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If variety is the spice of life, then Fiji is diving’s red hot chilli pepper.

Trying to sum up the special appeal of these waters is like packing a bag for an epic journey through four seasons – or editing years of underwater video into just 30 minutes of tape!  There is simply no way to fit everything in.

Of course, most people know Fiji as the soft coral capital of the world and that’s true!  But soft corals are only a symbol of Fiji’s complete story: the soft corals vibrant colours and giant size, the diversity of fish and invertebrates that live among their branches, the dramatic changes they undergo in an ancient rhythm of survival with the tides and currents, and the many types of underwater environments in which they thrive.  Yes, Fiji’s remarkable soft corals embody all the elements that make Fiji’s reefs so exceptional.  Drama and diversity, brilliant lavish panoramas, deep water rich with food and hiding places for the mysterious and rare Fiji’s marine realm is as dynamic and splendid as nature can be.

With 333 islands surrounded by reefs and the entire spectrum of  underwater terrain, from sharks, rays and 1000 species of fish to the vivid rainbow of  soft corals, sea stars and myriad shrimp, one word does describe Fiji’s extremely diverse diving: colour.

Fiji is the colour of our wildest dreams. Come to Fiji to escape the crowded freeways and your work day demands.  But there is no avoiding the bustling crowds of fish, jampacked coral reef communities or Fiji’s flair for living colour.  Surrender to it and enjoy the view.

“The Fiji seascape is lush with colour in a way few other destinations can match.  Even the sunlight and seawater can’t mute the volume of Fiji’s symphony of hues.”
Bill Harrigan: photographer/writer: Sport Diver magazine.

 
bulletDive sites are exciting and varied.  Sheer reef walls from 3,000 feet to the surface, shallow sunlit coral gardens, current flushed channels, kayak diving, cave diving, shore diving and even a few wrecks! Sign up for some advanced or specialty dive training
bulletSuits all levels of experience – first timers to veterans, honeymooners to families.
bulletEasy to reach from all Pacific Rim countries.
bulletSafe, clean and friendly – good water, no malaria and the world’s warmest welcome.
bulletRelaxing and romantic – on “Fiji time” it doesn’t matter what day it is.
bulletMild climate – pleasant summers, balmy winters.
bulletBures (accommodation) and boats for all budgets from basic backpacker style dive services to all-inclusive live-aboard charters.
bulletHigh dive industry standard of service and professionalism and an excellent recompression chamber facility in case of emergency.
bulletSurface interval activities abound such as sea kayaking, river rafting, horseback riding, rainforest hikes, waterfalls, parasailing, game fishing, golf and surfing.
bulletFiji is building a network of marine parks and reserves – divers can only take pictures and leave ony bubbles. 

“We dropped into the blue and descended to a sandy ledge at 100ft where a hammerhead shark was sighted.  Schools of barracuda and jack inhabit the channel where a large coral pinnacle is washed by 100ft plus visibility.  From bottom to top there were intense pockets of filter feeders: crinoids, giant gorgonian fans, black coral, and massive soft coral trees.  The diving is timed to hit enough current to engorge the soft corals and cluster the fish together.  That’s what makes these reefs so vibrant and alive.”
Stephen Frink: professional underwater photographer.

Fiji is:

bullet333 volcanic, limestone and sand cay islands
bullet10,000 square kilometers of coral reef (4% of the planet’s reefs) and including the third longest barrier reef in the world, the Great Sea Reef.
bulletWithin the “coral triangle” where the greatest tropical marine biodiversity exists.
bullet445 documented species of marine plants.
bullet400 known species of coral.
bullet1000 known species of fresh and saltwater invertebrates – with thousands more discoveries predicted.
bullet1500 known species of fresh and saltwater fishes including dozens of rare and endemic species.
bulletHome to 5 of the world’s 7 marine turtle species.
bulletA migratory pathway and breeding group for whales – Fiji’s EEZ became a whale sanctuary in 2003.
bulletTargeted by the World Wildlife Fund as one of the earth’s most important marine ‘ecoregions’.

“Any country with coral reefs like this has a national treasure that should be protected.  Fiji is on of the lucky countries.”
Roger Steene: Author, photographer and marine naturalist.

NORTH
For divers looking to experience the diving in Fiji’s Northern region, the airport at Savusavu is the first port of call on the island of Vanua Levu. A quick 20 minutes hopper flight reaches Taveuni with its smaller associated islands to the northeast.

For divers, the rugged maze of islands, straits and atolls, collectively grouped in Fiji’s North, represents an amazing diversity of dive experiences.  Geographically isolated from the mainland, you’ll find resorts of varying sizes, luxury and other specialties.  A few adventure cruise expedition vessels and live-aboards also make their home here.

