Scuba Diving in Kadavu, Fiji
Kadavu, with an area of 411 square kilometers (158.6 square miles), is the fourth largest island in Fiji, and the largest island in the Group, a volcanic archipelago consisting of the island, Ono, Galoa and a number of smaller islands in the Great Astrolabe Reef. Its main administrative centre is Vunisea, which has an airport, a high school, a hospital, and a government station, on the Namalata Isthmus where the island is almost cut in two. Suva, Fiji's capital, lies 88 kilometers to the north of Kadavu. The population of the island province was 10,167 at the most recent census in 2007. It is one of Fiji's fourteen Provinces, and forms part of the Eastern Division, which also includes the Provinces of Lau, Lomaiviti and Rotuma and also belongs to the Burebasaga Confederacy, a hierarchy of chiefs from southern and western Fiji. The island is 93 kilometers long, with a width varying from 365 meters to 13 kilometers. The island is almost sliced in two at the narrow Namalata Isthmus, which separates Namalata Bay on the northern coast from Galoa Harbour on the southern coast. Within Galoa Harbour lie Galoa Island and the tiny islet of Tawadromu. Kadavu is characterized by its rugged and mountainous terrain. The tallest mountain is Nabukelevu, also known as Mount Washington, which stands at 822 meters high, on the western end of the island. The island still has 75% of its original rainforest cover and a rich bird diversity, including four species endemic to the island, the Velvet Dove, the Crimson Shining-parrot, the Kadavu Honeyeater and the Kadavu Fantail, in addition to several endemic subspecies (such as a subspecies of the Island Thrush). Offshore, stringing around the south, east and then away to the north, is the Great Astrolabe Reef, a large barrier reef that is one of Fiji's premier scuba diving resorts. Kadavu is one of the least developed areas of Fiji. There are few roads, and the local economy is largely dependent on subsistence farming, supplemented by exports to Viti Levu. There are no banks on the island. Tourism is becoming popular, however, with snorkeling and diving among the major attractions. Its reefs are famous for their variety . You can expect to see a full range of coral fish and then there could be mantas, turtles, jacks, tuna, sharks, grouper, sea snakes, rays, nudibranchs & more - just about anything is possible. This is the easiest and most enjoyable diving you can imagine. Diving in these clear waters with abundant marine life, brilliantly coloured soft and hard coral and endless swim through is a dream come true. Although tourism opportunities here have been steadily growing over the past decade or so, it is still a remote and beautiful destination that is definitely not over-developed! As of 2006 there were only a total of around 80 rooms provided by just 11 properties, mostly in the budget to medium-range of accommodation. The main focus of tourism here is diving and almost all visitors to most of the resorts visit because they wish to scuba dive. A couple of exceptions are Naigigia Island Resort, which focuses on surfing, and Papageno Eco Resort, which enjoys a mix of divers and those interested in relaxation and health, such as Yoga groups. Kadavu's dive resorts include Dive Kadavu (closest to Vunisea and part of Matana Resort) which visits dive sites on the Nabukelevu-i-Ra and Namalata reefs, Matava Resort (on the southern coastline of the island near the Great Astrolabe reef), Waisalima Beach Resort (one of the closest to the Great Astrolabe), and Papageno Eco Resort (on the northern coastline of the eastern end of the island). At Waisalima, the dive operation is run by Viti Water Sports. Nagigia Island Resort is at the other end of the island on the very western tip and although it focuses on surfing, it also offers diving to its guests visiting local reefs around the island. The main linkage is Vunisea airport which serves about 20 or so return flights per week from Nadi and Suva. There is also a government jetty in Vunisea can accommodate vessels of up to 50 metres. Visitors can arrive by ferry from Suva, however ferry services are sporadic and few travel here by sea. On arrival at Vunisea, your resort will meet you with a boat to transfer you round the coastline to your final destination. Nagigia Island can be accessed by helicopter direct from the mainland.
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