South Pacific
TAVEUNI, VANUA LEVU & THE SOMOSOMO STRAIT, FIJI
Season: Year-round diving
Visibility: 25-50m/80-165ft
Water Temperature: 25-27°C/77-81°F
Soft coral delights (Shannon Conway)
Shore-based resort: Paradise Resort
Diving: Sharks, Manta Rays, house reef, walls, coral gardens, swim-throughs, shore diving
Snorkeling opportunities
Land excursions/holiday extensions
Known as ‘The Garden Island’ Taveuni is a rugged island, covered in verdant forests and steep peaks, secret waterfalls and excellent walking trails for the keen hiker or the mildly adventurous stroller! Despite the fact that Taveuni’s indigenous people were once a feared warrior clan, rumoured to relish the taste of human flesh, the island is now a popular destination for divers and non divers alike, recognised for it’s gorgeous scenery, romantic vistas and numerous activities of the diving and non-diving variety. Several daily flights from the nation’s capital, Nadi take only around an hour and a half to fly passengers to and from Taveuni. It is a fraction of the size of Viti Levu and is well worth exploring on top of the waves as well as below too. Lake Tagimaucia, some 800 metres above sea level in an old volcanic crater is one of Tavenuni’s most favourite tourist destinations as well as the picturesque Bouma Falls. Here you can truly experience the quintessential tropical paradise desired by so many and experienced by so few!
It is Taveuni’s underwater wonders however that are one of the biggest lures for travellers. A narrow channel between the islands of Taveuni and Vanua Levu constantly funnels the rushing ocean, creating swift currents. In its haste to squeeze through this narrow gap, the ocean stirs up a nutritious mix of plankton that serves as food for the brilliantly coloured gardens of soft coral which grow here in profusion. Cutting across this channel, known as the Somosomo Strait, is Fiji’s famous Rainbow Reef. Divers can explore both the reef and the strait. The twenty mile long Rainbow Reef has many dive sites. Even before entering the water, just a glimpse over the side of the boat makes it obvious that it is the profusion of brilliant soft corals that adorn each site that justifies the name of the reef. There to be discovered are colourful ‘gardens’ of shimmering golden yellows, explosions of vibrant reds, luminous pinks and iridescent blues and purples.
Annie’s Bommie is one of the prettiest reef dives. A series of coral heads, each packed with multicoloured soft corals, is home to thousands of fairy basslets that appear like a sprinkling of precious jewels. Swim through a gap in the corals and gorgonians and emerge to a display of unusual tabletop corals each surrounded by garlands of soft coral at the Yellow Grotto.
The Great White Wall has to be one of the most thrilling dives in all of Fiji! Careful timing is essential here as the current can range from a gentle lulling ripple to a mask-ripping force! The most spectacular way to see this wonderful wall is to descend to about 30 metres and then gaze upwards to observe the phenomenal and awe inspiring sight of a vertical wall, every inch of which is covered with shimmering, frosty-white soft corals extending their tentacles in a frenzy of feeding that gives them the appearance of flowers in full bloom. In this underwater world that is usually so full of colour it is perhaps the unexpected and spectacular surprise of pearl white corals that makes this dive so unusual.
On Blue Ribbon Eel Reef one encounters the usual array of flora and fauna, but it is made rather special by the presence of so many spectacular ribbon eels. The males are black when young and become a beautiful iridescent blue on reaching maturity. The females are a bright golden butter yellow.
At almost every dive site you can be sure of a vast array of reef fish – parrotfish of every hue, lionfish with manes of harmful spikes, pufferfish, barracudas and many others. Pelagic visitors to the Somosomo Strait may include dolphins and Marlin. You may see White-tip and Black-tip Reef Sharks, turtles or even Manta Rays gliding by.
PARADISE RESORT, TAVEUNI
This peaceful, very comfortable and well-run resort is owned and operated by Australian expatriates Terri and Allan Gortan, who have made Taveuni their home since 2006. They were so taken with it when they first arrived that they named it ‘Paradise’ and paradise it is! Paradise Resort, located on a stunning ocean-front stretch is some 40 kilometers from Matei Airport on Taveuni and a visit involves a scenic one hour drive to the northern point of Taveuni island.
Delightfully located amongst 5 acres of immaculately kept gardens, with the palm trees and sea before you and an extinct volcano as a dramatic backdrop, you will be thrilled at the beauty of the resort’s location.
The resort comprises 10 traditional Fijian Bures with en-suite bathrooms, a restaurant and bar, tour desk and on-site dive shop, and can cater for up to 22 guests at any one time. There is a swimming pool with a sun-deck area for those lazy moments and hammocks strategically located for those sleepy moments!
The bures blend in discretely with the scenery and are built in traditional Fijian style, with thatched roofs and intricately woven ceilings. They are palatial inside, with king-sized beds, spacious living areas and modern bathrooms. All bures are tastefully decorated with locally sourced furnishings and large wooden louvre windows that allow plenty of light in and a pleasant breeze to circulate; they also have ceiling fans, a sun deck and private day bed, as well as the classic Fijian essential – an outdoor shower! Oceanfront bures have their own Jacuzzi.
The food is another highlight of your stay as Allan is an internationally-trained chef and insists that the menus include fresh, local, and mostly organic produce. Incorporating the local styles of cooking into his more traditional methods has proved rewarding and Paradise Resort is known to have one of the best restaurants in the South Pacific. Most special dietary requirements are catered to and Allan will design a dish to meet your specifications, should you wish. Don’t forget about the Indulgent Seafood Dinner – a four course seafood delight featuring fresh Taveuni Lobster for your main course.
The Paradise Spa offers a range of treatments and therapies. One of Paradise’s signatures is the welcome massage on offer to all new arrivals to help rub away any strains of the journey. Massages can last from half and hour to an hour and a half, or you may wish to indulge in a body polish or body scrub!
For those wishing to have a non-diving day or for non-diving partners, Paradise can arrange a great variety of activities. The Taveuni landscape is incredibly beautiful and it is well worth exploring the island and its volcanic peaks, swim in the pools below the waterfalls and marvel at the flora and fauna. Cultural tours, island drives, kayaking and horse riding can all be arranged locally. Cookery and craft demonstrations are very popular and if you feel the need to stretch the grey matter you can have a go at the ‘learn to speak Fijian’ course!
Stays can be of any length. Prices given below relate to a stay of 7 nights.
Price: from about $1421. Includes: 7 nights full board accommodation (breakfast, lunch and dinner) on a twin/share basis in a Tropical Bure; airport transfers; a welcome footrub; tea, coffee and cookies. A Pro Dive Pack can be purchased from about $786. Includes: 10 dives on Vuna Reef or Rainbow Reef; one nights dive and 'unlimited' unguided shore dives. Single ocupancy supplement: From about $711 for 7 nights.