DWF’s Takes A Scuba Adventure For His Birthday
As I have started my 15th year diving, I sometimes worry that I’ll start running out of amazing things to see. Silly DWF…that simply ain’t the case. I just got back from 10 days at Volivoli Beach Resort (VBR) in Fiji. To be honest Fiji wasn’t even seriously on my radar this year. A couple of years ago I met some divers who simply raved about it, but I just hadn’t made checking it out a priority. Well that changed a few months ago when somebody from VBR reached out to me to tell me all about their amazing resort.
As soon as I started learning about VBR I was definitely intrigued. So I set up a FAM trip as a way to see it for myself. I take familiarization trips so that I can see a place with my own eyes and deal with the logistics and experience everything first-hand before I put my name on a trip. I have now pulled the trigger on a 10-day trip in 2026! I can’t wait to show folks their new happy place.
FIJI: A Slice of Paradise

Every time I teach Coral Reef Conservation I am reminded of the biodiversity that the indo-pacific region offers. Simply put, the reefs off Fiji are by far the most vibrant and healthiest I have ever seen. Every single day of diving brought new seascapes full of an array of colorful fish and crazy diverse ecosystems. This was some world class diving.
The resort is located on the northern tip of Fiji’s largest island, Viti Levu, right in the heart of the famous Bligh Waters. VBR served as a gateway to spectacular coral reefs and phenomenal biodiversity. In fact the waters around Fiji are referred to as “the soft coral capital of the world” Among the hundreds of aquatic creatures I saw during my visit were sharks, rays, turtles, barracuda, and hundreds upon hundreds of reef fish. One morning we were all treated to dolphins accompanying our boat on our way out a dive site as well.

The water was warm (78 deg F) and the visibility was uniformly fantastic. Dive sites ranged from a 15 minute ride to an hour for a day in the Vatu-I-Ra Conservation Park (an amazing marine park). And each group of 4 (or so) had their own divemaster/guide to help point out some of the wonders of the soft coral capital of the world.
Any of you who read DWF with any regularity have probably figured out how much I enjoy underwater photography. I can honestly say that the only down side of the things I saw was that I just didn’t feel capable of accurately capturing the majesty of what I was seeing. Hopefully practice makes perfect, because I will definitely be back to try again.
Over my 10 days at VBR, I did 20 dives. 2 dives per day most days; 3 dives on 2 days; a shore dive, and a night dive. Nitrox was available, and I sure put it to good use. On 3 dive days we had lunch on the boat during our 2nd surface interval and then right back into the water. I also met some really fun folks. Groups from Utah, Washington(State), California, Oregon, the Philippines, Australia, and New Zealand to name a few.
PSA: This is what happens when Kiwis offer to take a photo for you 🙂


DWF also managed to leave his mark while he was there.
But the crown jewel of the folks at VBR are the Fijian people. The warmth, friendliness, and just the overall culture is something I’m still processing. Saying that the folks at the resort were uncommonly friendly, welcoming, and hospitable doesn’t seem to articulate the positive energy that was simply radiating from everyone there. It felt as if their whole culture is just a whole lot friendlier than what I am used to. I was happy to support their economy and will do so again…and again. By the end of my trip I was saying Bula (hello) with a smile on my face at every opportunity.
VBR Spoiled Me

This all-inclusive adventure included room: (there are 5 different types of accommodations, any of which are pretty sweet). Every room at the resort has a view of the Pacific Ocean. Rooms are spacious and include a few amenities without ruining the chill atmosphere of being tucked away in paradise.
Board (food) included 3 meals a day, and two restaurants were available for most meals. Most days I opted for lunch on the beach. The food was delicious with a variety that ran the gamut from hamburgers and pizzas (for lunch) to fine dining with upscale selections of beef, pork, chicken, and seafood. On my birthday I had grilled lobster tail (at a small additional charge, but super worth it). I don’t recall being hungry during this trip at all. Alcohol and sodas weren’t included, but TBH prices were pretty darn reasonable. During the previously mentioned birthday I got to experience the longest, most uncomfortable, and most charming happy birthday song I’ve endured in over ½ a century.
The VBR on-site dive shop, Ra Divers offered full-on PADI certification courses, guided excursions, dive equipment rental, and let’s not forget Nitrox. They also had a 14 station camera room that allowed me to keep my camera safe and secure, my batteries charged up, and provide me with a clean and utilitarian work space for camera related stuff. The day spa was also available most days for a post-dive massage. They offered several other services, but DWF only tried out massages.
Beautiful sandy beaches, paddle boarding, and a pool with a swim-up bar are also available to make this trip as relaxing as possible.
Non-Divers Welcome
You may notice that it’s Volivoli Beach Resort and not Volovoli Dive Resort. That’s your hint that VBR welcomes non-divers as well. There are a bunch of activities for the non-divers who may want to experience Fiji with their diving S.O. These activities include relaxing on the beach; sport fishing; multiple tours of the area (by my count at least 5); a romantic dinner on the beach; a sunset cruise; hat, bag & jewelry making with coconut fronds; daily kava ceremony; Fijian Night on the beach (meke performance and lovo for dinner); kayaking; stand up paddle boarding; exploring ancient fish traps; coconut husking; crab racing; and trekking (hiking).
There are definitely enough activities for more than just the scuba diver in your life!

The Journey
As with other locations in this part of the world, the trip took awhile. I flew from Washington, D.C.(Dulles) through LAX (Los Angeles), to Nadi, Fiji, and then took a driver (transfer) to Volovoli Beach Resort.
By my count it took roughly 6 + 4 (layover) + 11 + 2.5 = 23.5 hours to make it to VBR (not including the initial drive to IAD)
Brutal? Yes. Worth it? Definitely! Will I do it again? Oh yes!
I really loved Fiji. I’m so glad that somebody from VBR picked me out of the Internet ether to let me know about this amazing place. I’m excited to have done a fam trip and I’m even more excited to introduce a group to VBR. Come join me and let’s do some diving!

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