The North has some of Fiji’s most dramatic and famous dive locations.  Namena Marine Reserve, Savusavu Bay, Koro Island, Somosomo Straits, Motu Levu Reef and the Ringgold Atolls are just a few.  Beyond those, the region remains relatively undiscovered.  Dive operations in the North offer you the chance to do exploratory dives to discover the next famous dive site!

SOUTH
The southern region covers from mid-way along the Coral Coast on the southern shore of Viti Levu to the eastern extreme of the islands and all the islands to the south.  These islands include Vatulele, Beqa, Kadavu and beyond.  All offer a host of dive facilities and resorts to suit any conceivable traveling taste and budget.  As is the case everywhere in Fiji, it is remarkably easy to take in more than one resort or dive operator during your stay.  As always, the dive operators in the great southern region can cater for all levels of diving experiences.

Dive sites are dominated by a barrier reef with the drop-off 1oo to 300 meters offshore. Beqa is a one hour-boat ride from Pacific Harbour. Resort accommodation is available on Beqa Island.   This region is world-famous for its “shark dives” including dives with the largest tropical sharks – bulls and tigers.  World shark authorities Ron and Val Taylor claim it to be one of the world’s best.

The island of Kadavu is a short 45-minute air hop south of Nadi – a hop into a remote and unspoilt world.  Untouched here is meant literally – there are no roads despite the size of the island and divers will more often than not be on the only dive boat for miles around. Great Astrolabe Reef is one of Fiji’s diving hotspots with pristine hard and soft coral cover, amazing fish diversity and being on the 3edge of the continental shelf, there are abundant pelagics.  Though there are many well known named dives on Kadavu much of the Astrolabe is unexplored and visiting divers often have the opportunity to simply drop in and have a look for the first time.  Mantas are a signature of Kadavu with divers offered the change to dive with these amazing creatures year round.

Accommodation is typified by intimate remote resorts with professional in house diving and water sports operations.  Kadavu remains a very traditional island meaning genuine cultural experiences will be an unforgettable part of every visit.

The Fiji Islands capital of Suva is a short car ride from Pacific Harbour and offers a host of great shopping options and accommodation venues.  Nausori Airport, just outside Suva can transfer you to any part of the Fiji Islands, for you to continue your Fiji dive experience.

WEST
The western coast of Fiji with the Mamanuca and Yasawa islands scattered just offshore has long been the favourite area for travellers.  Beautiful white sandy beaches, swaying palm trees, consistent warm sunny weather and cooling evening breezes combined with its convenient location to Nadi International airport make it hard to beat.  The vivid turquoise waters are warm all year round and offer fantastic visibility, often exceeding 25m and are abundant with beautiful hard and soft corals teaming with a vast variety of colourful reef fish.  Dolphins, sharks, manta rays, turtles and large pelagic fish are frequently encountered.  Learner and novice divers are catered for in the calm inner reef waters whilst the more experienced can explore the ocean side barrier reef and numerous passages through it, all within a short boat ride.  Take advantage of all this from any of the numerous accommodation options to suite every budget, from backpacker to 5 star resort either mainland or island based.  The regions convenient location and reliable weather also make it ideal in-between dives, or for the non divers, with plenty of other activities including: snorkeling, sailing, windsurfing, parasailing, game fishing, water skiing, horse riding, golfing, tennis, day trips etc.  It’s perfect to do plenty or nothing at all!  The Western region is where the original Fijian people landed and it’s no surprise they stayed.  So if you like warm water, fantastic diving, great beaches and a warm welcome, this is the place for you.

EAST
Certainly the most isolated and difficult region to traverse, the eastern region is made up of the Lomaiviti Group and a remote chain of small islands called the Lau Group.  The Lomaiviti Group, “Fiji’s Big Fish Capital”, are the islands of Namena, Makogai, Koro, Wakaya, Batiki, Nairai, Gau, Ovalau and Moturiki; most of them boasts peaks of deep sea volcanoes rising from 1000 to 3000 metres.  The islands in the Lau Group have historically been closed to outside visitors are they have a profound significance in traditional Fijian culture.  Today, parts of the Group are opening up slightly and expeditions and liveaboards have a few trips there.  Some of the islands and dive sites in Northern Lau are rising to fame for their pristine reefs and pelagic sightings.  Dive sites such as “Never ending Story”, “Weilagilala Passage”, “Trigger Rock”, “Lewis Bank” and “Boehms Rock” are a few of the recent discoveries.

 

 
Voyager Travel now has a 4 Matai (Fiji) Specialists.  We are in the islands at least twice a year.
Call and ask the Fiji Specialist for assistance in planning your Fiji Vacation.

Click for Nadi, Fiji Forecast

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