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Matava awarded Kadavu's first ever PADI 5 Star Dive Centre level for on-site scuba operation, Mad Fish Dive Centre
This Prestigious PADI 5 Star Dive Centre status is awarded, on an annual basis, to progressive PADI Dive Centres that excel in providing dive consumers with a full range of diver education programs, equipment selection, and experience opportunities and that actively promote aquatic environmental awareness.
 "We are extremely honored that PADI has selected us to become a 5 Star Dive Centre," said Matava Director and PADI Instructor Development Staff instructor Stuart Gow. "We have made a concerted effort over the past several years to create the best diver training program we could and have invested heavily in training, staff and facilities to do so. We want to thank PADI for acknowledging our efforts and now, with Kadavu's first 5 star rating, hope to bring even more people in the dive industry."
A PADI 5 Star Dive Centre is active in its community presenting a professional image consistent with, or better than, the norm of the marketplace.
These dive centers embrace the PADI System of diver education and are committed to providing customers with quality products, services and experiences.
"At Matava and Mad Fish Dive Centre, we are of course both happy and proud to be awarded this prestigious membership level." said Matava Director, Mr Richard Akhtar.
"By awarding Matava and Mad Fish Dive Centre the 5-Star certification, PADI is really saying we have achieved the best quality and performance rating possible. We have worked very hard to reach that level and will continue to do so."
Ian Cumming, Regional Manager, PADI Asia Pacific said "Congratulations to Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort and their committed dive staff for reaching the level of PADI 5 Star Dive Resort. The prerequisites for this rating can only be achieved through delivering to their guests a high level of diver education, diving experience as well as offering great diving adventures with a sound conservation focus. Having dived with the Matava dive crew myself I know firsthand that their operation is what PADI expects of our 5 Star Dive Resorts!"
"Well done and I wish them all the best in their continued focus on diver education, marine conservation and amazing diving experiences along the Great Astrolabe Reef." he continued.
"We also see this as a great step forward and opportunity for all dive centres, both on Kadavu and in the Fiji Islands, to move forward in their standards to achieve truely world class service and capabilities required for this membership level."
 Mr Akhtar finished by saying "We would like to thank all friends and clients of Matava and Mad Fish Dive Centre past and present who have contributed to the success of our PADI Dive Centre and we look forward to exciting times ahead."
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On Monday 14th December 2009 Fiji was hit by a Tropical Cyclone, TC Mick. The cyclone passed straight over the main island and just to the East of Kadavu Island. Although the resort experienced high winds and heavy rain, no damage was done to the resort at all, apart from the loss of some thatch from the corner of the roof of the dive centre. The guests and staff spent the whole day playing cards, board games and reading books safely in the Main Bure while Maggie served breakfast, lunch and dinner as normal. Richard has said that the biggest thing he is upset about is that most of the mangoes came down out the big mango tree! No mango jam this year!
