Rock n'rolling

We have been joined with some lovely ladies; met at some point diving in Hawaii, couple who are neighbors in New Zealand; our lovely couple who were with us last charter; two young friends (our iron divers!) and our fantastic returnee, Craig!

First rocking-rocky charter of the year 2025, as winds were stronger than usual, but that did not dispirit our divers and we had an amazing time! The crew tried their best to organize the charter to shelter us as much as possible from the worst winds and yet enjoy our diving.

First day, first fun story: Laura, who so kindly shacked her shaker to let me know about the presence of lionfish, seemed to not think that a FAMILY of ornate ghost pipefish were not worth a shacky shaky… we realized this on board when she asked me: “What is this on my photo between the coral?”

Needles to say, we (guides) were green with jelly.

Photo by Forrest - lionfish

Photo by Forrest - Orange-finned anemonefish

Photo by Charlene - Endemic anemonefish

Photo by Charlene - Clark's anemonefish 

Linda was pretty sure she saw a silver tip shark, and from her description we have to believe her. But you know how life is these days… no photo, no fish; yet we are believers! Especially with her, as she is such a dear to dive with, always smiling at everything she saw!

Photo by Forrest

First flappy-flappy at Namena flew by Tetons (chevron) and a bunch of “mind is blown away “signs, underwater and on the boat. 

Grand central starting from the arch was absolutely stunning, both small; dart fish, two tone and fire, gorgeous shrimp gobies, zebra dartfish. So many white tips laying on the ground and flying away annoyed by our bubble noises.  Huge dogtooth tunas, Spanish mackerels, schools of black finned barracudas, green jobfish, big eyed trevallies and rainbow runners. Even a blue spotted stingray the second time around.

Schoolhouse divers enjoyed two constant big grey reef sharks circling around them and all the schooling fish.

Photo by Charlene - Fiji clown blenny

Photo by Charlene - stripped fang blenny

Photo by Forrest - leopard wrasse (initial phase)

Photo by Charlene - juvenile mover wrasse

Kava party was full on; kava drinking, music and even some Hawaiian sweets as chasers through out the night, courtesy of Laura and Amy! Our crew are a bunch of sweet tooths! We (us) were not aware of this, but Hawaii has their own Kava, called Ava.

Next day at 2 Thumbs up divers enjoyed the presence of three fly by mantas (1 chevron and two melanistic); sharks getting their teeth cleaned; cling fish inside crinoids and swimming out towards Chris; manicure time with cleaner shrimps; and little miniature juvenile ribbon eel is still there!

Photo by Charlene - Blue ribbon eels

Photo by Charlene - two types of shrimp

Photo by Forrest - different perspective with banded armed shrimp

Photo by Victor - R2D2 shrimps

Photo by Victor - Hermit crab (fuuurrrryyy)

Christy was blessed with a tiger shark (teenager we suppose) underwater. "I felt like my old lover came back to take me with him!" - Christy

Mickey Manta was overly energetic, as every time we encountered him at Wakaya!

Photo by Forrest - Mickey Manta

There was again a continuous outgoing current at Wakaya, which from our experience is not the best for mantas or visibility. Still, we had Riley cleaning and flying by. And.....

And a group encountered the biggest goliath grouper yet, out in the depths. 

Amy had fun cartwheeling with the kids at Makogai, daring them to follow her lead and summersault (ex gymnast and we can tell). They all brought so many fun stuff for the kiddies; school supplies, stickers, small cute clothes! 

And Marcus did us proud as chief at the Sevu Sevu ceremony!

Photo by Forrest - long nose hawkfish

Photo by Forrest - flabellina

Photo by Laura - coral 

On the last diving day, on the very last dive, FIji made justice to NAI'A 's true origins. (Nai'a meaning dolphin in Hawaiian.)

We got picked up by the skiff, and our skiff driver just let us know very nonchalant " We have to pick someone else up." 

We were moving towards a HUGE pod of dolphin, one twirling into the air as we advanced towards them. They let us come close and then raced the skiff right next to us! It was S P E C T A C U L A R. Even brought Lynn to tears. 

Vinaka vakalevu to you all!