Taveuni Island - Fiji May 22-30, 2022

 

Travel Requirements etc

 

For the latest info: https://www.fiji.travel/covid-19/travelling-to-fiji

 

Testing in Fiji

• You need to pre-book and pre-pay for the arrival RAT test https://entrytestfiji.com/taveuni-dive-resort-2/
• You’ll need rapid tests after being in Fiji for 48-72 hours – which they'll have at the resort. 
• The resort will also arrange the RAPID Test you need prior to departure.

 

Luggage on short NAN-TVU flight

 

• As of 23-April, you can now purchase an oversized bag on-line (up to 50 lb).
• For domestic flights, 1 free checked bag up to 33 lb is included. 
• If you booked this leg along with the international flight then the luggage allowance is probably more. Check your baggage allowance. 
• For the carry on bags, they say the limit is one bag weighing <15 lb for domestic, but when we went in 2017 and 2022 they didn't weigh the bags individually. We got on a scale along with our carry-on luggage. Their concern is overloading the plane.  We each had an e-bag backpack (with regs, computers, lights, mask, etc.) and and an under-the-seat briefcase. There isn't overhead space so we kept the backpacks on our laps. It seemed like the flight was quick so it didn't feel like much of an inconvenience. The flight holds 19 people = 7 rows x 3 seats (2 + 1) - 2, but they only carry 10-12 passengers owing to wieght limits, so there should be open seats to place luggage. They will also gate-check carry-ons.

 

To enter Fiji, you must

• Be fully vaccinated (Astra-Zeneca, Pfizer, Moderna, J&J, etc)
• Have medical travel insurance, with international coverage that covers COVID-19
• Bring paperwork showing you have pre-booked the arrival COVID test 

 

Dress Code

• Very relaxed at the resort
• If you leave the resort (e.g., to visit a village), cover your shoulders and knees. In the village remove your hat and sunglasses.

 

Check-in / check-out times

• You can arrive at the resort any time on the arrival day. There is no diving that day. 
• Your room should be ready ~ noon.
• On the last day you should vacate your room by 10 am - 11 am.
• There is a pleasant open air restaurant & bar where you can hang out if you are waiting for either your room to be ready or your ride to the airport. 

 

During you stay

• You will need to have a COVID test 48-72 hours after arrival. Taveuni Dive Resort will arrange this.
• You will also need to be tested before returning to the US. Taveuni Dive Resort will arrange this also.

 

Notes:

• Taveuni Dive Resort is a Care Fiji Committed (CFC) location. All businesses who have made the Care Fiji Commitment (CFC) are 100% fully vaccinated.

 

​Travel Medical Insurance with COVID Coverage

• Many travel insurance companies now include this coverage in their standard policies
• DAN has per-trip and yearly options including trip cancellation and medical coverage. This describes the DAN Trip and Annual plan COVID coverage: https://dan.org/membership-insurance/travel-insurance/covid-19-notice/.  (These plans are separate from DAN Dive Accident Insurance.) 
• You can also purchase online prior to travel with Fiji Care https://www.fijivisitorsinsurance.com/ with policies starting at ~$40. The Fiji Care travel insurance will only apply in the unlikely case that you test positive for COVID-19 in Fiji and cover any costs related to that event such as isolation, hospitalisation, testing etc.  It does not cover any costs related to existing entry/exit protocols such as required tests. It will also not cover trip cancellation owing to COVID or other reasons. 
• If the Fiji COVID insurance for ~$40 sounds too good to be true, it probably is; Taveuni Dive Resort does not recommend this. If you want coverage, then you are better off with a reputable travel insurance company. 

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DAN Trip and Travel Insurance (different from Dive Accident Insurance)

• • Trip Cancellation coverage for your­ pre-paid travel arrangements.

• • Trip Interruption coverage for your pre-paid land and water arrangements (such as lodging), plus additional airfare to return home. 

• • Per trip plans include Travel Delay coverage for overnight lodging, meals, local transportation and other unexpected costs if you or a travel companion get sick from COVID-19 and are delayed for six hours or more. 

