Matava is the Grand Diamond Prize @ The Happy Hearts Love Sharks Wedding Contest

Details: Created on Thursday, 05 January 2012 20:44; Last Updated on Thursday, 05 January 2012 20:46; Written by Richard Akhtar; Hits: 86

Calling all eco-conscious couples – how would you like a honeymoon in a certified eco-resort in stunning Fiji?

By making your wedding shark-free, you can show respect to both your guests and our oceans as well as earning the opportunity to win a fabulous prize!

Enter the Happy Hearts Love Sharks - Hong Kong wedding contest now....

Courtesy of our fabulous grand prize sponsors, Air Pacific and Matava, we are thrilled to offer a grand prize which includes

Return international flights, for 2 people, from Hong Kong to Fiji’s Nadi airport*
Return domestic flight transfers, for 2 people, from Nadi to Kadavu island*
Return boat transfers from Kadavu airport to Matava, Fiji’s premier eco-adventure resort*
6 night’s accommodation in an oceanview bure at Matava
8 dives (4 x 2-tank morning dives) for two with Mad Fish Dive Centre, Matava’s on site PADI 5 Star Dive Centre and unlimited all day shore diving at The Critter Junction (NB. For non-divers, scuba diving package can be exchanged for other resort activities)
Traditional Lovo Feast and Kava ceremony
All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, unlimited tea/coffee)
All taxes for food/accommodation at Matava*

*Winners must pay taxes and surcharges for flights. Availability for the grand prize flights and accommodation package will be subject to blackout dates to be confirmed in the winner’s Grand Diamond Prize confirmation letter.

Enter contest now!

Asia Pacific’s first PADI Green Star Award awarded to mad Fish Dive Centre and Matava, Fiji

Details: Created on Monday, 05 December 2011 22:26; Last Updated on Monday, 05 December 2011 22:33; Written by Richard Akhtar; Hits: 65

We’re pleased to announce that Matava – Fijis Premier Eco Adventure Resort has received the first PADI Green Star award in the Asia Pacific region in November 2011 for our sustainable and eco-conscious environmental activities and business practices.

The program helps PADI Dive Centers and Resorts identify practical actions they can take to protect and preserve the environment. Because they choose which conservation actions they would like to implement, PADI Dive Centers and Resorts can completely customize the program for their businesses.

“There’s more to going green than simply jumping on the eco bandwagon,” says Bob Coleman, Vice President of Sales, Retailer and Resort Association, PADI Americas, Latin America and Canada. “Well-organized conservation initiatives can reduce costs while strengthening your brand, especially when you strategically introduce them into your overall business plan.

Divers and Dental Professionals Combine Work and Passion for Scuba Diving Through Fiji Project

Details: Created on Thursday, 29 July 2010 00:30; Last Updated on Friday, 09 September 2011 01:24; Written by Stuart Gow; Hits: 299

By Mark Fischer
Owner, HydroSports Dive and Travel

Most people think of Fiji as an island paradise. But four airports, three types of aircraft, 19 time zones and 30 travel-hours from HydroSports (Keizer, Oregon) is the village of Kadavu Koro. Remote by both distance and time villagers have almost no access to medical or dental care. Located on the Island of Kadavu, Kaduva Koro is home to about 300 people.

I have visited Fiji 12 times over the past 10 years. During my stays I was able to visit the village and local primary and secondary schools and received an education about the availability of health care at the village level. What I learned was that while care is readily available in cities, at the village level, care is scarce.

Digital Underwater Photography Workshop Week with Mathieu Meur

Details: Created on Saturday, 14 May 2011 23:25; Last Updated on Friday, 09 September 2011 01:24; Written by Richard Akhtar; Hits: 206

5th Underwater Festival™ 2011 (UF11)

‘The Australasia Challenge’

@

3rd – 10th September 2011

Hosted by Mathieu Meur, Underwater Photographer
Daily photo workshops
Practical in water assistance
In depth RAW photo post processing labs
7 night stay at Matava in an Oceanview Bure
All meals and airport transfers included
5 days of 3 tank boat dives – 15 dives (incl 1 night dive)
Complimentary unlimited shore diving
Guided waterfall hike and village visit
Free use of kayaks, snorkelling around the resort
Free PADI Coral Conservation Course on one afternoon
Traditional Lovo Feast and Kava Ceremony

Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort becomes NatureFiji-MareqetiViti's First Resort Corporate Member

Details: Created on Monday, 03 May 2010 02:09; Last Updated on Friday, 09 September 2011 01:26; Written by Stuart Gow; Hits: 138

KADAVU, FIJI ISLANDS - 4 May 2010 - Matava is proud to support NatureFiji-MareqetiViti, Fiji's only domestic conservation NGO in its mission to work solely for the conservation and sustainable management of Fiji's unique natural heritage.

