Scuba Diving in Fiji

Working as a Dive Operations Manager on Fiji’s Coral Coast, I grew a strong appreciation for what makes this country so special. Beyond the infectious “Bula spirit” and genuinely warm hospitality, Fiji offers some of the most colorful soft coral reefs and thrilling shark dives anywhere in the world. On a single trip you can drift past towering pinnacles covered in pink, purple and orange soft corals, drop onto deep-sea atolls, or kneel on the sand as dozens of bull sharks cruise past in Beqa Lagoon.

Fiji's scuba diving scene is best known for its colorful soft corals which offer an unmatched wide spectrum of colors, great variations of healthy hard corals, dramatic topography, typically clear water, and a great variety of reef fish. Fiji is also home to some of the world's best shark dives, especially in the Beqa Lagoon area where the country's Shark Reef Marine Reserve is located.

Jacques Cousteau coined Fiji the "Soft Coral Capital of the World," thanks to the strong, nutrient‑rich currents that allow these reefs to thrive. This name has stuck and given Fiji much of its diving identity. Read more about the vibrant dive sites and what makes Bligh Water so special in our full article.

Here is what Bluewater Travel's Mark Strickland has to say about Fiji: "I could never pick just one favorite dive destination, but Fiji certainly ranks among my top three". Quite a statement coming from such a well‑traveled underwater photographer!

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Our featured partner in Fiji: Waidroka Bay Resort

Waidroka Bay Resort in Fiji is a boutique dive and surf escape on the Coral Coast, offering world-class scuba diving in Beqa Lagoon, including vibrant reefs, diverse marine life, and exciting shark encounters. Beyond diving, guests can enjoy surfing, snorkeling, kayaking, poolside relaxation, and cultural or land adventures, making it an ideal getaway for divers and their travel companions.

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Where is Fiji?

A group of roughly 330 tropical islands in Melanesia in the South Pacific, Fiji is roughly 1100 miles northeast of New Zealand. The capital and gateway city, Nadi, is located on Viti Levu, one of the two major islands. Fiji is an amazing place with beautiful islands, friendly and fun people, a vibrant native culture and some of the best diving in the world.

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Marine Life & Photography Subjects in Fiji

On most Fiji dive days you’ll move from huge, colorful reef scenes to small, characterful critters in a single dive. We regularly see colorful angelfish, anemonefish, anthias, colorful frogfish, hawkfish, moray eels, ghost pipefish, and countless other photogenic species.

Blue ribbon eels are classic Fiji subjects. The yellow-and-blue males are full of personality, and with a bit of hunting you can find the all-yellow females and black juveniles (beautiful but challenging to shoot well).

Sharks do exist in Fiji though they are not found on every dive, with Beqa being the one exception. The most common species seen are grey reef, white tip reef, silvertip, and hammerhead. Sharks always make great subjects, but reef sharks are difficult to get close to.

For real shark action, do the shark dive in Beqa Lagoon. Here you’ll see up to 8 different species of sharks numbering in the dozens, including very large bull sharks and a massive tiger shark that makes semi-regular appearances.

Editor's Note: If you're a real shark aficionado, see our guide to the Best Shark Diving in the World

Other fun subjects include banded sea snakes, several species of turtles, and pelagics like tuna, barracuda, and occasionally manta rays.

There are also plenty of macro opportunities. While diversity is not as great as Southeast Asia's coral triangle, there is still a wide range of species here, including mantis shrimp, decorator crabs, bobtail squid, and many different nudibranchs.

Interested in Macro? Check out our list of the Best Macro Destinations in the World.

Camera and lens tips: You’ll definitely want two strobes to get full light coverage in your frame. Use as much strobe power as possible to illuminate the soft corals and really make them shine. Fortunately, soft corals don’t move so you can get as close as you want. Bracket and really work on your blue backgrounds. Get close to the soft coral with a fisheye lens. Fiji is a great place to get close to the coral and practice your wide-angle technique. Take your time, put your strobes on manual, and get your exposures right.

Fiji Coral Reefs

In Fiji, it’s all about the corals. The colors are so incredibly vibrant and the anthias so plentiful that it’s hard to ever look away. Around every corner is the next world-class image. Remember to get in the current. One of the main draws of diving Fiji are the reef scenes - they are quite spectacular!

