Diving in Viti Levu

Dive with the Sharks of Fiji

Until recently, the main island of Viti Levu was not well known for having the best diving in Fiji. However Rakiraki in the north of the island is fast becoming recognised for its world-class diving opportunities that are equal to anywhere else in Fiji. These outstanding dive sites feature spectacular coral reefs, dramatic pinnacles and huge volumes of fish. There are miles of untouched reefs and new dive sites are still being mapped and explored by the dive resorts here.

We also highly recommend that any diver's trip to Fiji should be organised to include a stay near Pacific Harbour to join the amazing shark feed dive at Shark Reef, where you have a very real chance of once-in-a-lifetime encounters with bull sharks and tiger sharks.

Elsewhere, the diving in Viti Levu is characterised by hard coral walls and channels visited by pelagics. In our opinion, places like the Coral Coast have little in the way of top quality scuba diving and don't really live up to expectations.

Just off the south coast of Viti Levu lie the soft coral bommies and pinnacles of Beqa Lagoon. This is one of the best known scuba diving destinations within Fiji.

Enquire Now

Dive Site Descriptions

Rakiraki - Discover the underwater world of the awesome Bligh Water. The unspoilt reefs, dramatic drop-offs and abundance of marine life surpass the expectations of even the most demanding diver. Show more

You can expect to see gardens of giant sea fans, vibrant soft corals, sponges, invertebrates and masses of colourful reef fish. Finning alongside barracudas, turtles, and numerous species of sharks is a regular occurrence. Manta rays, whales, and dolphins are also occasional visitors.

Shark Reef - Over a decade of protection from fishing has meant that this area, on Fiji's main island, Viti Levu, can be teeming with fish both big and small but it is the incredible shark feeding experience that make this spot a must see experience for divers visiting Fiji. Show more

Diving here will find you resting on the sea bed a little distance away from the experienced guides who distribute chunks of fish to any passers-by - and what a sight! 8 different types of sharks frequent this area and cruise by to rip a piece of fish flesh from the outstretched hands of the guides which will send your heart racing! Watch our: Fiji shark diving video.

Vitawatawa Channel - Once out across the open-sea lagoon, you'll drop into the Vitawatawa Channel that runs along the south coast of Viti Levu. The outside edge of the lagoon forms a wall to the open ocean, and it's here that your dive begins. Show more

Descending down past ledges of pore corals your attention will soon be taken by the common lionfish, sometimes hidden under rock protusions, but often seen parading up and down the wall with their spectacular, barbed pectoral fins raised in display. Blue goldbelly damselfish dance in the bright shallow water, and pairs of speckled angelfish make way for you as you continue your descent.

Once at your deepest level, you just go with the flow, which ever way the current will be running, east or west, along the convoluted wall. Often large swarms of 3-striped fusiliers race past in a silvery blur. Small schools of yellow spotted, striped large-eye bream slowly move away as your approach.

Approaching the lagoon mouth, you turn inward and the reef wall makes way to a sandy, estuary-like bottom, flanked by rocky walls. If you've never seen them before, now is your chance to see guitar sharks as they often move in and out of the lagoon in search of food. Named for their unmistakable body shape, these rare creatures grow to over 3 metres, are cartilaginous, and belong to ray and shark group of species.

A little further inside the lagoon entrance, several boulder formations form large swim-throughs and, when the tide is running in or out of the lagoon, grey reef sharks gather on the boulder surfaces to hunt for food in the current.

How to Dive Viti Levu

Stay in Pacific Harbour on the south coast of Viti Levu for the best access to the shark diving and Beqa Lagoon. Pacific Harbour is the home of the shark feeding concession at Shark Reef.

The secluded white sandy beaches of Rakiraki on the picturesque north coast of Viti Levu are only 2 hours drive from Nadi International Airport. The best dive sites in this area can be reached by boat within 20-30 minutes from the comfort of a north coast dive resort.

Got a question?
Have a look through our Frequently asked questions

Diving Season

You can comfortably visit Viti Levu throughout the year with July, August and September being the peak months for visibility. Given the diving we recommend here, seeing 40 metres is not really necessary as the action takes place just a few metres away from your nose. The warmest water (29°C) can be found in the summertime from November to April.

Reef Summary

Good for: Large animals and non-diving activities
Not so good for: Wrecks
Depth: 5 - 35m
Visibility: 5 - 30m
Currents: Usually gentle but can be strong
Surface conditions: Can be choppy
Water temperature: 25 - 29°C
Experience level: Beginner - advanced
Number of dive sites: >75, plus access to more in other destinations
Access: Diving resorts
Recommended length of stay: 1 week, or 2 weeks to dive all areas accessible from here

• Viti Levu travel information

View a map of:
• Fiji

Enquire Now

Back to diving in Fiji index