Rediscover Fiji’s Pristine Reefs – Dive New Zealand magazine

Rediscover Fiji’s Pristine Reefs – Dive New Zealand magazine

Great article this month in Dive New Zealand magazine by Gareth Bellamy about the reefs around Fiji’s Suncoast surviving Tropical Cyclone Winston.

Rediscover Fiji’s Pristine Reefs

Fiji’s Ra Province got hammered by Cyclone Winston, the second largest storm recorded in history with winds in excess of 375km/hr.

The last of the New Zealand long weekends was a wash out, diving canned due to a combined 30 knot northerly and an easterly swell. The inevitable plunge into a forecasted cold El Niño wet winter had begun. An escape to the tropics was on the cards!

Fiji’s a short hop from New Zealand and Volivoli Beach Resort on the Suncoast near Rakiraki is a firm favourite. This is not just because of its close proximity to the Bligh Strait and its world-class reefs, but the wonderful hospitality, chilled vibe and accommodating divers from beginners to techies.

Images from my last trip are full of blue skies, sunshine, palm trees, azure seas, multi-coloured soft corals, smiles and diving. This really is the ‘Soft Coral Capital of the World’! My Goodness, 2013!

Had it been three years? Well overdue a trip, but how was Fiji post-Cyclone Winston?

Volivoli Beach Resort got hit, staff and guests took refuge in the Deluxe and Ocean View Rooms which luckily received only minor damage, but the Premium Ocean View Villas were wrecked, as was the main restaurant/bar.

Luckily family and staff were uninjured; others weren’t so lucky – 44 people throughout the islands lost their lives and more than 35,000 were made homeless.

Read more in the attached article…

Dive New Zealand magazine

Download and read the whole article here:

 Dive New Zealand Magazine

pdf 2.4MB : Dive NEw Zealand Magazine – 10-13 Destinations Fiji- Winston