The gorgeous, lush, color-splashed images of Fiji that you see in dive publications are courtesy of a soft coral called dendronephthya. Few other places in the world offer such an abundance of this coral, nor the wide spectrum of colors, ranging from pink, purple, orange, yellow and fiery red. Dendronephthya soft coral needs current. With little current present, the soft corals are muted, but as the current increases, they inflate with water and their color really begins to glow.

Watch our webinar where we tell you everything you need to know about the Bligh Water

Discover why Volivoli is one of our most recommended resorts in our in-depth article Fiji’s Friendly Gateway to Bligh Water’s Best Reefs

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As the current picks up, planktivores such as beautifully colored scalefin anthias spring up off the reef in polarized schools. Together, this forms a rich pageantry of color. Underwater photographers will want to shoot when some current is present, making a dramatic difference in the color of underwater imagery.

The best places for soft coral in Fiji are the Bligh Waters between Viti Levu and Vanua Levu where there are numerous reefs and pinnacles, the Somosomo Strait between Taveuni and Vanua Levu, and Namena Island and its marine protected area.

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Interested in corals? Check out our list of the Best Coral Reefs in the World.

What it's like to Dive Fiji

The majority of diving is done as drift dives, allowing you to cover large distances and see walls of soft corals. Current is your friend in Fiji, as it brings out the soft corals while wildlife piles up on the current side of boomies.

As a photographer, you may wish to bring a reef hook - find a spot with beautiful colors, hook in, and shoot to your hearts delight! The tops of pinnacles and bommies usually host a plethora of life. Just hook in and shoot as the current blows you around.

Always have a safety sausage so the tender boat can see you when you surface. Despite what you may have been told, soft corals are not everywhere in Fiji — you need to go to specific areas. Likewise, there are some stunning hard coral reefs in Fiji that nobody talks about, great macro, some good pelagic life, and the best shark dive in the world. Many people take an underwater photography class before coming to Fiji.

For awesome drift diving along spectacular walls, check out diving Komodo or our Tubbataha diving guide.

Water Temperature: Dry season (June–Sep) temps are in the mid‑70s °F, with August being the coolest month. Wet season (Dec–Apr) temps are in the low 80s °F, with Feb/Mar being the warmest months underwater.

Visibility: During the dry season, visibility is often 100+ ft outside the lagoons. The Bligh Waters can have high visibility even in the wet season, ranging from 80–100 ft.

Weather: Fiji is warm and tropical most of the time with air temperatures ranging between 26–31 °C all year round.

Seasons & Diving Comfort – First‑Hand Notes

Wet season (Nov–Apr): Expect heavier rain in some regions and reduced visibility close to shore due to run‑off, but outer reef sites are often still clear. Seas can be wonderfully flat after rain, and water temps around 28–30 °C / 82–86 °F make shorties and rash vests very comfortable.

Dry season (May–Oct): Less humid with cooler water—down to about 23 °C / 73 °F at the coldest. Most divers are fine in a 3 mm, but if you’re “thermally challenged” a 5 mm is ideal. Trade winds, especially June–Oct, can make longer rides to remote sites choppier—but this is also peak bull shark season in Beqa.

Currents: Often strongest near spring tides and around the equinoxes (March & September). Strong current sites have the best soft coral; on true slack tide the corals can look limp. Good operators plan around this, but for the very best soft‑coral dives, being comfortable in current is important.

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Beqa Lagoon (Coral Coast & Beqa)

Best for: Shark dives, colorful reefs, adventurous travelers who like a “family” feel.

Stay at: Waidroka Bay Resort

Waidroka is a small 3‑star boutique resort tucked into rainforest on the Coral Coast, with rustic but comfortable rooms and very friendly, authentic Fijian hospitality. It’s ideal for divers who want the Beqa Lagoon shark dive plus soft coral reefs, and also enjoy surfing, yoga, or rafting on their non‑dive days. The on‑site dive center (recently voted Dive Center of the Year 2025) offers full valet service and caters well to different experience levels. Waidroka is about 3–4 hours by road from Nadi International Airport and can organize all transfers.

