Matava has been awarded the PADI Project AWARE Environmental Achievement Award 2008 for its policies on environmental sustainability

KADAVU, FIJI ISLANDS - 5th Februuary 2008 - Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco-Adventure Resort is proud to announce that it is an official 2008 recipient of The PADI Project AWARE Environmental Achievement Award.

Project AWARE Foundation Chairman, Dr. Drew Richardson recognizes the importance of the scuba diving community taking its part in protection of global ecosystems. "The Project AWARE Environmental Achievement Award is about rewarding vision, excellence and pursuit of conservation. More importantly, this award ensures the enjoyment of underwater environments for future generations," states Richardson.

"Our awards recognise dive operators making a positive impact on local communities and the environment, as well as providing great dive holidays! The number of outstanding environmental programs taking place is inspiring," said Joanna McNamara, Project AWARE Coordinator.

After reviewing Matava's application, Project AWARE determined that our dive operation met all requirements set forth for Project AWARE's Environmental Achievement Award and shown exemplary efforts to conserve aquatic environments through education, advocacy and action. Therefore, Project AWARE was proud to name Matava an official 2008 recipient!

Matava Director, Mr Richard Akhtar says "The PADI Project AWARE Environmental Achievement Award gives us special environmental recognition and shows our customers that we are responsible and committed to reducing the environmental impacts of our business."

"After 6 years of hard work and commitment to our strict environmental policies, it is rewarding to be recognized by our international scuba certification agency"

Mr Akhtar went on to say that "..after our recent major resort upgrade in early 2008, and the addition of our new high-tech solar power plant solution for the Main Bure, kitchen and The Terrace restaurant area, we believe we are the leader in eco-sustainable resorts in the country."

Mr Akhtar finished by saying "Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco-Adventure Resort has proved that it is indeed among the leaders in environmentally sensitive resorts worldwide, and this latest award solidifies our position as an example of how resorts can operate AND help maintain and improve the surrounding environment."

Project AWARE Foundation, a registered nonprofit organization, works in direct partnership with divers and water enthusiasts to conserve underwater environments through education, advocacy and action. To get involved in environmental activities and make a lasting difference visit www.projectaware.org

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 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

Mad Fish Dive Centre and Bite-Me Gamefishing Charters are our on-site diving and fishing specialists offering the best of both under and on the water activities.

www.Matava.com www.Scuba-Diving-Fiji.com www.GamefishingFiji.com

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2008 Environmental Achievement Award

Matava resort is a fantastic place to visit. Dont go there with preconcieved ideas of spa treatments or cocktails served to you by the pool, if your looking for that go else where. However if your looking for a lifetime of memories and experiences and a trip you wont forget then stop here and book immediately.

The resort is fantastically present for either diving, fishing or just pure relaxation with everything you need readily available. You are treated to a wonderful three course meal every night with fresh locally grown or caught food, cold drinks and the most friendly local people you could ever imagine. Instant friends.

The accomodation is a wonderful and extremely clean Bure's with ensuites, hot water for extra comfort and views from a deck people pay millions for. Everyone at the resort including Directors make you feel most welcome and help with every need, and enjoy a cold drink with guest in the evening which is always nice.

For Diving, its world class
For Fishing well World class
For pure relaxation world class and plenty of activites to keep you occupied

Visit Matava resort if your going to Fiji, dont waste your time anywhere else, seriously a great place.

When your there make sure you say hello to Maggie and remind him of Uncle Doug everyones friend.

Oh if you read this far then only negitives would be not a kid friendly place, which may not be a negitive after all and I could see it getting alittle sticky at night with no wind as there isnt any fans in the Bure's.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g308244-d325467-r53246785-Matava_Fiji_s_Premier_Eco_Adventure_Resort-Kadavu_Island.html#CHECK_RATES_CONT

This place is a little slice of heaven. However, if you are the type that likes to be entertained or have schedules then this isn't the place for you. We spent 5 days here and didn't dive or fish but we were busy. We went kayaking, hiking, exploring the mud flats, snorkling (it's quite good right out front of the resort) and just relaxed and slept. A much needed rest.
The food was great and all staff were friendly and helpful. Oh, we did take the kayak trip to the remote village and although our guide didn't seem super pumped to be out there with us, we had a fantastic adventure with him. he was knowledgeable. The village was a highlight and the voices of the children singing to us while we hiked to the waterfall is one of my favorite memories. It was hard to leave this place.

It's rustic and wonderful, our type of place.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g308244-d325467-Reviews-Matava_Fiji_s_Premier_Eco_Adventure_Resort-Kadavu_Island.html

I visited this resort with a group of friends for a week of diving, and found it a really neat experience. We had some great dives out on the Astrolabe reef, where we saw and photographed some wonderful sea-life. The staff were a really helpful, fun-loving lot, and Richard made us feel at home, and ensured we had plenty of time to recharge our camera batteries, and laptops etc. The food was fantastic, and the whole place clean and tidy.
I had read in a review that at night it could get a bit cold, but we found there were blankets if you needed them, as well as a mosquito net over the bed, so we had lovely snug, pest free sleeps and were able to recharge ourselves ready for the next days activities. I loved the remoteness of Matava, the wonderful bush walks, seeing a nearby village, and their way of life. Some of the staff came from there. I thoroughly recommend the place to anyone with a sense of adventure, and a positive attitude.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g308244-d325467-Reviews-Matava_Fiji_s_Premier_Eco_Adventure_Resort-Kadavu_Island.html

We have just returned after ten days, 8 days diving, at Matava. We had a great time, the staff are excellent and interact with the guests as much as possible. The food is very good and there is plenty even for big eaters like us. The diving was great, Manta Reef we absolutely loved even though the manta were not present, the reef and fish there is breathtaking. There were also a lot of non-divers at the resort and they were having a great time as well with the village walks etc that you did not have to dig deep in your pockets for unlike a lot of other places that we have been.

The only tips we have is to take something warm in the winter for the nights and on the boat when you are out of the water, and, have a guide with you for the waterfall at the village. Overall we highly recommend the resort to divers and non-divers especially if you would like some peace and quiet with no television, phones, internet and a small number of guests.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g308244-d325467-Reviews-Matava_Fiji_s_Premier_Eco_Adventure_Resort-Kadavu_Island.html