Superyacht Private Expeditions (SPE), specialising in tailor-made international dive adventures, are pleased to announced the opening of their new offices situated in the beautiful South Pacific yacht charter destination Fiji, at the Marina Denarau. The new offices have been opened to service the breath-taking underwater playground of the region.
Diving in Fiji – Photo credit Rodolphe Holler / Superyacht Private Expeditions
As a result of the successful Tahiti Private Expeditions (TPE), owners Christelle and Rodolphe Holler developed SPE a few years ago to satisfy the needs of discerning superyacht customers wishing to explore new areas in the Pacific and South East Asia with trusted dive experts.
With the main office in Auckland, New Zealand, the powerhouse couple has weighty industry and client credentials backing their latest venture. Rodolphe is a dive instructor, marine biologist and professional underwater photographer, filmmaker and award winner of the 2nd Tahiti Underwater Film Festival (FISPOL). Christelle is a dive master, long-time consultant to the Tahiti Department of Tourism in charge of promoting the destination to the superyacht industry and has significant high-end international hospitality experience.
David Jamieson, superyacht captain, dive master and Fiji resident of more than 10 years has been hand chosen as the manager of the Fiji operations for SPE.
Underwater world in Fiji – Photo credit Rodolphe Holler / Superyacht Private Expeditions
“Combining significant dive experience, extensive local knowledge and contacts with the drive to create outstanding tailored experiences for our clients make David and his team the natural choice” says Christelle Holler.
Jamieson first arrived in Fiji as captain of the 30m classic yacht sailing yacht Aile Blanche in 1999. He has been the owner of the Superyacht shore support agency, Asia Pacific Superyachts Fiji (previously Yacht Help Fiji) for the past 13 years. This provides him with a unique insight into the wants, needs and expectations of today’s superyacht owner, both onshore and off. Asia Pacific Superyachts Fiji has joined Superyacht Private Expeditions as a partner in providing the best diving experience in Fiji for visiting private yachts as well as charter superyachts.
“I’m excited to share my expertise and enthusiasm for diving in Fiji. Although Fiji benefits from strong tourism only 110 of the 332 islands are inhabited. Most of these islands are of volcanic origin and feature great sheltered anchorages for superyachts. Few yachts go there so you feel like you are the first ones to explore the area; notably with a custom itinerary tailored to each guest’s experience and interests whether the group is experienced, complete beginners or includes children. The ongoing project of turning the Vatu-i-ra area into a Marine protected area means there is even more dive excitement coming up in Fiji” says Jamieson.
Fiji yacht charterers can expect tropical weather patterns similar to Tahiti, however both destinations offer two completely contrasting and unique experiences. Fiji is abound with a profusion of thousands of small colourful fish, shark encounters aplenty and abundant magical soft coral, whilst Tahiti is known for thrilling drift dives, brushes with dolphins, manta rays and humpback whales amidst expansive coral reefs. This makes Fiji the natural ‘next location’ to visit arriving from Tahiti in a journey through the Pacific particularly at a time where Fiji is developing a marine protected area.
Superyacht Private Expeditions will continue to provide the highest quality dive experience in Fiji that clients of TPE have become familiar with; namely using the very best dive guides, professionally trained underwater videographers and the latest technology to enable clients to share their adventures with friends and family all over the world.
“Onboard dive crew are often very busy when guests are onboard and diving is not their sole responsibility so having a dedicated person in charge of this activity makes things much easier for the crew and captain,” says Holler. “Not only are we peace of mind for the captain we also support charter managers and brokers in setting up custom itineraries for their clients in areas they have sometimes not experienced themselves. We step onboard to make our clients’ trip unforgettable.”
TPE and SPE’s rich portfolio of superyacht clients includes: Charter Expedition Yacht Big Fish, Mega Yacht Octopus, Luxury Support Charter Yacht SuRi, S/Y Silencio, M/Y Askari, Charter Motor Yacht Unbridled, M/Y A, and Charter Superyacht Maltese Falcon.
“Quite often we’ll work with yachts on both their charter and owner’s trips,” notes Holler, saying that they recently worked for clients of Sailing Yacht Silencio on a Tahiti yacht charter having previously worked with the owner. A same guide is often requested to join in another destination the following season.
SPE is expanding to other fantastic yachting destinations in order to offer professional tailored itineraries and consistently excellent dive standards throughout the Pacific; from one destination to the next.
Ni sa bula vinaka! Superyacht Private Expeditions looks forward to welcoming you to Fiji.