Bligh Water (Viti Levu North)

Best for: Soft coral “greatest hits” and easy logistics.

Stay at: Volivoli Beach Resort

Volivoli is a popular 4‑star dive resort with ocean‑view villas, a professional dive operation (Ra Divers), and access to 90+ sites in the Bligh Water area. It’s easy to reach—no additional flights or ferries—and the resort organizes transfers. There’s unlimited shore diving on the house reef (great for macro shooters) and a well‑equipped camera room, plus big, comfortable boats with small guide‑to‑diver ratios.

Rainbow Reef, Somosomo Strait (Taveuni)

Best for: Iconic soft‑coral walls (Great White Wall), more remote feel.

Stay at: Paradise Taveuni and similar Taveuni dive resorts

Reaching Taveuni involves a domestic flight from Viti Levu or a ferry from Vanua Levu—often on small planes that may split groups across flights. It’s more effort but rewarded with some of Fiji’s most untouched reef. Paradise Taveuni is an intimate, eco‑style resort largely powered by solar, very dive‑focused, with flexible scheduling, a camera room, and a good house reef for shore entries.

Great Astrolabe Reef (Kadavu)

Best for: Remote hard corals, mantas, off‑the‑grid eco stays.

Stay at: Matava and other Kadavu eco resorts

Kadavu is for divers happy to go off the beaten path. It requires a domestic flight from Nadi or Suva and often an additional boat ride. Resorts like Matava are “true eco” – very limited electricity, central charging, no air‑conditioning, and some steep paths and stairs. In exchange you get raw, wild reef, mantas on the Great Astrolabe Reef, and a strong sustainability focus.

Liveaboard – Nai’a

Best for: Seeing multiple regions without transit hassle; serious divers and photographers.

Boat: Nai’a

If you can’t choose just one area—or want access to more remote sites like Namena Marine Reserve and the Koro Sea—a liveaboard like Nai’a is ideal. Trips run 7–10 days and cover areas day boats can’t reliably reach. Nai’a has an excellent reputation for staff, food, and dive operation, and is a favorite with photographers.

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Here are the top scuba diving spots that you shouldn't miss while diving Fiji:

1. Taveuni
2. Beqa Lagoon
3. Viti Levu
4. Vatu-I-Ra Passage
5. Kadavu and the Astrolab Reef

Learn more about diving in Fiji, read all about our 2024 Photo & GoPro Video Workshop.

Taveuni

Taveuni offers great diving on the famous Rainbow Reef, which lies in the Somosomo Strait and has great soft corals and lots of reef sharks like whitetips, gray reef sharks and nurse sharks. There can be currents, so it's not necessarily for beginners. However, the soft corals look their best in the currents!

There are around 20 different dive sites on the Rainbow Reef. The "inner reef", the north side of the rainbow reef, has the best soft corals, and streams of anthias and fusiliers. Best dive sites include "Rainbow Passage" and "Rainbow's End".

The "outer reef" is on the south side of the rainbow reef, and has a better chance of shark sightings. Top dive sites include the "Great White Wall" with endless streams of white soft coral from 80ft to 120ft on a wall, and "The Zoo" which is known for more frequent big animal sightings.

Beqa Lagoon

Beqa Lagoon has beautiful reefs, a great variety of marine life and is also home to one of the best shark dives in the world, with several species of sharks appearing. From Nadi, it's a 2.5-hour car ride, followed by a 45-minute boat ride.

Viti Levu & Rakiraki (Main Island)

From the main island, it's a 2–3 hour drive to your resort. Staying in the central north coast in the Rakiraki area means that you can dive the Bligh Water directly from your resort, with just a 50-minute boat ride. In the Bligh Water you can see beautiful soft corals, sharks (including hammerheads on occasion) and turtles. The Bligh Water are home to famous dive sites such as Mellow Yellow, which has gorgeous yellow soft corals, and Black Magic Mountain, which has prolific amounts of fish, anemones, and hard & soft corals. Taking a boat like the Naia liveaboard is the best way to dive the Bligh Waters, but it can also be dived from Volivoli Beach Resort - weather depending.

