•nApsrMos joaufaaj o uo J/DJODl/os plSDfj :pwnojg>fpog -onb/jnoq

l/D O3JD UOIMJ333J ^JJOSSy SjDUIOf^

sasnot/ JDI^J ojnq at/_£ :iasu> do_£'

Ajjuaoaj i; 'smqqoy A>pagpue Auoj. sjnauejdajiua UBD-U9LUV Aq pau/v\o 'eag ojo>j aiuo aSejucuj ueaoo p saiioi aajq;U,;IM suapjcS a|6unf pajnoiuetuAnn^jneeq jo Sajoe (.21 SUOLUB

-ui >|OBq aoueujoj am jnd UBO noAajau.M'AEMEia6 eje/vud e sja^o

PUB ujaiqojd sm; oj ja/wsuB aqjjo^ 6uj>)OO| ueaq 8Ata/\/\ -xeiej AIJB-aj jaAau noA 'jau.;aBoj auji eiwil e}a6 op noA uaq/v\ uaAa ;BL|; siuaes}\ "9uo paAO| jnoA g;i/v\ auju Aof-ua 01 }|noi^jp ij a>jBLu ssajjs —PUB a^ujs AIJBP saiwiaoio

IHVJVyQ 30S QNV >IDVf A3AHdVyDOlOHd ONV1X31

.

>'

JO JOp

ijj piiuv

underwent a $2.5 million renovation andthe results are marvelous.

The eight thatched bures (Fijian cot-tages), perched atop lava pinnacles,were designed around the giant rain-trees that dot the property. Each bure isactually two buildings joined by a con-necting hallway, ensuring luxury and pri-vacy. The bathrooms have either glas-sed-in showers that open to your privateoutdoor deck or a spa tub surroundedby windows that overlook the sea. Youroutdoor deck has comfortable rockingchairs so you can sit and enjoy a goodbook or just relax and enjoy the view.

Some people come to Namale Resortto relax, rest and unwind. Others findthey cannot fit in all the available activi-ties during their short stay. Namale of-fers sunbathing, horseback riding on thebeach, visits to the local village, tennison lighted courts, beach volleyball, bas-ketball, waterskiing, windsurfing, sailing,canoeing, kayaking, snorkeling andworld-class scuba diving. A gentle rainforest hiking trail winds along a river to abreathtaking waterfall. You can evenmelt away in the hottub and be sweptaway by the magnificent colors of theFijian sunset.

As you can see, there is much more todo than just scuba dive. But, since you

NUKUBATl

Vanua Levu

•SAVUSAVU

7

' I A V I I \I

K o r o Sfa

KOKO

S D M T R A V E LAT A G L A N C ENamale Resort isbest known for:

• Pastoral serenity• Dramatic walls• Giant soft coral trees•Abundantfish and

invertebrates

are readingSKIN DIVER,you probablywant to know allabout the diving.

The PADI diveshop sits right atthe edge of themarina. If youhaven't broughtgear, they will provide anything you needand it will be included in the price of thediving. The shop features an area wherethe staff will hang and store your divegear between dives. Namale offers twotank dives in the morning to some ofFiji's finest sites.

Our first dive was to a pinnacle calledDream House just minutes away. Oncewe jumped into the water, we were metwith a friendly school of Batfish. They cir-cled us, providing some fine photo op-portunities. Once we dropped deeper,the soft corals were in full color even

(Continued on Page 138)

\ V I N T H R SPHCIAI .1896.00

A unique ana attractive private island n.wr/combining natural beauty with casual elegance, modem comforts,

fine food and excellent fcrricc. Beachside or hiuside r.\>»i-:,air conditioned, with phone, cable TV refrigerator / nigntsA/C accommodation!,

and private f\ilic>. Dedicated dive spent i^H. fun service nhiriiM, unlimited diving on botnOH watersports, tennis and basketball courts. North (.' Soutn ^ t > , i < l ol Roatan,

I ' l i n t f i s y [•land Hc.uli Ixcsorl Divi-^ ' M.irin.i • WBUxanecpcfct*il|ROATAN' I J A V I S I A N D S - I IONDl ' l iVS and airport tranrfcn.

