Scuba diving in Fiji – Lustrous reefs & more sharks than you can count

Everyone knows that the scuba diving in Fiji is amazing, but until you have seen the explosion of colour and life with your own eyes it is hard to imagine the sensation of submerging in these South Pacific waters!

Which diver doesn’t dream about Fiji’s pristine coral reefs? Currents coming from the outer reefs let colourful soft coral thrive, which, by the way gives Fiji its nickname: the soft coral capital of the world. Standing in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, the archipelago is home to a tremendous variety of marine life and is visited by many pelagic species. Therefore, Fiji usually delights the divers seeking the big and bold as well as macro hunters. Moreover, we recommend specific locations depending on the sightings that you’re hoping for, although you never know what amazing surprise you might see around the corner of any Fijian dive site. 

In this blog post you can virtually explore the different scuba diving areas in Fiji and plan a trip of a lifetime!

Editor’s tip: If you love capturing all your dive adventures, then we have great news for you: now you can take your phone underwater safely! The DIVEVOLK SeaTouch 4 Max housing is adaptable to any smartphone brand and model and is waterproof up to 60m/200ft.

All underwater photos by Tobias Friedrich – BELOW SURFACE

 

Savusavu – schooling hammerheads & stunning topography

One of the top scuba diving destinations in Fiji is Savusavu. It is located on Vanua Levu the second biggest island of the country. The school of hundreds of hammerhead sharks that resides not far from the coast is famous worldwide. However, the other dive sites also reveal a hidden marine paradise presenting untouched coral reefs where you can see napoleon wrasse, eagle rays, reef sharks, mackerels, the occasional manta, as well as an unbelievable variety of shrimp, nudibranchs, pipefish and leaf scorpionfish. The Savusavu dive sites also display amazing underwater scenery built on peculiar topography offering dramatic walls, swim-throughs and caves.

Most of the dive sites are quite close to shore, usually about 20 minutes by boat. We recommend staying at least a few days to grab the opportunity to see hammerhead sharks and discover the multiple stunning surrounding dive sites.

 

Savusavu’s best dive sites

Dreamhouse

This is one of the rare places in the world where you can see a school of hundreds of scalloped hammerhead sharks all year round. The sightings are reliable but as always, not guaranteed. This famous dive site is an isolated seamount. In order to find the school of hammerheads, your guide will lead you out into the blue at around 20-30 meters / 65-100 feet depth.

Watch out for the school of barracudas hanging on the edge of the reef. They are usually a good indicator for the hammerheads’ presence. As you shallow up, you will swim back to the reef where sightings of reef sharks are very common.

Depth range: 30-40 meters / 100-130 feet max.

Divers level recommendation: Advanced or Open Water divers with deep specialty. 

 

Purple Garden

The name of this mind-blowing dive site comes from the striking abundance of purple soft coral which covers three adjacent pinnacles. A brief exploration of the pinnacles brings the possibility of seeing huge humphead wrasses and stunning macro life. Next, you will swim across a channel that funnels currents from the deep bringing all kinds of pelagic life from mackerel to sharks. On the other side of the channel lies a breathtaking swim-through, followed by a quick tour around the gullies of the inner reef which is home to colour changing magic coral and plenty of turtles.

Depth range: all depth ranges up to 18meters / 60 feet.

Diver level recommendation: Suitable for all divers from beginners to advanced.

 

 

The top dive center of Savusavu

For the best diving experience we recommend you book your dives with KoroSun Dive. There is noone on the island, who knows the dive sites and conditions better than Colin, the owner of Koro Sun Dive. He has been scuba diving in Fiji for almost 20 years and is literally the person to have discovered, explored and mapped the hammerhead point. So if you want to have a good chance of spotting the school of sharks, Colin knows the best time to go and how to find it in the blue.

KoroSun Dive is located at the Savasi Island Resort and offers trips to the Namena Marina Reserve and the Somosomo Strait as well as a full range of dive courses. Pick up from other hotels can be arranged on demand. Your non-diving buddies can also join the trip and enjoy snorkelling at the shallow reef of Turtle Alley.

 

 

Namena Island Marine Reserve

This world class atoll reef is infrequently visited by tourists, which is evident by the sheer abundance of all marine life that is left to thrive undisturbed. Sightings of various shark species, pelagic fish, and the entire spectrum of colours are very common, and the lucky divers may even cross paths with resident pilot whales on the journey.

Depth range: all depth ranges up to 30 meters / 100 feet.

Diver level recommendation: Suitable for all divers from beginners to advanced.

