Diving Fiji Liveaboard Cruises

Frequently Asked Questions

• General FAQs

What is a liveaboard diving charter?

Liveaboard safaris provide scuba activities and cabin accommodations. The boat becomes your home and you eat, sleep and dive on it! Liveaboards stay at sea for the duration of their cruise and therefore can explore more remote sites. This type of diving opens up a whole world of top class Fiji diving opportunities that would simply not be available on regular day trip boats, such as exploring Bligh Water. Additionally, adventure cruises offer more non-diving activities for guests such as mountain biking, hiking, cultural village visits and kayaking. These types of cruises are designed to attract both divers and non-divers with an interest in other adventure activities as well as scuba.

How many dives will I make per day?

Generally you can make four dives a day, including either a night or sunset dive. Adventure safaris schedule two dives per day plus other activities and sightseeing between dives.

When is the best time to visit?

Fiji liveaboard season runs all the year round. July to September are the best months for visibility but the water is also cooler and choppier during these months. It's probably best to avoid these months if you are prone to seasickness. November to April are the summer rainfall months but the water is very warm - up to 30°C.

Do I need a wetsuit?

Minimum water temperatures in Fiji are 22°C in the southern hemisphere winter and 26°C in the southern hemisphere winter. For the summer recommend at least a 3mm full length wetsuit, and possibly a 5mm full length if you are susceptible to cold. In the winter you'd best bring a 5mm full length wetsuit.

How far in advance do I need to book?

Due to the very limited number of Fiji dive charters operating in the islands, you must try to book at least three to four months in advance to ensure cabins are not already fully booked. If you are unable to do this then just send us an email and we'll check to see if there is any late availability on the cruises for you.

What diving license do I need?

A PADI Open Water Diver license is acceptable for all our liveaboard diving safaris. Similar licenses from any other internationally recognised scuba association are also acceptable.

If you've lost your PADI certification card, we can check your details direct with PADI. Please provide your name as it appears on your card and your date of birth. If you contact the dive centre where you were certified before you travel, they can help you obtain a new card.

Can I rent an underwater camera?

Some Fiji liveaboards have cameras available for rent. See the "Facilities and Food" information tab of each boat for more details.

What type of tanks and valves are on the boats?

All boats carry 12 litre aluminium tanks with yoke or A-clamp international valves as standard. If you have a DIN regulator, you should bring an adaptor. Enriched air nitrox is available on some boats. See the "Facilities and Food" information tab of each boat for more details.

What kind of food is served?

Please review the "Facilities and Food" information tab for details of the food served on each of the cruises. Most dietary requirements including vegetarian can be met on each liveaboard safari. However, please do tell us your requirements at the time you make your booking, so that we can meet your request.

Where can you pick me up from?

We can arrange transfers to your cruise boat from your hotel, or from the airport if you arrive just before your boat departure. Please advise us of your preferred transfer point at least two weeks before you arrive.

What should I bring?

All your personal diving equipment (except tanks, weights and weight belts), a bathing suit, towel, toiletries, T-shirts, shorts, and sun cream. If you are joining our adventure cruise then walking shoes will be a good idea, and a more formal, conservative set of clothes for village tours. You may also want to bring something a little warmer for the evenings.

Is dive insurance for customers included in the cruise price?

Some charters for diving Fiji do provide insurance, others not. For details please review the "Safety and Specs" information tab for each boat. Suva in Viti Levu is the only place in the country with a re-compression chamber. We recommend you have your own personal dive insurance, for your own peace of mind.

Do I have to share a cabin?

There are no single cabins on Fiji liveaboards, so the only way to guarantee a cabin for yourself is to pay for two beds. It may be, if the boat is not full and there are an odd number of passengers, that you can have your own cabin, but this situation obviously can not be guaranteed.

Can I explore the beaches at the islands?

Our Fiji dive and adventure cruises around Taveuni are designed for just such an activity. Our regular diving safaris do schedule a cultural village tour at one of the islands during your trip.

For more liveaboard adventures, visit our Dive The World website:
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