Category: What to do in Fiji

Learn to scuba dive on your Fijian holiday

Posted on by Anita Mitchell

 

The ability to scuba dive can unlock a whole new underwater world, where you can get up close and personal with beautiful corals and a raft of marine life. Once you have your diver’s certification, it can act like a passport and take you diving around the world, including in the beautiful waters of Fiji.

However, if you haven’t gotten around to getting certified, you’ll be glad to know you have the chance to do so at the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort in Savusavu. We offer a number of different courses from the Professional Association of Diving Instructors, otherwise known as PADI, that will equip you with the skills and confidence to enjoy diving.

What kind of courses does the resort offer?

The Cousteau Dive Centre caters to all different levels of divers, from beginners to those looking for their next adventure. We can also tailor programmes to suit the specific needs of our guests, so feel free to enquire about finding the right courses for you.

Our PADI dive courses are taught by expert instructors with thousands of hours of experience underwater. They have all been hand-picked by oceanographer Jean-Michel Cousteau and work with the latest, high quality equipment.

Gain an exciting qualification on holiday in Fiij. Gain an exciting qualification on holiday in Fiij.

Jean-Michel Cousteau Diving in Savusavu offers unparalleled access to some of the world’s most spectacular dive sites and pristine coral reefs. Under the direction of Jean-Michel Cousteau, our PADI-certified scuba diving excursions explore excellent dive sites just 10-20 minutes away by boat.

We cater to all experience levels, offering calm, shallow sites for beginners, with walls and gently sloping coral gardens, and night, boat and drift diving for the more advanced. We are also fortunate enough to have resort resident marine biologist, the renowned Johnny Singh as a guide for a number of our dives – enriching your understanding and experience of Fiji’s incredible marine ecosystem.

Explore the soft coral capital of the world on a scuba diving excursion. Explore the soft coral capital of the world on a scuba diving excursion.

Is there a way to try scuba before signing up to a PADI course?  

If you’ve never tried scuba before, our half day Resort course gives you the chance to do so! Your instructor will teach you about the foundations of scuba diving as well as introducing you to the gear before you get into the pool to learn basic scuba skills.

How long does it take to get PADI certified? 

As the world’s most popular dive program, the Open Water course is your ticket to the big blue sea. In order to fulfil the requirements of the PADI Open Water course, you’ll need a minimum of three days, however we find guests usually take about 4-5 days to comfortably complete it. However, you can also complete the online component ahead of time to fast track the process once you’re here. Gear will be included for participants.

Scuba diving certification opens up a whole world of diving opportunities. Scuba diving certification opens up a whole world of diving opportunities.

Do you have any advanced scuba courses? 

If you are already PADI certified, you can join our Advanced Open Water course to further your knowledge. Over the space of five dives, you’ll hone your skills to make diving even more enjoyable.

We also provide a Rescue Diving, as well as a Nitrox course. If you’d like to take the first step towards your professional dive training, you can also tackle the Divemaster course. You’ll work on rescue skills as well as refining what you already know to become an even better diver.

Can kids try scuba? 

Kids love our fun intro to scuba course! Kids love our fun intro to scuba course!

Yes! Our Seal team course conducted in the pool is designed for children aged 8-10 and incorporates many of the skills that one learns during the open water certificate course. Young divers will get the chance to put their faces in the water and try breathing through a regulator in a safe environment while wearing a life jacket. We also have our Bubble Maker course aimed at the same age group which offers kids a taste of scuba diving.

If your child is 10 years and over, they can alternatively complete the Junior PADI Open Water Certificate.

You can find out more about our courses and pricing here, otherwise don’t hesitate to get in touch to enquire about diving certification.

The Bula Club: The Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort’s superb children’s program

Posted on by Anita Mitchell

There are few things in life more enriching to a child's mind than exploring a part of the planet unfamiliar to them. Travel can teach children how other people live, immerse them in a new and exciting culture, and open their minds to the possibilities that learning about the world can bring.

At the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, we strongly believe that educating the children of today will set us up for a brighter tomorrow, which is why we have organised the Bula Club – an award-winning program open to all little ones holidaying with us. The Bula Club is complimentary, so parents don't need to worry about having to pay extra to take part.