 

Natewa Bay – Breathtaking hard corals & conservation

Now here is a gem! Natewa Bay is dubbed Fiji’s newest diving paradise and it will be one of your favourite excursions in Savusavu for many reasons. This is the largest bay in the South Pacific and its perfectly secluded location protects it from winds, which affect the south of the island. This means, that when the seas are high on the oceanic side, you can take a scenic drive through the tropical forest, followed by an even more stunning scenic boat ride to some of the best hard coral gardens!

The one and only – Ocean Ventures

There is only one dive center operating in this isolated piece of heaven. Ocean Ventures offers diving and snorkelling trips in small groups for all levels. But best of all, they have started their own coral conservation programme, in which anyone can get involved and gain some hands-on experience. You will visit the coral nurseries and learn about basic biology and restoration.

 

Where to stay in Savusavu and how to get there

What better place to spend your holiday than on a private island resort? With only 11 panoramic sea-view villas Savasi has been voted Fiji’s No.1 boutique hotel. The idyllic island is surrounded by turquoise water where you can enjoy swimming at the house reef, kayaking through the mangroves or simply relaxing on the white sand beaches or in your private pool. The hospitality and atmosphere is perfect for an unforgettable vacation.

Savasi Island Resort is conveniently situated just a 10-min drive from the domestic airport of Savusavu and the local town. The best and fastest way to get to Savusavu is to take a domestic flight from Nadi (NAN) where the international airport is also located. There you will be greeted by a member of the staff and transferred conveniently to the resort.

 

Rainbow reef

Another absolute must for anyone planning to scuba dive in Fiji is the Rainbow Reef. It is located in the Somosomo Strait between Vanua Levu and Taveuni and is accessible from both islands. This 32-kilometer-long coral reef has been voted one of the most beautiful places to dive in the world. It inspired the name of “the capital of soft coral”. The pieces of coral are astonishing here. The tides result in strong currents in the strait, which create a perfect environment for soft coral to prosper. The reef is teeming with life including reef sharks and pelagic species as the occasional great hammerhead shark or manta ray. 

If you prefer to dive from Vanua Levu, you can go from Savusavu (look up the Savusavu paragraph for the trip there) to the south-east side of the island. Otherwise, you can also take a flight to Taveuni. Make sure to save a few days to visit the amazing dive sites of Rainbow Reef. We also strongly recommend shore dives and night dives.

 

Rainbow reef’s best dive sites 

The Great White Wall

This peculiar site offers a view on a dramatic wall completely covered with white soft coral. It almost looks like if it has been enveloped with a thin layer of snow. The Great White Wall is one of the most famous dive sites in the world for a good reason. The grandness of this place will surely blow your mind!

You will start your dive by swimming down through a wonderful chimney full of giant fan corals (make sure you bring a light with you). As you exit, the marvellous sight of a completely vertical wall, which drops to more than 35m / 115ft will unravel in front of you. Watch out for pelagic species out in the blue and for whitetip sharks sleeping on the plateau as you’ll shallow up.

Note that the soft white corals are open only a few days a month, depending on the tides and lunar calendar. If you want to dive at the Great White Wall of Fiji, make sure you time your visit. Your dive operator will be able to tell you in advance which dates would be suitable for the dive.

Depth range: 15-40 meters.

Diver level recommendation: Open Water diver or higher.

 

Rainbow’s End

The most flamboyant dive site of them all! Everything you imagined the scuba diving in Fiji to be and more. A dense mix of soft and hard coral and literally thousands of fish cover the slope. The biodiversity here is so rich that you can spend the whole dive exploring just a small patch of the dive site. You will see piled corals in literally all the colours of the rainbow! Many white tip reef sharks and spotted eagle rays reside here, so be sure to check out the sandy bottom as well.

Depth range: 5-25 meters / 15-80 feet

Diver level recommendation: Suitable for all divers from beginners to advanced.

 

Annie’s Bommie

Annie’s Bommie refers to several large pinnacles rising from the seabed which display some of the iconic sea life of Fiji such as school of fusiliers, mackerels and trevallies, octopus, moray eels, bubble coral and leopard sharks for the lucky ones. This site metamorphoses depending on the current’s strength due to the bursting of colourful soft corals when the current is strong.

Depth range: 5-25 meters / 15-80 feet

Diver level recommendation: Suitable for all divers from beginners to advanced.

