Fiji Diving
The Best Diving in Fiji at the 'Cannibal Islands'
Fiji is a holiday destination with so much to offer: hiking, nature, fabulous beaches and wonderful local people, that sometimes the quality of its diving can be overlooked. Anyone who has been on a diving holiday here, however, will tell quite a different story. Read on for details of the dive sites you can explore from our Fiji liveaboard cruises and dive resorts.
Conditions and underwater sights vary greatly here and while some places are tranquil and great for learning, most sites will enjoy some current, ranging from barely perceptible to very strong. It is this presence of current that makes the scuba diving in Fiji so rich.
Currents are the lifeblood of Fiji's reefs, kick-starting the food chain by sweeping nutrients to both corals and fish alike. Fiji is known as "The Soft Coral Capital of the World" and when the current flows the corals bloom into fabulous displays of colourful splendour. The currents also affect the water's visibility which can be the best around, with incoming currents bringing clear sea water into the lagoons and outgoing currents removing any cloudy lagoon water.
Lagoons are a feature of the islands and often the water remains shallow until some distance from shore. This means most Fiji diving is conducted from boat and also that the shorelines are great for adults and children alike to go snorkelling and swimming.
Bligh Water
This nutrient fed channel and surrounding picturesque islands of Koro, Wakaya and Namena in the Koro Sea is Fiji's best claim as a world class dive destination and is a prime adventure cruising ground for liveaboards.
Taveuni
The Somosomo Strait in the north, accessed from Taveuni, is the place for soft corals and big pelagics and is home to the highly rated sites of Rainbow Reef and the Great White Wall.
Kadavu
Kadavu Island offers the real Fijian experience topside, and healthy, colourful reefs below the surface where those who want to get away from it all, without compromising the quality of diving, will be richly rewarded. Easily the best diving in southern Fiji.
Viti Levu
As well as having a truly awesome shark dive for more experienced divers and thrill seekers, Viti Levu dives sites are the easiest to access when you arrive in Fiji, and resorts are normally only an hour or two's drive from Nadi.
Beqa Lagoon
The world renowned Beqa Lagoon offers some pretty handy resort diving, close to Fiji's main island. The Lagoon has bommies and pinnacles, and a good variety of marine life, which will be popular with less experienced divers and those with little time on their hands.
• Fiji Tourist information
• Map of Fiji's islands
The Diving Season
Although you can dive from resorts here all year round, the best diving in Fiji is from April to October. November to January tend to see the most rainfall, with the rainy season officially extending into March. Prime visibility is during the winter months of July to September when the surface can be a little choppy and potentially as cool as 22°C. During the November to April summer months the water temperature can reach a balmy 30°C.
Reef Basics
Great for: Large animals, visibility, beginner divers
Not so great for: Wreck dives
Depth: 5 - >40m
Visibility: 15 - 40m
Currents: None to rip-roaring
Surface Conditions: Mostly calm but can be choppy during July to September
Water Temperature: normally 28 - 30°C
Experience Level: Beginner - advanced
Number of dive sites: >150
Access: Resorts and liveaboards
Recommended length of stay: 2 - 3 weeks
Fiji Dive Sites
More detailed information on the islands different destinations:
Dive The World Recommendations: Bligh Water, Taveuni and Kadavu.
Use our short form to grab your best options for
• Fiji scuba diving enquiries
For more on our other great diving destinations, visit our website:
• Dive The World - dive trip destinations
|
