NAI’A, Fiji, the Second Time Around: June 23-30, 2007

We were transported from the Pacific Pearl Resort after our week there enjoying diving with Aqua-Trek, to the Tokatoka Resort Hotel in Nadi on Saturday, June 23, where we were picked up by a bus containing the group of divers led by Steve Webster formerly from the Monterey Bay Aquarium and proceeded to meet the vessel Nai’a for a week of fantastic diving.  We had joined the group because we had such a good trip last year we wanted a repeat opportunity to add to our planned trip with Doc’s shark oriented week before.  We were not disappointed.  Steve makes the Nai'a trip regularly. Indeed, the combination of top reefs and top dive service by the Nai'a is hard to match anywhere else in the world.

The previous dive directors, Josh and Liz, had departed from the Nai’a, but the new one, Sonia, was excellent.  She gave thorough briefings and provided helpful assistance whenever needed or requested.  One of the best features about the Nai’a is its respectful attitude toward its divers.  Rather than setting a lot of limits and rules, the divers are allowed to dive their own profiles and times and encouraged to let the dive masters know their individual needs.  Thus, the new divers get plenty of help while experienced divers are not monitored excessively.  Divers are allowed to be responsible for their own dive. 

The two dive tenders are assigned to different dive sites to minimize the impact of divers.  Two morning and two afternoon dives and an evening dive are standard.  The diving is dictated by wind and weather conditions but choices are plentiful and are spectacular.  The signature feature of Fiji, soft corals, are abundant in many of the sites visited by the Nai’a.  Colors and formations vary between sites.  Some sites have pinks and reds, others are golden and yellow.  Some sites are rich with a combination of hard and soft corals, others are dominated by hard corals.  There is a very wide range of types of these corals as well as tropical fish.  Not many pelagic fish are seen nor are sharks common.

One of the most delightful aspects of diving in Fiji is the bright color of the reefs.  The fans, corals, and fish give a vibrant view of a shimmering garden moving and changing constantly with the current.  The dance of small anthias as they cascade around the corals provides ribbons of brilliance.  These swirls of bright fluttering fish sweep across the pinnacles and shower the sides of walls especially at the shallower depths.  Swim thrus provide a mysterious multi-dimensional experience noted by shafts of light flickering through coral windows contrasting with shadows. 

On the Nia’a, the photographer finds an entire equipment room with counters, charging stations, dedicated towels, rinse tanks, a system for the cameras to be taken to and from the tenders, and availability of AV equipment for previewing results.  The video materials provided by the Nai’a for promotion and on its web site are excellent. 

Life on the Nia’a itself is a pleasure.  Cabins and facilities are tops – comfortable and complete.  The menus are varied and interesting.  Choices of entries are offered.  Snacks and beverages are plentiful and tasty. Presentations about fish ID and other relevant information were given.   Entertainment was offered constantly.  Kava parties conducted by the crew, serenades of songs, and a village visit are examples.  We even had an opportunity to go back to the village of Megagi which we had visited while on the Fiji Aggressor II.  We brought the children a CD of photos we had taken of them during our previous visit and learned how they were using the laptop computer. 

The atmosphere on the Nai'a was one of fun, eat, dive, rest, relax, enjoy, dive, snack, drink, watch, review photos, and prepare cameras … more fun!  Above all else, the crew was dedicated to insuring that the needs of each guest were met.  They were always smiling and cheerful, ready to help in every way possible.  In addition, the crew had a special dynamic of cooperation that gave them a harmony that facilitated all of the ship's operations. 

The week on the Nai’a was definitely a happy time.  The crew, the dive group, and the diving were exceptional.  We were very pleased that this third week of our Fiji adventure was such a splendid finale to a triple hit of winning trips.  Check out the Nai'a trip diary at http://www.naia.com.fj/diary/dd_070623.html

We had had not one or even two great trips: all three had turned out to be spectacular.  Great folks, great diving, and great photos.  Thanks Aggressor, Doc and Aqua-Trek, and Nai’a!