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Dive Review of Mai Dive Resort in
Fiji and Tuvalu/Ono Island near Kadavu

Mai Dive Resort, Mar, 2011,

by Lisa Evans, CO, US (Sr. Contributor Sr. Contributor 24 reports with 11 Helpful votes). Report 6011.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 4 stars Food 4 stars
Service and Attitude 4 stars Environmental Sensitivity 3 stars
Dive Operation 3 stars Shore Diving 3 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 3 stars
Beginners 3 stars
Advanced 3 stars
Comments This resort involved a 1 hour plane ride from Nadi (the main Fiji airport) and a 1.5 hour boat ride from the airport. We did fine, but part of our group ended up in the luggage boat - no cover on a sunny day - and sunburned and with sore bottoms from hitting hard seats.

The setting is gorgeous - isolated with a beautiful view of sunrises over the ocean. We were there in the Fall, which meant cloudy weather, though it didn't rain much (when it does, it pours!) and the vis was not great because of the warm water/plankton, I guess.

We did two morning dives, part of the package, and generally one afternoon dive - that was all we could fit in. The dive sites were pretty variable - those on the outside of the Astrolabe Reef (we generally went south off the coast of Kadavu) were not in great shape, but we did see lots of small fish species and several large fish, including a bumphead wrasse and some small schools of large-ish snappers. We also saw several small sharks - maybe 5 or so, max 9 feet. Nice nudis and butterflyfish. The Purple Wall was a drift dive with some current - many species there. While the coral was sort of beat (lots of dead.. some algae-covered), there was good diversity of species, if not large numbers of any one thing.

The other area we went to was north of Ono Island, and the reef was in much better shape here. There were lots of swim-throughs (sometimes too many), and the coral on top of the bommies was spectacular. The rubbly bottom was a goby haven!

Our divemaster did show some things, although he tended to touch/hold too many things for me to be comfortable. He sometimes seemed to be searching for things to show us, so on a couple dives we swam a LOT - too much.

Shore diving is hard here, because when the tide is out, there is a long stretch of sea grass. We did a night dive where they took us out and dropped us off, and we swam in - that was cool, although the reefs close to the resort were particularly unhealthy, we did see some nice night critters.

The rooms were great - comfortable, clean, and with fun outdoor showers. The common area was pleasant and the food was excellent, too. Staff was friendly and helpful, and it was a joy getting to know Joe, the native Fijian owner. Current managers had just arrived (Hank and Claudia) and they were friendly, helpful, and full of information.
Websites Mai Dive Resort   

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 101-250 dives
Where else diving Great Barrier Reef, Cozumel, Bonaire, Roatan, Philippines
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather cloudy Seas choppy
Water Temp 80-82°F / 27-28°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 40-60 Ft/ 12-18 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions Went with the group but were free to select depth; at end of dive those who needed to went up and the rest could stay - up to about 70 minutes.
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? no

What I Saw

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

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

Subject Matter N/A Boat Facilities N/A
Overall rating for UWP's N/A Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments [None]
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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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