(8(M))h7h-282h • (81 3) 835-44-W - O i l (504) 45-5 I « ) I ( LlNl> ""' included.)

crde f84 on Reader Service Card

Spoiled Divers.Unspoi led^Divi

jicjiytJ j'y

DIVE•Dramatic•Blue ^ters and,•The famed wreck.INJOY

' ji ' *** ••Trilly ofltstanding topside scenery•Beaching, salnng and pure relaxation^Easy access to do/ens of nearby islands

An exceptional combinationof distinctive diving and

superb tropical attrac•

The 5-Star Dive Centerwith the Personal Touch

Tortola,British Virgin I slit nils

Field Station

call toll free800-650-2084

phone 8094945854fax 8094945853

e-mail: baskindive@aol.comwww. dive-baskin.com

© 1997 Michael Lawrence

circle M4 on Reader Service Card SKIN DIVER APRIL 1997 115

SPECTACULARSAVUSAVU(Continued from Page 115)

though there was virtually no current.Schools of glistening Barracuda cruisedthe edge of the reef.

The next dive site was called Fan Fairand, as you might guess, the bommieswere covered with seafans. There wereseveral swim-throughs and everywherewe looked fish and critters were waitingto have their pictures taken.

Tunais Reef is group of 20 untouchedcoral bommies that allow an easy dive

above 60 feet. The plate corals were so •pristine we had the feeling we were thefirst to see them.

On the Savusavu side of the island wedived the great Hole in the Wall. As wecruised the edge of the reef, we cameacross a large hole in the wall thatdropped down to the depths of the reef.The diversity of animal life found on thisreef would challenge any site worldwide.

Although it is a long boat ride, occa-sionally Namale makes the trek toNamena. This world famous site fea-tures the thrill of diving the tidal exchangethrough a cut in the reef that surrounds

YOUR UNDERWATER PHOTOand VIDEO SOURCE!

euua-marine

TUSSEY

SHfeSEAUAMMMTM (MUM tOUPMMT

Coll for our everyday low Helix pricing &availability. We accept Visa, MasterCards, Discover.

HELIXCAMERA & VIDEO310 S. Racine Ave., Chicago, IL 60607800/33-HELIX • FAX: 312/421-2804http: //www.mastermall.com/helix

email: helixuw@aol.comorcte *79 on Reader Servee Card

Top: The tastefully furnished interiors of thebures reflect a strong Fijian influence. Above:The bedrooms are airy and comfortable.

the island. As the current carries you, youare greeted by sharks, rays and largecritters that are normally skittish.

As you can see, the diving was fantasticbut we were here to experience all thatNamale had to offer. Try as we might, wejust couldn't fit all the other activities intoour afternoons. There're just too manythings to do! As the sun snowed its finalcolors of the day, we headed hand in handto the main bure for pre-dinner drinks withthe other guests.

FIJI BOUND

Flights to Fiji are available throughAir Pacific and Qantas. The nonstop AirPacific flight from Los Angeles to Fiji'sInternational Airport in Nadi takes ap-proximately 10 hours. Namale Resort,in Savusavu on Vanua Levu, is anhour's flight from Nadi via either Air Fijior Sunflower Airlines.

Air Pacific(800)227-4446Qantas Airlines(800) 227-4500

Air Fiji(800) 677-4277 (in U.S.)

Sunflower Airlines(888) DIVE FIJI (in U.S.)

In true island flavor, we were notifiedfor all meals by the rhythmic beat of the/a// drum. At Namale you can elect to dineand converse with the other guests orenjoy total privacy. There are several pri-vate decks with awesome ocean views

138 SKIN DIVER APRIL 1997

SPECTACULARSAVUSAVU

perfect for an intimate candlelight dinnerfor two. The cuisine is a wonderful com-bination of Fijian, Indian and Europeandelicacies mixed with fresh fruit and veg-etables. The restaurant features finewines from all over the world, a surecomplement to the meal.

Namale Resort is the perfect place toenjoy the total Fijian experience. We werewarmly welcomed into the neighboringvillage where we witnessed the Fijian'ssimple lifestyle. In the evening, theNamale band serenaded us with nativesongs and shared a bilo (half a coconutshell) of kava. We were also treated to ameke, a festival of dance and song, pre-sented by members of the local village.The magic of Fiji seems to be everywhereat Namale!

Namale Resort provides a sanctuary ofseclusion that allows a romance to rekindleor to blossom and grow. The Fijian peopleoffer friendship freely and smiles flow easi-ly. As they sing you Isa Lei, the Fijianfarewell song, they know you'll be back.You're a member of the Namale familynow and you've experienced paradise.

