The resort was very relaxing, facing the ocean towards the west so brilliant sunsets every night. Service was excellent. Dive sites and crew were helpful, took us to unique dive sites, including the infamous Great White Wall, and were safety conscientious. We were treated with a Kava ceremony and dancing one evening. The food had variety and was plentiful. There was beef on the menu, probably for Westerners, but it was a bit tough. Otherwise, everything else was unique and had a Fiji flare to it. The resort and room was clean, well kept, and things were working properly. Housekeeping visited our bure (room) twice daily. I would definitely recommend staying here.
- Annmarie
I highly recommend this trip combining Paradise Taveuni and Uprising Beach. Taveuni Paradise is a gem of a resort and five stars all around for accommodations and staff. I would recommend the upgraded food plan at Paradise Taveuni. The shark dives at Aqua Trek located 5 minutes from Uprising Beach in Pacific Harbour were unforgettable. Diving all around was superb-used a shorty in 79 degree water in July. Can get a little cold this time of year so bring a sweatshirt or hoodie. Dive staff at both locations were superb. Nitrox available. I would recommend the one day land tour at Taveuni and the Upper Navua River white water rafting at Pacific Harbour. Paradise Taveuni requires a 1 hour flight from domestic terminal at Nadi (only a 5 minute walk from International terminal) and then a 1 hour car ride. Likewise, connection to Paradise Harbour is a 3 hour car ride to Pacific Harbour. I had private drivers supplied by resort. Go to office at International arrivals at Nadi if necessary and they will call your resort to verify driver is on his way. Drive to Pacific Harbour and back includes rest stop at gift store, but diver will also stop to get you lunch in Nadi. Nadi International has a Burger King and decent restaurant, or go to the resort across the street for a meal. As world class as the diving is, so are the Fiji people--amazingly friendly and helpful. Note that Fiji Airways allows 2 checked bags at 60 lbs. a bag all the way to Taveuni and back but is very strict on only one personal carry on. Customs at immigration and bag pick up at Nadi International was hassle free and quick. Note that Fiji Airways offers last minute business class upgrades at the gate for a substantial discount. They also send you an email the day before the flights for a $200 "Bula bubble" upgrade. Which allows you to "buy" an empty middle seat. I thought it was well worth it.
- John K.
It was fabulous! The employees incredible! Food delicious! The diving awesome! Rooms with a view! Great entertainment! Loved loved loved the adventure to Taveuni!!!
- Lane
The resort was lovely and well maintained. Unfortunately, it rained 8 out of the 10 days we were there. Didn't matter as we were divers and were wet anyway. Can't control the weather. The room was a little dark as it could use a lighter color of paint and better lighting. The outside showers were great as we never used the inside one. The dive sites were almost all at Rainbow Reef which was about a 30 minute boat ride every day. There was a good amount of current on some of the sites. On Cabbage patch reef we saw a huge Manta Ray about 14 feet across. That siting made the trip. The staff were all very attentive. We had a long layover in Nadi which I would not recommend for future travelers. Great experience and saw sealife that you don't see in the Caribbean.
- Joyce
Our vacation at the appropriately named, Paradise Taveuni, was magical. Hard to believe such a remote location could offer such luxurious accommodations, first class cuisine, and the friendliest service in the world. On top of that the diving was superb. We saw species we'd never seen before. The White Wall was a marvel.
- Pat
Our dive vacation in Taveuni was great. It boggles the mind how Teri and Allan can provide such a top quality experience in such a remote location. They, and their entire staff, are the friendliest and most helpful people on earth. We had some incredible dives, like the White Wall, and even saw a hammerhead shark! 20-30 dolphins swam past the resort one morning at breakfast. I miss the spectacular sunsets. (sigh)
- Patricia
We never did tell you about our trip to Fiji… it rained… A LOT! We now know how the Garden Island of Taveuni got its name; it requires an awful lot of rain to stay so green. But despite the 24 hour-a-day downpours for 6 days straight we really had the trip of a lifetime! We got to swim with manta rays with 10 foot wingspans, we saw over a dozen nudibranchs we’d never seen before, white tip reef sharks on almost every dive, and of course the anemonefish were awesome! And we found a blue ribbon eel… we never knew they were so small! I’ve attached a few pictures we took during our trip to show you the splendor of the Rainbow Reef! Feel free to share them on your website if you wish. We absolutely LOVED it and would highly recommend it to anyone (but we wouldn’t suggest going during the rainy season…) ?
Paradise Resort was INCREDIBLE! The Fijians are truly the nicest people we’ve ever met, and we work at Walt Disney World!!! Alan and Terri Gortan are wonderful and their hospitality is genuinely warm and friendly!
- Mark
I highly recommend this trip combining Paradise Taveuni and Uprising Beach. Taveuni Paradise is a gem of a resort and five stars all around for accommodations and staff. I would recommend the upgraded food plan at Paradise Taveuni. The shark dives at Aqua Trek located 5 minutes from Uprising Beach in Pacific Harbour were unforgettable. Diving all around was superb-used a shorty in 79 degree water in July. Can get a little cold this time of year so bring a sweatshirt or hoodie. Dive staff at both locations were superb. Nitrox available. I would recommend the one day land tour at Taveuni and the Upper Navua River white water rafting at Pacific Harbour. Paradise Taveuni requires a 1 hour flight from domestic terminal at Nadi (only a 5 minute walk from International terminal) and then a 1 hour car ride. Likewise, connection to Paradise Harbour is a 3 hour car ride to Pacific Harbour. I had private drivers supplied by resort. Go to office at International arrivals at Nadi if necessary and they will call your resort to verify driver is on his way. Drive to Pacific Harbour and back includes rest stop at gift store, but diver will also stop to get you lunch in Nadi. Nadi International has a Burger King and decent restaurant, or go to the resort across the street for a meal. As world class as the diving is, so are the Fiji people--amazingly friendly and helpful. Note that Fiji Airways allows 2 checked bags at 60 lbs. a bag all the way to Taveuni and back but is very strict on only one personal carry on. Customs at immigration and bag pick up at Nadi International was hassle free and quick. Note that Fiji Airways offers last minute business class upgrades at the gate for a substantial discount. They also send you an email the day before the flights for a $200 "Bula bubble" upgrade. Which allows you to "buy" an empty middle seat. I thought it was well worth it.
- John K.
Had a great two week trip to Fiji both dive areas had their own vibe and special corals and creatures. Both resorts were top notch but Paradise Taveuni wins the best resort scores for such an amazing staff who felt like you visiting as special family rather than tourists. Don't miss the island village excursion after diving Rainbow Reef it is a must repeat on our list when we go back. Cabbage patch reef and the White wall are incredible! The house reef is great too with blue ribbon eels and supposed pair of Spanish dancers that we couldn't find during this trip. Cookbook diving had sunlit bonnie tops with lots of nudis, White tip and gray reef sharks and amazing fans, like 10-12' (3-4m) and great schools of rudiments, bat fish, sweet lips.. On the diving packages you might consider not diving a day to see the waterfalls and do a village visit on another top side day but we dove every day two tank and some house reef time.
- Robert F.
