Posted by on 07 Mar 2022

Fiji is the perfect island getaway not only for beach fans but also for divers. After all, the island’s best-kept treasures lie under its azure waters.

Known as the “Soft Coral Capital of the World,” Fiji is home to colourful corals that are bursting with life. Thousands of fish, sharks, rays, turtles and other sea animals await visitors looking for an exciting experience.

Scuba diving remains one of the most fun things to do when visiting this tropical paradise. Read more to learn about the best spots when exploring Fiji underwater.

9 Fiji Scuba Diving Sites For Adventurous Souls

Beqa Lagoon

Photo from Royal Davui Island Resort

The Beqa Lagoon is one of the most sought-after diving spots in Fiji. Located in the south of Viti Levu, this soft coral paradise brims with incredible marine life that’ll leave you in awe.

This shallow lagoon has something unique to offer for all types of divers. For example, if you want to see colourful soft corals, you’d love Caesar’s Rocks. Meanwhile, if sunken shipwrecks are your thing, the Carpet Cove has plenty of treasures waiting for you.

But the highlight of this lagoon lies in the Shark Reef Marine Reserve, a shark lover’s haven. This sanctuary houses different kinds of sharks—from tiger sharks, bull sharks, lemon sharks, reef sharks, and more. And if you’re lucky, you can spot up to 50 bull sharks in one dive!

The Great Astrolabe Reef

If you want to visit one of the best Fiji dive sites, you don’t need to look further. The Great Astrolabe Reef lies in the remote Kadavu Island, the fourth largest island in Fiji. This hidden spot is filled with many wonders for ocean explorers across the globe.

This spectacular reef is one of the largest ones on Earth. Its pristine waters go as deep as about 100 feet and stretch up to 60 miles. But instead of big waves, the sea will welcome you with gentle currents.

Its sheer size, along with a lively marine environment, makes it a great diving site that you don’t want to miss. Get a chance to swim with sharks, turtles, manta rays, and other colourful fishes.

Rainbow Reef

Witness the gorgeous colours of Fiji underwater when you visit the Rainbow Reef. What makes this place so special is the array of pink and orange corals lining the walls of the ocean. It creates a stunning view that will surely take your breath away.

Schools of fish peacefully swim inside the multi-coloured coral gardens. As you dive, you can also meet manta rays, sharks, and schools of barracuda.

The Great White Walls is a must-see attraction in the Rainbow Reef. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can swim into this 40-metre-deep site on the south side of the Rainbow.

Travel off the coast of Taveuni Island and near the Somosomo Strait to reach this awe-inspiring diving destination.

The Great Sea Reef

Photo from Von Wong

Did you know that one of the longest barrier reef systems is in Fiji? The Great Sea Reef, locally known as Cakaulevu, runs over 200 kilometres along the two ends of the northern Vanua Levu.

Enjoy the best of Fiji scuba diving with this ocean wonderland’s hidden gems. Over 74 per cent of coral species live in the waters of this reef. It also hosts incredible sea creatures such as green turtles, manta rays, bumphead parrotfishes and spinner dolphins.

Divers will have a great time swimming in the clear waters while learning about the animals under the sea.

Namena Island

Namena Island is another Fiji diving spot to look forward to when in Vanua Levu. While not as popular as the nearby Great Sea Reef, this island still packs an ocean adventure like no other.

A dreamy seascape awaits your dive—sparkling waters adorn vivid coral reefs and a sea full of life. Avid underwater explorers will fall in love with the multitude of reef fishes, turtles, and sharks swimming along with them.

Deep under the drop-offs, you can spot a hammerhead shark or two with the right timing. It truly is a diving experience to remember.

Yasawa Islands

The northwest region of this country doesn’t fall behind in the best diving sites. Enter the volcanic Yasawa Islands, with dozens of diving locations scattered across the area.

Tourists and locals alike will appreciate the wonders of its charming soft coral walls dotted by unique species of invertebrates. All dive spots in the area are available to everyone.

The best time to visit this island is from April to October. During these months, you’ll get a rare chance to meet and swim with the manta rays on Barefoot Manta Island. If this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity excites you, you can add Yasawa Islands to your Fiji dive sites.

The Supermarket

Find a one-stop shop for all the sharks and fishes in The Supermarket. And yes—believe it or not, that’s the actual name of this Fiji diving site in the Mamanuca Islands!

Ever wondered why it’s named that way? This quirky dive spot used to be a popular place for feeding sharks and other sea animals, hence the name. However, you can still see a lot of sharks swimming around the area.

Reef sharks will welcome you once you dive deeper into the waters. Then, vibrant coral reefs with many marine species await when you move your way into the corners. You can also pass by turtles, rays, and tiger sharks along your swim.

Bligh Waters

Photo by Markus Roth

Are you an experienced diver? If yes, consider adding the Bligh Waters to your diving list. This diving hotspot lies between the islands of Vanua Levu and Viti Levu.

Enjoy an exhilarating Fiji scuba diving experience as you feel the rush of the waves while going deeper into this ocean abyss. You can explore the narrow passageways under the sea and befriend the schools of tropical fish that you’ll meet.

When visiting the Bligh Waters, you can’t miss the classic Black Magic Mountain. Its coral gardens shine against the clear waters for a sight to behold.

It serves as a stunning backdrop to schools of fish such as anthias, big eye jacks and fusiliers. The area is also home to plenty of rays and sharks.

Namotu Wall

If you’re around the Mamanuca Islands, try visiting the striking coral ray in the Namotu wall. This shallow sand reef rests on the edge of a drop-off stretching to over 1,000 metres deep.

The reef has a gentle slope as it reaches the drop-off, paving the way where you can see the sandy island. The waters surrounding this reef are crystal-clear, creating a picture-perfect seascape that you can’t help but admire.

It’s also the perfect spot if you’re looking for plenty of sea creatures. Enjoy a close-up view of crayfishes, banner fishes, fusiliers and moray eels as they feed on the corals. Barracudas, white-tipped sharks and turtles are also within arm’s reach during your dive.

Learn to Scuba Dive with a Fiji Holiday

Apart from the tropical sun and the picture-perfect beaches, the island’s beautiful marine life is one of the many reasons why people visit Fiji. Luckily, this South Pacific gem offers plenty of spectacular diving sites for beginners and pros alike.

Tick off your tropical bucket list with our Fiji holiday packages.