 

 

Where to stay at Rainbow Reef and how to get there

Can you imagine having the prettiest and healthiest reef literally at your feet? Sau Bay Resort & Spa is just what you are looking for! This secluded luxury hotel is just a 10min boat ride from the best dive sites of Rainbow Reef. It is situated in a quiet bay, amid a pristine rainforest, accessible only by boat. Here you can completely disconnect from everyday life and reconnect with nature. Apart from world-class diving you can enjoy mangrove or cultural history walks, a trip to Taveuni and its beautiful waterfalls or simply relax in your waterfront bure. A highlight in itself is the Somosomo spa, where you can indulge in a range of transformative treatments inspired by ancient Fijian rituals, tailored to relieve the stresses of the modern world.

Getting to Sau Bay involves a scenic flight to Savusavu or Taveuni. There are multiple flights a day from Nadi or Suva you can choose from. The Taveuni airport is slightly closer and involves a 20min car ride + 20min boat ride to reach the resort. From Savusavu the transfer is 1,5h by car + 20min by boat.

 

Pacific Harbour

If you love sharks, then you must head to Beqa Lagoon! This area is renown for the most fantastic bull shark encounters. Pacific Harbour is  located on Viti Levu on the main island, approximately 2h drive from Nadi international airport. Apart from the breathtaking shark dives, the region also has amazing coral life with massive pinnacles and swim throughs as well as some pretty cool wrecks.

There are 8 species of sharks that you have high chances of seeing during the famous shark dives. Prepare to see up to 50 bull sharks on a single dive (largest in the world), whitetip reef sharks, blacktip reef sharks, nurse sharks, lemon sharks, grey reef sharks, silvertip sharks, and even the occasional tiger shark. 

 

Beqa shark dive

Prepare to be blown away as this will be the best dive of your life! The Bistro (there could not be a more suitable name for this dive site) is an easy 10-15min boat ride from Pacific Harbour. After an extensive safety briefing you will descend down a line to a purposefully sunk wreck and together with your guide make your way to the shark point. There you will have 20-25min bottom time to have the most bedazzling shark encounters ever!

Shark diving is year round but bull sharks will be off mating from November to January. They will start returning to Beqa in February and will be in full swing by March-October. Tiger sharks are year round but you have higher chance of seeing them from April to October. 

Depth range: 10-25 meters / 33-80 feet

Diver level recommendation: Open Water diver or higher

 

 

The most reputable dive center

Aqua Trek has over 20 years of experience in shark conservation and sustainable tourism. We guarantee you will have the time of your life feeling safe and having an adrenaline rush at the same time. All dive guides are extremely knowledgable and experienced with sharks, which will guarantee your good time.

Aqua Trek runs double-tank shark dives 4 times a week and are 100% dedicated to customer safety and satisfaction! On the other 3 days you can join them for splendid reef and wreck dives in the area!

 

Budget for scuba diving in Fiji

Fiji is a relatively expensive country the diving rate varies between 150 FJ$ (approx. 65USD) and 450 FJ$ (approx 200USD) for 2 dives depending on the operator, potential marine park fees and on whether you have your own equipment or not. Food and accommodation are also considerably expensive so make sure that you saved enough! 😉

 

Diving conditions

During wet season, from November to September, water temperature rises up to 30°C/85°F. However, this is also the time of the year during which runoffs are more likely to cause medium visibility. The dry season extends from May to September and water temperature drops to around 26°C/79°F. Nevertheless, Fiji is a country extremely damp where it rains often. Therefore, we fully recommend packing some rain coats and good shoes.

The water visibility in Fiji usually ranges from 25 to 60 meters / 80 to 200 ft, depending on conditions and dive sites.

All underwater photos by Tobias Friedrich – BELOW SURFACE

 

Capturing your underwater adventures directly on your phone

If you like taking photos and videos on your holiday, then you will surely love the idea of taking your phone on your dives and capturing some unforgettable moments. The DIVEVOLK SeaTouch 4 Max housing is adaptable to any smartphone brand and model. It is the only full touchscreen housing on the market, which means you have access to all the apps on your phone underwater. This is particularly handy, with powerful photography apps such as FilmicPro. Best of all, you have all your footage directly on your phone already and do not need to download it from an action camera. Read the full review here!

 

 

What else can you do in Fiji apart from scuba diving?

Fiji is a breathtaking country, as much underwater as on land. There are long empty beaches perfect to discover surfing, beautiful hikes around waterfalls and some of the friendliest population there is. We highly recommend hanging out with the locals and discovering their beautiful culture!

For more inspiration, check out our blog post about Raja Ampat & the extraordinary biodiversity of “The Last Paradise”.