Dive Review of Ra Divers/Volivoli Beach Resort in
Fiji and Tuvalu/Volivoli

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Ra Divers/Volivoli Beach Resort: "Colorful above and below the water", Oct, 2023, by Richard Thomas, TX, US ( 2 reports with 3 Helpful votes). Report 12660 has 1 Helpful vote.
No photos available at this time
Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Accommodations		Food
Service and Attitude		Environmental Sensitivity
Dive Operation		Shore Diving
Snorkeling
Overall Rating
Value for $$
Beginners
Advanced
Comments	Our group embarked on a 7-day adventure in Fiji, with 5 of those days dedicated to diving. I'd like to emphasize right away that if you plan to travel this distance, consider extending your stay to at least 10 days for a more immersive experience. Before our journey, we'd heard a lot about Fiji Air's weight limits, so we all packed judiciously, which helped us avoid any major baggage issues. Upon arriving at our destination, we were warmly welcomed by the enthusiastic staff. They swiftly tagged our bags for delivery to our rooms, and since we arrived in the morning, we were treated to a delightful orientation about the exciting week ahead, accompanied by refreshing beverages. The resort is perched on a steep hillside, offering breathtaking views and a constant, refreshing breeze. The open-air restaurant was a particular highlight, boasting a magnificent view of the ocean and the charming small islands just offshore. We never went hungry during our stay, as the restaurant served up sumptuous three-course meals for both lunch and dinner. The daily chef's specials never disappointed, and the diverse menu catered to all tastes. Our diving experience took place on brand new, locally-built aluminum dive boats, perfectly suited to the local conditions. Entry and exit from these boats were as simple as stepping off the stern, with sturdy ladders for easy access. The attentive crew even went the extra mile to assist older divers with gear, carrying it in and out of the water. I was pleasantly surprised by the level of care; at times, our dive master would swiftly remove my fins as I was distracted by my camera setup. It became evident that the Fijian people take great joy in ensuring their guests' happiness. They relished the challenge of catering to our diverse group of divers. The diving experience exceeded all my expectations. The health and vibrancy of the coral reef and the diversity of fish left me constantly impressed. After a few days of comprehensive briefings and detailed maps, some of us felt comfortable enough to plan our own dives and explore as we pleased. The underwater pinnacles, adorned with colorful fans, hard corals, and teeming schools of fish, never ceased to amaze our group. The pinnacle tops, which nearly reached the surface, were particularly spectacular, and my attempts to capture their beauty with a camera fell short. Our dive guides excelled in selecting sites that matched our divers' abilities. With two boats at our disposal, each found the perfect balance between challenging currents and rewarding underwater scenery. I would recommend bringing fins suited for strong currents, as we encountered a few dives where larger fins would have been beneficial. The water temperature was on the rise after the winter, reaching 77°F for the week. While some divers felt a bit chilly, I found comfort in a Fourth Element top and board shorts. For those less tolerant of the cold, a 5mm wetsuit might be preferable. One of the unique offerings of our stay was unlimited shore diving from the house reef. Although predominantly sandy, there was still plenty to see, especially for macro photographers. I had my first encounter with a sea snake, which swam right over me while I was experimenting with my new snoot strobe. I was assured that these creatures are venomous but generally docile, requiring provocation to strike. Tides played a significant role in where we boarded and exited the boats. Sometimes we walked in via a gangway from shore, and other times we were shuttled in on small pangas to walk the last few feet. It added a touch of variety to our diving experience. In addition to the fantastic diving experience and the warm hospitality of the staff, there's another noteworthy feature at Volivoli that will delight photographers. They have introduced a new photo room equipped with spacious bays designed to cater to photographers' needs. These bays come with pressurized air, allowing for the rapid drying of camera equipment, and the charging stations offer an excellent range of charging options to keep your gear ready for your next adventure. It's a thoughtful addition that speaks to the resort's commitment to ensuring a seamless experience for their guests. However, it's worth noting that the rest of the resort primarily provides Australian-style outlets. I'd recommend bringing an adapter for your room to ensure that you can charge your devices conveniently. This thoughtful detail demonstrates their dedication to catering to the specific needs of divers and photographers, making your stay even more enjoyable. Here's an improved version of your travel review: Our group embarked on a 7-day adventure in Fiji, with 5 of those days dedicated to diving. I'd like to emphasize right away that if you plan to travel this distance, consider extending your stay to at least 10 days for a more immersive experience. Before our journey, we'd heard a lot about Fiji Air's weight limits, so we all packed judiciously, which helped us avoid any major baggage issues. Upon arriving at our destination, we were warmly welcomed by the enthusiastic staff. They swiftly tagged our bags for delivery to our rooms, and since we arrived in the morning, we were treated to a delightful orientation about the exciting week ahead, accompanied by refreshing beverages. The resort is perched on a steep hillside, offering breathtaking views and a constant, refreshing breeze. The open-air restaurant was a particular highlight, boasting a magnificent view of the ocean and the charming small islands just offshore. We never went hungry