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THE BEST OF FIJI TOUR

14 night, Tropical resort stay + remote islands cruise

Departing 27th June - 13th July, 2024

Pricing from $3977.86 per person, double/twin share, plus flights

*See tour options below

Mamanuca Islands

​Bula! Join Mandy and Jason Buttenshaw on a 14 night adventure to Fiji. This is a fantastic opportunity to relax and unwind in the South Pacific while enjoying all Fiji offers. With the world's friendliest locals, beautiful beaches, lush rain forests, delicious food, and stunning coral reefs perfect for snorkeling and diving. Every day is an adventure. This tour is for divers AND non divers. We have combined a tropical island resort stay with a cruise of the stunning Mamanuca and Northern Yasawa Islands. It's the best of both worlds.

PRICING

14 nights in paradise (Fiji resort and remote island cruise)

  • 10 nights at Paradise Taveuni Resort, includes all meals and 5 days of 2 or 3 tank diving and unlimited shore dives on dive days, (additional dive days can be added on)

  • 4 nights Mamanuca and Northern Yasawa Cruise*

  • Price per person is $3977.86 (based on a double/twin share)

  • Price per person is $3607.06 (based on quad share**)

  • Non divers less $500 per person

  • Pricing does not include flights

10 nights in paradise (Fiji resort only)

  • 10 nights at Paradise Tavenuni Resort, including all meals and 5 days of 2 or 3 tank diving and unlimited shore dives on dive days, (additional dive days can be added on)

  • Price per person is $2443.25 per person (based on double/twin share)

  • Price per person is $2072.45 per person (based on quad share)

  • If you’re a non diver you can reduce the cost by $500.

* If you are interested in doing the Fiji remote island cruise only please ask for pricing and options .

** If you have a trip please ask for pricing.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS:

10 nights at Paradise Taveuni Resort, Taveuni Island, Fiji

  • Uncrowded oceanfront resort

  • Home of the legendary Rainbow Reef famous for it's soft coral

  • Kayaking, sunset cruises, snorkeling, fishing and many more activities

  • World class diving

  • Cultural activities

  • Explore Taveuni Island's beautiful beaches, waterfalls and reefs.

  • Go island hopping

4 night Mamanuca and Northern Yasawa Islands Cruise

  • Explore the remote northern islands from Naviti to Yasawa

  • Visit the famous Sawa-i-au aquamarine limestone lagoon from the movie ‘Blue Lagoon’

  • Snorkel, dive or swim daily in pristine waters

  • Explore the waterways with kayaks & glass bottomed boat tours

  • Visit a new island or coral reef every morning and afternoon

ITINERARY:

Day 1:  Depart the USA on 27th June, 2024 flying into Nadi Airport, Fiji. Fly to Taveuni Airport, Taveuni Island. Transfer to Paradise Taveuni Resort. Settle into your oceanfront villa.

 

Day 2 to Day 10: Spend your days how you please. Here is a typical day at the resort.

Get up and enjoy a delicious breakfast and a walk on the beach, or sleep in if you're not planning on diving.

 

Non divers have plenty of things they can do, including relaxing or getting involved in local activities:

  • Swimming and snorkeling out the front of the resorts

  • Village visits

  • Visit the local school

  • Other activities on offer

 

Divers headed out at 8am. This was the organized diving time.

  • You will do either a 2 or 3 tank dive

  • 2 tank dives came back to resort for lunch

  • 3 tank dives had lunch onboard or at a beach

 

The afternoon is for relaxing or enjoying other activities:

  • Relax by the resort pool

  • Stand up paddle boarding

  • Kayaking

  • Walks to local villages

  • Fishing

  • Learn to weave, basket making

  • Explore the nearby waterfalls

  • Enjoy a natural water slide

  • Get a massage at the resort spa (additional cost)

 

Additional diving is available if you wanted to do more with unlimited shore diving from the resort.

 

Evenings are all about cocktails, sunsets, music, relaxing and enjoying delicious food. The resort has cultural performances and traditional Fijian meals along with other themed evenings.

​​​​​Day 11: Leave Paradise Taveuni Resort, transfer to Port Denarau Marina, Nadi. Embark on MV Reef Endeavour for your 4 night Mamanuca and Norther Yasawa Islands cruise. Welcome to Captain Cook Cruises' private Island of Tivua, surrounded by 500 acres of coral reef this is a great opportunity to practice your snorkeling skills straight off the beach. There is also a volleyball court, kayaks and stand-up paddle boards and the opportunity for a leisurely 10min walk around the island. Tonight join the Captain and his crew for the Gala Captain’s Dinner.

