Fiji (Lonely Planet Diving & Snorkeling Great Barrier Reef) [Paperback]

Casey Mahaney (Author), Astrid Witte Mahaney (Author)

Book Description

Series: Lonely Planet Diving & Snorkeling Great Barrier Reef | Publication Date: December 2000

Countless reefs, walls and pinnacles painted in a patchwork of soft corals earned Fiji its reputation as the soft-coral capital of the world. The 332-island archipelago offers remote, pristine sites, thrilling drift dives and more than 1,000 tropical fish species. Feed hungry reef sharks at the Supermarket, pay a dental visit to cleaner shrimp or seek sanctuary in the sun-dappled Alacrity Rocks. From the snowy slopes of Great White Wall to the teeming depths of the E6 seamount, this book highlights 74 of Fiji's best sites, with full-color photos throughout. You'll get specific information on:

• Dive site topography and depth range
• Typical diving conditions
• Common and hazardous marine life
• Topside information, from dive resorts and live-aboards to Fijian culture and customs
• 16 easy-to-read maps

Product Details

• Paperback: 141 pages
• Publisher: Pisces Books; 2nd edition (December 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0864427719
• ISBN-13: 978-0864427717
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #933,919 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #15 in Books > Travel > Australia & South Pacific > Fiji
  • #15 in Books > Travel > Australia & South Pacific > Australia > Great Barrier Reef

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars For Scuba Divers Only, August 22, 2003

By 

David Stanley (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fiji (Lonely Planet Diving & Snorkeling Great Barrier Reef) (Paperback)

This is an attractive book which the scuba diver will want to order. It maps and describes 74 of Fiji's top dive sites and the color photography is excellent. Despite the title, however, those interested in beach-based snorkeling will find little of use here as almost all of the sites included are accessible by boat only. Even the new Waitabu Marine Park off Taveuni is mentioned only in passing. There's virtually no practical resort or restaurant information, and the first quarter of the book is devoted to brochure-style hype you can read on almost any Fiji website. Critical reviews of dive facilities are strikingly absent, so this book is of no help in selecting a specific scuba operator. Five pages of listings in the back of the book provide basic contact information, but even this is out of date as all Fiji telephone numbers have increased from six to seven digits since the book was published. Most of the email addresses are also wrong, so substitute @connect.com.fj whenever you see @is.com.fj. Nevertheless, when one considers the cost of a scuba tour to the South Pacific and the lack of any alternative Fiji dive guide, all of the above criticisms are mute and serious divers will click this title straight into their shopping carts.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Lacking basic information, April 6, 2003

By 

John D. Caldeira (Rakiraki, Fiji) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Fiji (Lonely Planet Diving & Snorkeling Great Barrier Reef) (Paperback)

This book is seemingly a compilation of dive locations frequented by dive resorts, with little independent research or reviews of specific dive outfitters. The book lacks basic information on water temperatures, currents, winds and seasonal influences. The independent traveller primarily interested in snorkeling will also be disappointed in the lack of practical information on the best sections of the main islands for shoreline snorkeling.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is THE current book on Fiji diving (no pun intended...), December 28, 2000

By 

JDiver "You haven't lived until you've dived." (Roseville, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fiji (Lonely Planet Diving & Snorkeling Great Barrier Reef) (Paperback)

"Ni sa bula vinaka", as it is said in Fiji. As a master diver who has dived since 1956, and has visited many of Fiji's dive sites, I can heartily recommend this book to anyone contemplating diving Fiji. The Mahaney - Witte team- authors, photographers and dive tour guides well-known and respected in the diving community- are knowledgeable and credible. Mind you, NO book can ever catalogue ALL of Fiji's diverse and innumerable dive sites... but this book is well planned, has a very good selection of sites- rated for conditions and experience levels- and information for the would-be Fiji diver. The book has some maps, and a visual feast of photos. In summary- going to Fiji to dive? Be prepared for stiff currents, and a kaleidoscope of colorful fishes and soft corals... and BUY THIS BOOK! Dive well and safely.