Dive Review of
kona bay resort/kona bay resort in
Fiji and Tuvalu/bequa island

I have been diving for over 20 years and dive daily off the coast of
California, spend every September in the Carribean and Spring in South
Pacific

Dive Conditions

NO restrictions, until we lost a diver to current and dive was pulled while
the boat chased the diver  

[None]  

Overall Rating

Oh, I wish I had known that the plane that held 450 passengers would be
full both directions.
  The other thing that is imperative is there is no electricity on Benqua
island---run by batteries..limits fans,lights, ect.  
  The most fascinating thing was the guests were abandoned at night, after
dinner the guest could watch the torches go through the jungle as the staff
went home and in the early am guest could watch them return to care for us.
 No one on staff stayed at the resort.  Good thing there is no violence or
theft on the island.

  There was only 6 buras and when I booked I knew that there was only one
other couple and they were honey mooners.  That made me the only diver and
I loved having a brand new boat under my direction.  We only dive 2 dives a
day but that took about 4 hrs due to 45 minutes to dive sites and back and
surface interval, and dives over 60 minutes.  Back in time for a late
lunch, then out snorking in front of resort, clear water and all the beauty
in 20-30 feet.  
  Alot of blue eels, blue coral, blue star fish and large local fish.
  What I really liked was all the fish that are viewed in the area that is
not available closer to the US, not in HAWAII OR TAHITI.
  Do not go on the school visit, or the village visit...so hot and humid
and away from the shore no breeze.  You have to contribute a donation to
the chief to enter the village, then donate to the school, then donate to
the Women's Club.  All of the money goes to good and needy places, but I
would have payed the money just to avoid the heat.  
  To go to the firewalker was $150 and leave after the dives and spend the
day in another village...which means repetative chief, school, Womens Club
donations, which again means spending the entire afternoon and evening in
the heat.  The honeymoon couple went and warned us about the event, but we
were pressured into going to the village visit.
  The good thing about staying off the mainland of Fiji, is there is no
theft on outlaying islands due to the chief is the ruler and he will banish
the thief to the mainland if caught stealing.  Nothing will be stolen
money, pens, batteries ....nothing will be stolen.  On the mainland of
Fiji, nothing is safe.
  These people are poor and appreciate anything you do to help.  School
must be paid for by parents, so take school supplies for the resort staff.

  Shoes and flashlights were requested by staff when I returned home.  
  My divemaster was given his BC and could not get the battery so his
computer would work...there is no rental gear, or very little but I went
into the gear room and most gear was left by previous guests.
  I do plan on returning next year but will be prepared emotionally.
 

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