Diveaway Fiji - Sigatoka

5166narda19:45 UTC27 Feb 2010

My wife and I went to Fiji for a dive vacation. Our first and biggest mistake was booking with Diveaway Fiji. They require all the money for all scheduled dives up front in cash. They seemed nice enough and I was dealing with Alex the owner. The first day, we started 45 minutes later than scheduled because it rained the night before and the employees had trouble getting to work. The second day we started 30 minutes late because Alex had trouble getting to work. The thid day we went to one of their other locations at their recommendation and there was no one there. I called Alex and requested a refund for those two dives. He said just to wait. We waited over an hour and eventually were able to dive. What a poor operation. No towles, to water, no fruit, small boats and staff that treats your equipment like crap. Avoid this operator at all costs.
On the other hand, the diving was nice.

oldpro15:01 UTC28 Feb 2010

Nothing unusual about "delayed" schedules. Half hour, that's nothing.

zebra22:52 UTC01 Mar 2010

Sorry to hear about the delays. I hope you shared some constructive thoughts with the owner. I loved my visit to Fiji and want to return.

If it makes you feel any better, I was once part of a group doing a drift dive in the Red Sea that got stranded. The boat dropped us off in the wrong place. We missed the reef altogether. After surfacing we waited over an hour for the boat to show up. I spoke to the manager and requested either a refund for the dive or an additional dive later. He said now. Luckily I booked through a major UK operator (Regal). They were able to sort things out for me.

wagonturner03:54 UTC02 Mar 2010

"Nothing unusual about "delayed" schedules. Half hour, that's nothing. "

Yup, it was ever thus.

thebirchadventure09:16 UTC05 Mar 2010

Half an hour is on time in Fiji :-)

cragrat00121:28 UTC11 Oct 2010

Diveaway Fiji must have had a bad few days,
I have dived with them 2 years running & would be back there as soon as funds allow, I am based in the uk so have 22 hour plus flying time.
I found staff very helpful & friendly very happy to show you interesting sights on each dive.
In an Island community time is somtimes a bit 'Fiji time' (no rush) so you need to remember you're on holiday and relax !
I also completed my PADI open water advanced much nicer & warmer than in a quarry in the UK.
Alex & his team are great fun

prioritymail10:39 UTC18 Oct 2010

From all I've read, a 30 min delay is nothing in Fiji.

Diveaway Fiji - Sigatoka Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Fiji
5166narda19:45 UTC27 Feb 2010	My wife and I went to Fiji for a dive vacation. Our first and biggest mistake was booking with Diveaway Fiji. They require all the money for all scheduled dives up front in cash. They seemed nice enough and I was dealing with Alex the owner. The first day, we started 45 minutes later than scheduled because it rained the night before and the employees had trouble getting to work. The second day we started 30 minutes late because Alex had trouble getting to work. The thid day we went to one of their other locations at their recommendation and there was no one there. I called Alex and requested a refund for those two dives. He said just to wait. We waited over an hour and eventually were able to dive. What a poor operation. No towles, to water, no fruit, small boats and staff that treats your equipment like crap. Avoid this operator at all costs. On the other hand, the diving was nice.
oldpro15:01 UTC28 Feb 2010	Nothing unusual about "delayed" schedules. Half hour, that's nothing.	1
zebra22:52 UTC01 Mar 2010	Sorry to hear about the delays. I hope you shared some constructive thoughts with the owner. I loved my visit to Fiji and want to return. If it makes you feel any better, I was once part of a group doing a drift dive in the Red Sea that got stranded. The boat dropped us off in the wrong place. We missed the reef altogether. After surfacing we waited over an hour for the boat to show up. I spoke to the manager and requested either a refund for the dive or an additional dive later. He said now. Luckily I booked through a major UK operator (Regal). They were able to sort things out for me.	2
wagonturner03:54 UTC02 Mar 2010	"Nothing unusual about "delayed" schedules. Half hour, that's nothing. " Yup, it was ever thus.	3
thebirchadventure09:16 UTC05 Mar 2010	Half an hour is on time in Fiji :-)	4
cragrat00121:28 UTC11 Oct 2010	Diveaway Fiji must have had a bad few days, I have dived with them 2 years running & would be back there as soon as funds allow, I am based in the uk so have 22 hour plus flying time. I found staff very helpful & friendly very happy to show you interesting sights on each dive. In an Island community time is somtimes a bit 'Fiji time' (no rush) so you need to remember you're on holiday and relax ! I also completed my PADI open water advanced much nicer & warmer than in a quarry in the UK. Alex & his team are great fun	5
prioritymail10:39 UTC18 Oct 2010	From all I've read, a 30 min delay is nothing in Fiji.	6