Dive sites  Fiji

Fiji's popularity with divers is based on the ease of access and sheer beauty of its dive sites. Due to its vast area of scattered islands the Fiji group has been split into three dive regions. The Northern region is justifiably regarded as the most spectacular area for soft coral diving. The best spot to catch the colour is in the strong currents of the Somosomo straits between Vanua Levu and Taveuni. Qamea and Matagi Islands have access to the Somosomo area as well as superb dive sites on their own reefs, some of which they share with each other. Matagi has the added attraction of the north's only serious live aboard charter boat with trips starting in Somosomo and heading north to the Ringgolds and associated reefs and islands. Across the straits on Vanua Levu is Savu Savu with a variety of resorts. The best diving can be found not far from the moderately priced Kontiki Resort. Currents are not a problem here in comparison to Somosomo, with the inevitable trade off being less soft coral profusion but better hard corals. The Western Region is the closest to Nadi International Airport with watersports being a main feature at all of the resorts. Plantation, Musket Cove and Castaway all offer professional dive operations with excellent dive sites. Many of the sites, such as Magic Island, are shared, so personal preference over type of accommodation (bure as opposed to condo) and price would be the determining factors. For those wanting to learn to dive this area is ideal with safe diving and operations heavily geared towards dive training. For divers with a little more money to spend Tokoriki or Matamanoa have a more exclusive flavour while Beachcomber, with its marine reserve status, is the ideal spot for the travelling backpacker on a tight budget, or Mana Island with its famous dive for the adventurous. The Central Region begins on the coral coast with its huge resorts and wall diving. All diving is on the outer barrier reef wall which means early morning dives are the norm, as the onshore trade winds tend to pick up in the afternoon The very best diving is actually just off shore around Beqa Lagoon which is accessed from Pacific Harbour. Both Dive Connections and Beqa Divers offer fast service to the reefs around Yanuca Island, which sits on the outer edge of Beqa Lagoon, boasting the best soft corals south of the Somosomo straits. The best variety of diving in Beqa Lagoon is from the Marlin Bay Resort on Beqa Island. They have dive sites around Yanuca Island and more than 100 additional sites throughout the huge lagoon. Further south is Kadavu Island. Dive Kadavu-Matana Resort is closest to the airport and boasts guaranteed pelagic activity, sharks, soft corals, walls and caves with a liberal splash of tiny critters, swarms of fish and warm clear water. Malawai, not far from Matana has a more up market appeal with a warm family atmosphere. Nukubalavu on the far eastern tip of Kadavu is ultra cheap, has great diving but is very basic in facilities. Further information is available from the recommended resource sites below:

Fiji dive sites. Scuba diving in Fiji Fiji dive sites. Offers dive trips and luxury scuba travel to Fiji http://www.scuba-safaris.com/

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