The Fiji Islands offer some of the best scuba dive sites in the world and are often called the “soft coral capital”. There are only a few places as colorful as Fiji’s reefs. The best dive sites in Fiji stand out through diverse marine life. Colorful hard and soft coral gardens, caves, pinnacles, walls, passages with an amazing variety of underwater life, from tiny critters to large fish such as giant groupers, trevally, sharks, tuna, turtles and reef fish of all colors and sizes. Popular shark dives where bull sharks and tiger sharks are encountered and photographed.
Over 330 Islands surrounded by magnificent lagoons and unspoiled reefs and with often spectacular visibility make Fiji a divers dream.
Where Are the Best Dive Sites in Fiji?
Fiji islands are a cluster of islands, with some of the largest and most diverse coral reef systems in the world where a scuba diver can spend a lifetime exploring.
It is very difficult to say where the best dive sites in Fiji are A lot depends on your personal preference as what you want to see during a dive. There are also seasonal changes in the underwater world. But some of the most popular ones and ultimately the best places to scuba dive in Fiji are the following:
Beqa Lagoon
A popular dive destination just south of Pacific Harbour on Viti Levu the main island of Fiji. The large Beqa lagoon which encloses Beqa Island and Vatulele Island is of volcanic origin. Popular dive sites are around Beqa Strait, a 5-mile channel between the lagoon and the main island.
Sites are famous for soft coral covered pinnacles and Fiji’s most popular shark dive. The Fijian tribes on Beqa are known for their fire walking ceremony. Getting there from Nadi Airport takes only 2.5 hours by bus or taxi. Stay in one of the Pacific Harbour hotels or on an island Resort on beautiful Beqa Island.
Kadavu
This is Fiji’s 3rd largest island. Most of the island is still undeveloped with little infrastructure but great nature and laid back simple Fijian live. Kadavu is a rugged hilly island with secluded bays and long beaches. Epic coral reefs surround Kadavu, the most famous being the Great Astrolabe Reef, one of the world’s largest barrier reefs. Kadavu dive sites are known for big fish diving and famous “Manta Magic”, a site with regular Manta ray sightings. Several dive resorts are located all around the island.
Taveuni
Known as the Garden Island of Fiji, with lush mountains and nature with a wealth of native plants and animals. Nature lovers will find lots to do: hiking, birdwatching visit Bouma National Heritage Park. There are several dive resorts on Taveuni which offer world-class diving on colorful soft coral reefs, the most famous ones are the Great White Wall and the Rainbow Reef.
Diving here can be challenging at times as the currents in the Somosomo straight can demanding, but they are responsible as their nutrient-rich waters feed the spectacular coral reefs…
Bligh Waters and Lomaiviti
This is the center of Fiji, first described by famous Captain Bligh who passed through those waters on his voyage from Tofua to Timor. The area is known as the “Vatu-i-Ra Seascape” it essentially separates the two largest islands of Fiji, Viti Levu, and Vanua Levu.
Strong major ocean currents sustain a complex ecosystem with some of the best dive sites in Fiji. Marine life is plenty from small colorful reef fish to large sea life, including sightings of resident dolphins and pilot whales as well as humpback whales on their annual migrations. Few land-based dive operators only dive the reefs Lomaiviti. It is a prime area for liveaboard diving.
Getting to the best dive site in Fiji
The destinations above provide access to some of the best dive sites in Fiji. The whole area is purely magical and provides you with the ideal setting for wonderful dives in crystal clear waters! Of course, there is a lot more for you to explore such remote beaches, rainforests, mountain hikes and a Fiji that is not very touristy yet.
Domestic Flights in Fiji or transport by bus and ferry makes traveling around in Fiji easy.
Many of the Hotels and Resorts on the islands run own dive operations.
