Diving in Yasawas or Vanua Levu

My wife and I will be spending our honeymoon in Fiji during early October. We were thinking of staying at a nice place (splurging) in Mamanuca group for a few nights then heading up to the Yasawas and staying at Oarsman Bay for the rest of our trip. However, I've been reading that the best diving is around Vanua Levu and Taveuni area. Could anyone give their opinion on if the diving is really that much better in that area or does the Yasawas offer a comparable experience. If Vanua Levu and Taveuni area is the best then could you please suggest a cheaper resort to stay in those islands. We do not want the total backpacker experience but are willing to spend up to $120USD per night.

Thanks for your help.

Happy Travels to everyone.

......... I've been reading that the best diving is around Vanua Levu and Taveuni area.....

the best diving? is there realy such a thing? somebody may tell you taveuni is the best they have seen, but what else of fiji diving have they seen???
some areas up there there have outstanding softcorall reefs, but you get reefs just as nice around nana nu ira, vatu ira passage, moturiki passage. those places are less known but with diving just as good. why are they less known, because there are not so many expensive resorts (marketing power) in those areas that trying to lure customers there, and travel agents recommend only where they make the best sales commisions....

read this fijis finest diving

true, to go with those guys is expensive luxury (perfect for a honeymoon trip), but there are a few land based operations, nana nu ira, nagani or levuka that visit some of those sites.

Thank you for the advice. Did you have an opinion if there is comparable diving to nana nu ira, vatu ira passage, moturiki passage around the Yasawas. Does the Yasawas have good soft coral diving too? I’m basically trying to find out if we should go to Yasawas for beautiful beaches and diving fun or should we change our agenda and head to the other areas of Fiji where the diving is world class?

Thanks again for your help.

yasawa diving does not compare to diving the center or the north, this got to do with major ocean currents, topography of reef systems and islands......
a lot will also depend simply on the weather and the tides, as fiji diving is very tidal, especially for fish action. october is good, trade winds are less strong and consistent, waters are still cool and clear, sep early oct is spawning for groupers...

but all depends what you are used to, if you have never dived in fiji, the yasawas might still impress you. the beaches there are some of fijis finest, no doubt.

with plenty of time you could have it all, otherwise set priorities.

how experienced a diver are you?

We are just back from the Yasawas. I dived with the guys from Octopus Resort off Waya and with Westside Watersports off Nanuya Lailai. The diving was not as good as in Taveuni or off Savusavu. A lot of the reefs in the Yasawas are damaged or in large areas dead because of El Nino in 2003. There are hardly any softcorals in the Yasawas. Octopus ran out of fuel on the way back to the resort which was not a plesant experience. Westside Watersports is very professional, but the divesites are worse than I expected.
If you go to Taveuni, stay at the Garden Island Resort. It's about 100US$ and the diving is really good. Another spot is off Nananu-I-Ra. There is an american company on the mainland which goes halfway to Ovalau for very good diving in the passage. On Nananu-I-Ra stay at MacDonalds or Bethams for 120F$ max. The divers will pick you up there.

Hi,

Diving in Somosomo Strait on Rainbow Reef is excellent. Check here for some more information on Taveuni.

Cheers!

EvAnders from Sweden

I stayed at Oarsman's Bay 2 years ago and it's one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. I was there at the end of May so I don't know what the weather would be like in August. I spent 3 days there, totally chilled out. I didn't do any diving there but you could snorkel straight off the beach

I have lived in Fiji for a year now, and have been diving everywhere from Yasawas all the way out to the Lau group. The best diving I have done here has been on the Astrolabe Reef/Naiqoro Passage in Kadavu and in the Koro Sea on the Namenalala Reef. Namenalala Reef is a protected area so you need a permit - can get one from Moody's Namena or Coustea if you are diving and staying at either of those places. Swam with rays and sea turtles, great bommies and walls. Just two of us, and there were four of them! The best diving I have done here ever, but need lots of $$ to get out there. Check Cousteau if this interests you.
Kadavu - Naiqoro Passage and Astrolabe Reef - were so amazing there are no words. Stayed at Waisalama Resort, which has Viti Water Sports right there with full dive shop. They have tons of sights mapped, and were very professional. The dive instructor is from Ireland and all the divemasters are locals who know where to find the best sea life - and they mean business about keeping the reef clean and no touching! I like that - I have seen too many divemasters here look the other way when someone takes a shell or coral, or uses the reef to push off of when bouancy is not good. Long way there, though. Good coral, lots of walls, saw plenty of sharks
Yasawas is not comparable to these two places or Taveuni. Taveuni is great, dove there for a week. Lots of currents, but to me it's crowded - the Somosomo Straight is so popular there are lots of boats out there. But the white wall and other sights are worth it. Also, since there are so many people going to Taveuni, you are more likely to find a better deal on accomodation. Ask for local or rack rates. Tourism is down, the lowest I have seen it the whole time I have been here, so you might get a great deal.

Your advise has been very helpful. I am trying to find a inexpensive but good place to stay (ideally with a beach, but not necessary), inexpensive place to travel to, and WORLD CLASS diving. I want to spend my money underwater. So, I am debating between Taveuni (Garden Island Resort or Beverly's Campground and diving with Swiss Fiji Divers) and Kadavu (Albert's sunrise Resort or Waisalima Beach Resort). Has anyone stayed at any of these 4 places? What are your thoughts? Do you know if Viti Watersports services other resorts besides Waisalima? I could really use some advice!

Thanks!

By the way, have you guys heard of NAIGORO DIVERS in Kadavu? If so, what did you think about them?