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Dive Review of Pro Dive onsite at Paradise Taveuni/Paradise Taveuni in
Fiji and Tuvalu/Taveuni

Pro Dive onsite at Paradise Taveuni/Paradise Taveuni: "It Could Have Been So Much Better :(", Mar, 2024,

by Love Sharks, OR, US (Reviewer Reviewer 3 reports with 6 Helpful votes). Report 12990 has 4 Helpful votes.

Photos Submitted with this Report


Click on an image to see an enlarged version and captions

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

Accommodations For Subscribers Only Food 3 stars
Service and Attitude For Subscribers Only Environmental Sensitivity For Subscribers Only
Dive Operation For Subscribers Only Shore Diving For Subscribers Only
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ For Subscribers Only
Beginners 2 stars
Advanced For Subscribers Only
Comments I have been very disappointed with the condition of the Caribbean reefs, so I no longer dive there. I’m exploring my boundaries to Asia and the South Pacific, and this was my first trip to Fiji. I'm a single diver/traveler, so I'm always gouged on the pricing. Even though I'm not using the resources of two people, I have to pay a monetary penalty. My stay was at the end of March to April 2, 2024.

Only FJD is accepted in Fiji. The best place to get money is at the airport in Nadi. I have a Charles Schwab debit card, which reimburses me for any fees at the ATM. It was quick and easy, and the transfer driver waited while I got the money. There is a 3% credit card fee everywhere in Fiji, so I got plenty of cash at that ATM. By the way, there’s no tipping in Fiji.

It was very hot and humid. It rained nearly every day with a downpour, mostly in the overnight hours, but sometimes it started right before dinner. March to April is the tail end of the rainy season. Prior to my arrival, the previous two weeks had been very rainy and there was flooding throughout the island. Add to that the rain during my stay, and the visibility was poor. The water temps were 82-84 degrees F. There was mild to no current during the dives.

The landscape was beautiful and everything you could imagine about a Fijian resort. Lush greens, grass, tropical plants, and stunning views. The staff was welcoming and friendly. The Fijian hospitality is genuine and after the first day, they knew me by name. Although, this is a full-service dive resort, the target demographic is inexperienced divers, snorkelers, families, and kids. There were many newly-certified divers, along with those that hadn’t dived in several years. The resort was at full capacity the entire time I was there. It was a bit chaotic at times.

You get 15 minutes of free wifi each day at 1 mbps only available in the restaurant. If you want more data, the “premium” wifi for a fee is still at 1 mbps, but it’s unlimited. This is a remote island, so poor connection is expected. I have T-Mobile and I couldn’t even get a connection most of the time.

French-pressed coffee, hot tea, and water are free all day long. There's a fee for iced tea, so I would order hot tea with a glass of ice. Sodas and alcohol are quite expensive, $ ... Subscribe to get the full story. For Subscribers Only  Active subscribers continue reading here

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 501-1000 dives
Where else diving Hawaii, Florida, Mexico, Bahamas, St. Marteen, St. Croix, St. Lucia, St. Thomas, St. Kitts, Grenada, Bonaire, Belize, Honduras, Aruba, Grand Cayman, Curacao, Barbados, St. Eustatius, Turkey, Raja Ampat Indonesia, Australia, French Polynesia
Closest Airport Taveuni Getting There SFO to Nadi to TVU. Land transfer from TVU to Paradise Taveuni is about 45 minutes on a very rough and unpaved road.

Dive Conditions

Weather windy, rainy, cloudy Seas calm, choppy
Water Temp 82-84°F / 28-29°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 20-40 Ft/ 6-12 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile no
Enforced diving restrictions The dives were geared for the least experienced divers.
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? yes

What I Saw

Sharks Lots Mantas None
Dolphins Schools Whale Sharks None
Turtles > 2 Whales None
Corals 4 stars Tropical Fish For Subscribers Only
Small Critters For Subscribers Only Large Fish For Subscribers Only
Large Pelagics For Subscribers Only

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

Subject Matter For Subscribers Only Boat Facilities 1 stars
Overall rating for UWP's For Subscribers Only Shore Facilities For Subscribers Only
UW Photo Comments There is not an adequate camera bucket on the boat. The camera room is air conditioned, but the door isn't kept shut and the staff use it for equipment repairs, ... Subscribe to get the full story. For Subscribers Only  Active subscribers continue reading here
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Report currently has 4 Helpful votes

Subscriber's Comments

By Lawrence Toigo in FL, US at Sep 23, 2024 14:28 EST  
Wow, our dive travel group is scheduled to visit this resort next October. Based upon this review I am contacting the management/owner to verify that most of these issues are resolved or we will cancel our visit.
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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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