I cannot imagine a better way to celebrate the New Year than this - aboard the best dive boat, with the best staff, in one of the most beautiful places in the world. From medical necessities to creature comforts to minor niceties - our every need and wish were fulfilled with the utmost professionalism and personal aplomb. The only thing missing from the NAI'A experience is penguins... so perhaps I shall bring one with me when I return in October!
Heidi Munzinger, Sunnyvale CA
Special Deals
Fiji's 4th coup in twenty years made international headlines for about six hours back in December and then fell right off the radar for most people, but not for the big travel wholesalers who send zillions of tourists to whichever sun-sand-and-surf destination is currently flavor of the month. Fearing for their commissions, they diverted the hordes they normally send to Fiji to other more lucrative destinations. As a result, Fiji's big hotels are offering deep discounts to fill their rooms and our national airline, Air Pacific, has slashed its fares.
This is good news for NAI'A guests. It is currently cheap to get to Fiji and cheap to stay here before and after a NAI'A dive expedition. And in the spirit of the moment, we have decided to discount the few remaining spaces on three upcoming charters by 30%: March 17-24, March 31-April 7, and April 7-14. After US tax day we have only a handful of open cabins for the rest of the year, so grab this opportunity to return to Fiji while you can.
Fiji Discovered
NAI'A divers have known for over a decade that Fiji offers the best reef, wall and bommie diving in the Pacific. About five years ago the scientific establishment finally cottoned on and several large marine-conservation projects are in the works. For more details, see: Vatu-i-ra World Heritage SeaScape.
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The most recent converts to Fiji diving include a few owners of the world's most lavish private yachts, the people who can - and do - go wherever they please, whenever they want. If cost is no issue, why not send your yacht to Fiji, hire the local liveaboard owner as guide, and then have everyone standby until it suits you to hop into your 767 or Gulfstream or for a week or so of diving?
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While I certainly cannot complain about the accommodation or food on these megayachts, it does surprise me that vessels designed as ultimate expedition ships are so poorly laid out for diving. Modest little NAI'A can put divers in and out of the water far more comfortably than any of the yachts pictured.
NAI'A Gold
Congratulations to James Mathias, NAI'A's first Gold Level Diver. Every NAI'A passenger earns two hundred bucks off their next dive trip with us and another hundred off for each subsequent trip, but James is the first to achieve Gold! When James booked the last spot on the Paul Humann charter next November, it qualified him for $1,000 discount on that charter and all subsequent charters. Quite a few of our clients are close to earning Gold status as well, but what sets James apart is that he has done it in only two years! Good on ya James.
-- By Rob Barrel for the NAI'A family
