Scuba Diving in Fiji
The Ultimate Guide
Fiji sits like a necklace of more than 300 inhabited islands and 500 smaller islets in the heart of the South Pacific. Jacques Cousteau dubbed it the “soft coral capital of the world” for good reason – nutrient‑rich currents wash over sloping reefs, walls and bommies that erupt in shades of pink, purple, orange and yellow. The country’s dive sites range from kaleidoscopic coral gardens and pinnacles in the Somosomo Strait to shark dives in Beqa Lagoon, and remote passages in Bligh Water and the Koro Sea. Schools of barracuda, trevally and surgeonfish cruise above while manta rays, turtles, bull sharks and occasionally hammerheads glide past. Friendly locals and a relaxed island vibe make Fiji a favourite for both adventurous liveaboard trips and leisurely resort‑based diving.
Difficulty
Moderate
Temperature
24–28°C
Visibility
15–40 m
Diving Highlights
Best Months to Dive
Getting to Fiji for Diving
✈️Transportation
Most visitors arrive at Nadi International Airport (NAN) on Viti Levu, with direct flights from major cities in Australia, New Zealand, the USA, Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan.
From Nadi you can transfer by domestic flight or ferry to Taveuni or Savusavu for diving Rainbow Reef, or drive/bus south to Pacific Harbour for Beqa Lagoon and Shark Reef dives.
Rakiraki and the Vatu‑i‑ra Passage are reached by a 2–3 hour drive north from Nadi followed by boat transfer.
Liveaboards depart from Lautoka or Rakiraki to explore Bligh Water, Namena and the Koro Sea.
Country
Fiji
Currency
Fijian Dollar
Electricity
240V, 50Hz, Type I (Australian/New Zealand) plugs
Cost of a Dive Trip in Fiji
Day Trip
Dive Resort
Liveaboard
Meal
Accommodation
Best Dive Sites in Fiji
🐠Rainbow Reef & Great White Wall (Somosomo Strait)
Located in the Somosomo Strait between Taveuni and Vanua Levu, Rainbow Reef is famous for its multi‑coloured soft corals and thriving fish life. Nearby, the Great White Wall features walls draped in thousands of white Dendronephthya soft corals. Currents can be strong; experienced divers are rewarded with mantas, reef sharks and swirling schools of anthias.
🐢Bligh Water & Namena Marine Reserve (Koro Sea)
Accessible mainly by liveaboard, Bligh Water and the Namena Marine Reserve offer seamounts and passages swept by nutrient‑rich currents. Expect forests of soft and hard corals, schooling barracuda and trevally, grey reef sharks, scalloped hammerheads and occasional manta rays. The E‑6 pinnacle in Vatu‑i‑ra channel and North Save‑a‑tack Passage are highlights.
🦈Beqa Lagoon & Shark Reef (Pacific Harbour)
South of Viti Levu lies Beqa Lagoon, a sheltered lagoon fringed by barrier reefs. Here divers can experience the famous Shark Reef Marine Reserve, where controlled feeds attract bull sharks, nurse sharks, silvertips and occasional tiger sharks. Outside the feeds, the lagoon offers colourful coral gardens teeming with reef fish and macro life.
🐙Great Astrolabe Reef (Kadavu)
Wrapping around Kadavu and Ono Islands, the Great Astrolabe Reef is the world’s fourth‑largest barrier reef. Its outer wall is covered in soft corals and sea fans, while inner passages shelter manta ray cleaning stations. Expect reef sharks, turtles and thousands of reef fish.
🐚Shark Reef Marine Reserve (Pacific Harbour)
This protected reserve near Pacific Harbour is home to the famous Fiji Shark Dive. Divers kneel in the sand while bull sharks, silvertips, grey reef sharks and nurse sharks swim metres away. Large groupers, trevally and snappers add to the spectacle.
🦑Wakaya & Manta Ray Passage (Koro Sea)
Off Wakaya Island in the Koro Sea, this passage hosts a manta ray cleaning station frequented by reef mantas year‑round. Whales (humpback, sperm and pilot) are sometimes sighted in the deep channel. The reefs are covered in soft corals and frequented by turtles and reef sharks.
What Divers Say About Diving in Fiji
Marcus Rodriguez
DivemasterIf you’ve ever wanted to see an underwater rainbow, Fiji delivers. Drift along the Great White Wall in Somosomo Strait and watch thousands of white soft corals glowing like snow in the blue. At Rainbow Reef vibrant fans, plates and bommies stack colour upon colour, while clouds of anthias and damselfish dart in and out. In Beqa Lagoon you kneel on the sand as bull sharks, tiger sharks and nurse sharks glide eerily close on the famous shark feed. Out in Bligh Water the seamounts rise out of the abyss, swarming with barracuda, trevally and the occasional hammerhead. Surface intervals are filled with fresh pineapple, laughing Fijians and the sound of lali drums – it’s hard not to fall in love with the “soft coral capital”.
Frequently Asked Questions About Diving in Fiji
When is the best time to dive in Fiji?
Diving is good year‑round. The dry season from May to December brings cooler water (24–26 °C) and the best visibility, with humpback whales arriving in September and October. The wet season (January–April) has warmer water (27–28 °C) and more plankton, attracting manta rays and whale sharks but reducing visibility.
What marine life can I expect?
Fiji is known for its kaleidoscopic soft corals, but also hosts manta rays, bull and reef sharks, schooling barracuda and trevally, turtles, occasional hammerheads and seasonal humpback whales. Macro lovers can find ribbon eels, seahorses, mantis shrimp and nudibranchs.
Are the dives suitable for beginners?
Many sites have mild currents and sheltered reefs suitable for beginners and photographers. However, some areas like the Somosomo Strait and Bligh Water experience strong currents, making them better for advanced divers.
How many dive sites are there?
Fiji has hundreds of named sites across its islands. Major regions include the Rainbow Reef & Great White Wall (Somosomo Strait), Bligh Water & Namena Marine Reserve, Beqa Lagoon & Shark Reef, Great Astrolabe Reef and the Yasawa & Mamanuca islands.
Can I dive with sharks in Fiji?
Yes. Beqa Lagoon’s Shark Reef Marine Reserve offers controlled bull shark feeds that also attract tiger sharks, nurse sharks and reef sharks. Hammerheads are occasionally seen in the Koro Sea and Bligh Water.
What are the water temperatures and visibility like?
Winter water temperatures are around 24–26 °C and summer 27–28 °C. Visibility ranges from 15–40 m and can exceed 30 m in the dry season.
Should I choose a liveaboard or a resort?
Liveaboards access remote regions like the Koro Sea and Namena, offering up to four dives per day. Resort‑based diving allows you to enjoy Fijian culture and still reach sites like Beqa Lagoon and Rainbow Reef via day boats. Choose based on desired comfort and budget.