Fiji’s The Soft Coral Capital of the World, But That’s A Small Part Of Their Story

The paradisiacal archipelago of Fiji encompasses more than 300 islands scattered around the Pacific Ocean. The azure ocean is teeming with a dazzling array of creatures both big and small. While at Fiji, you’ll get to dive into the clearest waters you can imagine. You can feast your eyes on the stunning underwater topography and biodiversity within the crystal clear ocean. Diving enthusiasts from all over the world flock to Fiji, to dive among the incredibly vibrant soft corals, which thrive in the warm waters around Fiji. They are brilliantly coloured, which gives the ocean a dramatically beautiful topography and they seem like underwater fireworks. Given the abundance of soft corals, the famous underwater explorer Jacques Cousteau named Fiji as the soft coral capital of the world. Here’s a list of the best diving spots around the island country: –

Somosomo Strait

The Somosomo Strait is a narrow stretch of the sea that separates Taveuni from Vanua Levu. Although it is a narrow strait, the underwater currents are nutrient rich and hence massive colonies of soft corals thrive in the warm waters of the Somosomo Strait. The Rainbow Reef in this strait is an explosion of vibrant corals teeming with beautiful fishes.

Beqa Shark Dive

What could be more thrilling than diving amidst the top predators of the ocean? At the Shark Reef Marine Reserve you can witness shark feeding without a cage. As thrilling as it sounds it’s actually quite safe as divers observe the sharks from a safe distance.  You can encounter several species of shark such as White tips, Black tips, Hammer heads, lemon sharks, bull sharks and massive tiger sharks.

Great Astrolabe Reef

The Great Astrolabe Reef is among the longest barrier reefs in the world. The beautiful reef stretches for more than 65 Km beyond Kadavu island and is festooned with a brilliant array of corals and large marine life such as Manta Rays and Sharks. The best dive sites to observe the Great Astrolabe Reef include undersea pinnacles of Eagle Rock and the maze-like Broken Stone.

Ono Island

Ono Island is among the most interesting places to visit in Fiji. At the Ono Island, you can dive along the graceful manta rays. The manta rays can have a wingspan of more than 4.5 m which helps them glide easily around the ocean. Swimming along these majestic creatures is a truly remarkable experience.

Undoubtedly, Fiji is renowned for offering the world’s best diving experiences. If diving is not included in your Fiji Tour package, make sure to take some time out from your tour schedule and enjoy an incredible diving experience at these spots.

Namena Reserve

Surrounding the tiny island of Namenalala, the approximately 70 square kilometer Namena Marine Reserve was established in 1997, stretching between the two main Fijian islands of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. With unspoiled crystal-clear waters, schools of barracuda, trevalis, sharks, coral snakes and 1000-foot vertical drop-offs, the Nimera Marine Resort is the mecca of Fiji diving experiences. The Namena Reserve is home to the only known humpback whale calving site in Fiji. Additionally, the beaches of Namenalala are a significant nesting site for endangered hawksbill and green sea turtles.