• • Coverage for medical expenses for up to one year, even after you return home, if you get sick from COVID-19 while traveling and need to seek medical treatment or evacuation. Covered expenses include copays, deductibles and out-of-network costs billed by your primary health insurance. Also includes coverage for a companion to visit you if you are traveling alone and hospitalized for more than seven days.

• • Access to worldwide Emergency Assistance services, which are available 24/7 should you need help while traveling. Per trip plans also provide you with access to telemedicine services during your trip.  "

 

More info on the DAN trip coverage: 

https://www.generalitravelinsurance.com/customer/dan-coronavirus  

 

 

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Diving

*Dives/day: The package comes with 3 dives per day for a total of 18 dives. Depending on flight times, dive can be added on the last day.

**Nitrox:  32% available for FJ$30/tank (~ $14). Only about 30 nitrox tanks are available, so one might not be able to dive nitrox on every dive. 

Expected water temp: usually averages 81°F that time of year. As of 8-May-2022, the water temp has been ~ 78 - 80 F.

Expected viz: 65 - 130 feet.

Season: May through September gives the best visibiltity underwater and the nicest weather topside. Average air temperature 77°F - 82°F. We will NOT be there during cyclone season, which is November through April. 

Tanks, weights: Included. Most tanks are 80 cubic feet aluminum. There are four 100 cubic feet aluminum tanks available, and a few 65 cubic feet tanks The majority of the tanks are yolk. A few are DIN convertible, but anyone with a DIN should bring thier own converter. 

Other gear: Available for rent.

Dive guides: Dive guide ratio can be 4:1, 6:1, or even 8:1. It is not recommended that buddy teams break away from the group owing to the strong currents in the region. 

Expected diving: Limited to 50 minutes. The dive boats typically leave the marina at 8 am for 2 tank dives. It will take about 10 minutes to reach the Rainbow Reef. Return to the marina around noon. The afternoon dive leaves after lunch.  

Nearest hyperbaric chamber: There is not chambers available nearby. The one in Suva, (a six hour boat ride away), is installed and operational but they do not have anyone to operate it as of May 2022. 

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Resort

Style/Comfort: Nice. Guest have bungalows called bures which are scattered about the tropical grounds.   

Alcohol: Available for purchase. Beers are generally Fiji Bitter, Fiji Gold, and Vonu. 

Food: All meals are made to order. Full cooked breakfast, 1 course lunch, and 2 course dinner. Regular coffee, tea, and water while at the resort. Water juice, and light snacks are provided on the boat. 

Linens: Provided

Towels: Provided.

External Communication: Visitors from many countries can use their GSM handsets in Fiji. Mobile customer are advised to check with their network operatores for roaming status before traveling. There is wifi in the restaurant area. 

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Logistics

Airport: Taveuni, Fiji (TVU)

Getting here:

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Money

Travel insurance: Travel insurance is required. This is available several places, including DAN, Dive Assure, and www.csatravelpro.com.

Dive accident insurance: Required.

Airfare: Not included

Other fees:

How settle bill for on board expenses: Accepts Visa, MasterCard and American Express.

Tipping: Direct tipping to individuals in not expected or encouraged in Fijji. Tip with a smile and vinaka, which is Fijian for Thank You. If you had a good time and would like to leave a gratuity for the Dive team, Resort staff, as well as their families and kid's school funds - you are free to do so. It can be simply added to your final bill. We do not recommend personal tips be given becuase all gratuities are collected each year and disbursed to all staff at Christmas. This helps make sure that everyone who helped you have a good time gets rewarded (even the behind-the-scene staff you may not have met!)

 

Non-divers:  A variety of activities are available, in addition to the pool and other facilities at the resort. This includes the Bouma National Heritage Park and Falls, Civa Pearl Farm, a 4 wheel drive to the highest peak at 3920 feet, horse trekking, coastal walk, visit a village, and more. 

http://www.taveunidiveresort.com/activities/

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Before you go

Bring: Cert cards!

Forms: 

Passport: Please ensure your passport is valid at least six months after your return date to the US.