The Best Places for Diving in Fiji

Fiji is known for its palm-fringed beaches, lush rainforests, and cascading waterfalls, yet its spectacular underwater world makes it a prime place to travel on a tropical vacation. Diving is becoming more and more popular in Fiji, so much so that the island nation is now known as the “Soft Coral Capital of the World”. Here, novice and expert divers can explore nutrient-rich waters that are alive with colourful sea life. Around 1000 species of fish and several hundred types of coral live off the sparkling shores of Fiji, attracting Grey Reef sharks, manta rays, five species of turtles, and a multitude of colourful fish that you can swim with. Fiji offers year-round diving with good visibility and a range of accommodation to suit any budget. Go diving and stay in a stunning 5-star resort, a moderate guesthouse, or experience a live-aboard (a boat that provides overnight accommodation and dive instructors). You’ll submerge yourself in an unforgettable aquatic adventure. Here are the best places to go diving on your Fiji vacation: 

1. Koro Sea, Bligh Water Named after the famous Captain Bligh of The Bounty, the Bligh Waters are a stretch of sea that separates Fiji's two main islands of Vanua Levu and Viti Levu. This is a popular area to dive via a live-aboard. A live-aboard can move between the different islands, allowing you to spot schooling barracuda, hammerhead sharks, eagle rays, and enter "The Cathedral" - an awesome swim-through where light filters down from above. 

2. Kadavu Island Kadavu is one of the less visited islands of Fiji, and this is precisely the reason why you should go there. You can explore an amazing coral reef that’s approximately 100 kilometres long. This is the fourth largest barrier reef in the world and its easy to access. Kadavu is home to the Great Astrolabe Reef, which features several underwater passages, submerged pinnacles, and manta ray cleaning stations. It’s a bit off the beaten path, and there are no major resort chains here, so you’ll get a more authentic Fijian feel. Many of the bays that lie along the Kadavu Island coastline are also perfect for sea-kayaking, swimming, and snorkelling. 

3. Taveuni Taveuni is known as the Garden Island, and the place is an eco-tourist's dream. The world-famous Somosomo Strait, Great White Wall, and Rainbow Reef attract divers from across the globe with their dazzling corals and diverse marine life. Dotted around the island’s perimeter are black-sand beaches. Nearby islands of Laucala, Matagi, and Qamea have stunning white beaches and luxury resorts that can also make a great base for your Fiji vacation.

4. Viti Levu - Beqa Lagoon As well as having a truly awesome shark-feeding dive for experienced scuba divers and thrill seekers, main island Viti Levu's dive sites are the easiest to access when you arrive in Fiji. Viti Levu’s fabulous resorts are only an hour or two's drive from the hub city of Nadi, whether you travel to the north coast area of Rakiraki or the south coast's Pacific Harbour. The world renowned Beqa Lagoon offers some pretty spectacular resort diving. The Beqa Lagoon has an awe-inspiring variety of marine life which is popular with less experienced divers and those with fewer vacation days. Here you can go shark diving with over 100 dive sites including walls, wrecks, and bommies (pinnacles). Most Fiji resorts here offer diving as an excursion which you can book locally. Happy diving! Want more information on Fiji vacation options? Call us at 1.800.557.2841.

By Bronwyn Hodge