Fiji for Five- need help

My family of 5 (kids ages 12, 15 and 18) are interested in traveling to Fiji in August. I've done a lot of reading on this site and in books but could use the opinions of those who have actually been there. First, a few sentences about us...We are adventurous, don't want luxury and do want something we couldn't experience elsewhere. We want to dive, but excellent shore snorkeling and exposure to culture is equally important to us. Three of us are experienced divers, I am a beginner as is my 12 yo. We are all adventurous travelers - we have backpacked for months thru central america and have been to several of the best snorkel/dive sites in the caribbean and central america. My sons are budding marine biologists. We are traveling from the east coast of the US and it will cost us a great deal to get there so we want to make sure that we end up with the trip of a lifetime (before we send our oldest off to college!). Separating out some time for diving and sometime for the other activities would be fine. We have 18 days in Fiji (plus travel days).

1. Where to go: I've looked into kadavu, taveuni, and some of the smaller islands off of Ovalau. I read about the variability in local weather conditions and to the extent that it is more likely to be overcast, too rough/windy to enjoy the tropical air and water we would want to know that. Also, finding a dive location where there is interesting novice diving so the experienced divers won't get bored. Boys NEED to see big scary animals or they will go home disappointed - I would settle for a manta or dolphins! I'm intrigued by kadavu and taveuni, but also have looked at some of the smaller islands off of Ovalau. If we went to the Yasawas I would want to make sure it wasn't just about white sands and sun, but that the shore snorkeling was good and that there was some sense that I was in Fiji, rather than any other beautiful tropical paradise.

2. Accommodations: My concern is that a lot of the affordable budget-midrange lodging caters to a young, partying crowd that may not be the best place for us. Also, as a family of 5 we often don't fit neatly into the size of the bures. Take something that seems affordable for one or two, times it times 5 and all of a sudden its too pricey.

3. Weather - I know 3-5mm suits are needed for diving. Is the water consistently warm enough to snorkel without a wetsuit or does that vary from island to island. If so, where would it be warm enough to just float for an hour in August. I may be an adventurous traveller, but I'm thermally challenged!

4. Other activities - Fiji isn't all about the ocean. Any suggestions on inland experiences would be welcome. Again, when I read that village visits can be arranged I get leery. There is something about visiting an authentic village as part of an organized tour that makes it all seem rather inauthentic. Any compromises out there? Would any locales lend themselves more to our interest in independent exploration and exposure?

Thanks so much!!!

Sounds like you need to get off the main island of Viti Levu, as snorkleing is not too good in most places. I think headed to Savusavu and other areas in the east will give more opportunities for better snorkeling/diving. Also, easier to meet local people in those places.

Water in August may be a little chilly for locals, but not for someone from the US East Coast (unless you mean Florida!). Snorkeling should be OK without a suit, as the relatively shallow water heats up a bit even in August, but diving might require some type of suit, not sure as I'm not a diver.

Authentic villages? Well, outer islands like Taveuni maybe, or inland areas of Viti Levu. Smaller islands also might offer this on a casual basis.

We went to Taveuni and stayed at Susie's Planation (Now called Paradise) and although the snorkeling was good the dive operation was money hungry and it rained all the time every day for a week.
That area of Fiji is wetter than the islands of the Mamanuca's or the Yasawa's.
We much prefer the Mamanuca's and while they all have good snorkeling , so far the best we have found at a reasonable price was at Matamanoa Island Resort.
My wife did her fist Padi course at this resort and it was very good one on one tuition with plenty of dive sites including shark dives.
Snorkeling off the beach was very good with sharks and rays seen just about every time.
We never wear wet suits to snorkel in Fiji.
The Bures sleep 5 but they may be able to accommodate one more if you enquire.
We dont reccommend the Garden rooms.
You can do the village visits if you want to, and the local church group came to sing on Sundays.
Loads of international travelers from around the world when we were there and a great MC at dinner time to welcome new arrivals and sing to the ones leaving.

Ovalau Island and surrounding might be a good choice for you. It is off the main tourist path and you can combine all what you are looking for, although you will have to move from spot to spot, so for example you have excellent snorkelling right from the beach at Caqalai Island( but can't hike), experience authentic village life at Silana Beach village (guest accommodation is a 5 minute walk away from the actual village, which guaranties some privacy if needed, but you can also participate in all village activities, if you wish), at Bobo's Farm you have wonderful rainforest around you and go for hikes and bushwalks. Lomaiviti waters are known for big fish encounters and the diverse macro sea life and there are numerous dive spots for beginners as well as experienced divers, you can do the diving from Levuka which is the "Old Capital" and therefore also offers something for the people interested in history. The travelling itself is not necessarily a nuisance, but offers a nice sight seeing opportunity.

Rates are from budget to medium.

During August you get trade winds, which can sometimes blow quiet hard and a 5 mm wetsuit is recommended for diving. For snorkelling from the beach you will not need a wetsuit, however you should have something warmer to wear in your suitcase, never mind where you go - evenings can become chilly ( dropping sometimes below 20 C in the evening).

If you want more info about this area check out www.levukafiji.com

Thank you! These are excellent suggestions and will help me focus my reading and websearch more. I just realized this got posted on the PNG thread rather than Fiji so I am going to repost there as well. Perhaps I'll have more questions after I read up on these suggestions.

Sebagolizzy,
You actually posted to the general PNG and Pacific Islands thread the first time, which is seen by anyone looking at the whole branch. (ie not the PNG thread).
Only people specifically interested in Fiji and nowhere else would be looking just at the Fiji thread.