Dive Review of Nai'a Cruises Fiji in
Kiribati (Christmas Island)/Phoenix Islands

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Nai'a Cruises Fiji, May, 2005, by Bob & Doris Schaffer, CA, USA ( Contributor 14 reports). Report 1738.
No photos available at this time
Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Accommodations		Food
Service and Attitude		Environmental Sensitivity	N/A
Dive Operation		Shore Diving
Snorkeling	N/A
Overall Rating
Value for $$	N/A
Beginners
Advanced
Comments	The Phoenix Islands region (in the country of Kiribati) was hit by an episode of increased water temperature caused by global warming. Reports we received before we left indicated widespread coral bleaching. We were hoping that not all reefs were affected, but we confirmed that formerly pristine reefs were all dead. Once we stopped focusing on the dead coral and started focusing on the abundant fish life and vigorous current diving, things picked up. Plenty of Napoleon wrasse and varieties of angel-type fish that we had not seen before, numerous reef fish cascading over the rocks, schools of jacks, barracuda, parrots and bump head parrots, and lots of sharks (although in the northern part of the island chain, which has been overfished to provide shark fins for the Asian markets) they were quite small. In the southern part, (which, presumably, hasn’t been hit as hard by shark fishers/finners) white tip, black tip and grey reef sharks were much larger—five feet and more. Because of the reports of coral bleaching, this was a scientific expedition and two marine biologist coral experts were on board studying the affected reefs and the many patches of new coral that are beginning to regenerate. They were excellent teachers and we learned a lot. Few anemones and small critters (because of the dead reefs). We left from Samoa and the crossing to our first dive site was 2-1/2 days. This is such a remote region that in three weeks on the water, we never saw another vessel. This was our 30th liveaboard trip and our fourth on Nai’a which we deem one of the best liveaboards operating. It is a wonderfully comfortable boat with an amazing crew—friendly and attentive and very safety-conscious. Owner Rob Barrel was our host and he is so knowledgeable that conversation at every meal was a learning experience. Food is outstanding, too, with several entrée choices at breakfast and dinner and all beautifully presented and served (no buffets). All in all, a great trip despite the destroyed coral reefs and with lots of good adventure including a trip to an uninhabited island to harvest coconut crabs for dinner!
Reporter and Travel
Dive Experience	Over 1000 dives
Where else diving	Australia, Micronesia, Mexico, California, Red Sea, Cocos, Fiji, Tonga, Caribbean, Galapagos, Tahiti, Maldives, Solomons, PNG
Closest Airport		Getting There
Dive Conditions
Weather	cloudy	Seas	choppy, currents
Water Temp	83-87°F / 28-31°C	Wetsuit Thickness	0
Water Visibility	50-100 Ft/ 15-30 M
Dive Policy
Dive own profile	yes
Enforced diving restrictions	No alcohol before diving and common sense. Not the kind of trip where rules needed to be enforced because all 13 divers were very experienced.
Liveaboard?	yes	Nitrox Available?	N/A
What I Saw
Sharks	Lots	Mantas	1 or 2
Dolphins	1 or 2	Whale Sharks	None
Turtles	> 2	Whales	None
Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):
Corals		Tropical Fish
Small Critters		Large Fish
Large Pelagics
Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Subject Matter		Boat Facilities
Overall rating for UWP's		Shore Facilities	N/A
UW Photo Comments	A room for camera gear with adequate shelf space and charging receptacles, covered and sheltered, adjacent to but separate from the dive deck.

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All Kiribati (Christmas Island) Dive Reviews and Reports
Diving Guide to Kiribati (Christmas Island)
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Dive Review of Nai'a Cruises Fiji in Kiribati (Christmas Island)/Phoenix Islands

Nai'a Cruises Fiji, May, 2005,

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Overall Rating

Reporter and Travel

Dive Conditions

Dive Policy

What I Saw

Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Dive Review of Nai'a Cruises Fiji in
Kiribati (Christmas Island)/Phoenix Islands