Day 12: Start the day naturally with a morning swim & snorkel in an idyllic bay at Brothers Island. Savour the bounty of a gourmet buffet lunch as you journey to spectacular Naviti Island.  Here is beauty in its original state where you can bask in aquamarine waters along white sandy beaches.  Snorkel, swim, kayak, stand up paddle board or explore the island.  This evening join the festivities and entertainment of a Fijian Village at Gunu for a traditional Fijian Feast, Lovo and Cultural performance, Meke.

Day 13: Discover the legendary grandeur of Sawa-i-lau and the famous limestone caves at your own pace.  Swimming in the cave lagoon is a wondrous experience.  Visit to a local school for a memorable experience you will never forget.  Snorkel over spectacular coral gardens, swim in fabled lagoons or test your fitness with a climb to the peak behind the school on Yasawa Island.  Try your luck at crab racing tonight.

Day 14: Cruise the soaring volcanic peaks of the Yasawas and discover a myriad of fish in the coral reef and laze in the warm sands of Yaqeta.  Cruise the spectacular channels to Drawaqa for amazing snorkelling this afternoon, you may even see a Manta-ray (seasonal). This evening get your dancing shoes on for the Famous Captain Cook Cruises Music Quiz. 

Day 15: Reef Endeavour sets sail and returns to Denarau Marina at 07:30am for a 9:00am disembarkation. After Breakfast, meet the crew on the pool deck as they bid you farewell in song including their traditional Fijian ‘Isa Lei’ as they say ‘sototale’ or ‘see you again’. Spend the day exploring Nadi at your leisure before a transfer to Nadi Airport for your return flight home.   

PARADISE TAVEUNI, TAVEUNI ISLAND

Days 1 to 11: 10 nights at Paradise Taveuni Resort, Taveuni Island

Resort overview:

Paradise Taveuni is an oceanfront boutique resort situated on the southern tip of Taveuni. It is set on an elevated site in one of the islands most beautiful locations, with impressive ocean views. It is the perfect place to enjoy spectacular sunsets. It is also a great place to enjoy marine life with a deep-water frontage allowing guests to dive, snorkel and swim from the lava flow edge in the warm tropical water. It is the home of the legendary Rainbow Reef famous for its soft coral just a short boat ride away. This is one of our favorite Fijian resorts. It offers a small boutique resort in a great location, with the benefit of epic diving.

Paradise Taveuni
Paradise Taveuni
Fiji waterfall

Accommodation:

Accommodation is in air-conditioned oceanfront traditional bures complete with tropical outdoor showers in private lava rock gardens. You have spacious decks to chill out on and enjoy the views.

Bedroom with ocean view
Tropical lounge
Bathroom
Outdoor shower
Bedroom
Outdoor living

Food and dining options:

Enjoy Fijian delicacies, European delights, tropical tastes that explode the senses in Paradise. With one of the finest kitchens and chefs in Fiji, you will experience some of the best food within the South Pacific.

 

Resort owner, Allan, has been a Chef for over 20 years and leads his Team of local staff, oversees the kitchen, changes the menus and is continually training his dedicated Team. Hailing from Melbourne, Australia Allan has worked extensively on the Island Resorts in Australia and Fiji and now calls Paradise Taveuni home. He is happy to cater to any dietary requirements and requests, if the ingredients are available and you will find many Vegetarian and Gluten Free options within the changing menus. Please advise of any dietary requests.

Private tables are also available at any time. Restaurant Staff will ask you daily where you wish to dine. Under the Wedding Bure, Poolside deck, under the stars, on your bure deck. The choice is yours!

A Fijian Lovo Feast (traditional underground cooking) is a regular event in Paradise. Experience the delights of a Traditional Fijian Lovo Dinner, then enjoy entertainment by the Village Dancers performing a Meke (Fijian dance). You will then be invited to join a Kava Ceremony with singing, dancing and story telling with the staff and local villagers. A true Fijian experience not to be missed! Also enjoy a Bula Night featuring Pacific Rim gourmet delights with a fun evening of entertainment including Kava ceremony after dinner. Indian Night features a mouth watering selection of traditional Indian style delicacies which are a local specialty here in Fiji.

Burger and fries
Evening feast at Paradise Taveuni
Decorating Cocktail

Resort activities:

You will find no shortage of activities to keep you entertained at Paradise Taveuni. Complimentary activities for Pardise Taveuni guests include snorkeling, snorkeling safari's, kayaking, fishing feeding and many more. If you're feeling energetic you can hike to a volcanic mountain waterfall, or along a coastal trail. Immerse yourself in Fijian cultural activities such as visiting a village, learning Fijian, learn to open a coconut, frond weaving or how to climb a coconut tree.

