tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-352138742018-03-06T04:08:22.365+12:00A blog about scuba diving in the Fiji Islands by Allan & Terri Gortan, owners of PARADISE TAVEUNI, the best dive resort in the Fiji Islands. Our blog will highlight Fiji Diving and share some inside news from PARADISE...Paradise Taveunihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734242796900634458noreply@blogger.comBlogger178125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35213874.post-79551814978560714392017-12-19T14:33:00.000+13:002017-12-19T14:33:24.120+13:00

SCUBA DIVER SPECIAL!!! Love to Dive?  Well you're going to love our SCUBA DIVER SPECIAL:  5 nights in Paradise in an Oceanview air conditioned Bure, All meals- full cooked breakfast, 1 course lunch, 2 course dinner per person, 3 day Unlimited Dive Package- 3 tank boat dives + shore dives daily from 7am to 5pm, Return Taveuni Airport road transfers and a large selection of complimentary

Paradise Taveunihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734242796900634458noreply@blogger.com0Paradise Taveuni, Fiji-16.8414365 -179.98134449999998-17.3277355 179.37320850000003 -16.3551375 -179.3358975tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35213874.post-60584362661570480892017-11-13T16:33:00.000+13:002017-11-13T16:33:07.467+13:00

GET YOUR PADI OPEN WATER CERTIFICATION IN PARADISE Learn to scuba dive in Paradise! As a PADI Dive centre, Paradise offers many dive courses for you to enjoy during your Fiji Vacation. Our Paradise Taveuni Dive Instructors are patient, caring and take time to ensure students know and understand all the skills needed to enjoy the underwater world. We recommend that you take your PADI

Paradise Taveunihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734242796900634458noreply@blogger.com0Paradise Taveuni, Fiji-16.8414365 -179.98134449999998-17.3277355 179.37320850000003 -16.3551375 -179.3358975tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35213874.post-66071705290928505022017-11-06T14:20:00.000+13:002017-11-06T14:20:33.088+13:00

Coral Reefs represent one of the world's most spectacular beauty spots.  The mention of coral reefs generally brings to mind warm climates, colorful fishes and clear waters. However, the reef itself is actually a component of a larger ecosystem.  They are the foundation of marine ecosystem, housing tens of thousands of marine species. Many divers come to Paradise Taveuni

Paradise Taveunihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734242796900634458noreply@blogger.com0Paradise Taveuni, Fiji-16.8414365 -179.98134449999998-17.3277355 179.37320850000003 -16.3551375 -179.3358975tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35213874.post-76751493032649489482017-10-09T17:26:00.000+12:002017-10-27T11:18:41.631+12:00

Taveuni's nickname "Garden Island" applies not only to the landscape, but also to the underwater coral gardens. Taveuni is ''The Soft Coral Capital of the World'' and Paradise is in the heart of it - here you will experience some of the best diving in Fiji, if not the world.  Paradise Taveuni is the only resort on the island offering diving on pristine 'Vuna Reef' as well as the world

Paradise Taveunihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734242796900634458noreply@blogger.com0Paradise Taveuni, Fiji-16.8414365 -179.98134449999998-17.3303645 179.37046200000003 -16.3525085 -179.333151tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35213874.post-49620920904198149582017-09-25T14:19:00.000+12:002017-09-25T14:19:19.727+12:00

Sea Star in Paradise Starfish, sea lilies, feather stars, sea urchins and other colourfully named creatures belong to the group known as echinoderms (meaning spiny skinned). Starfish or sea stars are star-shaped echinoderms belonging to the class Asteroidea. Taveuni is a popular destination for Tourists and travelers world over. Allow yourself to discover not only the beautiful

Paradise Taveunihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734242796900634458noreply@blogger.comSouth Taveuni Road, Navaca, Taveuni Island, Fiji-16.934545 179.900934-42.456579500000004 138.59234 8.5874895 -138.79047200000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35213874.post-62288430170257616912017-05-12T14:40:00.001+12:002017-05-12T14:40:56.597+12:00

MJ (DMT) on 100th Dive Bula Everyone!   My name is M.J.  I’m the new Dive Master in Training (and aspiring Blogger) at the Dive Shop, here at Paradise Taveuni Resort.  I hail from the desert of Arizona, where over the years I have filled a variety of roles from Bartender to Archaeologist.  I’m a lover of reading, chips and guacamole, over dramatic TV shows, and traveling the world. 

