Answers

Q1. What's the best way to get to Taveuni? ----------------------------

Fiji is serviced with flights from USA, New Zealand, Australia, China, Singapore, and Hong Kong. Fiji Airways codeshares with Qantas and American, while Air New Zealand codeshares with United. Both fly into Nadi airport with almost daily connections. Once at Nadi you get a domestic flight (Fiji Link is Fiji Airways Domestic Partner) to Taveuni (Matei airport) – a flight time of approximately 70 minutes. From the Matei airport it’s a pretty 30 minute drive to the resort.

The domestic flights are a grand opportunity to view the islands of Fiji, and see the fringe reef systems surrounding them. Having your camera available on this trip!

Fiji's National Airline is Fiji Airways: www.fijiairways.com

[top of page]

Q2. What's the best time of year to dive on Taveuni?

Our operation is diving year round! May through September gives the best visibility underwater, and the nicest weather topside. That said, if you like warmer water (and a bit lower visibility) and don't mind a bit of rain, October through February is nice.

[top of page]

Q3. Can we dive the Great White Wall?

It's best to dive the Great White Wall when the soft coral are blooming, (when the coral are extended to feed). This depends on the course of the moon's orbit, and the tides in the Somosomo strait. You can check out our Great White Wall Schedule and dive guide for more information.

[top of page]

Q4. What is the average water temperature and visibility?

  • November to May: 80–82 o F or 28–29 o C. Visibility: 40-100ft or 12-30m

  • June to October: 78–79 o F or 26–27 o C. Visibility: 65-130ft or 20-40m

[top of page]

Q5. Is your Dive Crew experienced?

Our PADI divemasters have over 10 years of guiding experience in the Somosomo Straits (i.e., Rainbow Reef). Our other staff undergo extensive training and on-the-job training under the supervision of management before being being Taveuni Dive-approved.

[top of page]

Q6. Should I bring my camera?

We are very experienced working with photographers. The dive boat will have a bucket of fresh water and our onboard staff will safely pass you the camera when you are in the water and take it from you before you climb aboard.

[top of page]

Q7. If I am staying at another resort do you pick up and drop off?

No. Unfortunately at this time we are only providing diving and snorkeling services for our in house guests. For the best resort-to-reef experience we obviously recommend you stay with us!

[top of page]

Q8. Is there a hyperbaric chamber on Taveuni?

No, the nearest chamber is in Suva. Due to our remote location we dive very conservatively, since the nearest recompression chamber is a six hour boat-ride away from the resort. Therefore, our dive time is dependent on one of 3 things: limits of air, limits of your computer, or 50 minutes, whichever comes first.

We want to make sure you have fun while diving with us, but your safety, and the safety of your dive crew is our primary concern.

[top of page]

Q9. Is Taveuni Dive Resort insured?

We are fully insured, and we have used the same insurance company for many years without a claim! We do recommend all our guests book their own personal travel insurance prior to arrival, and assure it covers all of your intended activities. As they say, if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel. Choose a policy that suits your needs. For example, you may wish to cover a pre-existing health condition or you may want extra coverage if you’re planning on trying new sports like scuba diving or bungee jumping. Travel insurance is inexpensive and guarantees a worry-free holiday.

[top of page]

Q10. What about tipping?

Direct tipping to individuals is not expected or encouraged in Fiji. Tip with a smile and vinaka, which is Fijian for thank you. If you had a good time and would like to leave a gratuity for the Dive team, Resort staff, as well as their families and kid’s school funds – you are free to do so. It can simply be added it to your final bill. We do not recommend personal tips be given because we collect all gratuities each year, and disburse them to all staff at Christmas. This helps to make sure that everyone who helped you have a good time gets rewarded (even the behind-the-scene staff you may not have met!)

[top of page]

Q11. What are your surface intervals like?

Your surface interval may be discovering a new bay, inlet, or beach. Perhaps it will be gently cruising to the next site. Surface intervals include light refreshments like a snack, water, and juice. You may also bring your own personal snacks.

[top of page]

Q12. What is a dive day like?

We dive 2 tanks in the morning, with the dive boats leaving the marina at 8am, unless a member of the Dive Team instructs otherwise. It takes about 10 minutes from Taveuni Dive Resort to reach the Rainbow Reef. You'll do your first dive, then a surface interval (see Q11.), then a second dive. We'll return to the marina around noon, just in time for your lunch.

[top of page]

Q13. Is your resort non-diver friendly?

We welcome divers and non-divers alike. Taveuni is blessed with many natural attractions to explore above and below the water, and the pool and other resort facilities are available for those who need a day relaxing.

[top of page]

q14. When is Cyclone season, and is your resort safe?

