Liveaboard NAI’A – Diving the most beautiful places in Fiji.
Discover Fiji’s most beautiful dive sites on an 11-day liveaboard with 31 dives. Dive past colorful soft corals, secluded reefs and encounter large marine life such as sharks and schools of fish.
Travel period
Features
Starting from
Liveaboard voyage to Fiji: the Soft Coral Capital
Best travel time for a diving vacation to Fiji
It depends on your personal interests while diving and what you want to see. If you prefer diving in warm water, then summer (November – April) is the best choice. If you want to dive with the best visibility, then the cold season (May – October) is more suitable.
Availability of this liveaboard
NAI’A is a special liveaboard that you must book well in advance, keep in mind 1 to 2 years in advance. It is more the rule than the exception that the boat is already fully booked a year in advance.
Average temperatures
Wetsuit advice for Fiji
The water always has a pleasant temperature, so you could dive with a 3mm. Keep in mind that you make 4 to 5 dives a day, and because of this it might be nicer to bring a 5mm to keep you warm even on the last dives.
What will you experience on this trip?
View itinerary here
Day 1 & 2 | The journey to Nadi
Today starts your trip to Fiji! The most comfortable route is usually via Los Angeles or San Francisco, to which you will fly in about 10-12 hours. Since the connecting flight to Nadi often leaves around midnight, we will arrange a day hotel for you here. This will allow you to rest, refresh and relax before continuing your journey.
Would you like to make a stopover in Los Angeles or San Francisco along the way? Then of course we can organize this for you.
After the approximately 10-hour flight to Fiji, you will arrive at Nadi Airport. Upon arrival, you will be picked up and transferred to the port of Lautoka in about 30 minutes, where the liveaboard departs.
We recommend arriving in Fiji a day early if possible. Should your international flight be delayed, you will be sure to arrive in time for departure of the liveaboard. In that case, we will of course also arrange hotel accommodation and transfers for you.
Day 3 to 11 | Diving in Fiji
The next few days are all about diving in Fiji – and that is anything but standard. Fiji isn’t called the “Soft Coral Capital of the World“ for nothing. The reefs here are bursting with color: from bright pink and purple soft corals to vast hard coral gardens that are some of the most beautiful in the world.
During this liveaboard you will make as many as 31 dives in total. On most days there are 3-5 dives on the program, depending on conditions and itinerary planning. In addition, four times a week you will have the chance to make a night dive, a completely different experience where the reef comes alive with hunting predators, sleeping parrotfish and special macro species.
Underwater you can expect a huge variety. Besides the impressive corals, you will see reef sharks, schools of barracudas, tuna and dolphins, among others, as well as smaller species such as nudibranchs, anemone fish and colorful reef fish. The combination of healthy coral and abundant fish life makes every dive different.
The liveaboard itinerary begins in Lautoka, then you sail northeast to Bligh Water, an area known for some of Fiji’s best dive sites. You then explore the Koro Sea including Namena, Wakaya and Gau. On a 10-night trip, there is extra time to also explore lesser-visited reefs far off the beaten path.
One of the great advantages of a liveaboard is its flexibility. The exact itinerary is tailored to the weather and the wishes of the group. The weather in Fiji is dynamic, but this ensures that there are always sheltered spots for excellent diving. Curious about the dive sites? We have described quite a few of them in the FAQ at the bottom of the page.
Day 12 & 13 | Return trip or extension of trip
Today your liveaboard adventure comes to an end. In the morning you will disembark and be transferred to the airport or a hotel.
From here you can begin your return journey, but it is also well worth extending your trip. Fiji offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy yourself, for example in one of the atmospheric dive resorts where you can continue diving at a more leisurely pace.
If you want to make your trip even more special, there are also great combinations possible. For example Tonga is relatively close by, where between July and October you have the unique opportunity to snorkel with humpback whales. Or choose an extension in Australia, for example to explore the Great Barrier Reef or a few days to discover a city like Sydney.