Fijian ceremony
Snorkeling
Fiji village visit
Aerial Image of SUP
Day spa massage
Enjoy the view

Resort inclusions:

Food and beverages

  • All Meals, including a full cooked breakfast, 1 course  lunch, 2 course dinner

 

Activities

  • Fijian cultural evening with a 4 course feast, entertainment and Kava ceremony

  • 30 minute massage on Day 1 or 2 of your stay

  • Upgrade to a 4 course Tropical Dinner on night and location of your choice

  • Snorkeling and snorkeling equipment

  • Guided snorkeling safari with local guides offering local knowledge and helpful hints.

  • Scuba pool splash - try a scuba dive in the pool with PADI divers

  • Kayaking

  • Fish feeding

  • Sulu (sarong) tying demonstration

  • Learn to speak Fijian - 30 minute lesson

  • Frond weaving lessons

  • Coconut tree climing

  • Learn about and experience a Lovo (earth oven) traditional feast

  • Garden tour

Optional activities (additional cost)

  • Beach trips to Vanua Levu Beach with a picnic basket, towels and snorkeling gear.

  • Snorkeling from the boat with divers.

  • Private snorkel trips to Vuna Reef or Rainbow Reef with a snorkel guide.

  • Night snorkeling with a guide

  • Guided hike to Cannibal Cave a hidden underground cave.

  • Guided tour to the Southern Blow Hole.

  • Shopping trip with a driver and escort to Naqara.

  • Cultural adventure to a local church service.

  • Guided day trip to Bouma Waterfalls

  • Guided village visit and cultural experience

  • Sports fishing charter

  • Sunset and fishing cruise

  • Taveuni Explorer island hopping day trip

Other inclusions

  • Taveuni airport road transfers both ways.

  • Fiji taxes

Resort diving:

Fiji has world class diving and Paradise Taveuni is ideally located for you to take advantage of it. Paradise Taveuni is the only resort on Taveuni Island that offers free shore diving with a dive package. The resort is also a 20 to 30 minute boat ride from Rainbow Reef, a 20 mile reef in the Somosomo Strait between the islands of Taveuni and Vanua Levu. It is one of the best and most famous dive sites in the world with outstanding coral and marine life, which is why it's known as the Soft Coral Capital of the World. You'll find white coral between 49 and 213 ft. You can also shore dive from the resort.

Marine life you will see while diving includes Anemone fish, Maori Wrasse, Lionfish, Reef Sharks, Rays, Turtles, Octopus, Garden Eels, Blue Ribbon Eels, Ghost Pipe Fish, Moray Eels and much more.

 

Resort diving package inclusions

  • 5 Day Unlimited Dive Package - 5 days of 3 tank boat dives + shore dives from 7am-5pm daily, excludes dive gear

  • Note other dives can be purchased.

Resort diving amenities

  • Paradise Dive Center on site

  • Two dive vessels

  • Daily dive trips to Rainbow Reef and other local areas.

  • Free shore diving

  • Night dives (additional cost)

  • PADI dive courses (additional cost)

  • PADI certification from basic to advanced (additional cost)

  • Luxury diving for all divers with the dive team staff taking care of all guests dive gear.

  • Nitrox tanks and courses (additional cost)

  • Swimming with mantas and pilot whales

  • Humpback whale encounters during June to September

Fiji diving
Fiji diving
Fiji diving
Fiji diving

MAMANUCA & NORTHERN YASAWA ISLANDS CRUISE

MV Reef Endeavour
MV Reef Endeavour
Reef coral

Days 11 to 14: 4 night Mamanuca and Northern Yasawa Islands cruise

Cruise overview:

MV Reef Endeavour is a small cruise ship catering for 130 passengers over 4 accommodation levels. Her small size allows her to negotiate remote islands, reefs and shallow bays where bigger ships are unable to go, showcasing the real Fiji and giving passengers a true cultural experience.

  • Explore the remote northern islands from Naviti to Yasawa.

  • Visit the famous Sawa-i-au aquamarine limestone lagoon from the movie "Blue Lagoon".

  • Snorkel, dive or swim daily in pristine waters.

  • Explore the waterways with kayaks and glass bottom boat tours.

  • Visit a new island or coral reef every morning and afternoon.

  • Departs Port Denaraw Marine, Nadi.

  • Boarding 1pm Tuesday, returning 9am Saturday.

  • Scuba diving is available as an optional extra.

