Diving in Taveuni

Dive the Garden Island

The Somosomo Strait which runs between Taveuni Island and Vanua Levu is one of Fiji's best known dive destinations and it is served by both dive resorts and liveaboard. The strait almost single-handedly earns Fiji its title as the "Soft Coral Capital of the World".

Many divers come to Taveuni just to witness the excellent soft coral blooms that occur when the current is running just right. Normally the currents are little more than a gentle helping hand along the way, guiding you past some of the most wonderful proliferations of soft corals on the planet.

Large bushes of pink, brown and orange span out to capture the passing nutrients and create a remarkable spectacle of colour. When the current is present to any reasonable extent the grateful corals expand to their finest and most enchanting, whereas without the current they would retract into barely visible balls - and who wants that?

It is not all sessile stuff when diving in Taveuni however, as the nutrient rich waters also promise plenty of plenty of pelagic fish species. You can expect to see barracudas, reef sharks and manta rays, particularly at a site aptly named 'the Zoo'. Nearby, the world famouns Rainbow Reef and Great White Wall have been noted in the 'Top 10 Dive Locations in the World' by U.S. Divers magazine.

There are also some interesting sites off the little islands in the north east of Fiji's 'Garden Island' which you will surely visit if staying for several days. Here there is less current but still plenty to see and these sites make a change from the Somosomo Strait where diving can, in every sense, be truly breath-taking.

Highlights

Rainbow Reef - One of Fiji's best-loved dive sites is found here in the Somosomo Strait between Taveuni and Vanua Levu. When the current is flowing just right the soft corals emerge in their fullest display of colour - giving the site its name. Drifting along past this profusion of life and colour you can spot all manner of fascinating marine life on this bejewelled reef and plenty of big stuff cruising around the vicinity.

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How to Dive Taveuni

The best way to dive here is by staying in one of the resorts on the island. This allows you quick and easy access to the Somosomo Strait and the other Taveuni diving sites, and can also make it easier for you to explore some of Taveuni's topside attractions. There is also a liveaboard adventure cruise that plies these waters and nearby islands.

Diving Season

Although you can dive Taveuni all the year round, the main diving season is April to October. November to January tend to see the most rainfall with the rainy season officially extending into March. Prime visibility is during Fiji's winter months of July to September when the surface can be a little choppy and potentially as cool as 22°C. During the November to April summer months, water temperature can reach a pleasant, bathtub 30°C.

Reef Summary

Great for: Large animals, reef life and health, visibility
Not so great for: Snorkelling
Depth: 10 - >40m
Visibility: 15 - 40m
Currents: Gentle to very strong
Surface conditions: Mainly calm but can be choppy further from shore
Water temperature: normally 28 - 30°C
Experience level: Beginner - advanced
Number of dive sites: 10
Access: Resorts and liveaboards
Recommended length of stay: 7 - 10 days

Dive Site Descriptions

For more on the detailed Taveuni dive sites:

• Taveuni tourist information

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