FIJI

Year:2001

Legendary diving in the Ring of Fire

Season: Year-round diving (optimum: April-November)

Visibility: 25-50 metres

Water temperature: 25-27°C

Coral sands, clear blue seas, islands covered with a lush canopy of thick green vegetation - a land where trees vastly outnumber people - this is Fiji. A rare and treasured find whose intangible magic separates it even from the most beautiful and exciting dive destinations in the world. Here, far from the stresses and strains of everyday life, you will find some of the world's best diving in a wildly romantic setting. Dazzling white coral sands, magnificent waterfalls and high peaks combined with an impressive collection of extraordinary dive sites makes Fiji a perfect destination for a diving holiday. It may seem that the above-water delights of the islands would be hard to beat, but the underwater world of fish and coral is a diver's dream come true. Much of the diving in Fiji remains unexplored, so the rewards for those who are prepared to venture further afield are great!

The seas surrounding the islands of Fiji are known world-over for their glorious and colorful soft corals and rich diversity of fish and invertebrates. Dozens of superb reefs rank amongst the finest dive sites in the world. Coral outcrops known as 'bommies' rise from the ocean floor or the walls of the reef, mushrooming into fantastic shapes. These in their turn provide yet another substratum on which the soft corals 'bloom' - draped over every ledge, filling each crevice with a profusion of vibrant living colour. Bulging brain corals, the fantastic lacy filligries of fan corals and the flower-like blossoms of soft corals adorn this underwater landscape.

VITI LEVU AND ITS SURROUNDINGS

Nai'a and Fiji Aggressor explore the fabulous dive sites off northern and eastern Viti Levu, many of which those pioneers of Fiji diving on Nai'a discovered themselves! There can be little doubt that by travelling that little bit further on a liveaboard boat you will be well rewarded with visits to dive sites that very few divers have been privileged to explore.

Discovered by the crew of Nai'a during a private charter flight to search out undiscovered dive sites, E-6 is a seamount rising from 1,000 metres in the centre of the narrowest part of Bligh Water, where it intercepts a flow of nutrients funneled between the two large islands of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. Pelagics are usually found on the two sides of the pinnacle that are flushed with current , while delicate soft corals and seafans decorate the protected lee side where Nai'a moors. Day dives here feature schooling barracudas, trevallys, surgeonfish, eagle rays and occasional hammerheads. Smaller fish include anthias, fusiliers and Leaf Scorpionfish. At night giant cuttlefish, the amazing flashlightfish, arrowhead crabs and cowries can be found here.

A seamount similar to E-6, though smaller, is located four miles away at Mount Mutiny. Named in honour of Captain Bligh who passed nearby shortly after the mutiny on the Bounty, and also in honour of the Nai'a passengers who threatened mutiny if they were not allowed to dive here again and again and again, Mount Mutiny has a spectacular Rainbow Wall of unusual thin-stalked Siphonogorgia soft coral in a spectrum of colours which blankets the south flank of Mount Mutiny for a distance of 200 metres between 20-40 metres deep. This has to be one of the most beautiful soft coral dives in the world!

At Nigali Passage, near the island of Gau, a narrow cut in the surrounding barrier reef concentrates pelagics from miles around. Nigali is home to a population of between 8 and 25 female Grey Reef Sharks, depending on the season. Huge schools of trevally and three age-segregated schools of barracudas are found here. Unusually at this site, because of the unique configuration of the channel, the incoming current does not coincide with the rising tide. With over many years of experience of diving Nigali and with a computer database, the captain of Nai'a has become expert at identifying the four hour window of opportunity to dive here. Nai'a's skiff is able to drop divers well up-current and pick them up again half a mile away after having drifted through the channel. Nai'a initiated a small-scale shark feed in Nigali Passage as a means of drawing the residents closer to photographers. The crew are extremely careful to organize the shark feed so as to minimize the impact on the resident population of female Grey Reef Sharks, but it does draw curious sharks near enough to the circle of divers for the photographers to capture full-frame photographs and also for everyone to get a close-up view of these elegant and sleek predators.