For more information/and or reserva-tions, contact Namale Resort's U.S. of-fice at (800) 727-FIJI, (619) 535-6381 orfax (619) 535-6385.

OOOOOOOOOQ.Dive NotesTHE DIVE SHOP: The Dive Shop,

Barbados' oldest established dive opera-tion, is now offering dive trips to the eastside of the island. Owner/operatorHaroon Degia is expanding The DiveShop's range to provide divers with theopportunity to experience the high ener-gy diving available in this seldom visitedarea. Dramatically different from the more

protected west coast, the east coast fea-tures coral covered boulders and manylarge pelagics, including occasionalManta Ray sightings. Because the eastcoast is exposed to the trade winds, es-pecially during the winter months, divingthere is weather dependent. Summer isthe best time to schedule your trip if ex-

ploring the east coast is on your agenda.Barbados has excellent diving year-

round on the entire south and westcoasts, with some of the finest wrecksand reefs in the Caribbean. The DiveShop is centrally located on Carlisle Bay,only minutes away from most dive sites.Three superb wrecks, Eillion, Ce-Trekand Berwyn, are in shallow water lessthan five minutes from the shop. TheBerwyn is a superb location for photog-raphers, offering many opportunities forevery lens and strobe combination. TheStavronikita, a 365 foot freighter sunk in1978, is only a short run to the north.Also close by is a wide variety of reefdives, with profiles from 20 to 130 feet.

The Dive Shop is the only operatorwith a location at the Bridgetown CruiseShip Terminal, a great convenience fordivers arriving by cruise ship. Step off theship with only your C-card in your pocketand The Dive Shop will arrange every-thing else, including rental gear. A fullrange of PADI, NAUI and ACUC instruc-tion is also available.

For more information call The DiveShop at (800) 513-5823, (246) 426-9947or fax (246) 426-2031.

Diver EducationDoesn't End withCertification

PROFESSIONAL DIVE SHOPSPAD! 5 STAR IDC TRAINING CENTER

AUTHORIZED DISTRIBUTOR OF U.S. DIVERS, TUSA. SHERWOOD,U.S. TECH, DACOR, BAYSIDE, BEUCHAT, VIKING, MARES, POSEIDON,

DIVERITE, PLUS OVER 70 ADDITIONAL MANUFACTURERS.

Join us for our Annual Our World Underwater SaleApril 11th, 12th and 13th. Save up to 50% off Retail

Can 7 make it in: Call us from the time you see this ad untilthe end of April and we will honor the sale price on all items!

BERRYLOMBARDV) YORKTOWN CENTER

LOMBARD. IL 60148(630) 49S-2KJj

BERRY PALATI\E1294 E. DUNDEE RD.

PALATINE. IL 60067

(847)358-3848BERRYCHICAGO

6674 N. NORT1INVEST HWY

CHICAGO. IL 60631

(773)763-1626Fax (773) 775-1815

CHICAGO AND ATLANTA STORESONLY MINUTES FROM AIRPORTS!

E-mail us for any catalog or flyeroffer in this ad?

berryscuba@juno.com

FREE COLOR CATALOG! CALL 1 -800-621 -6019OR FAX YOUR REQUEST TO 1-773-775-1815BEUCHATVS4REGULATORBEUCHATVS OCTOPUSU.S. TECHTRAVELER B.C.D.U.S. TECHDATACOM III(Pressure gauge, maxdepth gauge, compass)

Berry's Price$549.95

Retail $1075.00

BAYSIDE POLARTEC®By Maiden Mills Four-Way Body HuggingStretch and Soft ThermalLining. Warmthequivalent to 2.5mmNeoprene. Available inMen's and Women'sSizes. (CustomPolartecs Available)

Berry's Price$149.95Retail $225 00

circle 126 on Reader Service Card

Visit the All NewBerry Scuba OutletSave on New, Used and End

of Model Year Closeouts.Choose front Companies such asU.S. Divers, Tusa, Beuchat, Dacor

plus many, many more.

Come see us at:3443 DOGWOOD AVE

HAPEVILLE, GA 30354Call for FREE flyer

(404)766-1186or Fax (404) 766-8280

SKIN DIVER APRIL 1997 141