Want to dive Fiji? But can't decide where to go?

Fiji often tops the list of the South Pacific’s hot dive spots what with its many sprawling reefs and amazing marine life, balmy oceans and great visibility. But where especially should you go? Here Dive Pacific runs your check list. (Dive trips leave from most if not all the resorts mentioned).

Suncoast - Rakiraki

Two and half hours north of Nadi off Rakiraki on Fiji’s Suncoast is one of the islands’ not so better kept secrets, a veritable pocket paradise: pristine reefs with 50 dive sites in the Bligh Waters and Vatu-i-Ra Passage. These waters are considered Fiji’s “new” soft coral capital, a maze of coral stacks and pinnacles festooned with soft corals alive with crowds of brightly coloured reef fish.
Black Magic Mountain is one of the classics, best known for schooling fish like big eye jacks, fusiliers and anthias, as well as several species of sharks and rays. Instant Replay (once done, you want to do it again) features deeper coral heads covered in yellow and purple soft corals.

The island’s northernmost peninsula is also known for great hiking, deep sea fishing and seasonal kiteboarding and windsurfing. Volivoli Beach Resort and Wananavu Beach Resort make ideal base camps.

Pacific Harbour & Beqa Lagoon

Pacific Harbour is one of the original soft coral wonderlands with nearby Beqa Lagoon world renowned for its shark dives, teeming with marine life as well as pinnacles, wrecks and colourful corals, all easily accessed within Viti Levu. Other adventures include rafting, ziplining and off-road expeditions.  
Popular resorts for divers here include the Pearl South Pacific, Waidroka Bay Resort, Beqa Lagoon Resort and the Uprising Beach Resort.

Savu Savu

Some of Fiji’s best diving is off Savusavu in Vanua Levu, Fiji’s second largest island. Two of the best spots are on the Great Sea Reef and the Namena Marine Park. The waters off Savusavu are pristine even by Fiji standards, and home to one of the world’s finest pearl brands, J. Hunter Pearls.
Natewa Bay, the largest bay in the South Pacific, is emerging as a dive destination with dive operators hosting exploration dives in the nutrient rich and diverse waters.

Four Savusavu based resorts are at hand: Namena Marine Reserve and Rainbow Reef with the Jean Michel Cousteau Resort, the Koro Sun Resort, Namale Resort & Spa, and Savasi Island Resort. Nukubati Private Island Resort on Vanua Levu’s northern coast is a great place to dive the Great Sea Reef too, one of the world’s largest coral reefs.

The Outer Islands

The nutrient-rich Bligh Waters and Koro Sea attract numerous schools of fish and larger pelagics all year round, and especially humpback whales playing, breeding and calving in these waters from July to October.  

The best way to head there is on dive liveaboards though there are some resorts on Wakaya and other islands in the Lomaiviti group. Currents are strong in these waters; they tend to be more suited to intermediate and experienced divers.

Check out Nai’a Fiji Liveaboards, the Wakaya Club, and the Spa and Toberua Island Resort for an immersive, luxury experience. Leleuvia Island Resort offers a sustainable, environmentally friendly, “off the grid” dive experience.

Taveuni and the Somosomo Strait

Taveuni is known as the garden island, Fiji’s third largest. Scuba divers world over come here to explore the amazing Somosomo Strait with its awesome dives, home to Rainbow Reef and the famed ‘Great White Wall,’ arguably Fiji’s most famous dive site of all. (See also Dive Pacific Issues 169 & 170, April & July 2019). The seas here are crystal-clear; seeing is believing.

Flights to Taveuni from both Nadi and Suva arrive daily. Taveuni’s array of excellent dive accommodation options include traditional Fijian inspired resorts, boutique adult only properties, along with premium luxury lodgings. Bird watching, waterfall hopping, and trekking are popular.

Check out Paradise Taveuni, Garden Island Resort and Taveuni Dive Resort

Kadavu & The Great Astrolabe Reef

Kadavu is surrounded by The Great Astrolabe Reef, one the largest on the planet and a magnet for divers and all manner of other oceanic explorers. Expert dive guides know the best dives sites here where tremendously deep water is constantly channelled through the reef into the lagoons close to Kadavu. One, the Naiqoro Passage within the Great Astrolabe Reef, is protected from fishing and requires an entry permit.  

Kadavu is renowned as the ultimate region for divers seeking that extra something special, absolutely exhilarating and unmolested by the masses.  
Being remote it boasts a smaller selection of dive accommodations though nevertheless you can book anything from neat, budget bures through to stunning 6-star luxury.

Mamanuca Islands

A visit to the Mamanuca Islands is a discovery of a series of exquisite reefs and gentle lagoons. Among them, Namotu Wall is lesser-known but no less an amazing place to begin. The Supermarket is great too, named for the multitude of marine life feeding here.  

Dive sites in the Mamanucas are typically reefs with calm seas and easy-to-navigate coral, a terrific base for beginners or advanced divers, and especially ideal for a family dive adventure. Resorts may offer all-inclusive package deals, including a nanny, along with tailored dive holiday stays/rates.

Yasawa Islands

Visually the Yasawa Islands are textbook drama, with inviting seascapes. Underwater the breath-taking magic continues, with volcanic formations creating a host of splendid, easily accessible dive sites.  

Colourful sea fans and soft corals thrive within deep reef walls and overhangs. Scuba diving with manta rays (seasonal) is popular though carefully moderated. Its no wonder that here many snorkellers convert to scuba!

Accommodation options in the Yasawas range from quaint and affordable eco-style beachfront lodgings through to glam 5-star resorts.
Fiji’s incredible coral reefs and crystal-clear waters are sure to leave even the most seasoned divers in awe.