Let's take a look at what the Bula Club is all about.

Bula. An all-encompassing, friendly word that shows that all are welcome!

'Bula'. It's a word that is heard on every beach and down every street in Fiji, but do you know what it means? It has its origins deeply embedded in Fijian culture, and if there's only one word you'll want to learn when visiting Fiji, it's this one. It can mean hello, welcome, love – everything that embodies the spirit of these beautiful islands. This is why we have named our children's club after this wonderful word – an all-encompassing, friendly phrase that shows that all are welcome!

How does the Bula Club work?

When you and your family arrive at the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, little ones will be assigned either a 'nanny' (if they are under five) or a 'buddy' (if they are aged between six and 12). Buddies will take care of up to five children, whereas nannies will give their complete care and attention to just one child. With your children under the watchful eye of our nannies and buddies, you'll be free to enjoy the sights, sounds and secrets of these islands without worry. Whether that be exploring the world beneath the waves with one of our diving packages, unravelling the knots via yoga or spa, or simply strolling along the sand, the Bula Club will allow you the freedom of a romantic holiday – with the children enjoying themselves just as much!

One of the core values of the Bula Club is to help nurture and expand your children's perspective of the beauty of the planet we live on. We want to educate and inform, showing young ones how to build a better understanding of nature, wildlife, the Earth's resources and everything in-between. The Bula Club is home to a great raft of exciting, diverse activities – below, you can read about a few of them.

Take a dip in calm Fijian waters while the Bula Club looks after your children.Take a dip in calm Fijian waters while the Bula Club looks after your children.

Where will you find the Bula Club?

The Bula Club is found just a few minutes' walk from the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort's main building and bures (traditional Fijian huts). Passing through the Bula Club's gates is to seemingly enter another world – one designed purely for the recreation and entertainment of children.

Inside, you'll find a children's fun pool (complete with a waterslide), a jungle gym, a zip line, trampoline and all sorts of other great activities. There's even an arts and crafts centre to ignite your child's bubbling creativity, so little ones can never get bored within, especially if they take part in one of the many programs on offer – let's have a look at these and see which might interest your kids!

Get with the program

At the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, we run two separate programs, based on age, each of which are chock-a-block with diverse activities for both kids and parents alike to enjoy. For children up to five years of age, there is the 'Lei Lei' program, and for youngsters aged between six and 12, the 'Marau' program.

Each has been created with the ages of the children in mind, and is aimed at mental stimulation as well as a big heap of fun. Your children can learn a whole host of skills across the variety of activities, from preparing food, to planting crops.

Passing through the Bula Club's gates is to seemingly enter another world.

To illustrate this, children who are part of the Marau group can participate in our Junior Chef's program.  This is more than just a cooking course for youngsters, however. Participants will pay a visit to our resort's very own Organic Garden, where they will harvest produce and help prepare and deliver lunch and dinner over the course of the day. At the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, we're big believers in the idea of farm-to-plate transparency, and we'll endeavour to teach your children about this worthwhile concept, too!

This healthy eating notion is carried over to the dining area of the Bula Club. Children can choose to have dinner or lunch with fellow young guests in friendly, fun surroundings, enjoying dishes that they themselves may have helped create. We make a big point of using only the freshest and most nutritious of ingredients, so you can rest assured your child will be getting a wholesome meal at the Bula Club. 

You'll want to come to Fiji to relax - and with your children engaged at the Bula Club, that's exactly what it will be.You'll want to come to Fiji to relax – and with your children engaged at the Bula Club, that's exactly what it will be.

Taking care of your children

The guys and girls at the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort know that holidays should be about fun and excitement, but we also understand the need to take a break from your little ones every now and then. This is why the Bula Club has a strong emphasis on childcare. When you are assigned a nanny at the beginning of your time with us, you can let them know about any special requirements that your child may have so that their time away from you passes smoothly and without any issue or worry.

If you fancy a glass of wine or two in the evening with your partner but are worried about leaving the children, fear not.

