We were recently featured in Travel Inc Fiji Magazine which is available in Australia and New Zealand.
A copy appears below.
Some things are meant to be – and the way Sea Fiji Reefs started does indicate that somehow the company was destined to come into being. Cyndee Butcher says her husband Wayne and (now) fellow business partner Alex Wienczugow were talking things over with a beer at one of the local resorts. ‘They both had the same idea at the same time. Then they Googled glass bottom boats and they came up with the same boat.’
The result is Sea Venture – the only glass bottom hydro-plane in the Southern Hemisphere. Combining speed with superb opportunities to view reef and sea life, the vessel operates from Pacific Harbour out to Beqa Lagoon.
Butcher says Sea Venture represents a ‘quantum leap from your average glass bottom boat’ and reaches the first reef in 20 minutes (the trip would usually take 45).
‘It is the most fun you can have under water without getting wet.’ Sea Fiji Reefs is focusing on the family market as well as general leisure travellers and cruise ship guests. ‘Kids love the thrilling ride and families enjoy the activity together.’
The experience is ideal for ‘time poor’ visitors to Fiji who don’t have the time (or possibly the inclination) to dive or snorkel. ‘Two hours is plenty of time. People can see two different sites and go right into Beqa Lagoon.’
As part of Sea Fiji Reefs community work, we treated the students of Pacific Harbour Multicultural School for a trip to the reefs! The Kids were very excited about seeing the turtles and all the different types of fish….we were very happy to share their enthusiasm about what we are offering to our guests.
World Supermodel participants at this weeks event at The Pearl South Pacific Resort, happily board the Sea Venture for a high speed adventure to Beqa Lagoon magnificent reefs.
The World Supermodel Pageant is an International competition for models aged between 20-30yrs and was created to find out who are the leading world Supermodels regardless of their marital status.
Gregg Cannizzaro, CEO of Go Indie TV, directed the photo shoot on board Sea Venture, Sea Fiji Reefs at Yanuca Island, Fiji
World Supermodel contestants gathered at Yanuca Island, Fiji for group media photos, while preparing for their photo session on board Sea Venture
Finals for World Supermodel Pageant were held at The Pearl South Pacific Resort, Pacific Harbour Fiji, with Nature from Botswana winning the coverted title.
An exciting underwater world awaits intrepid families and curious snorkelers in the pristine and turquoise waters off Beqa Island. Known as one of the best diving spots in Fiji, the reefs off Beqa are a spectacular place to see all kinds of exotic tropical fish, dolphins, sharks, turtles and even whales.
Grab the family and begin your adventure with a slow cruise out through Pacific Harbour, one of Fiji’s most popular ports, on the all new hydrofoil boat – the Sea Venture run by Sea Fiji Reefs. The boat looks like something from the future and has a huge 35ft glass bottom, perfect for viewing the reef below. It also sports one of the world’s largest optical viewing ports at the front of the boat so you don’t miss a thing both above and beneath the water.
Once past the heads, the hydrofoil rises out of the water and flies across the waves at a speed of 40 knots. It is definitely a thrill that anyone would love.
The captain of the Sea Venture knows all the best reefs and with the glass bottom viewing area, you’re able to see everything under water without getting wet. The water is so clear and beautiful that it will make you want to take a dip.
Article Originally Published November 21, Fiji Airways
Read Full Article Here
A TOUR company in Pacific Harbour has introduced a revolutionary and innovative 35-feet glass bottom boat to boost operations in the country.
The futuristic investment for Sea Fiji Reefs arrived in Fiji this year and started its first trip to the Beqa Lagoon for coral viewing in September.
While a significant amount of money had been invested in this impressive vessel, Sea Fiji Reefs business partner Alex Wienczugow said the boat was a first of its kind in Fiji and the Southern Hemisphere.
“Our vessel has the ability to move quickly and comfortably to a variety of reef locations allowing our guests the opportunity to view a greater selection of the spectacular array and soft coral reefs and colourful marine life situated within the Beqa lagoon complex,” Mr Wienczugow said yesterday.
Business partner Cyndee Butcher said the vessel could cater for about 28 passengers and two cabin crew.
“We will be based at the Pearl South Pacific’s new marina complex once it is completed,” Mrs Butcher said.
Article Originally Published November 12, 2014 The Fiji Times
Some of us never leave our homes or home towns – or never travel overseas. It can be family pressures, hectic lifestyles, tragedies or hardships that keep us bound and we think we could never possibly get away. So Fiji Airways is looking for individuals, couples or families who truly deserve an extraordinary break, to allow them to step from the demands of the everyday and give them the chance to experience a home away from home unforgettable experience.
The airline is inviting people with remarkable stories who deserve the chance to getaway to share their stories. Some of those people will be rewarded with an unforgettable getaway and will be, as all passengers of Fiji Airways are, treated with the same warmth and care you’d expect from your family and friends at home. As soon as they embark on their journey through to touching down, they will instantly be cared for and enjoy that relaxing feeling only being amongst family and feeling at home can give you.
Nominate yourself or someone you know who truly deserves a Home Away From Home trip of a lifetime. To find out more visit http://ourhome.fijiairways.com
Now that the ‘Sea Venture’ is now safely in Pacific Harbour we have been progressing with the commissioning of the boat to comply with MSAF survey regulations.
We have tested the newly assembled maintenance trolley in our slipway for clearance and it fits perfectly.
Fijian sea trials start this week and our maiden voyage tour is not very far away…stay tuned!
The Looker 350 ‘Sea Venture‘ is now in St Petersburg, Russia container terminal on a flat rack ready for uplift onto a container ship to Fiji, we are just waiting for an available ship.
With a shortage of available container transport ships to our part of the world, we are expecting delivery from from St Petersburg in the next few weeks.
The axles and wheels are for the maintenance trailer that will be used to service the boat out of the water.
With the sea trials of our Looker 350 completed in Russia, the ‘Sea Venture’ is now on its way to Pacific Harbour Fiji where we will be starting our Glass Bottom Boat Tours, Whale Watching and Snorkelling Tours…we can’t wait for you all the see the majesty of the underwater life on our beautiful Fijian reefs.
The recent signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Ministry of Fisheries and Forests and Fiji Ports Corporation Limited will strengthen Government’s resolve to address illegal fisheries activities around the country.
The MOU will enable the monitoring, control and surveillance of fishing vessels suspected or determined to have engaged in illegal, unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.
The Ministry of Fisheries and Forests permanent secretary, Inoke Wainiqolo, highlighted that the MOU will ensure capacity building of port state inspectors and the regular inter-agency consultation for the management of fishing vessels in port.
(more…)