited
by humans and the rest are left as nature reserves.
The two major islands in the group are known as Viti Levu
and Vanua Levu.
Almost
80 percent of the population live on these two islands.
However, the majority of the population still live in rural
areas . Only about 40 percent of the population live in
urban areas.
Suva, on the East coast of the main island (Viti Levu) is
Fiji's largest town and the administrative capital with
a population of over 147,000. Most international flights
operate into and out of Nadi Airport on the West coast,
about 2.5 hours drive from Suva.
 Climate
Fiji enjoys an ideal South Sea tropical climate and can
get hot in the summer but seldom reaches above 35°C
(96°F). Trade winds from the east southeast bring year
long cooling breezes late afternoon and early evening.
History
& Culture
Fiji is a blend of fascinating and ancient cultures. Tranquil
villages are nestled in out of the way places where rituals
such as the yaqona ceremony are enacted as they have been
for centuries and visitors are welcomed as honoured guests.
Come and discover the history, be entertained by the legends
and tales, find out about the culture and learn the ways
of the local people. Teach yourself a little of our language.
The
people of Fiji
Fijians are amongst the friendliest and most relaxed people
in the world and it's their infamous hospitality that has
visitors coming back for more - time and time again !
Traditional village life is still very much the way for
many Fijians and this relies on stong ties of family and
friendship.
Your respect for their customs and traditions will not only
make you a welcome guest in their villages and homes, but
will add another dimension to your Fijian holiday.
 Currency
The Fijian Dollar is the basic unit of currency, available
in denominations of $2, $5, $10, $20, $50. Coins: 1c, 2c,
5c, 10c, 20c, 50c and $1. Aa a rough guideline the Fijian
Dollar is worth approximately 0.80 Australian Dollars.There
is no limit to the amount of money to be brought in. Visitors
are allowed to take out currency up to the amount imported.
Health
Fiji is free from malaria, yellow fever and major tropical
diseases that are endemic to most tropical countries. It
has an effective medical system in place although local
people still believe in the efficacy of age-old herbal remedies.
Fresh water reticulated in Suva, Lautoka and the other major
towns has been treated and is safe to drink from the tap.
This also applies to hotels and resorts. Some resorts use
artesian water for bathing, but provide drinking water separately.
If this is the case, visitors will be advised.
Entry
Requirements
Fiji welcomes visitors and to facilitate easy entry, everything
has been done to make the process as pleasant as possible.
A valid passport for at least six months beyond the intended
period of stay and a ticket for return or onward travel
is required. Entry visas are granted on arrival for a stay
of up to 4 months or less for nationals of most countries,
including former Eastern Block countries.
 Diving
Labelled
as the "Soft Coral Capital of the World" by Jean-Michel
Cousteau, Fiji offers some of the World's best scuba diving
with a comprehensive range of excellent dive locations.
Spectacular hard and soft corals, caves and grottoes, amazingly
diverse marine life that includes large pelagic species
such as sharks and tuna, turtles and fish of all hues and
sizes, and internationally certified dive operators all
ensure your dive experience will be a memorable one. For
the underwater explorer and photographer, the crystal waters
of Fiji's virgin reefs and magnificent lagoons very often
offer unmatched visibility.
To experience the very best diving that Fiji has to offer,
we recommend that you take one of the excellent liveaboard
cruises or visit any of the following regions where you
can also enjoy the delights of the traditional and "real"
Fiji:
 Fiji
Liveaboards
If you like the idea of cruising through some of the
most remote and pristine areas of Fiji and diving some of
the world's top dive sites whilst enjoying the creature
comforts that you would expect from a luxury liveaboard
then Fiji is blessed with some excellent options. Both the
N'aia and the Fiji Aggressor are world class dive vessels
that accommodate small guest numbers - so personalised you'll
be sure to have a reef to yourself each dive!
Kadavu
Fiji's fourth largest island situated 100km south of the
main island Viti Levu is one of the few remaining undeveloped
islands in Fiji today. The striking Astrolabe Reef and the
Kadavu group of islands have both been created by past volcanic
activity and tectonic movements. The remoteness and unspoilt
nature of this region has ensured that Kadavu is home to
an abundance of marine life unequalled in Fiji.  Divers
and snorkellers can expect a diversity of fish life and
corals of every conceivable colour and formation. The Great
Astrolabe Reef is the world's fourth largest barrier reef
and is Fiji's largest living organism. It extends along
the entire southern side of Kadavu and stretches for over
120km. It is rated as one of the world's premier diving
locations offering a great diversity and spectacle in coral
structures and marine life.
