Naia | Fiji

Boat

Nai’a is a renowned Fiji liveaboard designed for serious divers seeking both comfort and exploration in one of the richest marine ecosystems in the Pacific. Originally built in the Netherlands and later extensively refitted, this 36.5 m long and 9 m wide expedition-style vessel combines robust ocean-going capability with spacious, well-thought-out interiors.

Nai’a is purpose-built for stability and long-range cruising, capable of reaching remote and less-visited dive regions across Fiji and beyond. With a cruising speed of around 9 knots, the vessel ensures smooth and efficient navigation between dive sites.

Nai’a accommodates up to 18 guests and is operated by a highly experienced crew of around 14 members, including dedicated dive guides who provide professional supervision and personalized service throughout the trip. The strong crew presence ensures a high level of safety, comfort, and attention to detail both above and below the water.

Onboard spaces are designed with both functionality and relaxation in mind. The spacious indoor salon serves as the social hub of the vessel, offering a comfortable setting for dining, briefings, and leisure time between dives. Large windows and carefully crafted interiors using local materials create a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Meals onboard are freshly prepared and typically served in a full-board style, combining international cuisine with local ingredients. Guests can expect a variety of dishes throughout the trip, with attention given to dietary requirements when requested in advance. Dining is an important part of the onboard experience, often enjoyed in a relaxed and social setting.

Nai’a is especially well-equipped for divers and underwater photographers. The vessel features a large dive deck, a dedicated camera room with workstations and charging areas, and freshwater rinse tanks for equipment. The stern dive platform allows easy access to tenders, which transport guests efficiently to dive sites.

Additional onboard facilities include a sun deck for relaxation, indoor lounge areas, hot showers, and ample storage space for dive gear. The layout of the vessel is carefully designed to separate diving operations from guest living areas, ensuring both efficiency and comfort throughout the journey.

Cabin

Nai’a has 9 spacious guest cabins, accommodating up to 18 guests:

All cabins are air-conditioned and feature ensuite bathrooms, offering comfort and privacy comparable to a land-based hotel. Cabins are designed to be bright and practical, with sufficient storage space and both 110V and 220V power outlets.

4 Deluxe Staterooms :
Located on the lower deck, each cabin configured with a king-sized bed that can be separated into two twin beds depending on guest needs. These rooms are bright, airy, and feature traditional Fijian motifs, as well as porthole.

2 Deluxe Staterooms :
Located on the lower deck, each cabin configured with twin bunk beds, portholes.

3 Deluxe Staterooms :
Located on the lower deck, each cabin feature a double bed with an additional single bunk bed above, portholes.

Diving

• Typically 4 to 5 guided dives per day (including night dives).

• No diving on embarkation and disembarkation day.

• All dives are guided by experienced professional dive guides.

• Kayaks and snorkeling gear are available for guests.

Other information

• Nitrox：Available with additional charge
• 15L Tanks：Not available anymore due to safty reasons.
• Technical Dive：Not standard, but rebreather-friendly.
• REBREATHER Dive：Support available with surcharge
• Dive Equipment Rental：Available with surcharge
• Dive insurance：Divers must have valid dive insurance
• Starlink Wi-Fi ：Available with surcharge
• Laundry Service：Available with surcharge
• Massage Service：Not available at the moment
• Payment on board：Cash(USD/FJD), credit cards
• Crew Number：14, include 2 dive guides.

FIJI SCUBA DIVING EXPEDITIONS

The NAI’A itinerary appeals to both experienced and beginning divers. However, We would like you to have the mandatory Deep and Navigation and we would strongly encourage you to do the Drift and Buoyancy portions. We would also like you to complete 30 dives within 1 calendar year prior to joining Nai’a. This is to ensure that you are really comfortable in the water as a comfortable diver is a safe diver.

On many boats a "seven-day" charter includes seven nights but only five full dive days plus one dive on the sixth day (and you are asked to go ashore for dinner on the final night). By contrast, a NAI’A seven-day charter has seven nights and six full dive days plus a dive on the first afternoon aboard. Our 10-day trips schedule nine dive days plus the first afternoon dive. A much more accurate assessment of the value of a trip is to consider the cost per dive day.

The best dive sites are the Fijian islands and barrier reefs near Vatu-i-ra in Bligh Water and Namena, Wakaya, and Gau in the Koro Sea. On 10-day charters we have more time available to dive other reefs in the Koro Sea, some of them near Namena and others near nowhere!

White-tips and grey reef sharks are pretty much everywhere and our most reliable sites for hammerheads are the offshore seamounts of Mt. Mutiny and E-6, as well as the Namena Marine Reserve and Wakaya. When Howard Hall and his crew were diving deep to make the IMAX film *Coral Reef Adventure*, they often encountered giant schools of scalloped hammerheads, but they were below 275ft! We regularly see the singletons or small schools that come up to have a look at the funny things blowing bubbles up shallow. NAI’A divers often encounter resident manta rays feeding in the outgoing current or getting cleaned at offshore cleaning stations or, like this one, coming by to say hi! Barracuda schools circle the deepwater seamounts are always keen to check out a diver.

Day 0 :
Guests should fly into Nadi Airport (NAN) one day before the cruise. Before departing the airport, please change some money at the bank in the international terminal.

Day 1:
Your cruise aboard NAI’A begins at the Lautoka Wharf at 2:00 pm on Saturday. The crew will provide transport from Nadi-area hotels and the airport at about 1:00pm. Once onboard you will receive an orientation while your luggage is taken to your stateroom. Divers will set up their gear right away in preparation for a checkout dive the first afternoon. After setting up your dive gear, light snacks will be served as we make our way to the dive site.

Day 2 - Day 7 / Day 9:
NAI’A’s precise itinerary is weather dependent, however the first location will provide ideal checkout dive conditions – close to Lautoka, relatively shallow and calm. Diving in Fiji can be challenging due to strong currents and deep drop-offs. If you have not been diving in a while or have difficulty maintaining good neutral buoyancy, we suggest taking a refresher course before your trip. You will enjoy the diving more, take better pictures and, of course, avoid damaging Fiji’s precious coral reefs.

There are no handicrafts for sale in the villages we visit, but you may find time to go to the market before or after your trip. For purchases of anything on land, the currency used in Fiji is the Fiji dollar. This may be exchanged at the airport and in towns, plus withdrawn from ATMs. Please note that handicrafts merchants, taxi drivers, etc. do not accept credit cards. Check xe.com for the most up to date exchange rate.

Day 8 / Day 10:
On the day the charter ends, continental breakfast will be available before we bid you farewell at 8am. Air-conditioned vehicles will transfer you to your hotel in Nadi hotels or to the airport.

EMBARKATION & DISEMBARKATION

You will be flying into Nadi International Airport (NAN). The staff will provide transfers from most hotels in Nadi &/or the Nadi International Airport to the boat. Pick-up begins between 1.00pm - 1.30pm on charter days.

On the day the charter ends, continental breakfast will be available before we bid you farewell at 8am. Air-conditioned vehicles will transfer you to your hotel in Nadi or to the airport.