fiji
Fiji is an outstanding location for diving. Many of those who dived in Fiji recall the beauty and variety of marine life encounters that it has to offer. Jean-Michel Cousteau called it the “Soft Coral Capital of the World”.
fiji diving
Fiji is home to some of the most colorful and wonderful reefs in the world. In fact, there are 390 species of these corals (soft and hard) that were identified at the site. In addition to that, you can also find over 1,200 fish species that inhabit these reef environments.
The underwater topography in Fiji is also outstanding. If you are an experienced diver who wants a challenge or to experience something new, you will find swim-throughs, caverns, wall dives, canyons, and more in Fiji.
Since Fiji is a vast archipelago, there are literally hundreds of islands to explore. The barrier reefs are filled with lagoons, patch reefs, and fringing reefs. It is also home to the third largest barrier reef in the world. It is best to explore the best dive sites in Fiji to discover what it has to offer and what you expect to find with each dive.
BEST DIVE SITES
Bligh Water
Are you looking for an epic dive in Fiji? Bligh Water must be on your list of places to dive! This stretch of water consists of many other dive sites so you can expect variety. In one site, you will find a pinnacle that is up to 900 meters high and filled with multi-colored soft coral reefs.
You will also be able to enjoy various wildlife species as Bligh Water is known to be home to over 1,000 marine species. This dive might be better suited for experienced divers, though, because of its strong current.
Mantaray Island
This stunning dive site got its name from the manta rays that inhabit its waters. If you dive from May to October, you should expect to find an abundance of them. The area is rich in planktons and nutrients that they can feed on, which is why manta rays are drawn here. The site is also easily accessible with a short boat ride.
Beqa Barrier Reef
The island and the lagoon where this dive site is located in are sought after by divers. It is named unofficially as the “Mecca of Pacific Diving”. With such a title, it is a must to dive this site when you are in Fiji.
Shark Reef Marine Reserve
If you come to Fiji for diving and are looking for something unique, head to Shark Reef Marine Reserve. This is known as one of only few dive sites that are recommended for shark encounters.
Rainbow Reef
This dive site is located near the island of Vanua Levu. It is called as such because of the multi-colored wall made up of soft corals that gives it the look of a rainbow. The presence of anemones is one of the highlights of this dive.
Aside from anemones, you can also find a variety of other marine species like leopard sharks, reef sharks, barracudas, and manta rays.
Mamanucas
The Mamanucas Islands itself is filled with several diving locations that would suit a variety of diving skill levels. The Namotu Wall is one of the top diving sites in the area, which gives you a chance to encounter various marine species like barracudas, angelfishes, batfishes, reef sharks, turtles, and more.
When you dive in this area, make sure to take in the beauty and awe-inspiring geography on the area. You will mostly find pinnacles made up of hard and soft corals.
Somosomo Strait
If you love to see a variety of soft corals, then head to Somosomo Strait for your next dive. There are also many great wall dives that you can find here wherein you will find large pelagics and coral tunnels.
Great Astrolabe Reef
If you want to maximize your dive, head to Great Astrolabe Reef as you will find many species during your dive. Among them are tropical fish species, manta rays, and more. There are also soft coral gardens, channels, and passages that offer awe-inspiring dives.
Namena Marine Reserve
This amazing marine reserve and coral reef is a must for diving enthusiasts in Fiji. This area is located between the islands of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. This is home to over 1,000 species of fish and over 400 corals. You can also spot humpback whales, dolphins, and turtles during your dive. This is also a popular snorkeling site in Fiji.
WHEN TO GO
The diving conditions in Fiji are suitable all year round. But for optimal diving conditions and great water visibility, you need to book a trip from the months of July to December. During this time of the year, the water is cooler and you have great visibility in the water.
In terms of the number of visitors who come to Fiji, though, the peak season is from April to October.
HIGHLIGHTS
Fiji is an island nation in the South Pacific. It is your typical idea of what tropical paradise looks like with its gorgeous, white sand beaches and palm-fringed shores. The turquoise blue, warm waters are also the perfect condition for a great dive. But there is more to Fiji than just diving.
If you desire a relaxing holiday, head to the largest isle on Fiji – Vitu Levu. It is home to the tourism capital, Nadi. On this island, you will get to explore the Garden of the Sleeping Giant, which is a botanic sanctuary. Book a stay in one of the Fijian-style bungalows to experience the blissful remoteness of this place.
There are also many cultural attractions in Nadi such as their open-air souvenir markets, British sugar cane plantations, and a taste of the local cuisine. Don’t miss the Curry House, which is a favorite among locals and tourists.
If you dare, you can also tour one of many traditional villages in Vanua Levu. Experience the locals as they partake in a wild traditional dance wearing only grass skirts. You can also partake in a gift giving ceremony and sample a drink of kava.
GEOGRAPHY
Fiji is an island nation within the Melanasia region of the South Pacific. It belongs to the Oceania group of islands within the South Pacific Ocean. Fiji is located northeast of New Zealand, west of Vanuatu, southwest of New Caledonia, and east of Tonga.
Fiji, like many other nations in the region, is an archipelago. It is made up of over 330 islands, only 110 of which are inhabited. It is also composed of 500 islets. The total land area of Fiji spans about 18,300 square kilometers. The two major islands that form Fiji are Vanua Levu and Viti Levu.
Majority of the islands of Fiji are formed through volcanic activity, which started millions of years ago. To this day, the geothermal activity among the islands of Fiji is still active, especially on the two major islands.
The island of Fiji serves as the hub for the South West Pacific. It is located right between Vanuatu and Tonga, which are two other popular archipelagos in the region. Due to its geographic location, the island experiences tropical marine climate and enjoys warm weather throughout the year.
Travel information about Fiji
Fiji is an island nation in the South Pacific, with over 332 islands that make up Fiji, with only 110 of the islands being inhabited. The total land area in Fiji is approximately 18,300 square kilometers.
Fiji is also listed as having some of the best diving in the world
Capital city of Fiji: Suva
Closest neighbors to Fiji: Vanuatu, Tonga, Samoa, Tuvalu, New Zealand and New Caledonia are Fiji’s nearest neighbors, with Australia a little further to the west.
Best times to visit Fiji: Temperatures are great nearly all year, with highs in the 80s (F), but there is less rain, and a better time for scuba diving in Fiji is between July and September with dryer weather.
How to get to Fiji: Getting to Fiji is pretty straight forward, there are a lot of direct flights from California, New Zealand and Australia, and some Asias countries, that fly into Suva. If you have a layover, its common to have it out of nearby New Zealand.
Visa requirements for Fiji: Visas are not required prior to arrival for most visa-exempt countries, for staying less than 4 months.
Currency of Fiji: The currency in Fiji is the Fijian Dollar
Official Language of Fiji: English is the official language of Fiji
UNESCO World Heritage sites in Fiji
- Levuka Historical Port Town (2013)
