Deep Dive Memories

1. PICK A REPUTABLE OPERATOR

With a staggering 71 per cent of the earth being covered by water, learning to dive is an incredible privilege. And in the South Pacific, it’s also a luxury with plenty of operators and stunning reefs galore from which to choose. One of the newest – South Pacific Memories’ owners Anne Nesheim and Petter Lambine – combine their passion and expertise with one-on-one instruction.

2. SLEEP WELL

Ni-Vanuatu artist Robae Daniel has lent his creativity to the four beautiful beachside bungalows at South Pacific Memories. And the great luxury is that you can spend all day in the water and walk mere metres to your accommodation, replete with rooftop terraces for some serious star gazing, before snatching some well-earned rest required for your next day’s dive.

3. EAT WELL

Diving will make you ravenous. And the best part is you don’t have to venture far for food. Not only is Anne a divine cook but she has recently employed an Italian chef. Here, in the garden restaurant overlooking the ocean, feast on a four-course set menu that changes daily and relies heavily on local and organic produce. There’s also wine, beer, cocktails, soft drinks, coffee and tea. So good is the food here, that even non-divers and guests who are not staying inhouse flock here for lunch and dinner, Monday to Sunday.

4. BE PATIENT

While luxury here is a given, patience is a virtue. On this threeday PADI-accredited course, you will spend much of your first day out of the water, learning about all of the equipment, studying the ocean and ‘planning the dive’ so that you can ‘dive the plan’. Each day, this level of attention to detail will be repeated to ensure that your first experience of learning to dive is a positive and safe one equipping you with skills you can take anywhere around the world.

5. BE PERSISTENT

You’re working with Mother Nature so the water may be cold. Thankfully, South Pacific Memories works around this with cups of hot herbal tea and towelling robes in which to indulge in between dives. Petter and Anne will also ensure that if at first you don’t succeed, you try again. On my second day, I was unable to equalise my ears, which makes diving impossible. Petter and Anne worked with me to rule out potential issues such as an oncoming head cold and sent me instructional videos on how to clear my ears by swallowing and pinching my nose at the same time. Many first-time divers experience this issue. Don’t give up.

6. TRUST YOUR INSTRUCTOR

The luxury of having a one-on-one instructor when learning to dive should never be underestimated. While other dive operations around the world adopt more of a numbers approach to their classes, here, you’ll form a close relationship with Petter and Annie who will take turns in informing you on your strengths and weaknesses. One of the most challenging parts of this course is learning to completely remove your mask while deep underwater, keeping your eyes closed, learning to blow water from your nose, and reattaching your mask. Throughout all of this, your instructors are holding your wetsuit for reassurance.

7. TRUST YOUR INSTINCT

How often in this life do we truly have the luxury of trusting our instinct? Underwater, where on this course you’ll learn to dive as deep as 18 metres, your gut feeling is vital to your survival. These two experienced instructors will encourage you to follow your instinct and if something about the dive doesn’t resonate, listen to your inner voice. As they say “diving is about learning to say no.” Select a dive buddy who cares as much about you and your equipment as they do about their own.

8. RELAX AND ENJOY

While learning to dive can seem all about rules, regulations and regulators, at some stage you will learn to relax and enjoy the actual dive. Here, at Anne’s Reef at Angelfish Cove, you can expect to glide along a ‘dugong highway’, through a plethora of friendly fish at Rockstar Alley, and on to visit a curious turtle who lives in a cave. If that’s not the ultimate in luxury, I’m not sure what is.

The writer travelled as a guest of South Pacific Memories and Gone Diving, the Vanuatu Tourism Office, and Air Vanuatu.

Malamala Beach Club

That island holiday people dream of when they think of Fiji, often has four key elements, sun, white sand beaches, blue ocean, and palm trees waving in the breeze. With many guests staying on the mainland, that island dream is only a short trip away from the tourism hub of Port Denarau to Malamala Beach Club and only a 25-minute high-speed catamaran boat ride away.

Enjoy a full day trip departing at 10 am (or a half day for those late to rise departing at 12pm) to this picturesque island which is surrounded by crystal clear waters and circled by a white sand beach.

Malamala Beach Club boasts modern resort-style facilities, a stunning infinity edge pool and laid-back tunes played all day long.

The Pacific-inspired menu allows a range of dining options from lite bites pool-side, to full seated restaurant service. The bar is open all day long with the friendly staff taking orders from wherever you decide to hang out.

This island day trip is a ‘must do’ and truly an experience to remember.

Check out malamalabeachclub.com for more information or to make a booking.