Safety rules before diving
Experienced divers are already familiar with these rules, but we'd like to remind you of them if you're new to diving in Fiji. In principle, dive centers or resorts will remind you of these rules, but we prefer to do so ourselves. One of the most important rules is not to fly immediately after a dive. The minimum time between the last single no-decompression dive and the moment you take the plane is 12 hours, and it's sometimes even recommended 24 hours, especially if you've done a long cycle of dives. Remember to stay well hydrated during the dive, apply sunscreen, stay in the shade between dives and protect your lips from the sun too. Fiji is not a particularly hazardous destination for diving, so you'll find the same risks as everywhere else: dehydration, sunburn, injuries from rubbing against coral. Wearing a wetsuit protects you in principle against many of these risks, but remain vigilant. If a wound does form, be sure to disinfect it on your return from the dive and keep an eye on it. In a tropical climate, it can take longer for openings to close up. It's also important to be transparent with your instructors about your diving level, and this is neither the time nor the place to show off! If you haven't dived for several months, and even if you have a very good basic level, it's best to start again with slightly less demanding dives.
Respect for the environment
Corals are living organisms, animals and not plants, so it's absolutely essential not to touch them too much, and of course not to take them with you as a souvenir: it's a very bad idea. Boats don't anchor near coral reefs to avoid damaging them, and resorts may even specify times when snorkeling should be avoided, as the tide is too low and the risk of contact too high. The polyps of which coral is made are very fragile and the slightest contact can damage them. So be careful with your flippers too; even if there's no direct contact, the power of your movements can cause damage. So avoid very wide movements when you get close to the bottom. In caves, special care is needed: stay as short as possible, and avoid going in groups of two. Don't feed the fish either, as this can disrupt their habits. It's also a very bad idea to feed sharks, and should be left to the professionals. Choose mineral sunscreen rather than conventional sunscreen, which contains products that can damage coral. And last but not least, don't get too close to turtles and manta rays, tempting though it may be, as too close contact can cause them considerable stress.
Initiatives to protect Fiji's seabed have multiplied in recent years. A pioneering site is the Waitabu Marine Reserve on the island of Taveuni. In Fiji, everything to do with fishing and marine areas is often the responsibility of the village chief. The chiefs of the villages near Waitabu have therefore banned fishing in this area, and this is respected by the vast majority of local residents. Several resorts in the Yasawas have set up programs to protect sharks and manta rays, as well as to help coral development. You can adopt a shark (virtually, of course) at Beqa Lagoon and make a financial contribution to shark protection.
Diving in Viti Levu, Yasawas and Mamanucas
We're going to talk here about the most beautiful diving spots on the Mamanucas and Yasawas archipelagos, as well as those on the main island of Viti Levu, as these destinations will normally be on the itinerary of most tourists to Fiji. But don't get us wrong, there are wonderful spots on other islands too, and they too deserve an extended stay just for them. If you're looking for an all-inclusive holiday with accommodation and diving, we'd advise you to take a look at Taveuni, which offers some great packages for discovering the Rainbow Reef. Our American friends have understood this and are very present on the island of Taveuni.
The Mamanucas Islands offer several advantages for diving: proximity (between 30 and 90 minutes by boat) to Nadi, which will probably be your point of arrival in Fiji, easily accessible dive sites and favorable climatic conditions. In fact, the Mamanucas and Yasawas enjoy a drier climate than the rest of the country, with relatively few currents. Most dives take place at Malolo Barrier Reef, and you can also access the marine sanctuary around the reefs of Beachcomber Island and Treasure Island. Two sites are ideal for beginners: Plantation Pinnacle and Gotham City, with diving depths between 6 and 23 meters. The latter takes its name from the imposingbatfish that used to be very common here, but are much less so now. The Gotham City spot lies to the west of the Malolo Barrier Reef. Here you'll find both hard and soft corals. Plantation Pinnacle is located south of Malolo Lailai Island. Both sites are accessible by boat only, as are most dive sites in Fiji. The Mamanucas are reputed to be one of the best places to dive with sharks, and the Supermarket site attracts divers keen to get close to these beautiful animals. Several species can be seen on this famous site, even if it has been dethroned in recent years by the Beqa lagoon (at Pacific Harbour, south of Viti Levu). The skill level for this dive is a little higher than for the first two sites, and in general we would advise intermediate or experienced divers to try the experience of diving with sharks at close quarters, rather than pure diving novices. First dives can be stressful, with so much information to remember, it may not be necessary to add sharks to the mix! Of course, your dive center will remind you of all the rules to be observed when diving in the vicinity of sharks, which remain wild animals with sometimes unpredictable behavior. The last site we can mention for Mamanucas is the Salamander site, where you can observe anemones and soft corals, and which is also recommended for intermediate divers, diving to depths of between 21 and 28 meters.