Kadavu is very definitely a "low key" destination
and it's emphasis lies very much in "eco-tourism".
Consequently, the dive resorts such as Matava & Papageno
are of a small, family run nature, are iintigrated with
the local villages and consider themselves as part and parcel
of the local community. With it's countless waterfalls,
walking tracks and adundent wildlife, Kadavu is an a destination
that will appeal to all sorts of adventure lovers and those
seeking peace and tranquility !
Dive Sites
of Kadavu
Kadavu
Dive Resorts:
Taveuni
Taveuni
is the third-largest of the Fiji's 300 Fiji islands after
Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. Its fertile soils gave rise to
the name the "Garden Island".
Taveuni actually straddles the 180 degree meridian and is
separated from Vanua Levu by the Somosomo Strait, rich in
world class dive sites. Here you can dive the amazing Rainbow
Reef,  The
Great White Wall, The Purple Wall, The Ledge, The Zoo, The
Fish Factory and countless others. All these spots are a
pleasant 10-30 minute boat ride from your resort.
Over the years, the nutrient rich waters powered by the
strong currents of the Somosomo Strait have combined and
made Taveuni one of the soft coral capitals of the world
- the amazing vibrance of colour underwater just has to
be seen to be believed along with the abundance of all form
of marine life. At times, diving these on these reefs is
a bit like being in an aquarium - it just seems too good
to be real !.
Above
the waterline, much of Taveuni is thickly carpeted with
rainforest and the lush landscape is blessed with many waterfalls
and an abundance of wildlife.
Pleasingly, the traditional village Fijian lifestyle is
also very much intact on Taveuni and there are plenty of
cultural and adventure activities to enjoy in this tropical
playground.
On
Taveuni there are a range of resorts that suit most budgets
- they are all low-key and offer both divers and no-divers
the opportunity to enjoy this wonderful location.
Dive
Sites of Taveuni
Taveuni
Dive Resorts:
Beqa Island (Beqa Lagoon)
Famous for its firewalkers and turquoise lagoon, rugged
Beqa Island (pronounced Mbengga) lies off the south
coast of Viti Levu, about 7.5 kilometres from Pacific Harbour
- a 60 minute drive from Suva.
Beautiful
Beqa Lagoon is a great spot for snorkelling and diving.
Beqa’s fringing coral reef is famous worldwide for
its superb dive sites. Along with dolphins and turtles,
there are many colourful coral species and a wide variety
of fish to be seen. Well known dive sites include Side Streets
(soft corals and gorgonian fans), Caesar’s Rocks (coral
heads and swim-throughs) and Frigate Pass (a 48km wall with
pelagic fish, including white-tip reef sharks).
 For
those who love the really big creatures there's also the
chance to participate in an awesome shark dive outside of
the lagoon - this area is home to the bull shark and most
months of the year you can encounter more than 10 of these
crestures plus many more shark species on one dive! Beqa's
nine villages are located along the coast, and transport
is largely by boat.
There
are no roads, although a narrow footpath winds around parts
of the island.
Beqa
is an ancient volcano spanning 36 square kilometres. Its
steep interior is covered with lush rainforest; the island's
high ridges (250m) drop dramatically down to the coast.
Only a small proportion (12%) of Beqa is suitable for cultivation,
most of it at the top of the island’s numerous bays.
To appreciate the very best of Beqa it's best to stay on
the island itself.
Dive Sites of Beqa
Beqa
resorts:
 Rakiraki,
Viti Levu
Located on the Northern tip of Viti Levu, Fiji's largest
island, the Rakiraki region offers divers access to the
world-famous Bligh Waters, home to some of Fiji's best marine
life. Here divers can find an abundance of diverse underwater
species from the very best and most colourful soft coral
to spectacular wall & current dives. Whilst this is
a very remote, pristine and traditional area it's very accessible
being only 2.5 hours drive from Nadi Airport.
Rakiraki
Dive Resorts:
Vatulele
Fiji's exclusive
private island resort. Please email
for details
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