April 2013
Diving in Fiji
PADI diving with Captain Cook in Fiji
Source: ETRAVEL BLACKBOARD
Captain Cook Cruises Fiji has announced the appointment of Viti Water Sports, a PADI Five Star Dive Centre, to look after passenger's diving and snorkelling activities on board the MV Reef Endeavourand also on Captain Cook’s Tivua Island day cruise. .gif "Captain Cook Cruises Fiji flagship MV Reef Endeavour.")
“Dive opportunities are at an additional cost and are available for both certified and ‘first time’ divers with Viti Water Sports experienced divers, accompanying passengers on every dive, to amazing dive locations, where divers swim through caves, coral bommies and see breath taking coral gardens and sea creatures,” the company’s Fiji executive director, Jackie Haworth-Charlton said.
Captain Cook Cruises Fiji operate three, four and seven night cruises on-board the MV Reef Endeavour and all cruise prices include on-board accommodation, all meals, guided village and island tours, glass bottom boat excursions, snorkelling, wi fi, on board entertainment and use of the ship's facilities including swimming pool, spa, pool bar, sun deck, sauna, cocktail bar, day spa and library.
Photo courtesy CAPTAINCOOK CRUISES FIJI
July, 2012
Diving in Fiji
Fiu Manueli receives PADI 20 Year Membership Award
Fiu Manueli first learnt to dive in the 1960’s with Gus Caine and with these skills he went on to work for the University of the South Pacific in Suva collecting samples and specimens for researchers of the day.
In the 1980’s, Fiu travelled to Queensland, Australia where he wanted to dive on the Great Barrier Reef. When he inquired about diving, they requested his certification card, - no luck he didn’t have one!
‘What about snorkelling?’ he asked, “You’ll need a doctor’s certificate” they said!! No luck there either.
So Fiu rang PADI Dive Centre Scuba Hire in Fiji and inquired about the cost of training with them and began his formal dive training.
Fiu gained PADI Open Water and Advanced certifications with Karen Evans and following this - 21 years ago - Richard Nicholls (owner of Dive Centre Manly) taught Fiu the PADI Rescue Diver course - right through to the Divemaster program.
Going on to complete his Instructor Development Course with PADI Course Director Andrew Redfern, Fiu has remained a PADI Professional. Utilising his skills for over 30 years at the University of the South Pacific, he was promoted in 2000 to the position of Dive Officer and now - a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer - he continues to work at the USP.
Congratulations on 20 years as a PADI Pro Fiu, and thank you for your loyalty over the years.
PHOTO
Fiu Manueli receives his 20 Year Membership Award from PADI Asia Pacific Regional Manager, Ian Cumming.
July, 2012 
Diving in Fiji
PADI Dive Resort, Matava wins TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence
KADAVU, FIJI ISLANDS. Matava – Fiji’s Premier Eco Adventure Resort have recently been acknowledged by TripAdvisor as a recipient of their Certificate of Excellence Award, making this the third consecutive time they have been awarded this accolade.
This prestigious award is presented to establishments who consistently achieve outstanding traveller reviews on TripAdvisor. In order to qualify, businesses must maintain on overall rating of four or higher, out of a possible five. Less than 10 percent of accommodations on TripAdvisor are awarded the Certificate of Excellence.
Stuart Gow, Director at Matava – Fiji’s Premier Eco Adventure Resort was delighted to receive the award. “We strive to offer our customers a memorable eco-resort experience and this accolade is evidence that our hard work is translating into positive traveller reviews on TripAdvisor.”
Matava is not only a PADI Dive Resort, but also a Project AWARE GoEco Operator. With more than 12 year experience in the Fiji Islands, Matava is recognised as a leading educational dive centre.
December, 2011
Diving in Fiji
FIRST SOLOMON ISLANDER becomes a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor
Dellington Bare first donned SCUBA on 18 September 2006, when Solomon Dive Adventures, under the tutelage of PADI Instructor Lisa Choquette, opened its SCUBA school for Solomon Islanders, with the goal of training Islanders to operate their own SCUBA businesses. It opened a whole new world to him and he continued through to become a PADI Divemaster.
As Dellington became experienced in guiding and assisting in teaching, it became his goal to become a PADI Instructor himself. Supported by a generous grant from ASOP (Australian Sports Outreach Program), Dellington successfully completed his Emergency First Response Course, Instructor Development Course and from 25-27th November, the PADI Instructor Examination in Nadi, Fiji - realizing his dream.
Says Lisa “I am just bursting with pride - this is just such a HUGE step forward for our project in achieving our goal of "Solomon Islanders teaching Solomon Islanders to dive". Thank you so much to all involved for your help in this.”
PADI Asia Pacific Instructor Examiner, Daniel Macherel reported that the candidates on the Fiji IE were mostly Island Nationals. Together with Dellington from Solomon Islands were Fijian Nationals, Viliame B Fonolahi, Savenaca Nagataiwai, Isireli Tawake and Kim Bourke also from Fiji.
