Seci Banuve, Senior Captain and Assistant Dive Instructor at Ra Divers
‘We arguably have the best dive sites in all of Fiji and the world with our marine rich healthy thriving coral reef systems HOME TO THOUSANDS OF fiSH SPECIES AND OF COURSE THE ‘SOFT CORAL CAPITAL OF THE WORLD’.’
Meet Seci Banuve. He is the senior Captain and Assistant Dive Instructor at Ra Divers
“I was born on the island of Yadua, Bua on the 6th of August 1967.
“I was brought up by my grandparents in Nakorokula village which is in the province of Ra.
“I attended Primary education at our local school and later secondary education at Penang High school. “I am married with five children, three girls and two boys.
“Four of my children are university graduates with the youngest now on his second year in university doing a degree in Human Resource Management (HRM).
Mr Banuve left school in 1985 and joined his grandfather who was a cane farmer helping out on the farm. “At the moment I am working for Ra Divers Fiji which is the diving and water sports department at Volivoli Beach Resort on the Suncoast of Fiji, just 3-kilometres from the Kings Highway and very easy to get to. “Volivoli Beach Resort is built right on the northern point of the main island and the location makes it very easy to get to and from our dive sites. “We have over 80-mapped dive sites with the closest one about 15-minutes ride by boat any of our five-purpose built dive boats.
“Volivoli Beach Resort has changed a lot during my 11 years of work here. “The resort has gone through a lot of development from a backpackers resort to a luxury award winning hotel nowadays.”
Below is an excerpt of an interview with Mr Banuve:
What led you to a career in professional diving?
As Nakorokula village is situated on the coast of Rakiraki, it is a hobby of every young man in the village to go free diving for fish to feed our families.
That was what really fascinated me, just watching all the beautiful creatures of the sea.
Little did I know that one day I will be guiding divers from all over the world exploring Fiji’s famous the Bligh Waters.
I started diving way back in 1996, and believe me I never regretted taking up this career.
I have met people from all sorts of backgrounds, doctors, lawyers, attorneys, firemen, teachers, movie stars, rock stars even astronauts because we all share the same passion and that is scuba diving.
What impact has COVID-19 pandemic had on your professional and personal life?
Everything was great until the COVID-19 pandemic struck Fiji and the world in March 2020.
For most of us it was like a slap on the face and as a senior staff I have to encourage my team of what to expect and what the impact of the virus would bring.
Most of us are out of work at the moment, life is a bit tough as we have kids who are in school, we also have to provide food for the family.
We do hope that this pandemic would soon be over so everything would be great again.
Where would be a good place to go diving?
To all my friends out there if we share the same passion in scuba diving try the Bligh Water and Vatu-i-Ra Conservation Park.
We arguably have the best dive sites in all of Fiji and the world with our marine rich healthy thriving coral reef systems home to thousands of fish species and of course the ‘soft coral capital of the world’.
Tell us a bit about the Diving crew at Ra Divers.
One of the great things about diving with Ra Divers is that you will be diving with local boys who know the surrounding reefs like the back of their hands.
We are always looking for new ‘apprentices’, girls and boys so if you think this career might interest you then come and see us, I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.
Tell us why you would recommend that people choose Ra Divers to learn how to dive.
If you are planning on learning to scuba dive, I would encourage you to try us out.
We have very modern dive facilities, full safety and first-aid with all crew trained and certified and just a couple of steps from the airport. We are set up to teach the very new beginner right up to dive instructors so come and experience a whole new underwater world in confidence with Fiji’s best.
Tell us about what you think is your favourite dive course and why?
As an assistant instructor my favourite dive course is the Open Water Course. This is the first course a new diver takes and it is the ‘makeor-break’ course to becoming a lifelong diver.
For me the reason I choose this course is that it takes a lot of patience because some of the students have never been to the sea all their lives and can be quite nervous to start with.
What would be your advice to upcoming divers and those who wish to learn how to dive?
Just an advice to people who are planning on learning to dive, you’re on the right track and you’re about to embark on a journey of a lifetime exploring the underwater world. Take your time, go slow and choose a quality team to teach you the right way.