DIVE LOG AUSTRALASIA ISSUE 413 AUGUST 25

Wrasse

Volivoli had not changed since our previous trip. Some say the best time to visit is in October to mid December and March to May when the water is commonly calmer and/or warmer. However we found the water temperature was a comfortable 26 to 27C in June which meant we could still dive in our 3mm suits throughout our visit. The air temperature was very comfortable but take a light raincoat as it is the tropics and afternoon storms can occur throughout the year. On a typical day we departed the resort at 8:00 am sharp (not ‘Fijian Time’) for two boat dives in the morning with conservative surface intervals to maximise bottom times on consecutive dives. We utilised a three dive option, taking a third dive in the afternoon following a wonderfully prepared lunch ashore. Nevertheless, both the 2 and 3-dive plans left adequate time in the afternoon for other activities. This is when we commonly kicked back, had a snooze in one of the resort’s several hammocks, maybe had a swim in the pool, followed by a drink at one of the bars. All our dives were guided, but far from getting in the

way of our camera lenses or making us feel like complete novices, our guide (Bloss) was dedicated to finding photographic subjects for us. Volivoli’s entire staff of 140 individuals are locals which supports the regional economy. This admirable staffing policy ensures locals get to work in the tourism industry; the divers and boat captains gain a professional qualification and in turn, we divers inherit their astonishing home-grown knowledge. Day one of our dive program saw us at a site called ‘Heart Break Ridge’, just 18 minutes of travel time from the resort. Like many of the dive sites here we found numerous swim-throughs, coral encrusted arches and a magnitude of small fish life. Then it was off to ‘Wheat Field’ where two small pinnacles come up from 30mts plus and are covered in Soft Coral and large Gorgonians Fans. Massive schools of Anthias, Chromis, Damsels, and Rainbow Runners surrounded us. We also found Banded Coral Shrimp in the smaller crevices. On both these dives we also encountered schools of barracuda along the walls. After lunch we were off to ‘A

Ocellate (Eyed) Phyllidia

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DIVE LOG Australasia #413 - August 25

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