Instant Reader Report
on Nai'a / [same] in
Fiji / [N/A] on
2003/04
by
Harlan Cohen , NY, usa
Report Number 031030125237790

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 Solomons, GBR, Belize, Turks & Caicos, Bonare, Palau, Truk, Pohnpei,
PNG, Cozumel  

Dive Conditions

No restrictions, other than a 45 minute time limit on night dives.  

The set up for photographers is excellent.  A separate room on deck with
plenty of space for cases, and plenty of room for cameras and othe gear.  
 The Nai'a has the best set-up for photographers I have come across.  

Overall Rating

The Nai'a is a great boat.  The crew is friendly and extremely competent. 
Everyone on board clearly loves what they are doing.

The Fijian reefs (at least the ones Nai'a visits) are in amazingly good
shape.  There was little or no evidence of bleaching at the vast majority
of sites we stopped at.  The soft coral is exceptional.  While the reefs
do not have the sheer number of fish you can see at some dropoffs in
Palau, Fiji compares favorably to anywhere else I've been.

The soft corals and abundant fish life are a paradise for photographers,
and the dive guides know where all the interesting little creatures live. 
We saw quite a few sharks, including several hammerhead sightings (I saw
one at 110 feet).  There were also occasional manta and other ray
encounters.  There were not as many turtles as in the past, but I'd say I
saw at least one a day.

The captain was responsive to requests from the guests to remain at
particular dive sites for additional dives.

Nitrox is available, and I'd guess about half the divers were using it.  

The set up for photographers is excellent.  A separate room on deck with
plenty of space for cases, and plenty of room for cameras and othe gear. 
The Nai'a has the best set-up for photographers I have come across.

On a more prosaic note, the rooms are attractive, and the food is
excellent.  There is an opportunity to visit a local village during the
trip.  I did not go along, but those who went said it was fun.
 
I honestly can not think of a negative thing to say about the diving or
the boat.  I've taken several trips on the Nai'a over a period of seven or
eight years, and my experience has been consistently excellent.  Mr. Barrel
runs a classy operation with excellent diving.    I highly recommend the
Nia'a. 

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