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Fiji Dive Resorts | Fiji Liveaboards | Fiji Dive Tours
Fiji Liveaboards
Island Dancer II | Nai'a | Tui Tai
The best of Fiji's diving is available by liveaboards,
and several of the best sites are only available with these extended
excursions...
Island Dancer II
Throughout the week aboard the Island Dancer II, an intimate 10 passenger yacht, guests will depart Suva to explore the reefs, bommies and walls of Nigali Pass, Wakaya, Koro and Namenalala Islands. Known as the soft coral capital, the brilliant colors on display will dazzle even the most experienced divers and photographers. Drift dives with eagle rays, mantas, turtles, sharks and giant groupers are also on the itinerary.
Clownfish, pygmy seahorses, ornate ghost pipefish, and a multitude of nudibranchs bring smiles to every dive! With direct flights from several major cities worldwide, it is an easy destination to add to your dive log.
To top off the exiting diving and experience some of Fiji’s local culture, a visit to a Fijian village on one of the remote islands is arranged including a Kava ceremony and warrior dance. All guests are required to wear a traditional sulu (sarong or wrap) so either bring your own or we will gladly provide one for you!
The Island Dancer II appeals to those discriminating divers who prefer a smaller group and is perfectly suited for Fiji and the diving itinerary. All indoor areas are air-conditioned and each of the guest cabins feature ensuite facilities. The beautifully appointed salon has ample room for divers to view their photos and videos or to enjoy a movie on the entertainment system. The sundeck features covered and uncovered lounging and is a perfect place to relax with a book during surface intervals.
The Nai'a
Accommodations:
The Nai'a is a 120 ft motor sailer that boasts eight private suites
with private bath and air-conditioning. The main deck salon spans
the full thirty foot beam of the ship and houses the dining area
and a lounge which doubles as a theater for viewing slides and videos.
Forward of the lounge is the dive deck, a huge area sheltered from
the sun but open to the sea breezes. A dedicated camera room where
camera gear can be serviced, charged and stowed during the voyage,
is located adjacent to the dive deck.
Diving:
Rather than operate out of a single port such as Suva, the Nai'a
is a true expeditionary ship. She cruises from Lautoka in the West
to a variety of islands and reefs to the North and East to show
you a variety of marine life. One week and ten day cruises can be
scheduled.
Underway,
the Nai'a carries two large Naiad rigid inflatables on her upper
boat deck, which serves as a sun deck when the skiffs are launched.
The reefs are extensive, requiring quality skiffs to explore safely
and comfortably. Each of the two specially designed skiffs can carry
ten divers and their gear easily and efficiently, which becomes
critical when you are far from the beaten track.
A typical ten day voyage, beginning and ending in
Lautoka, would include many of the following areas in more-or-less
the following order: Nananu-i-ra, Vatu-i-ra, E-6, Namena, Makogai,
Wakaya, and Gau.
Sample Diving Areas - 'Bligh water' Raki Raki
Named after the famous Captain Bligh of The Bounty, Bligh Water is the stretch of sea that separates Fiji's two main islands of Vanua Levu and Viti Levu. There is a great deal of water movement through here and, especially where the channel narrows this means incredibly nutrient-rich waters.
This all means that there is a lot of food for the smaller organisms, whose huge numbers in turn feed the bigger ones and you can be there to witness this extraordinary interplay of ecosystems in this passage of water. Many of these sites such as Namena and Koro Island are not particularly close to land and therefore must be accessed by liveaboard. The Nai'a and The Fiji Aggressor II are the undisputed kings of liveaboards in this region of the Koro Sea.
Due to the currents, not all the sites in Bligh Water and the Koro Sea are particularly suitable for beginners. However the experienced dive crews are expert at knowing when the optimum conditions are for each site and when it is wise not to dive them, so there really is a wealth of diving opportunities here for various levels. Where the underwater photographers go is normally a good indicator of the best diving available and many choose to take a Fiji liveaboard trip simply because it means they can visit legendary dive sites such as E-6 and Nigali Passage which cannot easily be done from shore.
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