snorkeling in fiji?

[BIGSKY]

Which resort island is the best or would I be better of getting my diving certification for fiji.

 

[stevemargetts]

Go up to the Yasawas - they're fantastic.

 

[scotter]

snorkel or dive

snorkel or dive

Hmmm... Interesting question. Fiji has great snorkeling spots. The previous post mentioned the Yasawas. There's good snorkeling also in the Mamanucas (right below the Yasawa Islands), Kadavu Island, Beqa Island, the north coast of Viti Levu (the main island), Vanua Levu, the Lau Group, Taveuni, and Qamea. If you're interested in seeing reefs off-shore (i.e., atolls), various dive operators/resorts offer boat snorkeling trips.

As for choosing between snorkeling or diving, I would choose both. I would compare snorkeling to fleeting glimpses of a dynamic environment. Diving on the other hand affords you the opportunity to actually interact with the coral city. It's rather difficult to hold your breath long enough, while snorkeling, to dive down to sufficient depth to actually see many of the micro subjects this hobby so prizes.

As for choosing places to stay, this is a most difficult question to answer. It all depends upon what you expect from your accommodations and the amount of money you are willing to spend. Most travel agencies that focus on Fiji focus on the lucrative ($$$$) honeymoon market. Some focus on the less lucrative dive market. I suggest that you extensively research accommodation options on the internet prior to booking. In general, Fiji is not cheap; in fact, it is rather expensive. However, the abundance of sea life in Fiji and the amazing top-side experience more than compensates, for me, for the extra money I spend over a trip to Hawaii.

 

[stevemargetts]

http://www.awesomefiji.com/

They are pretty cheap and offer a wide range of places to stay and all of the travel. Used them a couple of summers ago

 

[scotter]

I was content letting our posts suffice, but if you're interested in seeing what makes Fiji famous (the SOFT CORALS), the best place to view them is either on board a liveaboard (i.e. the Nai'a - this implies a diving trip, not a snorkeling trip) or at a resort/hotel that straddles Bligh Waters/Koro Sea (this is the Sea between the main 2 islands of Vanua Levu and Viti Levu) or a Taveuni-area resort (Somosomo Straits). The Yasawas are beautiful and they have beautiful beaches (better than most of Fiji) and they have beautiful hard coral gardens for great snorkeling and magnificent turquoise seas, but they're not overrun with soft coral walls like the places I mentioned above.

Resorts that straddle Bligh Waters are:
http://www.wananavu.com/ (high marks by divers)
http://www.fijiresort.com (Cousteau's resort $$$)
http://www.korosunresort.com/ (this place goes to Somosomo and Namenalala!)
http://www.moodysnamenafiji.com/ (this place is out of this world.... a nature reserve with turtles, boobie and frigate birds and reportedly the best diving in all of Fiji right at your doorstep)
http://www.savusavufiji.com/ (a cheaper way to go)
http://www.namalefiji.com/launch.html ($$$$)

Resorts that straddle/are proximate to Somosomo Straits can be found by querying "Taveuni resorts" or "Taveuni accommodations." They include Matangi, Coconut Grove, Taveuni Island Resort, Qamea Island Resort (sometimes they go to Somosomo, sometimes they don't), Garden Island Resort (cheap), Bibi's Hideaway (cheap), and Maravu.

Now, if you're interested in some real adventure, consider the Beqa Lagoon shark dive. Query Google and under the video option type, "Beqa Fiji." Make sure you type Fiji as you'll end up with Beqa, Lebanon as well. You'll see lots of videos and lots of sharks, including bulls and tigers.

If you want to see manta rays, consider travelling to Kadavu.

Regards,
Scott

 

[stevemargetts]

Great video links!! Thanks.

 

[badgerlaw]

I went on the Blue Lagoon Crusie and they take you to several spots. The snorkeling was awesome. I have never seen such big and brightly colored SPS. The 7 day cruise is the best bet to see all around Fiji.

I also stayed at Tokoriki and the snorkeling just off the beach is amazing.