Scuba Diving Taveuni

Rainbow Reef

Rainbow Reef is one of the first dives sites people mention when talking about diving in Taveuni or Fiji. In fact the area is big enough to be subdivided into several sites and all but the shortest of stays will probably see you visit here on more than 1 occasion. Parts of it are also known as Rainbow's End or Rainbow Passage.

As you descend to begin this Taveuni dive you will see below you a great profusion of colour as this site consists of several bommies adorned with a great array of soft corals in such colours as to be reminiscent of, yes, you guessed it, a rainbow!

Currents are normally a factor here and of course this means the soft corals often look their most magnificent and the nutrients mean there is plenty of fauna to keep you amused. There are masses of colour everywhere as you make your way around the island reef which drops down from about 9 metres to a little over 20 to the sandy bottom.

Swarms of little orange basslets seem to hurtle all over the place in and around the reef, dotted with nudibranchs, crinoids and Christmas tree worms. There are also a lot of anemones around swaying in the current and being determinedly protected by the resident anemonefish. Also keep an eye out for both adult and juvenile clown triggerfish who seem to like this area.

Further removed is the big stuff so don't keep your nose buried in the bommies. Behind you there may be barracudas and white-tip reef sharks as well as the possible appearance of leopard sharks moving languidly with their huge tails slicing through the current.

Rainbow Reef Reef Basics: Submerged bommies
Depth: 7 - 28m
Visibility: 10 - 25m
Currents: Can be strong
Surface conditions: Calm but can be rough
Water temperature: 22 - 30°C
Experience level: Intermediate
Number of dive sites: 6
Diving season: All year round
Distance: 6 km from Wairiki, 18 km from Maravu Plantation Resort
Access: Taveuni scuba diving resorts and liveaboards

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