Fiji Cruise Plan

Cruise path: Green line for the 4 night cruise

Cruise inclusions:

Food

  • All Meals

  • 24/7 Coffee & Tea facilities

  • Afternoon Tea

  • Buffet Breakfasts and Lunches

  • Canapés at Sunset

  • A la carte dining

  • Traditional tropical Island Lovo feast ashore

Activities

  • Use of snorkelling equipment, stand up paddle boards kayaks & mini gym

  • Morning Ocean Swim

  • Daily guided snorkelling & glass bottomed boat tours to rarely visited reefs

  • Marine Biologist Presentations

  • Citizen Science Projects

  • Ocean Ambassador Program

  • Daily island stopovers & water activites

Culture

  • Guided island tours

  • Take part in a Sevusevu gift giving ceremony and Kava Ceremony

  • School Visits and Church service (itinerary dependant)

  • Friendly Fijian crew with a wealth of local knowledge

Onboard

  • Easy access small boat launching platform

  • Swimming pool and a top deck spa pool

  • Mini-gym & meeting room

  • WIFI

Optional extras

  • Day spa services including massage and beauty packages

  • Scuba diving including introductory dives, learn to dive courses, advanced certified dives and wreck dives

  • Private deck dinners with your own waiter

  • Private beach cocktails on your own remote beach including transportation, a butler and canapes

  • Romance packages

Beach visit
Kayaking
Cultural visit
Beach visit
Fijian crafts
Island hike

Cabin details:

MV Reef Endeavour offers passengers 4 levels of accommodation with 63 suites, Ocean Staterooms and Porthole cabins. Each cabin is approximately 14 sq metres and features:

  • Private ensuite bathroom

  • Air conditioning

  • Hair dryer and international shaver point

  • 240V power

  • Pure Fiji Shampoo, soaps and towels

  • Serviced daily.

Cabin options:

Tabua Suite

Comprising of a bedroom with separate lounge, chair, desk, LCD screen TV & DVD player, refrigerator, tea & coffee facilities and second bathroom. Located on the Upper Deck (A). Configuration: twin/double beds.

Connecting Family Stateroom

Located on the upper and main decks, we offer 6 staterooms which can be connected an adjoining door for family accommodation. These Staterooms open onto the outside deck and have picture windows.

Ocean Stateroom

Located on the upper and main decks (B & C), each room opens to the outside walkway and have picture windows. Configuration: twin/double beds.

Porthole Cabin

Located on the lower deck (D), cabins open to an inside passageway and have portholes. Configuration: twin/double/bunk triple/bunk quad.

Tabua Suite
Ocean stateroom
Connecting family stateroom
Porthole Cabin

Vessel Amenities

Food and beverages

  • 24 hour tea and coffee facilities
  • Two bars

  • Single sitting dining option

Activities

  • Gift shop
  • Two lounges

  • Library and videos

Additionals

  • Swimming pool and sun deck
  • Jacuzzi
  • Guest laundry

  • WiFi
  • Spa with massage services
  • Gym

Deck Plan

MV Reef Endeavour deck plan
MV Endeavour room layouts

TOUR DETAILS

What is included

  • ​All meals, snacks and beverages are included.

  • Airport transfers

What is not included

  • Airfare to Fiji is not included*

  • Travel insurance**

 

* Mandy can arrange and book all your pre and post cruise travel requirements.

** Travel insurance is highly recommended. Mandy can provide insurance options.

Fiji
Coconut
Fiji beach

FAQ's

Q - How do we book this?

A -  Please get in touch with Mandy at mandym@downunderjourneys.com

Q - Can you book everything we need for this trip?

A - Yes, we can book airfares, accommodation and anything else you may want to do before and after your trip.

Q - What if we want to do travel before and after the group tour?

A - That is no problem. If you want to do additional pre and/or post tour travel, Mandy can help you with all your bookings.

Q - Is insurance necessary?

A - Yes, we highly recommend you get insurance. See insurance options below.

Q - What insurance options are available?

A - We have two travel insurance options available.

 

1) World Wide Travel Protection Policy - This policy will cover you if you are sick and can’t travel at the time of the cruise, this will give you back 100% of your monies paid with medical certificate from Doctor, there are other conditions that this policy pays on. A policy will be provided with all the conditions for you. Your age and the cost of your cabin determines this cost.

2) World Wide Travel Protection With Cancel Anytime - This cancel for any reason insurance must be purchased at time of deposit. It will cover you at 80% of the money you have paid out, but it will allow you to cancel for any reason. Your age and the cost of your cabin determine this cost. This is more slightly expensive than the medical insurance coverage above.

Taveuni Resort
Mandy and Jason diving
Fiji sunset
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