Diving holidays: North Save-a-Tack Passage, Fiji
Each week at activityaway.co.uk we have been looking at the best diving spots in the world, giving you the best advice, facts and tips. This week, we look at one of the best dive spots in Fiji – the North Save-a-Tack Passage.
Where is it?
North Save-a-Tack Passage is located in the Namena Marine Reserve which covers an area of 70 square kilometres around Namena Island. Nemena is a small island which is situated 15 miles south, off the coast of Vanua Levu, Fiji’s second largest island.
What’s it all about?
Because of its remote and unspoiled location and the ban that was put on commercial fishing in the area in 1997, the Nemena Marine Reserve provides the best dive spots in Fiji. Of these dive sites the North Save-a-Tack Passage is one of the most spectacular, with a large variety of marine life.
What’s the diving like?
Divers start by swimming along a passage next to a sheer wall with a mile drop below into the deep. Yellowtail barracudas, grey reef sharks and huge shoals of bigeye travally are common here. The dive then levels out onto a vast plateau scattered with coral bommies, soft coral, sea grass, black coral and gorgonian fans in every colour imaginable. Here you will see many types of fish and marine life, including stripy scorpion fish, prickly ghost pipefish, blue ribbon eels and, if you’re lucky, pygmy sea horses.
The water is warm and stays between 25°C-29°C, with the maximum diving depth of the site at around 18 metres. There is a strong underwater current that carries you along the passage.
In the marine park area on the boat or in other dive spots you are likely to see dolphins, turtles, tiger sharks and even whales.
Dive equipment rental and dive companies
There are three well established dive companies in Savusavu on Vanua Levu Island, which operate dives to Nemena and the Save-a-Tack Passage. The first is Jean Michel Cousteau, run by an eco resort and hotel and owned by Jacques Cousteau’s son. The second is KoroSun Dive, well established with experienced staff and the last is Namale, part of one of Fiji’s top resorts and spas.
Accommodation options
Your best option would be to stay in Savusavu, where there are quite a few options. Jean Michel Couteau Resort where the dive centre is located is a great option and was named as the World’s Top Eco Resort by Trip Advisor and World’s Leading Green Resort by Travel Awards 2010.
If you’re after pure luxury and romance then try Namale Resort and Spa. KoroSun also have their own resort, which consist of luxurious sea side or rainforest villas.
To truly get away from it all then stay on the only resort located on Nemena Island itself- Moody’s Namena which consists of beautiful chalets made from local materials. The resort can also organise dives for you on request. Snorkelling is also excellent from here.
Interesting fact... North Save-a-Tack Passage is the dive site that brought the famous marine explorer, Jacques Cousteau to Fiji.
Best suited to... Those who have done four dives or more and have their Open Water dive certificate. The current is very strong here so you need to know what you’re doing. You can get your PADI and Open Water training at any of the dive companies recommended above.
