Fiji

Fiji: Nai’a Liveaboard & Dive Kadavu Resort

May 10-24, 2008

Typical cost $5700

Back in 2006 when we survey our members about this years dive program, there was a strong request for Nai'a as soon as possible. That is May of next year. As we most often do we have put together and combined liveaboard and land based itinerary. At present time we only hold 9 spot on the both but we can expand up to 18 if we all sign up early! The land based operation is less restricted. Basically the program has 3 elements: boat land and airfare. Both the land and air requires choices see below. The only simple part of the program is Nai'a. I have a mailing list and anybody interested are welcome to sign up to receive more frequent updates on the trip.

Nai'a Liveaboard: http://www.naia.com.fj/

Getting There:

We Fly from FLL on a partner airline to LAX and directly to Fiji on Fiji Air or Air Pacific. We fly domestic carrier to Kadauvu (w/ tight luggage restriction on the local segment). Buying the tickets is getting more complicated than normal.

  • Split ticket and go to LAX a day early
  • Partial mitigation combined w/ insurance: we go “early w/ go safe connection”; maybe rent a day room and have a party and we buy travel insurance (say CSA Travel Protection or DiveAsurre).
  • Of course you can pursue a mileage ticket also, just be prepared to make a decision early

For the 5 day land option we leave Saturday May 10, late PM from LAX, e.g. midday from FLL and we get to Kadavu “2 days later” early afternoon. Going home we leave 10 pm at night (Saturday) and get home Saturday noon w/ a good chance of catching a flight home the same night …

When the signup process is well underway we will vote on our preference, so that we at least all fly together. Ticket cost based on the “full price” connection from FLL to LAX is approx $1800 (if you chose the lower cost connection you save $250 to use for insurance).

Travel Insurance:

Land: Dive Kadavu: http://divekadavu.com/

Saturday 5/10 (or Monday 5/12) to Saturday 5/17

6 days/5 nights (with or without 3 days of diving) or 8 days/7 nights. We ca make the Kadavu stay 10 nights if desired.

A South Pacific dream...Fiji! And Dive Kadavu - Kadavu's premier resort, is located only 10 minutes by boat from Kadavu airport and is set in lush topical gardens adjoining a beautiful sandy beach called Matana, which in Kadavu dialect means all tide sandy beach. On one side of the resort are the villages of Navautu and Drue and behind are rolling hills with walking trails, which have great views. As the resort faces due west the sunsets can be quite spectacular - great for photographers.

We will be staying at a lovely resort Dive Kadavu - which has just 10 bures (Fijian word for Bungalow) & accommodates a maximum of only 24 guests at any one time. (We will have 9-18 people)

Each bure has it's own bathroom (with hot water), ceiling fans, bed-lamps, queen size bed, or 2 singles, verandah, fly screening, fridge, external rinse shower etc. Two of the bures have two bedrooms which will accommodate up to four people. The remaining eight bures can each accommodate 1, 2, or 3 people. Built in a more modern - traditional style, they blend into the lush gardens and are roomy enough to allow space for relaxing in your private time. Nice Sandy Beach

Additional Afternoon (1) tank boat dive: $48 per dive
Additional Tanks for Shore Diving: Unlimited
Nitrox: No Nitrox available
Manta Dive: One day of diving will be the Manta Dive for 3 dives & Fijian lunch! – weather permitting (upgrade from the daily 2 dives is approx $100)
Additional Sightseeing excursions: 1/2 day or full day kayak trips (kayaks are free of charge if guests want to take them out by themselves) 1/2 day costs US$45 approx. and Full Day US$60 approx.
Others: The waterfall Trek is FJ$40 (US$25) per person The Meke is FJD$40 (US$25) per person with a minimum charge of FJD$400 (US$250) regardless of numbers attending.

Lovo feast will be done for no extra charge.

NOT Included:

  • Personal Incidentals, sodas, bottled water (pure filtered water is included) and alcohol from the resort.
    Sodas: approx FJD$3.50 or $2.10 US
  • Bottled Water: Large FJD$6.50 or $3.90 US and Small FJD$3.50 or $2.10 US
  • Alcohol: Beer FJD$4.50 or $2.70 US

Meals: All meals and snacks are included in the package. Pure, clean filtered water along with juices and other beverages are included. However sodas, bottle water and alcohol are extra.

Thursday May 8. The 7 day land package comes w/ diving; for the 5 days on land, diving is optional. Weather permitting the diving will include “the Manta cleaning station”.

Prices (tip Included)

7 night w/ diving : 1600; 5 nights w/ diving: $1100 5 nights without diving: $900

Currently signed up: Eunice H, Chary L, Hana G, Linda I, Bob W, Mary L, Larry L, Ronnie F, Nils J, Susan M, Jim M, Patrice M, Rob M, Carol S

Any questions to:

Trip Lead/ VP of Overseas travel
Nils Jacobsen
TGM349@email.mot.com