The Yasawas archipelago offers two sites recommended for experienced divers: The Zoo and Ethel Reefs Wreck. The most accessible site for beginners is Lekima's Ledge. The Yasawas sites are particularly well suited to the volcanic character of the islands, which is also visible underwater.
Diving sites in Viti Levu are distributed mainly between the north and south of the island. In the north, your starting point should be Rakiraki, which enjoys a dry climate similar to that of Nadi. The other advantage is that the vast majority of these sites are accessible to beginners. The Dreammaker site is to the north of the island of Nananu-i-ra, with several passages that are fairly narrow, but which in principle can easily be crossed by a diver, while taking care not to damage the coral. Still towards Nananu-i-ra Island, you can see the Papuan Explorer, which houses a boat intentionally placed here in 1990. More experienced divers can enter the 33-metre boat, which is 22 metres below sea level. In the same area, Sally's Reef is aimed at slightly more experienced divers. Further west, two other sites are ideal for beginners looking to gain experience: Colors and Neptune's Rhapsody. Other sites include Black Magic Mountain and Instant Replay.
To the south of Viti Levu, there are several sites to discover, including the Coral Coast, Navulu Reef, Vatulele Island, Beqa Lagoon and Tobuera Passage. The latter is accessible to novice divers, who will be able to admire the turtles and sea snakes that often frequent the passage, while keeping their distance. Sea snakes have a very powerful venom, but in principle it is never used except in extreme circumstances (notably if they feel particularly threatened, as their defensive bites don't usually contain venom). To reassure you too, sharks in Fiji don't attack in principle, unless they are attacked or titillated, so avoid feeding them, and don't carry bait with you either. Off Navula Reef, the two most famous spots are the Great Cathedral and Fish Wonders. Beqa Lagoon, which is particularly renowned for its shark sightings, is home to several dive sites: for beginners, Shark's Reef and Caesar's Rocks are excellent options. What's more, Shark Reef has been part of a national marine park since 2014, so the site is protected and the tax paid by divers to access the reserve helps fund education projects for the local population. More experienced divers can go to Carpet Cove, Cakau Lekaleka Pinnacle or Bird Island Wall.
Venture to other beautiful dive sites in Fiji
The island of Taveuni is a diver's paradise, offering the chance to discover the famous Rainbow Reef in idyllic surroundings. The Rainbow Re ef is located in the Somososo Strait, an inlet separating Vanua Levu from Taveuni. Around 30 sites are accessible in this area, so a week's diving won't be too much to discover them all! You can choose either a hotel in Taveuni or one on the other side of the Somosomo Strait. The most prestigious sites on the Rainbow Reef have to be earned: you need a minimum of experience to discover the Great White Wall, the Purple Wall or the Rainbow Passage. But you'll also find other dive sites to suit all levels, and snorkeling is a great way to discover the marine life - we were lucky enough to see several sharks here!
Vanua Levu, the country's second largest island, is also a very good choice for divers, and for the moment Natewa Bay is still a relatively confidential address. From Savusavu, several resorts offer the chance to explore the Namena Marine Reserve and Rainbow Reef dive sites. The Jean-Michel Cousteauresort is a reference in this field.
Kadavu Island is a great alternative for divers wishing to indulge their passion in complete privacy. The island is fairly isolated and accessible by domestic flight, so mass tourism has yet to make its mark. The dive sites are also exceptional, as the Great Astrolabe Reef is one of the most important reefs on the planet, and its reputation is well established. The dive sites are mainly to the north-west of Kadavu(Yellow Wall, Blue Tang, Bure's Jewel, Mellow Reef), at its eastern end(Japanese Garden, Purple Wall) or close to Ono Island(Split Rock, Broken Stone)
Finally, the islands of the Lau archipelago and the Lomaiviti group also lend themselves to diving. All in all, there's something for everyone in Fiji when it comes to diving!
