Fiji - NAI'A Liveaboard | Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF)

REEF's fourth Field Survey to Fiji is sure to be a fantastic 10 days of diving, camaraderie, surveying, and fun! Central Fiji is known as a hotspot for diving, due to a combination of unique characteristics, including nutrient-rich runoff, deep-ocean upwelling, tidal and wind-driven currents and numerous barrier islands to offer protection. The South Pacific is a highly diverse region with massive schools of pelagics such as Bigeye Trevally, Scad, and Barracuda; Gray Reef and Whitetip Reef Sharks, and unusual creatures like the Leaf Scorpionfish and Hairy Ghost Pipefish. Fiji's Bligh Waters even boast a site called Humann Nature, named for REEF Co-Founder Paul Humann! The luxurious NAI'A is world-reknowned for her crew of experienced Fijian divers and sailors known for their friendliness and expertise. The itinerary also includes a visit to a traditional Fijian village, providing a great cultural experience in addition to unforgettable diving.

A Fijian reef full of colorful anthias. Photo by Paul Humann.

Trip Type: Fish Survey - click here to learn more!

Pricing: Stateroom: $5,676 per person based on double occupancy

Accommodations: The NAI'A sleeps 18 passengers. There are 9 staterooms onboard, all of which have private ensuite bathrooms. 3 staterooms have king size beds that may configured as individual singles, 2 have both a king bed and a single bunk above at the foot, 2 staterooms have only a king bed, and 2 staterooms have 2 twin bunk beds. All the staterooms have plenty of storage for gear.

Diving: The NAI'A Liveaboard offers 4-5 dives per dive day, including night dives. Average water temperature is 79-83 degrees Fahrenheit. A 3-5mm wetsuit and a hooded vest are recommended. If you get cold easily, it is suggested to bring additional layers. More information on water temperate is available on the NAI'A's website. All diving is done from inflatable skiffs. Tanks, weights and weight belts are included in the cost of the charter.

Price Includes: The trip package includes 10 nights of double occupancy accommodation, 9 days of diving with 4-5 dives per day, round-trip transfers to the ship from the airport or hotels in the Nadi area, all meals onboard, beverages including wine with dinner, tanks, weights, and taxes.

REEF Program Fee: A REEF Program Fee of $350 per diver will be added to each package to cover the cost of the group leader, seminar and REEF survey materials.

Additional Fees: The following costs are not included in the price paid to REEF. All flights, alcoholic beverages other than the house wine served with dinner, optional Nitrox ($210 for a 10-day charter), optional rental equipment, and optional souvenir purchases onboard. A fuel surcharge will be added to each individual's onboard bill. The amount will be determined approximately 90 days prior to the start of the trip. Gratuities for the crew are not included in the cost of the charter and are at each individual's discretion. Insurance is not included, however REEF strongly recommends that each participant purchase adequate dive travel insurance to protect you from unforeseen circumstances. More information about dive travel insurance can be viewed on DiveAssure's website.

About the Trip Leader: Dr. Christy Pattengill-Semmens is REEF's Director of Science. Christy is an expert at Fish ID and has led dozens of REEF Field Surveys over the years to all of REEF's survey project regions.

How to Sign Up: To reserve your space or find out more, e-mail us at trips@REEF.org, or call us at 305-588-5869. A $1,000 deposit will be collected at the time of booking. Visit our Trip Policies page for more information on deposit and payment schedules.

How to Get There: Participants should make arrangements to fly into Nadi International Airport (airport code NAN). Participants are responsible for booking their own airfare. REEF is not able to book air travel for participants.

Transfers: Participants will be transferred from Nadi to the boat at 1pm on June 2, and back to the Nadi area (airport or hotel) after disembarking at 8am on June 12. The NAI'A office can recommend in-transit hotels that offer half-day rates to accommodate early arrival and late departure times. Please contact Alexx at explore@naia.com.fj for assistance in booking day rooms and extending your stay in Fiji.

The NAI’A is a 120 ft. yacht.

Inside one of the staterooms.

A school of Yellowback Anthias. Photo credit: Cat Holloway

Randall’s Shrimpgoby, one of many interesting fish in the sand. Photo credit: Cat Holloway