500 Adrenaline Adventures (Frommer's) - Lois Friedland [30]
The resident marine biologist organizes daily snorkeling trips. The water is very clear here, and in many places spectacular coral formations rise close to the surface. In addition to the boat expeditions, the resort has self-guided snorkel trails minutes from the shoreline, not to mention excellent snorkeling at the end of its pier.
Watersports and relaxation are the main draw at Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort.
The fun continues out of the water, too. Every day a different cultural or ecological tour or seminar is offered. One day, you might learn basic Fijian and test your language skills during a guided village tour and a ceremony with the Village Chief. Another, you might explore the reef with a marine biologist or learn how to weave Fijian fishing baskets and fans from coconut palm leaves.
Guests stay in luxurious Fijian-style bures, villas with air-conditioning and Internet access. The meals incorporate local fare: fresh fish and herbs and spices from the resort’s garden. The eco-sensitive resort has created a clam farm, where some 40 giant clams thrive and data is collected to educate both guests and locals about sustainable resources. The goal is to help re-establish a food source for local villagers in future years.
Fiji has been called the “Soft Coral Capital of the World” for good reason. Some of the best diving is found in the Northern Group, where the resort is located. Boats take resort guests to spectacular dive spots, such as Namena Island, where barracuda, dog-tooth tuna, manta rays, and large sharks parade among the multi-colored soft corals and coral gardens. At Dreamhouse in the Koro Sea, a sea mount is a wonderful feeding ground for small fish and the larger pelagic fish, such as barracuda and shark. —LF
Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort ( 800/246-3454 in the U.S. or Canada, or 415/788-5794; www.fijiresort.com).
When to Go: The water is warmest during Fiji’s summer, Jan–Mar. A full wetsuit is recommended in winter, July–Aug.
Savusavu Airport.
$$$$ Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort ( 800/246-3454 in the U.S. or Canada, or 415/788-5794; www.fijiresort.com).
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A Submarine Tour
Embarking on a Covert Mission under the Sea
Tumon, Guam
Wish there was a thrill ride you could share with the kids? A submarine tour is the perfect family adventure. After all, it’s never too early to start marveling at the earth’s wonders, and the jaw-dropping underwater views off the coast of Guam are enough to get any 10-year-old’s heart pumping. Teens will also get a kick out of the James Bond–like act of covertly slinking through the Pacific Ocean in a real submarine.
From the shores of Tumon, Guam, your tour begins with a 15-minute boat ride to a fully submersible 20m-long (65 ft.) submarine that can carry up to 45 passengers. Each dive lasts about 45 minutes, and the kids’ faces will probably be pressed up against the custom-designed glass windows for most of it. Precise maneuvering allows the sub to get daringly close to coral reefs, teeming with tropical fish and other unique sea creatures. It’s not quite as exciting as scuba diving, but you’ll be able to go as deep as 45m (150 ft.) at times, and you don’t have to squeeze into a wetsuit.
Even better, the fun isn’t over once you get back on dry land. The far-flung tropical island of Guam, a U.S. territory in the Marina Islands of Micronesia, offers countless activities to keep the whole family amused for at least a week. To relax, you can hang out on the beach, or maybe sneak away for a round of golf at one of Guam’s seven world-class courses. When you’re ready to kick it back up a notch, choose from scuba diving (complete with underwater wrecks from World War II), snorkeling, jet-skiing, wind surfing, kayaking,