The Rakiraki / Volivoli area also has more protected "local" dive sites that are a 20–35 minute boat ride from the resort. These sites have incredible structure, sea fans, swim-throughs, and copious amounts of fish, along with occasional whitetip sharks.

Along Fiji’s Coral Coast, divers based at resorts such as Waidroka Bay Resort can also explore the offshore pinnacle Cakau Leka Leka. This unusual site is a stand-alone coral formation rising from deep water roughly 39 km (24 miles) southwest of Viti Levu. Because of its exposed offshore location, it is rarely visited and typically accessed only on special trips when sea conditions allow.

Vatu-I-Ra Passage

In the Bligh Waters lies the Vatu-I-Ra passage, home to some of Fiji's best dive sites and the most amazing soft coral reefscapes. The passage lies on the northeast coast of Viti Levu, and the reefs display the most spectacular rainbow of colors. E6 is one of the most famous dive sites of the passage.

Kadavu and The Astrolabe Reef

Kadavu is an island south of the main island and is less visited than most of the other islands on Fiji. The resorts on the island offer an "Eco" experience. The area is remote and pristine, and the diving has great coral and marine life, including manta ray cleaning stations. It is also known for having less current than other places like the Bligh Water or the Rainbow Reef near Taveuni. There are a lot of fish and a good number of reef sharks. Many of the dive sites are short boat rides from the resorts. Topside activities include kayaking, visiting waterfalls, and great birdwatching.

Namena Island

The Namena Island reserve is a one hour boat ride from Savusavu on a fast boat, if the weather cooperates. It is also frequently dived via liveaboard. Here, you can experience some of Fiji's best diving, including prolific fish, amazing soft corals, huge schools of jacks & barracudas, pelagics, sharks, and even schooling hammerheads. Top dive sites include "Grand Central Station".

Learn more about diving in Fiji from Bluewater travel advisor/trip leader Katie Yonker's Fiji & Her Islands: A Photo Essay

Related Destinations

The Red Sea is similar to Fiji in terms of having a large diversity of fish, corals, and both big and small animals. One difference, is the Red Sea is more of a liveaboard based location, while Fiji is generally resort based. Fiji also offers more opportunities for snorkeling.

The Sea of Cortez has a great diversity of life, but not the colorful corals that Fiji has. Fiji is a nice colorful change if most of your diving has been in Mexico, or in the Caribbean in a place like the Cayman Islands.

How To Get To Fiji

Fiji’s department of tourism has done its homework and made Fiji one of the easiest places to get to for diving in the Pacific. Flight schedules are good and fares on the national airline, Fiji Airways, are very reasonable. Fiji is quite easy to get to from the USA.

There are daily direct redeye flights from Los Angeles (LAX) to Nadi (NAN). You cross over the international dateline along the way; a Thursday night flight gets you into Nadi (NAN) on Saturday morning. If staying there, you simply transfer to your hotel or meet your liveaboard.

When departing, you fly out of Nadi (NAN) in the late evening and return to LAX in the afternoon of the same day—you get back the day that you lost going over the dateline. If flying to one of the outer islands, the domestic terminal is next door to the international arrival hall, and island flights are usually less than one hour. You are relaxing in your beachfront bure by noon!

How To Dive Fiji

There is a range of choices of dive resort based on comfort level. Liveaboards are also available and they rate as some of the best in the world.  For an immersive photography experience aboard a premier liveaboard, consider joining our Fiji Photo Workshop on the Nai'a – October 2027, where expert guidance meets world-class dive sites.

Check out our list of Fiji dive resorts.

Fiji is a great family destination, with plenty of snorkeling and top-side activities for non-divers. You can read more about our Preferred Partner resort in Fiji, Volivoli Beach Resort.

Before jumping into a conclusion on the best time to visit and dive Fiji, let's go through the two distinct seasons of this beautiful chain of islands: dry and wet seasons.

June through October is the dry season. During that time, the water is clearest (100+ ft) but it can be windy and water temps can drop into the mid-70s °F.

