Fiji’s Diving Diversity

Fiji sits near the top of many divers’ lists of dream destinations. And with good reason. It’s generally known as “The Soft Coral Capital,” but there’s a lot more than colorful sea fans to discover in the waters of this island nation. Fiji is made up of some individual 300 islands sitting in a half-million square miles of ocean, which encompass several of the world’s major coral reef systems. Divers could spend months in the water and still not see it all. So when that dream trip begins to take shape, there are choices to be made.

To help, we’ve put together a “greatest hits” sampler that includes a number of Fiji’s prime underwater experiences.

Mention Fiji and most divers will think of the Rainbow Reef and the site known as the Great White Wall. This famous underwater formation is a wide-angle photographer’s dream, with a sheer vertical face covered in soft corals so pale blue that they appear white, creating the appearance of a snow-covered cliff. Other sites on the Rainbow Reef showcase equally stunning collections of red, yellow, purple, pink and blue soft corals, which thrive on the currents that bathe the reef in a nutrient-rich flow. But there’s more to Rainbow Reef that soft corals. In addition to colorful walls, the underwater landscape includes pinnacles, coral bommies, swim-throughs, and reef slopes covered in delicate plate corals. Rainbow Reef can be reached from either the eastern shores of Fiji’s second-largest island, Vanua Levu, or from resorts on the west coast of Taveuni, which is known as the Garden Island.

Rainbow Reef is just one of the underwater attractions found in the body of water known as the Somosomo Strait. This passage, which runs between Vanua Levu and Taveuni, is a treasure trove of marine life. In addition to rich soft coral colonies, the area holds more than 300 varieties of hard coral and is home to more than 1,200 species of fish. The range of diving experiences is equally diverse, with everything from sheltered, shallow sites within Savosavo Bay to current-washed points and pinnacles that attract schooling hammerheads and massive schools of barracuda.

Closer looks will reveal entertaining sights such as a group of batfish cueing up at a cleaning station, or a unicorn fish daintily grazing on a crop of algae. The Straits are also home to the Namena Marine Protected Area, which is the largest no-take zone in Fiji. Here, divers can take in everything from pelagic species and sharks to a wealth of invertebrates and other macro life.

When French explorer Dumont d’Urville’s crashed his vessel “Astrolabe” into an uncharted coral formation near Fiji’s Kadavu Island, he inadvertently discovered one of the world’s Great Barrier Reef systems. The reef now bears the name of his vessel and has become legendary in diving circles. There are miles of reef to explore, and some of the some of the most spectacular are found near the five channels that funnel currents through this coral maze. This moving water not only encourages coral growth, it also supports large populations of reef fish, which form living clouds that blanket walls and envelop pinnacles. The same open-water sites are known for manta ray cleaning stations and shark sightings, while the many sheltered lagoons created by this 75-mile long reef provide hours of enjoyment for snorkelers and critter watchers. Kadavu is Fiji’s fourth largest island, but it remains mostly rural and natural, providing visitors with a glimpse of traditional island culture.

True fact: after the mutinous crew of the Bounty sent Captain Bligh overboard in a small boat, he sailed right by Fiji without stopping, fearing a hostile reception from the island’s cannibal tribes. Local hospitality has improved significantly in the years since, and the body of water that now bears his name is certainly worth a visit.

Lying between the two principal islands of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, the Bligh Waters are a treasure trove of marine life, where maze-like reef formations riddled with tunnels, canyons and swim-throughs are washed by tidal currents that encourage riotous soft coral growth. Sites near open water attract mantas, eagle rays and sharks, while pinnacles and coral bommies are often covered in massive schools of bigeye jacks, barracuda fusiliers and anthias. The many folds and crevices of the reef system are equally inviting to macro enthusiasts, who can search for elusive species such as ghost pipefish, or try to identify the area’s numerous species of colorful nudibranchs. The Bligh Waters is a frequent playground of Fiji’s liveaboard fleet, but can also be reached from resorts near the north coast of Viti Levu.

Whitewater rafting isn’t something you’d normally associate with a tropical island. But on Fiji’s largest island, Viti Levu, rainfall from the volcanic highlands of Mount Gordon form the 40-mile-long Navua River, which flows through steep canyons and lush valleys on a rush towards the sea. This is just one of the active adventure sports that make the island’s Coral Coast area a hotbed for active travel. Other favorites include coastal kayaking, deep-sea fishing, mountain hikes, offroading, ziplining and cultural tours.

And, of course, diving. Reefs begin close to shore, creating opportunities for relaxing shallow submersions with short boat rides and plenty of colorful corals. A bit farther out, collections of pinnacle-like coral bommies take over, and divers can spend hour-long bottom times at depths from 20 to 45 feet fish watching and searching for reclusive marine life among the formations. For bigger thrills, divers can make the crossing to Beqa Lagoon, which is the site of one of the world’s most famous shark dives.

Beqa Island lies just six miles south of Viti Levu’s Coral Coast, but it is a world apart. There are no roads and only a handful of traditional villages reached by water or footpaths that lead through the primeval rainforest. The people of Beqa are known throughout the South Pacific for their unique rites of passage, in which young men walk over fire-heated rocks with seeming impunity. The island is equally famous in diving circles for a more recent ritual that takes place within the waters of the expansive lagoon.

For nearly two decades, local dive operators have rung the underwater dinner bell with chum offerings. This feeding brings in up eight different species of sharks, which can include very large bulls and tigers. The activity also draws a guidebook worth of fish life, from giant grouper and Maori wrasse to hyperactive schools of rainbow runners. And with more than 100 miles of ramparts, caverns and pinnacles to explore within its encircling ring of coral, Beqa Lagoon isn’t just a one-hit shark feeding wonder.

If a trip to Fiji is on your bucket list, Caradonna Adventures can make it a reality. We can arrange flights and transfers, recommend the best islands and resorts for your lifestyle and budget, and set you up for the perfect island escape. Just give us a call at 800-330-6611 or drop us a note at sales@caradonna.com.