Whatever choice you make: we will be happy to help you put together the perfect continuation of your trip.
Highlights of this trip
What can you expect from the underwater world in Fiji?
Soft Coral Capital of the World
Fiji is known worldwide as the “Soft Coral Capital of the World,” and it is immediately visible underwater. The reefs are covered with colorful soft corals in shades of purple, pink, red and orange, which are fully open especially when there is a current. This creates an almost surreal landscape. Combined with excellent visibility and healthy reefs, these dives are among the most colorful in the world and offer exceptional biodiversity.
Great fish life & sharks
Remote and untouched reefs
On this trip, you will visit dive sites that are virtually inaccessible without a liveaboard. The reefs are scattered in areas such as Bligh Water and the Koro Sea, away from crowds. As a result, the reefs are exceptionally healthy and barely affected. You often dive without other boats around, which makes for a pure and peaceful diving experience with a sense of true discovery.
The accommodation
The accommodation and facilities
NAI'A Liveaboard
The Nai’a liveaboard has been a household name in Fiji since 1993 and is known for its combination of comfortable cruising and top-level diving. The ship is small in size, with room for up to 18 guests, so you enjoy a personal atmosphere and plenty of space on board.
On board you will find everything you need for a relaxing stay between dives. In the spacious indoor lounge you can relax, look at photos or update your logbook at the large table. There is also a small library with reference books and games. The indoor dining area is bright and comfortable, where freshly prepared meals are served daily.
Outside, there’s a large sundeck with sunbeds and lounge areas – ideal for relaxing with views of the ocean or catching up between dives. Thanks to the ship’s quiet layout, it never feels crowded and there is always a nice spot to find.
The Nai’a has 9 comfortable cabins, suitable for a total of 18 guests. All cabins are equipped with air conditioning, a private bathroom (ensuite), ample storage space and both 110 and 230 volt power supplies. The cabins are spacious, bright and practical, allowing you to retreat comfortably even during an intensive dive trip.
Several cabin layouts are available. Cabins 1 and 2 have a double bed (king size). Cabin 3 has a bunk bed where the beds are slightly staggered. Cabins 4, 5 and 6 have flexible layouts with a double bed or two twin beds. Cabins 7 and 8 have a double bed with an additional single bunk bed above it, making these cabins suitable for three people, for example.
In addition, there is cabin 9, a smaller cabin with bunk beds, normally used by a group leader.
Travel costs
What is included
This travel package is US$ 7.374 per person based on two people in a shared cabin for two. The trip can be extended as desired. A number of things are included by default in this travel package.
Prices are subject to price changes, increases or changing exchange rates. Flights are always based on the cheapest possible booking class. The price for this liveaboard is based on a 2027 departure.
Want to know more about the possibilities? Get in touch with us!
Included in this trip, from US$ 7.374 p.p.
- 10 nights in a double cabin
- Accommodation on full board basis
- Non-alcoholic beverages & house wine during dinner
- Dive package with approx. 31 dives
- Government taxes & marine park fees
- Return transfers to airport or hotel
- VZR & Administration fee
Excluding
- Flights to Nadi from US$ 1.647 p.p.
- Overnight stay during outward journey approx. US$ 176 p.n.
- ESTA for United States
- Fuel surcharge
- Tips for the crew
✈︎ The quoted (international) flight prices are indicative prices and based on departures from Europe. However, we can arrange flights from any location worldwide. Booking your own flights is of course also possible.
Optional
- Nitrox ($210 per trip)
- Rental diving equipment
Send this trip by email
Want to save or share the details of this trip with someone? You can do so by sending the trip by email.
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Frequently asked questions about this diving holiday
Diving general
In principle, an Open Water Certification is sufficient for this trip. Novice divers are also welcome, but NAI’A indicates that they find it more comfortable if you have already completed your Advanced course before joining NAI’A. They strongly recommend that you also do the Drift and Buoyancy sections (possibly within the Advanced course). In addition, they would like you to complete 30 dives within a calendar year before joining NAI’A. This is to make sure you are really comfortable in the water, because a comfortable diver is a safe diver.