Paradise Taveunihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734242796900634458noreply@blogger.com1Paradise Taveuni, Fiji-16.93096682607457 179.90222593769431-17.052486826074571 179.74086443769431 -16.80944682607457 -179.93641256230569tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35213874.post-20780766346652608162015-09-03T13:00:00.000+12:002015-09-03T13:00:00.864+12:00

Vuna reef is an amazing underwater paradise.                                                                                            Dive with us on Vuna Reef Vuna reef is located on the southern tip of Taveuni island and is a purely magical place. It has more than 10 specific dive sites with its own special features and each attracting a variety of different marine life. A holiday in

Paradise Taveunihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734242796900634458noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35213874.post-45848976324324959282015-05-15T16:17:00.001+12:002015-05-15T16:17:47.257+12:00

Sara and James, our Dive Masters in training (DMTs) are now halfway through their stay and well in to the courses.  They are currently completing the mapping exercise and have recorded the house reef in detail. But this isn’t the first time they’ve documented the undersea world.  Just a couple months the were working at a marine research base on the island of Cagalai helping to

Paradise Taveunihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734242796900634458noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35213874.post-83716618061117361462015-04-02T17:07:00.001+12:002015-04-03T16:33:33.014+12:00

  The new boat has arrived.  The 45-foot Taveuni Explorer has returned from Nadi where it was dry-docked and fully refurbished.  It is returning home.  The boat was originally laser cut in Australia and assembled in Taveuni 21 years ago by Spencer Tarte who’s family has lived in southern Taveuni since the late 1800s.  It has gone as far as Tonga and back and to many islands in between.  The

Paradise Taveunihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734242796900634458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35213874.post-20856286877764925622015-03-23T09:26:00.000+12:002015-03-24T16:15:30.048+12:00

With Cyclone Pam around Vanuatu kicking up a fuss, giving us wind and rain from the north, we decided to look for some new shore dives on the south side of the island.  Vuna village has always welcomed us to come visit so we decided to ask the chief if we could dive Vuna reef from their backyard.  We were given the okay and shown to a small rocky cove.  With no idea what they would find dive

Paradise Taveunihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734242796900634458noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35213874.post-17586880682746281182015-02-24T08:43:00.000+12:002015-02-24T08:43:28.872+12:00

Road Scholar is a different sort of travel agency.  They offer educational tours with renowned experts in the field that provide a greater experience than your average tourist can normally expect.  Their primary clientele are American senior citizens with a thirst for knowledge and adventure.  Paradise Taveuni has been pleased to host oceanographer Lora Van Uffelen as she shares the underwater

Paradise Taveunihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734242796900634458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35213874.post-3386995137259655322015-02-23T10:24:00.000+12:002015-02-23T10:24:14.188+12:00

If you’ve ever misplaced or lost your dive logbook, you know how precious those little scraps of paper are.  Well, PADI has found a solution.  At PADI’s Scuba Earth website you can log all of your dives digitally to the internet where they will never be lost.  You can also share your dive experiences with divers around the world. Paradise Taveuni has now uploaded its dive sites for the

Paradise Taveunihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734242796900634458noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35213874.post-78604574362642726342015-02-19T10:22:00.000+12:002015-02-20T07:31:58.880+12:00

Here at Paradise Taveuni, we are proud of our local dive masters and want to introduce you to some of them. Meet Christine Riley.  Christine grew up on Taveuni island in Waimaqera, a coastal farming settlement where people grow dalo, yaqona, and vegetables, and raise goats and pigs.  Growing up she was always swimming in the ocean.  Two years ago, Christine took a six month break from Fiji

Paradise Taveunihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734242796900634458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35213874.post-76355243869420999922015-02-16T11:24:00.000+12:002015-02-16T11:25:24.427+12:00

Most readers are likely accustomed to enjoying pleasurable stories of our life in Paradise, and, by and large, the sunsets keep things pretty rosy-tinted here.  But recently we learned of something so distressing that we cannot, in good conscience, sweep it under the rug. A few days ago, a leopard shark was found dead on the beach and we have since learned that it had been thoughtlessly

Paradise Taveunihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734242796900634458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35213874.post-70727690368688316202015-02-16T11:03:00.000+12:002015-02-16T11:03:40.639+12:00

“Sometimes we see pilot whales this time of year," the divemaster explained, "but there is no promise we will see them today.”  No sooner was it said then the dark silhouettes of a pod of pilot whales presented themselves.  We approached slowly while E.B. and Sarah excitedly scampered to the bow to get a better look.  They’ve spent the past few months volunteering for Sea Shepherd, a

Paradise Taveunihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734242796900634458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35213874.post-24862028611427510292015-02-06T16:27:00.000+12:002015-02-07T07:50:53.473+12:00

  The winner of the 2014 Ocean Art Competition and a 7-night dive package at Paradise Taveuni Resort was announced yesterday.  The winner of the Wananavu prize is Ray Collins.  Ray received first place in both the wide-angle category and Best of Show for his through-the-barrel shot at Kirra Point, Australia.  About his winning shot, Ray writes, “I love to make images underwater. The sand on

Paradise Taveunihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734242796900634458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35213874.post-92178535071617839482014-11-03T15:42:00.000+13:002014-11-04T14:42:13.986+13:00

Today I completed my Open Water Dive Certificate at Paradise Taveuni through Pro Dive Taveuni! It was a truly unforgettable experience, and a fairly easy thing to do. Pro Dive offers an extensive selection of courses, dive gear and sites; and is operated by a professional and knowledgeable Dive Team led by PADI Dive instructor and resort owner, Allan Gortan. Pro Dive Taveuni also has a fleet of