In line with its environmental policies Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure resort has committed to support a growing local NGO NatureFiji-MareqetiViti.

"Matava decided to sponsor this NatureFiji-MareqetiViti after discussions with one of the trustees, Dr Dick Watling, and realising the common interests and goals of Matava and NatureFiji-MareqetiViti" said Matava Director, Mr Stuart Gow. "It is a natural fit for us, and we have already found much common ground in our activities"

"We are currently working with NatureFiji-MareqetiViti under the Resorts' Conservation Values Programme to start a Sago Palm nursery at the resort in Kadavu." he continued. "We are the first resort to recognise the economic and cultural significance of the sago palm and to make a concerted effort to restore a habitat which has been allowed to disappear throughout Fiji. We hope to have this established by the middle of 2010"

NatureFiji-MareqetiViti is Fiji's only domestic NGO working solely for the conservation and sustainable management of Fiji's unique natural heritage.

They aim to generate enthusiasm and local expertise in all matters associated with wildlife conservation and management through raising the level of conservation and environmental awareness and education mission is to enhance biodiversity and habitat conservation, endangered species protection and sustainable use of natural resources of the Fiji Islands through the promotion of collaborative conservation action, awareness raising, education, research and biodiversity information exchange.

"We are delighted to welcome Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort to our list of Corporate Sponsors." said Ms Nunia Thomas, Conservation Coordinator of NatureFiji-MareqetiViti . "It has long been our aim to partner with the Tourism industry and Matava is an ideal first partner and sponsor in this regard. We look forward to working with them on our Pilot Project for replanting the critically endangered Sago Palms in a resort environment."

Sago palm planting by NatureFiji-MareqetiViti volunteers

NatureFiji-MareqetiViti's Resorts' Conservation Values Programme

Most resorts are usually unaware of the conservation values and potential of their island, landholdings, immediate surrounds etc. Some have great potential to manage and develop these both for conservation purposes and visitor interest. They also have a captive market for involvement and fund raising.

NatureFiji-MareqetiViti can help these resorts identify the Conservation Values of the resorts and hotels with an outline of what management requirements are applicable and practical. This service is offered on an expenses only basis and most of Fiji's leading terrestrial and marine ecologists have agreed to participate in this programme.

"With the addition of this sponsor partnership we hope to further assist NatureFiji-MareqetiViti in its resort and conservation programmes" continued Mr Gow. "We hope to get further involved specifically with the search for the The Fiji petrel. It is thought that as well as on Gau, that this rare endemic bird may nest on Kadavu ".

Mr Gow finished by saying "We would like to thank all friends and clients of Matava and look forward to working tpgether with NatureFiji-MareqetiViti this year, and in the future, for the conservation and sustainable management of Fiji's natural resources."

NatureFiji-MareqetiViti is Fiji's only domestic NGO working solely for the conservation and sustainable management of Fiji's unique natural heritage. They aim to generate enthusiasm and local expertise in all matters associated with wildlife conservation and management through raising the level of conservation and environmental awareness and education. NatureFiji-MareqetiViti's mission is to enhance biodiversity and habitat conservation, endangered species protection and sustainable use of natural resources of the Fiji Islands through the promotion of collaborative conservation action, awareness raising, education, research and biodiversity information exchange.

Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort, is an eco adventure getaway offering you a fun and unique blend of cultural experiences and adventure activities in the environmentally pristine and remote island of Kadavu in the Fiji Islands. Matava - Fiji Premier Eco Adventure Resort is a PADI Dive 5 Star Resort as well as a Project AWARE GoEco Operator. Matava offers accommodation for up to 22 guests in lush tropical surroundings in traditional thatched Fijian 'bures' with hardwood polished floors, louvre windows and private decks offering privacy, comfort and superb ocean views.