It was the diving at Grand Central Station that fist drew Cousteau to Fiji! On an incoming current divers drop into the clear blue water and swim along a sheer wall . On the plateau above the wall giant schools of Bigeye Trevally, scad and barracudas are watched over by several Grey Reef Sharks. White-tip Reef Sharks lie napping in preparation for their night-time feeding jaunts. From here divers let the current carry them deeper into the channel where a line of bommies rise nearly to the surface. Two of these bommies are connected by a huge arch. The sides and tops of the bommies are covered in colour: gorgonians, black coral, soft corals in wonderful colours and, of course, a host of reef fish. Further on, divers can drift into Kansas, a small bommie covered in soft coral that looks just like wheat fields swaying in the wind. Two days diving are recommended to fully explore the underwater marvels here!

NAI'A

Designed specifically for keen divers and underwater photographers, the elegant and luxurious MV Nai'a (Hawaiian for 'dolphin'), now widely considered one of the world's top liveaboards, explores the remote reefs north and east of Viti Levu. In calm seas Nai'a also visits the most spectacular soft coral sites of Namena island south of Vanua Levu. The 33-metre luxury Nai'a is designed to carry up to 18 guests in 9 spacious, air-conditioned, twin-berth staterooms, all with en-suite bathrooms. The dive deck has bench seating and plenty of storage space for gear as well as hangers for wetsuits. Once you have set up your gear on arrival, with the exception of mask, fins, snorkel and cameras, the crew will handle and manage your gear for the rest of the cruise. Underwater photographers are particularly well catered for on board Nai'a. An enclosed, dedicated camera room with tiered tables for the storage, servicing and recharging (both 110V/220V) of camera equipment is forward of the dive deck. Two large fresh-water tanks are available for camera/video gear. E-6 processing, slide projection facilities and light tables are available. A multi-system Sony monitor is available in the main salon for videographers.

The crew of Nai'a are well-known for their expertise in diving management. Divers can usually expect four guided dives daily (including night diving) with two custom-built skiffs to drop and pick up divers at exactly the right place. Diving is truly 'unlimited' if you wish. Computers are encouraged as the Nai'a diving protocol is tailored to the needs of the more experienced diver.

Nai'a usually operates out of Lautoka wharf near Nadi. Cruises are of 7 or 10 nights duration and depart through most of the year. Please contact our office for cruise dates. A Nai'a brochure is available from our office on request.

7 nights cruise

£1590 (non-divers: £1525)

10 nights cruise

£2290 (non-divers: £2225)

Includes:

· Airport transfers if arriving/departing on the cruise departure/completion dates.

· 7 nights or 10 nights cruise on Nai'a on a twin/share basis with full board, including non-alcoholic drinks and house wine with dinner.

· 6.5 days or 9 days diving (an average of 4 guided dives daily, including night dives, with 'unlimited' dives in between), cylinders and weights.

Additional Cruise: A £140 discount applies.

Single Occupancy Supplement: If you are travelling alone and are willing to share a twin cabin with a fellow passenger of the same sex you can avoid paying any supplement, even if a cabin-mate cannot be found! If you prefer to have a cabin to yourself a 50% supplement applies.

Deposit: £500 (7 nights cruise); £700 (10 nights cruise).

Important: One or more hotel nights in Nadi may be required by those travelling from London to join Nai'a, depending on the cruise dates. The cost for a night on a room-only basis at the first class Mocambo Hotel is £40 (or £80 for single occupancy).

TONGA

HUMPBACK WHALE EXPEDITIONS

In July Nai'a sets sail for Tonga in a unique quest to discover and follow Humpback Whales. The main focus of the trips is to swim and snorkel with the Humpbacks at every available opportunity, and with any other cetaceans, such as dolphins, that are encountered. It is envisaged that there will also be an average of at least one conventional dive per day. The time spent travelling will be either at night or moving with the whales. The nine nights cruises begin and end in Tonga

9 nights cruise

£2639 (non divers: £2569)

Dates: 23 July-1 August; 2-11 August; 13-22 August; 23 August-1 September.

Includes:

· Airport transfers if arriving/departing on the cruise departure/completion dates.

· 9 nights cruise on Nai'a on a twin/share basis with full board, including non-alcoholic drinks and house wine with dinner.