during our stay, as the restaurant served up sumptuous three-course meals for both lunch and dinner. The daily chef's specials never disappointed, and the diverse menu catered to all tastes. Our diving experience took place on brand new, locally-built aluminum dive boats, perfectly suited to the local conditions. Entry and exit from these boats were as simple as stepping off the stern, with sturdy ladders for easy access. The attentive crew even went the extra mile to assist older divers with gear, carrying it in and out of the water. I was pleasantly surprised by the level of care; at times, our dive master would swiftly remove my fins as I was distracted by my camera setup. It became evident that the Fijian people take great joy in ensuring their guests' happiness. They relished the challenge of catering to our diverse group of divers. The diving experience exceeded all my expectations. The health and vibrancy of the coral reef and the diversity of fish left me constantly impressed. After a few days of comprehensive briefings and detailed maps, some of us felt comfortable enough to plan our own dives and explore as we pleased. The underwater pinnacles, adorned with colorful fans, hard corals, and teeming schools of fish, never ceased to amaze our group. The pinnacle tops, which nearly reached the surface, were particularly spectacular, and my attempts to capture their beauty with a camera fell short. Our dive guides excelled in selecting sites that matched our divers' abilities. With two boats at our disposal, each found the perfect balance between challenging currents and rewarding underwater scenery. I would recommend bringing fins suited for strong currents, as we encountered a few dives where larger fins would have been beneficial. The water temperature was on the rise after the winter, reaching 77°F for the week. While some divers felt a bit chilly, I found comfort in a Fourth Element top and board shorts. For those less tolerant of the cold, a 5mm wetsuit might be preferable. One of the unique offerings of our stay was unlimited shore diving from the house reef. Although predominantly sandy, there was still plenty to see, especially for macro photographers. I had my first encounter with a sea snake, which swam right over me while I was experimenting with my new snoot strobe. I was assured that these creatures are venomous but generally docile, requiring provocation to strike. Tides played a significant role in where we boarded and exited the boats. Sometimes we walked in via a gangway from shore, and other times we were shuttled in on small pangas to walk the last few feet. It added a touch of variety to our diving experience. The local village also added a cultural dimension to our trip. They presented traditional storytelling, songs, and dance, which felt authentic and enjoyable. It was evident that they were happy to share their culture with us. On our last day, we took a village tour led by a local guide who shared valuable insights into the area and its history. We had the privilege of visiting the local school, where I was particularly touched by the enthusiasm of the children. Despite limited resources, the school was exceptionally well-run, with a palpable commitment to education. I had a conversation with a boy about his favorite books after touring their small library. His pride in being educated was evident, and it made me realize the impact a small gesture could have. I would strongly recommend that future visitors consider bringing school supplies and appropriate children's books. We are even exploring ways to send several cases of school books to this school to make a direct impact. We also had the opportunity to meet the village chief and other villagers during a Kava Ceremony, and we did some shopping for handmade goods crafted by the villagers. Since there were limited options for souvenir shopping, this was an excellent way to give back to the local community while acquiring authentic, handmade crafts. Simon, the resort manager, was an impeccable host, always ensuring a seamless and perfect trip. I wholeheartedly recommend Volivoli to anyone seeking an exotic diving experience paired with a relaxing resort. As a group leader, it couldn't have been easier, and the combination of extraordinary diving and a tranquil resort is hard to surpass.
Websites	Ra Divers Volivoli Beach Resort
Reporter and Travel
Dive Experience	Over 1000 dives
Where else diving	Bonaire, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Caymans, Belize, Mexico, Malaysia
Closest Airport	NAN	Getting There	DFW-LAX-NAN- 3 hour bus ride.
Dive Conditions
Weather	sunny	Seas	choppy, surge, currents
Water Temp	77-77°F / 25-25°C	Wetsuit Thickness	3
Water Visibility	60-100 Ft/ 18-30 M
Dive Policy
Dive own profile	yes
Enforced diving restrictions	Suggested Max Depths 110-60. Dive times ran aroung 60-70 minutes
Liveaboard?	no	Nitrox Available?	yes
What I Saw
Sharks	1 or 2	Mantas	None
Dolphins	Schools	Whale Sharks	None
Turtles	None	Whales	None
Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):
Corals		Tropical Fish
Small Critters		Large Fish
Large Pelagics
Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Subject Matter		Boat Facilities
Overall rating for UWP's		Shore Facilities
UW Photo Comments	The best method for expensive set ups would be to utilze the large plastic boxes that fit under your seat. The boats are spacious but don't have a camera table. They do have a large bucket for cameras but anyone with an expensive SLR will want to give it a quick dip and stow in the box for safety.

Report currently has 1 Helpful vote

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Dive Review of Ra Divers/Volivoli Beach Resort in Fiji and Tuvalu/Volivoli

Ra Divers/Volivoli Beach Resort: "Colorful above and below the water", Oct, 2023,

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

Overall Rating

Reporter and Travel

Dive Conditions

Dive Policy

What I Saw

Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):

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

Dive Review of Ra Divers/Volivoli Beach Resort in
Fiji and Tuvalu/Volivoli