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Itinerary & Country Map
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Day 1–5
Venture over the international dateline to Fiji, where our South Pacific quest begins. Our first destination is Kadavu, the fourth largest island in Fiji, yet off the beaten path. We set up base at Matava Eco-Lodge. Traditional thatched huts are nestled in a tropical rainforest with white sandy beaches, welcoming villages, cascading waterfalls and spectacular diving only minutes away. Plunge below to discover the intense density of colors and natural beauty of the Great Astrolabe Reef, the fourth largest barrier reef in the world, and Manta Reef, one of the few places in the world where you see manta rays regularly. 
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Day 6–9
We fine-tune our drift diving skills and float effortlessly past the brilliant soft corals of the world-renowned Eagle Rock, named for its schools of resident eagle rays, and Cabbage Patch, home to one of the world’s largest cabbage coral patches. Discover an abundance of marine life at Golden Chimney, a large coral structure completely covered in golden soft corals that illuminate the entire area when blooming. Take a day off to do some ocean kayaking, snorkeling or exploring. Swim under towering waterfalls and go on a “teitei” walk with a local medicine man to learn about the flora of Fiji. Spend your final night as a guest in Nacamoto village where locals treat us to a traditional kava ceremony and a special performance of the Fijian meke dance. -
Day 10–15
Munda offers a sensational underwater realm. Shark Point, Mushroom Island and WWII sites such as the Kasi Maru and the Douglas Dive Bomber will take your breath away. During our surface intervals, we visit historical landmarks including a battery of WWII anti-aircraft guns and an abandoned U.S. Stuart Tank. Cool off at a waterfall as you trek village roads with a local history expert, exploring relics and artifacts in the rainforest and at a museum. Spend an afternoon relaxing, playing Frisbee and racing hermit crabs on a palm fringed beach. -
Day 13–16
Ready to get back in the water, we embark on a six day live-aboard voyage that gives us the flexibility to do tons of great diving. El Bajo’s sea mounts are phenomenal, Cerralvo Island’s walls are teeming with life and San Diego Reef’s gorgonian corals are beautiful. Our local dive guide helps us make the most of our dives by filling us in on the area’s marine biology, marine mammals and coral. Our boat optimizes opportunities for wildlife viewing as the second and third decks are high above the water, allowing us to look down on the whales, dolphins, mantas and hopefully whale sharks. -
Day 16–18
Travel by boat to Lola Island to play in the blue water and enjoy a delicious lunch on a beautiful white sand beach. Next stop is an eerie tour of Skull Island — a visit back to headhunting times where we see a shrine to local chiefs and warriors. Head to Gizo and dive Grand Central Station and Hot Spot for a dizzying array of brightly colored tropical fish. At Inside-Out Passage we find majestic rays, sharks and tons of turtles. Between dives, take an afternoon to explore the colorful markets in town and hunt for souvenirs and snacks. -
Day 19–24
Ready for some of the coolest wreck diving in the South Pacific? Venture below to discover some of the best diving in the world. Dive the Toa Maru, an intact 446' Japanese transport sunk by an American Wildcat in 1943, and a number of planes including a US Hellcat and a Corsair fighter. Encounter an abundance of big pelagics — manta rays, eagle rays, sharks, tuna and sea turtles. At our program closing and final celebration dinner, everyone agrees the diving has been outrageous and the people we’ve met along our journey have made for an unforgettable experience. -