You can advise your nanny of everything from nap schedules through to downtime, as well as how long they may be allowed to spend playing on a device, safe in the knowledge that your instructions will be followed to the letter. If you fancy a glass of wine or two in the evening with your partner but are worried about leaving the children, fear not. As soon as you have them safely tucked up in bed, the nanny will relieve you, leaving you a romantic few hours to explore Fiji with your loved one.

To find out more about the Bula Club and the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort as a whole, be sure to get in touch with our friendly, helpful team – we look forward to hearing from you. Bula!

3 great dive spots to explore in Fiji

Posted on by Anita Mitchell

 

Let’s not beat around the proverbial bush here – Fiji is home to some of the finest diving sites on the planet. The shimmering sands, azure seas and cloudless skies make for many a memorable holiday, but it’s the adventures you can have beneath the gently lapping waves where things can really grip your imagination. Fiji is known as ‘the soft coral capital of the world’ – the crystalline waters, perfect temperatures and array of unique sea creatures make the island nation a world-class diving destination.

Our diving packages can take you into the wonderful world below Fiji’s waves, with a multitude of different dive sites to explore.

Additionally, the wonderful hospitality and welcoming smiles of the locals means that Fiji is a highly popular holiday choice for those looking to get away from the hectic reality of modern life. At Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, we place a strong emphasis on recharging your batteries via the magic and beauty of Fiji, as well as exploring new avenues that are simply not possible back home. Our diving packages can take you into the wonderful world below Fiji’s waves, with a multitude of different dive sites to explore. Each is different to the last, so you never quite know what mysterious secrets they will unveil.

Here are three of our favourite dive sites to look at when you stay with us – jump on in!

Namenalala Island

This tiny volcanic islet, found just off the fringes of Vanua Levu (Fiji’s second-largest island) is home to some of the most jaw-dropping underwater scenery in the entire South Pacific. Beneath the sparkling blue surface of the ocean lies a veritable canvas of unspoiled reefs, just perfect for gliding over as you peruse every nook and cranny. One of the big appeals of diving Namenalala Island is that spectacular drop-offs, who-knows-how many metres deep, can loom up at any moment, arresting your gaze (and that of your camera’s lens!) for several captivating minutes. Though initially frightening for less-seasoned divers, these drop-offs make for an otherworldly experience.

The soft corals of Namenalala Island come to you in a kaleidoscope of colours, with a great raft of unique marine life resident. Sea creatures from the Koro Sea often pay a visit to the waters off Namenalala Island, including Spanish mackerel, hulking manta rays, barracuda and even large sharks – so keep an eye out for these fantastic beasts!

Describe this scenery in one word!

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The Rainbow Reef, Somosomo Strait

Translated from Fijian, ‘somosomo’ means ‘good water’, and it’s easy to see why they’ve given this little corner of the Earth such a title. This revered diving site features powerful tidal currents that allow for a never-ending stream of nutrients to flow through the area. Therefore, the ecosystem in the Somosomo Strait is wonderfully healthy – conditions are optimum for soft coral growth, and marine life simply thrives here. Indeed, almost 1,200 fish species call this patch of water home, so the reputation of the Somosomo Strait as a dive site is understandably impeccable.

Almost 1,200 fish species call Somosomo Strait home.

As for the Rainbow Reef itself? It earned that moniker because the aforementioned currents open up the coral, pulling it this way and that, as every colour of the rainbow (and countless more) swirl around you. Pick your way through the psychedelic hues of the Rainbow Reef in an effort to find one of its most unique inhabitants – the playful clownfish – better known as ‘Nemo’.

Shark Alley, Savusavu

There is a reason Shark Alley is named, well, Shark Alley. This adventurous, adrenalin-inducing dive site features an intriguing maze of swim-throughs, open chambers and lurking overheads. Your eyes will constantly be scanning the next underwater corridor in a search for hiding sea life, with the humphead wrasse and grouper (both fish of considerable size) inhabiting these parts. What you’re really looking out for, though, are the whitetip reef sharks that hang out along the alley’s seabed – but don’t worry, this species is not considered dangerous to humans, and our team will be on-hand for extra reassurance.

Be sure to get in touch with the friendly team at Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort to find out more about our holiday packages – we look forward to hearing from you!