· 8 days swimming and snorkeling with the whales as well as an average of at least one conventional dive per day, dive guide, cylinders and weights.

Additional Cruise: A £140 discount applies.

Single Occupancy Supplement: If you are travelling alone and are willing to share a twin cabin with a fellow passenger of the same sex you can avoid paying any supplement, even if a cabin-mate cannot be found! If you prefer to have a cabin to yourself a 50% supplement applies.

Deposit: £700

FIJI AGGRESSOR

The Fiji Aggressor is a very comfortable liveaboard that carries 16 passengers in 8 twin-berth cabins. Each cabin has one large lower bed and an upper single bed, private head and shower and air conditioning with individual climate controls. Six crew provide superb service throughout the cruise and make sure your diving holiday runs smoothly. Between dives guests can relax on the sundeck (either in or out of the shade) or try the amazing hot tub! The salon has an excellent collection of books, videos and music to enjoy.

The dive deck covers the aft third of the main deck. Large gear lockers double as seats and line the rails and centre. Two tanks are mounted at the back of each locker, so it is easy to don your equipment at your seat or ask for the tank to be taken to the dive platform. Dive information is displayed on a large board which shows depth and marine life information. A large three-tiered camera table has plenty of space for camera assembly or preparation and separate rinse tanks are kept for cameras and videos. The photography department provides rental cameras and accessories as well as the services of the photo pro if you require a model or expert advice. E-6 processing is available daily. Light tables are always available for slide viewing. A range of PADI and NAUI speciality courses are offered on Fiji Aggressor including Nitrox training and facilities. A full range of diving equipment is available for rental by pre-arrangement. The Fiji Aggressor has been designed to be a barrier-free vessel, catering for the handicapped diver. A special lift between decks allows complete accessibility between decks.

For after the dive there is a freshwater shower and clean towels awaiting, as well as the chef's freshly prepared snacks to appease the after-dive hunger pangs! Delicious barbecues, American-style and local dishes are served; breads, biscuits and baked snacks come strait from the oven. Most meals are served buffet-style.

Fiji Aggressor operates from Lautoka on the island of Viti Levu for 7 nights cruises, departing every Saturday throughout the year.

A Fiji Aggressor brochure is available from our office on request.

£1594 (non-divers: £1434)

Includes:

· Transfers from/to the Raffles Gateway Hotel in Nadi.

· 7 nights cruise on Fiji Aggressor on a twin/share basis with full board (except dinner on the last night), including non-alcoholic and local alcoholic beverages.

· 5 full days of diving (up to 4 or 5 dives per day, including night dives) plus one or two dives on the last day, cylinders and weights.

Please note: Airport transfers to/from the Raffles Gateway Hotel are not included, but taxis are safe and relatively inexpensive. A port tax, currently US $20 per person, will be collected on the boat before departing from the dock. Dinner on the last night is not included, but guests will be provided with guidance about good local restaurants.

Additional Week: A £140 discount applies.

Single Occupancy Supplement: If you are travelling alone and are willing to share a twin cabin with a fellow passenger of the same sex you can avoid paying any supplement. If you prefer to have a cabin to yourself a 50% supplement applies.

Deposit: £550

FLIGHTS

Depart from London (Heathrow) on Monday,Thursday or Saturday afternoon on Air New Zealand via Los Angeles, arriving in Nadi on Wednesday, Saturday or Monday morning respectively. Return flights leave Nadi in the evening on Wednesday, Thursday or Saturday, arriving back at London (Heathrow) on the following afternoon.

£876 for departures 16 April-30 June.

£1035 for departures 16 February-15 April, 1-31 August, 1-30 November.

£1215 for departures 1-15 February, 1-31 July, 1 September-31 October.

£1257 for departures 1-31 January, 1-8 December, 23-31 December.

£1350 for departures 9-22 December.

Includes:

· Scheduled flights London (Heathrow)/Los Angeles/Nadi/Los Angeles/London(Heathrow) by Air New Zealand.

Deposit: £100

Tonga Cruises: The above fares are also applicable for Tonga.

Travel via New Zealand: It is also possible to continue on to Auckland in New Zealand, with a stop-over in Fiji on either leg of the journey, at approximately the same fares.