Scuba in FijiThe Depths we go to (for a story) Back in the day, well it was 1988 – last century – I took the step and did an Open Water Diving Course. This allowed me to take full advantage of all the wonderful places that this job takes me to, where I could scuba dive. Eight years ago, for medical reasons, I was forced to ‘stay dry’. Earlier this year I was given the all clear to go looking for Nemo and Fiji was the ideal place.
As good fortune, we were planning for our Captain Cook Fiji Islands feature and we were talking with them about the fact that they have a fully qualified dive team onboard. This generated the idea that there would be many mature travellers, who like me, haven’t had a dive for a while. This means a refresher course is required before taking a ‘giant step’.
The other thing we discussed was the fact that their will also be many who had always wanted to try scuba and the fact of being on a Captain Cook Cruise would also be perfect for first timers.
On our cruise we had the lovely Maddy and the handsome Villie as the Reef Safari Divers team. These highly trained diving professionals are available to help all passengers with the multitude of water sports that are on offer, as we cruise through this Pacific paradise.
After successfully completing my refresher, I was able to join them exploring the wonderful world below the water, and being tropical water there was an awful lot to see
. After a dive I was sitting with some of the passengers and was asked by Faye a mature traveller from Junee, about what it was like to be able to dive, as she had always wanted to, but had never had the chance.
A quick introduction to Maddy, the diving instructor and a check on a few health stipulations and the next day we all went diving together – see photo.
We had a boat dive at Blue Lagoon, with great reefs and canyons, with a very health coral and fish life. Let me assure you, we couldn’t wipe the smile from Faye, she was so stoked over this new experience. Faye told everyone that if you are able, then this is one thing to try before it is too late.
Faye and Peter Mansell, who operate the Junee Tourist Park (www.juneecaravanpark.com.au) told us that they would really consider selling the tourist park and maybe go searching for more diving opportunities. So if you always wanted to own your own caravan park, get in touch and also ask Faye about the diving.
Underwater shots by Madeleine Carse, Marine Biologist and diving instructor Reef Safari Divers Fiji. Top; Faye Mansell. Bottom; Michael Osborne. See Photo Gallery for more, AAA Fiji and click on image to enlarge The Mature Traveller dived as a guest of Reef Safari Divers Fiji and Captain Cook Cruises. Reef Safari Divers Fiji www.reefsafari.com.fj
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