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 for their 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 diver’s 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 on 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
As Fiji’s third-largest island, Kadavu remains largely undeveloped, offering a raw, authentic experience characterized by minimal infrastructure, stunning natural beauty, and a wonderfully laid-back, simple Fijian way of life. This rugged, hilly island is sculpted with secluded bays and pristine, long beaches.
Divers flock to Kadavu for its epic surrounding coral reefs, most notably the Great Astrolabe Reef, one of the world’s largest barrier reefs. Kadavu’s dive sites are renowned for thrilling big fish encounters and the famous ‘Manta Magic’ site, where regular manta ray sightings are virtually guaranteed. A few dive resorts are situated around the island, providing access to these incredible underwater wonders.
Taveuni
Taveuni, affectionately known as the ‘Garden Island of Fiji,’ is a pristine paradise of lush mountains and abundant natural beauty, home to a wealth of native plants and animals. On land, nature lovers will find plenty to explore, from scenic hiking trails to rewarding birdwatching, especially within the renowned Bouma National Heritage Park.
Underwater, Taveuni boasts world-class diving on its famously colorful soft coral reefs. Well-known sites like the Great White Wall and the vibrant Rainbow Reef draw divers from across the globe. While the currents in the Somosomo Strait can be demanding at times, these very currents are crucial; their nutrient-rich waters feed and sustain the spectacular coral ecosystems, making for an unforgettable, albeit sometimes challenging, dive experience.
Ovalau
Ovalau Island offers a truly distinct experience within the Lomaiviti Group. As the site of Fiji’s first colonial capital, Levuka (a UNESCO World Heritage site), Ovalau provides a charming glimpse into the past above water, complemented by exceptional diving.
Its diverse reef system boasts teeming marine life, from an abundance of colorful soft and hard corals to frequent sightings of big fish as well as sharks, manta rays, and even seasonal humpback and spinner dolphins. Dive sites around Ovalau cater to various levels, featuring impressive hard and soft coral reefs and intricate bommies. The nutrient-rich waters here contribute to an amazing ecosystem, making it a hotspot for both macro life and larger marine encounters.
Bligh Waters and Lomaiviti
This is the center of Fiji, first described by the 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 plentiful ,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 of 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 make traveling around in Fiji easy.
Many of the Hotels and Resorts on the islands run own dive operations.