Instant Reader Report
on Dive Kadavu/Matana Beach Resort / [same] in
Fiji / Kadavu on
2003/05
by
John Shumate , IL, USA
Report Number 030731140550637

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 Hawaii, Bahamas, Florida, General Caribbean 

Dive Conditions

A divemaster led every dive, and divers were encouraged to go with him.  

The rinse tanks on the boat always had fresh water in them and the boat
driver and DMs were quick to move cameras to and from divers.  There is no
camera table on the boat which is makes it a little difficult to change
batteries for digital photographers or film for analog photographers.    

Overall Rating

The DMs are incredibly friendly and very good at finding whatever the
divers wanted to see; in our case, nudibranchs and blue ribbon eels. 
Tanks are filled on the boats, entry is just a giant stride from the bench
seats, and the ladders have extended hand holds for very easy exits. 
Listen carefully to the dive briefings; they are excellent and can keep
you out of trouble.  

Like the Fijian staff the owners, Bob and Rena (who combines cuteness and
crochetiness in a delightful melange), and the general manager, Dave, are
very friendly and eager to please.  The meals went from mediocre to
excellent.  I particularly liked the spicy curries, and the lovo, a
traditional Fijian meal, was very entertaining.  The beef could be on the
tough side, but the chicken was excellent as was the fish, which was
brought to the kitchen alive and often served as a sushi appetizer
followed by the same fish as an entree.  Liquor was extra but was
reasonably priced particularly considering that everything comes to the
resort by ship.  The wines were Australian and quite good, and my choice
of beer was Fijian Bitter.  If one makes a request before arriving they'll
try to have whatever liquor the diver wants on hand. 

Bring an adapter if your recharging equipment isn't set up for Australian
outlets and voltage, and make sure that you know the hours the generator
is on.  Cava (pronounced Thava), the chief's son, is a delightful man who
arranges mekes to the village and the evening's entertainment.  The resort
takes care of the traditional gift and Cava will lead the party into the
village.  Bring an out-of water flashlight just in case Joe (the security
man) isn't available to light your way back to your bure at night with
his.       

            

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