Customer Reviews

Fiji (Lonely Planet Diving & Snorkeling Great Barrier Reef)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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 Five pages of listings in the back of the book provide basic contact information, but even this is out of date as all Fiji telephone numbers have increased from six to seven digits since the book was published.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.

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.

"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.

I bought this book primarily because I am going to Fiji in two months and wanted info on snorkeling. Boy was I surprised to find only half a page devoted to snorkeling. The rest of the book is a brief description of various dive sites.

The book does have nice pictures and basic information regarding the more popular dive sites in Fiji. But as a snorkeling reference, it is worthless.

I am afraid I was sorely dissapointed by this book. I brought the book hoping for not only a list of dive sites but also the exact latitudes and longitudes of the dive sites. The book only had very vague maps that were lucky to get you within 2 miles of the dive site.

Whats the point of giving you all that information on a dive site except how to get there!!! All the information in the book (except the coordinates of the dive sites) is just as easily obtained from the local dive companies, so I simply dont see the point in purchasing the book.

About the only good thing was it allows you to plan dives before you even get to Fiji. The book only had 3 dive sites listed for the Yasawa Islands - which have lots of good dive sites.

Given the book was published in 2000 and I was in Fiji in 2009 I guess the book is basically getting quite dated now.

Dive sites like Gotham City, which got its name after the Bat fish that live there, no longer seem to have any Bat fish. Sad but possibly a factor of the age of the book and locals who have been eating the bat fish?

As a PADI divemaster, I depend on dive guidebooks to give me the information I need to do my job. Lonely Planet's diving guides usually come through, but this one stands out above the rest. Why? Fiji itself. The cover reads "Top Sites in the Soft-Coral Capital of the World," and one look at the mind-blowing color photos inside is all you'll need as a convincer. What an incredible dive destination, and what a beautiful book to take you there!

Simple no-nonsense guide to diving in Fiji