A typical day aboard NAI’A looks something like this:
- 05:30 – Continental breakfast available for those who want it
- 07:00 – First dive
- 08:30 – Full breakfast
- 10:00 – Second dive
- 11:30 – Lunch
- 13:00 – Third dive
- 15:00 – Snacks
- 16:00 – Fourth dive
- 6:00 p.m. – Dinner
Here is a list of well-known dive sites around Fiji. Not all dive sites are visited every trip. Weather conditions, sea conditions, diving experience of the guests and any wishes on board are taken into account when putting together the itinerary.
- Cat’s Meow – A deep-water dive site with spectacular soft corals and a wide variety of reef life.
- Vatu-i-ra – A well-known barrier reef with multiple dive sites, famous for its healthy corals and rich biodiversity.
- E-6 – A steep underwater mountain where currents provide plenty of nutrients and opportunity for pelagic species such as sharks and large schools of fish.
- Mt. Mutiny – An impressive seamount completely covered with colorful soft corals and among the most beautiful coral dives in Fiji.
- North Save-a-tack Passage (Namena) – A passage with strong currents, where you can encounter large schools of fish and frequent reef sharks.
- Two Thumbs Up, Tetons & Mushrooms (Namena) – Pinnacles full of soft corals and fish, ideal for colorful diving and photography.
- Jim’s Alley & Anthias Avenue (Gau) – Soft coral gardens full of life, with large schools of fish and often lots of activity around the reef structures.
- Nigali Passage (Gau) – A narrow passage with current where larger fish species, including sharks and trevallies, are regularly seen.
You will make a mix of reef diving, drift diving and pelagic diving.
Many dives take place on colorful reefs and pinnacles, where you can float quietly along soft corals and encounter a huge variety of reef life. These are typically the dives Fiji is so famous for: shallow to mid-depth, with lots of color, detail and small species such as nudibranchs, reef fish and shrimp.
There are also dives in areas with more current, such as passages and channels. Here, you often allow yourself to drift with the current in a controlled manner as you move along steep walls and over reefs. These dives are more dynamic and involve more interaction with larger animals.
In these locations, you increase your chances of seeing larger species, such as different species of sharks, tuna, barracudas and sometimes manta rays. The current brings nutrients with it, which attracts these very species.
All dives are fairly close and you make them from the boat.
This depends on the season. Night dives are not offered daily, during an 11-day trip you will have 4 opportunities for night dives.
- Warm season: 4 dives + 1 night dive (November to April)
- Colder season: 3 dives + 1 night dive (May to October)
You will have the opportunity to night dive four times during the trip. When you choose the 8-day trip, this is 3 times.
Diving equipment
Both tanks are available.
You can, the cost for nitrox is $210 for the entire trip.
A full dive set costs $200 per week, excluding computer a $75 per week and dive light €50 per week. + 6% sales tax.
Liveaboard
On this page we have described the 11-day itinerary. It is also possible to take an 8-day trip. This trip is available from €4,390 (price for 2027).
Yes, all cabins have private bathrooms.
A fuel surcharge is a variable additional fee charged on top of the base fare price to cover fluctuations in fuel (gasoline, diesel) prices. Currently there is a fuel surcharge, but this can always change. We can request and share the charge with your travel proposal.
You will dive in two marine protected areas. NAI’A pays for the permit to dive there and asks guests if they are willing to make a donation to these marine protected areas. If you don’t want to donate, it doesn’t change anything for the guests.
The cabins are air-conditioned.
A Starlink Maritime service is available. Cost for this is 150 USD and you must pay this on board.
Yes, you share the cabin with someone of the same sex.
Do you prefer the cabin alone? Then you pay a “single occupancy surcharge.” This surcharge is 75% of the total charter price.
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