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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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