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Dive Review of Nai'a Fiji in
Fiji and Tuvalu

Nai'a Fiji: "Trip Review for An Old Guy - Fiji Aboard Nai’a 26 April - 3 May 201", Apr, 2014,

by Richard Jacoby, IL, US ( 1 report). Report 7866.

No photos available at this time

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations 4 stars Food 4 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity 3 stars
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 4 stars
Beginners 3 stars
Advanced 4 stars
Comments Get ready for some names that don’t pronounce as you’d expect: “FIGI” “NIYA” “NANDI.”

Fiji is the island. Nai’a is the boat. Nadi is the town you stay in before - and maybe - after your multi-day dives in order to accommodate flight schedules half way around the world.

Nai’a is almost commodious. Not in the same manner as a cruise ship for landlubbers, but more comfortable that most diving vessels, with their scrubby, single-minded scuba passengers. Here the main cabin was dominated by what was almost a grand staircase leading to one’s cabins below. I was berthed in a comfortable (but not commodious) cabin with a gentleman from the south of France who was anything if not courteous. (He smoked, but always at a distant corner topside.)

But I was 84 (still am), with recent bone surgeries that caused maintaining an even keel more precarious than I liked. I needed the full width of the staircase, for example, although for normal people each tread’s width easily accommodated two abreast. On occasion I needed both hand rails for up or down trips. My arms were stretched between railings.

So why is he diving you ask? He should be home knitting - or watching someone knit. As a component of my underwater photo business, I had been diving forty-four years; and having weathered recent knee, spinal, and hip surgeries, hoped I could still do it.

Result: I COULD do it, but the payoff wasn’t worth the effort. Essentially, I had forgotten about current, which was only mildly stiff during portions of our week; but enough to keep my stiffer body working harder than I wished. Mind, the current was only moderate for an experienced, YOUNGER diver.

The crew couldn’t have been more helpful, from co-hosts Josh and Amanda to all who were there to help graciously and cook deliciously. They were watchful, without getting in the way. Their guidance was never heavy handed; I never felt I was in any trouble.

Underwater, the ocean teemed with the usual suspects in Pacific animals - all an experienced diving image maker might wish for.

All in all, the trip was among the better ones in my experience - just not for someone with bones like mine.
###
Websites Nai'a Fiji   

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience Over 1000 dives
Where else diving Almost everywhere except Lake Baikal. Well, almost everywhere.
Closest Airport Nadi Getting There 1/2 way around the world.

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, cloudy Seas surge
Water Temp 80-84°F / 27-29°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 40-100 Ft/ 12-30 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions It was do-it-yourself, so long as you checked out with the bosses, Josh and Amanda. They didn't follow me, once they confirmed I was safe.
Liveaboard? yes Nitrox Available? yes

What I Saw

Sharks Lots Mantas 1 or 2
Dolphins Schools Whale Sharks None
Turtles None Whales None
Corals 4 stars Tropical Fish 4 stars
Small Critters 4 stars Large Fish 3 stars
Large Pelagics 2 stars

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter 5 stars Boat Facilities 5 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 5 stars Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments One of the better setups.
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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