Diving Fiji from soft coral wonderland to shark-central
Fiji’s 333 islands support over 300 species of corals and more than 1500 species of fish, they are also circled by three of the world’s largest barrier reefs.
There is so much more to Fiji’s underwater world. Here is our pick of the best diving in Fiji.
Suncoast – Rakiraki and Bligh Water
The main island jump-off point for Bligh Water and Vatu-I-Ra is about two and a half hours drive north of Nadi on the main island of Viti Levu. The reef here is a maze of barely submerged coral pinnacles, all festooned with brightly coloured soft corals in yellows, pinks and deep purples. The soft corals attract crowds of bright yellow damsels and purple and orange anthias while swarms of fusiliers ply up and down the pinnacles and schools of eye-bar surgeons hang silently in the blue.
Pacific Harbour & Beqa Lagoon
On the main island of Viti Levu, Pacific Harbour is the gateway to Beqa Lagoon, a two-and-a-half-hour drive southeast of Nadi. The shark diving in Beqa Lagoon is one of Fiji’s most famous marine experiences. On these well-managed shark diving experiences, you can expect to see large bull and tiger sharks, silvertips, reef sharks, and even lemon and tawny nurse sharks.
Vanua Levu, Savusavu and the Namena Marine Park
Fiji’s second largest island, Vanua Levu, holds two of Fiji’s best-kept secrets as far as scuba diving is concerned: the Great Sea Reef and the Namena Marine Park. Diving the Great Sea Reef, you likely see eagle rays, mantas, dolphins and turtles amid miles and miles of pristine coral. Namena Marine Reserve, an island surrounded by spectacular seamounts, is also on a migratory pathway for four whale species.
Taveuni & the Somosomo Strait
World famous Rainbow Reef is in Fiji’s Somosomo Strait, a narrow channel between Vanua Levu and Taveuni. There are about two dozen dive sites to explore throughout the Rainbow Reef, and all are a riot of colour, bar one – the Great White Wall, a near vertical wall that drops from 20m, blanketed with soft white corals down as far as the eye can see.
Kadavu and The Great Astrolabe Reef.
Kadavu is best known for the Great Astrolabe Reef, which runs along the island’s southern shore and arcs northeast, passing Ono Island to Buliya Island, famous for manta ray encounters. This is a breeding ground for big fish like tuna, marlin, giant trevally and sharks.
When to dive…
April to October are the most popular times to dive, with viz at its best between July and December. The water is warmest in March, between 28 ºC and 30 ºC, and coolest in July at around 23 ºC.