Jack Eastgatehttps://plus.google.com/117935830385497659653noreply@blogger.com0Taveuni Island, Fiji-16.8414365 -179.98134449999998-17.3277355 179.37320850000003 -16.3551375 -179.3358975tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35213874.post-35893765767383329982014-09-30T09:48:00.002+12:002014-09-30T09:54:28.942+12:00

ZULA DIVE WEAR Recently, Paradise owner & operator, Terri Gortan, had the pleasure of meeting jewelry designer Amy Haas at the Dream Weaver Dive Show in Denver, Colorado. Amy has a unique range of jewelry including necklaces, pendants, bracelets, anklets and earrings all made from recycled o-rings used in scuba equipment. A diver herself, Amy saw the potential in your spent o-rings,

Emma Charlstonhttps://plus.google.com/115056387578994676582noreply@blogger.com0Taveuni Island, Fiji-16.8414365 -179.98134449999998-17.3277355 179.37320850000003 -16.3551375 -179.3358975tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35213874.post-88313119036579801042014-09-24T12:00:00.000+12:002014-09-24T12:00:01.090+12:00

It is very easy to get attached to dive equipment, it’s yours, you know the little quirks and you have it set up exactly how you like. However, with airlines charging more and more for extra baggage, perhaps it is time to weigh up the value of bringing your own versus renting at your destination. Here at Paradise, the Pro-Dive Team prides itself on stocking good quality and well maintained

Emma Charlstonhttps://plus.google.com/115056387578994676582noreply@blogger.com0Taveuni Island, Fiji-16.8414365 -179.98134449999998-17.3277355 179.37320850000003 -16.3551375 -179.3358975tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35213874.post-44718308251444271762014-09-17T11:30:00.000+12:002014-09-17T11:30:00.937+12:00

Over the last three months we have been delighted to have Zara here in Paradise as part of the PADI Divemaster Program. Having now completed the program and been certified as a qualified Divemaster she will head home to the U.S.A to pursue a career in one of the best industries in the world! Before she left, we sat down with Zara to find out about her experience here at Paradise. Zara is

Emma Charlstonhttps://plus.google.com/115056387578994676582noreply@blogger.com0Taveuni Island, Fiji-16.8414365 -179.98134449999998-17.3277355 179.37320850000003 -16.3551375 -179.3358975tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35213874.post-30171364616338976952014-09-11T09:56:00.002+12:002014-09-11T09:59:07.368+12:00

"Most photos are worth a thousand words.  Underwater ones are worth at least a million."  Stephen Frink Paradise Taveuni provides a world-class diving experience to divers from all over the world, every day. The legendary Rainbow Reef and Vuna Reef are just at our doorstep, and we have spectacular diving just off the shoreline, guaranteeing each diver awe-inspiring hard and soft corals

Paradise Taveunihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734242796900634458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35213874.post-33026565719660813922014-08-25T10:42:00.000+12:002014-08-25T10:42:02.076+12:00

An Article from Scuba & H20 Adventure "A group of zealous travelers touches down on the archipelagic country of Fiji with scuba on their collective minds. The Pacific collective of 332 islands welcomes them with a calm, beach-swept breeze before they settle into their bunks and bures at the aptly named Paradise Tavenui. Fiji is a place renowned for grand adventures within verdant palms and on

Jack Eastgatehttps://plus.google.com/117935830385497659653noreply@blogger.com0Taveuni Island, Fiji-16.8414365 -179.98134449999998-17.3277355 179.37320850000003 -16.3551375 -179.3358975tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35213874.post-74298131500851397952014-08-04T12:57:00.004+12:002014-08-05T08:37:16.337+12:00

With its deep water frontage, Paradise Taveuni has excellent shore diving right on its doorstep. The House Reef is easily accessible from the marina’s jetty and can be dived on any tide and at any time of the day.  Paradise  Reef offers divers a wide diversity of terrains. lnitially shallow around the jetty and surrounded by coral heads, divers can quickly descend a steep slope of

Paradise Taveunihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734242796900634458noreply@blogger.com0Taveuni Island, Fiji-16.8414365 -179.98134449999998-17.3277355 179.37320850000003 -16.3551375 -179.3358975tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35213874.post-53340963566021744362014-07-28T13:27:00.002+12:002014-07-29T08:00:44.577+12:00

A few photographs of the underwater paradise at Paradise Taveuni courtesy of J. Matthew Meiers There's always something to see at Paradise. 

Paradise Taveunihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734242796900634458noreply@blogger.com0Taveuni Island, Fiji-16.8414365 -179.98134449999998-17.3277355 179.37320850000003 -16.3551375 -179.3358975tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35213874.post-27908173246818645162014-06-10T16:15:00.001+12:002014-06-10T16:15:42.076+12:00

Taveuni's Signature Dive: Great White Wall Do you love Great White Wall or are you interested to know more about this famous dive site?  Great White Wall is not only one of Fiji's signature dive sites, it's entirely unique! This dive combines drifting along a gorgeous wall covered in soft coral with several swim throughs. No other wall dive on Rainbow Reef possesses such a unique

Paradise Taveunihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734242796900634458noreply@blogger.com0