Cyclone season runs November thru April. The resort is built to withstand these severe storms. One of the largest Category 5 Cyclones ever recorded in the Southern Hemisphere, Cyclone Winston (Feb. 2016), caused very little damage. We did have a bent ceiling fan blade in the restaurant, and the gardens were a bit of a mess – but all these things were fixed and tidied with a little time and effort. We had some guests, and also invited some others living on Taveuni to come and shelter at the resort during the cyclone, with a hot breakfast in the morning!

Of special note: Taveuni Dive Resort was the only resort on Taveuni that remained open and operational immediately after this huge storm!

[top of page]

Q15. What's the weather like?

Taveuni has a mild tropical climate with two seasons – summer (wet) and winter (dry). The most temperate months are March through to November. Maximum temperatures rarely move beyond 31oC to 26oC (86oF to 79oF) year round. A cooling trade wind blows from the east-southeast most of the year. It usually drops to almost nothing in the evening, and picks up by mid-morning. Rainfall is highly variable and strongly influenced by topography, with the prevailing south-east trade winds bringing moisture onshore and causing heavy showers in the mountain regions. Near the resort, the average yearly rainfall is about 1 meter.

Average Air Temperatures

  • Summer – 23 – 30oC (73 – 86oF)
  • Winter – 20 – 26oC (68 – 79oF)

Average Water Temperatures

  • Summer – 27 – 29oC (80 – 84oF)
  • Wiinter – 25 – 27oC (77 – 80oF)

[top of page]

Q16. What languages does your staff speak?

English is the official language and is taught in the schools. Fijian, Hindi, and Chinese are widely spoken. In Fiji, almost everyone is bilingual.

[top of page]

Q17. Is there access to banking services?

All commerce is in Fiji dollars (FJD) – there are approximately 2 FJD to 1 USD. You are recommended to exchange currency in Nadi before flying to Taveuni. There are two banks at the Nadi Airport (ANZ and Westpac), as well as a Western Union that will change foreign currency, travellers cheques, and process cash credit card transactions. There are also several ATM's.

Normal banking hours are from 9:30am to 3:00pm Monday – Thursday, and 9:30am to 4:00pm on Friday. All banks are closed on public holidays. ANZ operates a 24 hour service at Nadi International Airport’s Arrival Concourse.

Most resorts and dive centers in Taveuni are happy to accept USD currency. International credit cards are accepted in some places. On Taveuni, there are two ATM's at the BSP Bank in the village of Somosomo.

[top of page]

Q18. Will my cell phone work?

Visitors from many countries can use their GSM handsets in Fiji. Mobile customers are advised to check with their network operators for roaming status and costs before traveling.

For those with 'unlocked' cell phones, both Vodafone, and Digicel (Fiji's two Mobile Network Providers) have kiosks just after departing through Customs in the arrival area of the International Airport. Vodafone on your left, Digicel on your right. Check them out and pick up a SIM that suits your needs during your visit.

[top of page]

Q19. What credit cards do you accept?

Taveuni Dive Resort accepts Visa, MasterCard, and American Express. Please note that there will be a 3% Credit Card Surcharge for any purchases paid for at the resort during your stay, or upon check out.

[top of page]

Q20. Is there a dress code?

Casual dress is appropriate for both night and day. Pack t-shirts, shorts, light cotton dresses and swimwear. For cooler evenings or for out on the water, a jacket is a good idea. Sunscreens and hats are a must; and sandals or sports shoes are good protection for walking and swimming around coral.

Sulus are a good idea for both men and women. The wraparound sulu is Fiji’s most distinctive and versatile form of dress. For women there at least ten different ways it can be used, even for evening wear. Ask our resort staff for hints on tying and wearing your sulu.

Visitors are asked to be careful not to offend local sensibilities. Wearing bikinis and ultra-brief swimming costumes is fine at a resort but not when visiting villages or shopping in town. This is where a sulu comes in handy.

[top of page]

If you have lots of electronic toys, you will want to bring a few of these adapters.

If you have lots of electronic toys, you will want to bring a few of these adapters.

Q21. What is the electricity supply? Can I use my own appliances, charge phones, laptops etc?

Electrical power in Fiji is delivered at 240 Volts AC (50Hz) with three-pin power points – the same as in Australia and New Zealand. Many appliances that use a transformer can be used with just a plug adaptor, but you should check your owners manual to be sure.

[top of page]

Q22. What dive certifications do you honor?

Taveuni Dive Resort recognizes many different certification agencies that support equivalency with PADI. These include SSI, NAUI, and a few others. If you need additional information, drop us an email.

[top of page]

Q23. Do you have WiFi?

Taveuni Dive Resort maintains a wifi hotspot in the resturant area, but not in the bures. Remember that Fiji is a developing country and the WiFi can be slow at times. We ask guests not to stream video or do live video chats, etc. E-mail works great, as does facebook, and most browsing. Bandwidth-intensive activities bog the router down quite quickly.

[top of page]