Fiji’s wet season runs from December to April, when winds ease off and visibility decreases slightly, though it still often exceeds 60 feet. Water temperatures remain warm in the low 80s °F. This period also coincides with cyclone season (similar to hurricanes and typhoons in other regions). The last major storm to affect Fiji was Tropical Cyclone Winston in 2016.

The transitional months of November and May might be the best times to go. However, keep in mind that the weather can be different on different islands. The jungle mountains of Viti Levu top out at over 4,000 ft and create their own weather.

Quite often, clouds form by the afternoon and dissipate as early morning rain showers arrive. The northern part of Viti Levu usually has clearer weather than the south.

Other Things To Do in Fiji

Unlike many other remote dive destinations, Fiji provides a host of non-diving activities to enjoy on your days off. You could easily spend a day or two (or more!) enjoying the island of Viti Levu.

Here you'll find waterfalls, caves, zip lines, the Garden of the Sleeping Giant, authentic villages, temples, and even a championship golf course. If you choose to venture to some of the outer islands there are a number of day cruises, charters, and boat hires.

 Practical Information

• Currency: Fijian Dollar
• Language: Fiji has three official languages - English, Fijian and Hindi
• Time Zone: UTC+12
• Electricity: 240 V 50Hz

Capturing Fiji’s underwater beauty—from bustling coral gardens to close-up critter encounters—requires a camera setup that’s compact, reliable, and capable of high-quality results across a range of conditions. Whether you're snorkeling in a lagoon or diving deep with manta rays, here's a well-balanced kit for enthusiasts and professionals alike.

Best Camera for Underwater Photography in Fiji

OM SYSTEM Tough TG‑7

This rugged compact camera is a top pick for underwater shooters thanks to its durability, exceptional macro capabilities, and travel-friendly size.

• Sensor: 12MP BSI CMOS (excellent in low light)
• Video: Shoots 4K at 30fps and Full HD at 120fps
• Macro: One of the best microscope modes available underwater
• RAW Support: Yes
• Waterproofing: Rated to 15 meters without a housing

Why it’s ideal for Fiji: Compact yet powerful, it excels in vibrant reef scenes and super-detailed macro work—perfect for Fiji’s diverse marine life.

Alternative: For those already shooting mirrorless, the Sony A7C II or Canon R5 Mark II offer exceptional image quality, though they require a larger, more complex setup.

Recommended Housing

Olympus PT‑059 Housing (for TG‑7)

A dependable and affordable housing option that unlocks the full underwater potential of the TG‑7.

• Depth Rating: 45 meters
• Controls: Full access to all camera functions
• Lens Compatibility: Works with wide-angle and macro wet lenses
• Travel Friendly: Lightweight and compact—great for boat diving

Why bring it to Fiji: Simple, solid, and easy to use. Built for repeated dives and perfect for divers who want a no-fuss setup.

Upgrade Option: The Nauticam NA‑TG7 housing offers a more robust aluminum build with room for future expansion and accessories.

Lighting for Underwater Photography

Sea & Sea YS‑D3 DUO Strobe

A powerful and flexible strobe for still photography.

• Power: Guide Number 33
• Modes: TTL, Manual, Slave
• Coverage: 105° standard, up to 130° with diffuser
• Recycle Time: ~1.7 seconds

Why it's great for Fiji: Adds rich, natural color back into your reef photos, especially in clear tropical waters.

For Video Shooters:
Kraken Hydra 8000 WRGBU V2

An advanced continuous light perfect for wide-angle video.

• Output: 8000 lumens
• Modes: White, red, blue, UV, and full RGB spectrum

Why it shines in Fiji: Brings reef scenes and manta encounters to life with vibrant illumination and wide coverage.

Useful Accessories

• Wide-Angle Wet Lens (e.g., Nauticam WWL-C): Ideal for reefscapes, sharks, or mantas
• Macro Wet Lens (e.g., Nauticam CMC-1 or CMC-2): Great for capturing small critters like nudibranchs or shrimp
• Buoyancy Arms/Collars: Helps offset weight for better balance underwater
• Fiber Optic Cable: Syncs your strobe with the camera’s built-in flash
• Strobe Arm System: Dual-arm setups offer more control over strobe positioning and angle

Looking for a romantic getaway in Fiji, check out the Tokoriki Island Resort.