Tavanui- Good place to stay and dive?

Hi!
My husband and I are going to Fiji (as the 1st stop of our RTW) and looking for a place to go that has amazing diving AND snorkeling. I am looking for a place where I can walk out of my Bure, camp, or dorm and snorkel and on 2-3 days go diving with a nearby outfit. I would like to be someplace that isn't surrounded by the late night ragers or the cruise line/resorty types. I am therefore thinking about Tavanui.
Is it worth the flight price to get from Nadi to Matei (on Taveuni)?
What is the diving like?
What about the snorkeling?
What about the "hanging out and chilling?" What's the beach like?
Has anyone stayed at Beverly's Campground? If so what did you think? Would you recommend bringing a tent or staying in the dorm?
What about Lisi's Accommodation or Bibi's Hideaway?
How does Tavanui's reefs and beaches compare to the Yasawas (Mana) or Mamanucas?

Thanks so so much!

Oh, one more thing, It seems like Funky Fish Beach Resort on Malolo Island (Mamanucas) is pretty cool. But is it really?

Hey Dutta

I guess it all depends on how important the diving is to you. Is it the most important thing or do you want to be with the backpacker crowd and do a dive now and then?

If the former then Taveuni is a good choice. Maybe Garden island is worth looking at. Also Kadavu is very laid back, undeveloped awesome diving and some cool places to stay like Matava Resort

If the latter then Mamanucas and Yasawas will do the job. Party, have fun get wet and see a few fish but don't expect world class.

Cheers

Forget the yasawas if you want good diving. Consider Dolphin Bay Divers who are located opposite taveni in a small bay on Vanua Levu. Access to the White wall and Rainbow Reef is much easier and faster.

Thanks OntheSpot and Bulabear,
Wow, Garden Island does sound AMAZING! I guess I want the best of both worlds. I want to dive as much as I can and in between diving, I want to hang out on the beach and snorkel. I looked at Wayalailai on Wayasewa Island and it looks like they definately have the beach part and snorkeling part, but I can't tell what the diving is like there. Any thoughts, anyone?

As said, if diving is a priority, then go to Taveuni (at least, somewhere other than Yasawas).

Whether it is worth flying to Matei from Nadi depends on how much time you have at your disposal. Going surface, with buses and ferries, will take a couple of days. The flight takes a couple of hours at most.

Personally, I didn't care much for the atmosphere at Matei.
I stayed at Lisi's, which was an OK budget accom, and good Fijian meals. Beverly's camping is on a decent stretch of beach. If you already plan on bringing a tent on your travels, fine. Otherwise, it's probably not worth the bother. It may have been the time of year that I was there (august, sept), but the place was practically empty. Taveuni is not a destination for short-term holiday-makers as it isn't all that easy to get to.
Bibi's has nice grounds but is not on the water -- which sort of destroys the reason for going to a Fijian resort in the first place.

For an alternative, consider Dolphin Bay. It's located on Vanua Levu, but can be accessed vis Taveuni, and connected to the same dive sites (esp. Rainbow reef).

Here's a link to a recent trip report of the area

Thanks everyone! Old pro, your blog is really helpful!
OK, so now I have narrowed it to Garden Island or Dolphin Bay. It is a bit more than I want to spend (only due to the flight from Nadi to Matei- any tips here?). But, if you all say it is worth it for the Rainbow Reef, then I believe you. So, one last set of questions:
If we do not elect the meal plan at Garden Island, are there good, inexpensive places to eat near by?
Do buses come around from Garden Island (Waiyevo) to Matei to Bouma often? How much are they? The Moon book says it's F$3, but it is unclear.
Last Q: How often do the ferries from Savusavu run and how much are there? Again, I am getting conflicting info online.

You all are great!
Thanks!!!!

One more question, are there any beaches near Garden Island?

Octopus Resort half way up is worth considering. The snorkelling straight out front is great, they have a dive shop there, the western management is spot on, and the food is great.

I don't know the exact location of Garden Island resort (did a quick search and couldn't find a good map), so can't answer the question about beaches or the convenience of local eateries nearby. I only transited through Naqara a few times, a bit further north. Naqara seemed to have more of a main-town look to it, with stores and eateries etc. Overall, a nice location if you also want a look at small-town life.

The bus prices mentioned in Moon are about right, around F$4 to Lavena/Bouma. The main bus station is in Naqara, but buses in the direction of Bouma went south to pick up passengers before heading on around the island. The buses aren't all that frequent, sort of a morning, noon and night schedule, with maybe a couple of other times. Sorry for being vague, but it's probably the best attitude to have when bussing around Taveuni. If you wanted to daytrip to Bouma, it might be worthwhile renting a taxi or similar arrangement (it could be done by bus but might be complicated to schedule around).

The ferry connections between Taveuni and Vanua Levu were daily when I was there. Two small ferries left Taveuni in the morning around 9:30 (ferry landing near Naqara/Waiyevo). You still had to deal with a long bus ride to Savusavu from the ferry landing. I don't know what the reverse route timing would be. Oneway cost F$20 a couple of years ago.

Alternatively, there is (or, was) a 2-3 times a week ferry run connecting Taveuni directly with Savusavu and on to Suva.

Garden Island Resort - it doesn't have any beach to speak of at all. It has a small pool. However, you can take a canoe to the little island just off it which does have a beautiful small beach when the tide is out a bit. You will be the only one there. (Koro Levu?). The beaches are in the north of Taveuni. Dolphin Bay is probably a better bet for you. For transport, the flight is maybe an hour 10 mins. Depends if it stops in Savusavu. Matei is the constant hum of generators - not very nice at all unless you are in a private home. See if you can get to Savusavu from Nadi on the Lagilagi (cat service). Boat across is then easy.

If you try GIR have some meals next door at Cannibal Cafe....great curry. Or across the road at the other food place (name??). Have fun.

You guys have been great, thank again. So with your help, I have narrowed it down to two places on two different islands. They both cost the same and seem similar, but tell me what you think:

the first one - Dolphin Bay Divers retreat in Vanua Levu just off the Rainbow Reef. They seem like a great couple, looks like nice beaches and super close to a great dive spot. We would stay in the tent bure. Has anyone stayed in one of these? Any thoughts? Their url is www.dolphinbaydivers.com<BR><BR>the second one - Waisalima Beach Resort and diving with Viti Watersports in Kadavu, near the Astolabe Reef. Again, seem like nice people and good beaches. We would be in the dorm.

Both end up being 2150 Fijian dollars for flights, 5 nights, meals, 3 days of 2 tank dives, equipment, and airport transfer. It seems like this a good price, but is it?

Lastly, it is the flights to the islands that are making the cost of the two places this much. Flights to Kadavu is about $400 for 2 and to Taveuni is $550 for 2. The boats seem like a good option, but I don't think we have enough time. Do you guys know of any better air deals or when the ferry from Savusavu goes to Taveuni and back?

Thanks again and again!

i paid 160 each way in advance for a nadi savusavu nadi flight but saw in the agents savusavu window i could do it for 110 (ish) so if you took the punt and were able to do it flexibly or at shorter notice youd save some bucks, it's not that busy in fiji these days

I haven't spent much time on Kadavu but if Dolphin Bay divers is still run by Viola and Roland (?) then go with that one. You will get the best food ever and they are lovely people who seem to treat their staff very well. They will tell you the best/cheapest way to get there.