Best Diving in Fiji 2026 🤿 – Top 10 Sites & Complete Guide
Most divers leave Fiji saying the same thing: they didn't expect it to be this good. From the legendary Rainbow Reef to the shark dives at Beqa Lagoon, the Pacific doesn't offer many places like this. This guide covers the top sites, trusted operators, certification courses, and the best months to go.
Diving Paradise Guide
Why Fiji Is a World-Class Dive Destination
Jacques Cousteau called Fiji the "Soft Coral Capital of the World" and that label has stuck for good reason. The archipelago sits where several South Pacific currents meet, and the result is reef growth that covers nearly every surface in colour. Purple, pink, orange soft corals that move with the current. It sounds like marketing until you see it yourself.
Beyond the corals, Fiji has genuine big animal diving. Bull sharks in Beqa Lagoon, manta rays at cleaning stations off Kadavu, barracuda schools in the Bligh Water channels. Visibility regularly hits 30 metres, occasionally 50 on calm days between June and September. Water temperature stays between 25 and 29 degrees year-round, so a 3mm wetsuit or rash guard covers most conditions.
Best Months for Diving in Fiji
- Peak Visibility: May to October (dry season) – 25 to 40m+ depending on location
- Manta Rays: May to October peak at Kadavu (Astrolabe) and Yasawas (Drawaqa/Naviti)
- Bull Sharks: Year-round, most active June to October
- Water Temperature: 24 to 29°C year-round (3mm wetsuit or rash guard sufficient)
- Budget Season: November to April – fewer crowds, lower prices
Top 10 Dive Sites in Fiji
Rainbow Reef – Soft Coral Capital
Location: Taveuni | Depth: 5 to 30m | Level: All
This is the site Cousteau was talking about. The Somosomo Strait runs between Taveuni and Vanua Levu, and the soft coral density here is unlike anywhere else in the Pacific. Jerry's Jelly works well for beginners. Annie's Bommies has stronger current and rewards more experienced divers. Most operators run two dives here per trip.
Great White Wall – Bucket List Dive
Location: Taveuni | Depth: 15 to 40m | Level: Advanced
You enter through a tunnel at around 22 to 25 metres and come out onto a vertical wall covered entirely in white soft corals. The effect is disorienting in the best way. Advanced certification is mandatory, and most dive centres ask for 50+ logged dives before taking you here. Current can be strong. Arrive at slack tide and check timing with your operator the evening before.
Beqa Lagoon Shark Dive – Adrenaline Rush
Location: Pacific Harbour | Depth: 25 to 30m | Level: Advanced
Up to 8 shark species in a single dive, including bull sharks, tigers, and nurses. Divers kneel against a coral wall while feeding brings the sharks in close. Beqa Adventure Divers ask you to arrive 20 minutes early for the briefing. Take it seriously. Advanced certification required, and protocol adherence is strict. For sustainable travel advice around Pacific Harbour, see our sustainable travel guide.
Namena Marine Reserve – Pristine Wilderness
Location: Between Vanua Levu and Taveuni | Depth: 5 to 40m | Level: Intermediate to Advanced
A no-take marine reserve with coral coverage above 90 percent. The site called Grand Central Station gets hammerheads, grey reef sharks, and dense barracuda schools. Getting here requires a liveaboard or a stay at one of the remote resorts nearby. The extra effort is worth it. These are among the healthiest reefs in Fiji.
Astrolabe Reef – Manta Ray Haven
Location: Kadavu Island | Depth: 5 to 35m | Level: All
The world's fourth-largest barrier reef, and one of the more reliable spots in Fiji for manta rays. Manta Passage and the cleaning stations see peak activity from May to October, though sightings happen year-round. Visibility regularly exceeds 30 metres. The remote location via small prop plane from Nadi keeps the crowds down, which is part of the appeal.
Bligh Water – Hammerhead Highway
Location: Between Viti Levu and Vanua Levu | Depth: 20 to 40m | Level: Advanced
Open water drift diving in the channel between Fiji's two main islands. The E-6 seamount is the main draw, bringing hammerheads, barracuda, tuna, and occasionally whale sharks. This is not a site for nervous divers. Strong current, blue water, and depth require solid skills and genuine comfort away from the reef.
Mamanuca Drift Dives – Convenient Quality
Location: Near Nadi | Depth: 10 to 30m | Level: Intermediate
Thirty minutes from the main resorts and better than most people expect. Gotham City and The Supermarket both deliver reef sharks, eagle rays, and healthy coral bommies. Good option if you're based near Nadi and short on time. More on getting around the islands in our top islands guide.
Yasawa Islands – Cave Swim and Mantas
Location: Yasawa chain | Depth: 5 to 30m | Level: All
The Sawa-i-Lau limestone caves are snorkeling and swimming only, no scuba, but worth the trip for the natural skylights and cathedral-like chambers. Manta encounters at the Drawaqa and Naviti sites run May through October. Smaller operations here, more remote atmosphere, and the beaches are genuinely good.
Coral Coast – Budget-Friendly Access
Location: Southern Viti Levu | Depth: 5 to 25m | Level: All
The most accessible diving in Fiji, running along the south shore of the main island. Shore entries available. Good for training dives and Open Water courses. Prices are lower than the remote locations, and the reefs hold up well for beginners and casual divers.
Savusavu Bay – Hidden Gem
Location: Vanua Levu | Depth: 10 to 35m | Level: Intermediate
Savusavu gets overlooked because Taveuni and Beqa take most of the attention. That's a mistake. Split Rock and Dreamhouse both have quality soft coral diving with good macro life and almost no crowds. The town itself has a real local feel. Small operations, geothermal vents nearby, and a pace that suits divers who aren't in a rush.
Dive Certifications and Courses
Fiji's warm water and visibility make it a good place to learn. Most operators run PADI courses and prices typically run 20 to 30 percent below what you'd pay in Europe or North America.
🤿 Open Water Diver
Duration: 3 to 4 days | Cost: FJD $999 to 1,500
Entry-level certification to 18m depth. Theory, pool training, 4 ocean dives. eLearning option available to shorten in-water time and reduce cost.
⭐ Advanced Open Water
Duration: 2 days | Cost: FJD $950 to 1,000
Qualifies to 30m depth. Five specialty dives including deep and navigation. Required for Great White Wall and the Beqa shark dive.
🏥 Rescue Diver
Duration: 3 to 4 days | Cost: FJD $1,100 to 1,250
Emergency management and prevention. The most demanding recreational certification. Requires Advanced plus current CPR and First Aid.
👨🏫 Divemaster
Duration: 4 to 8 weeks | Cost: FJD $2,000 to 3,500
Professional guide certification. Some operators offer work placement packages that offset part of the cost. Worth asking about before you book.
Top Dive Operators
🦈 Beqa Adventure Divers – Pacific Harbour
The original shark dive operator with over 20 years running the Beqa feed. FJD $180 to 350 per dive. Book well ahead if you're coming June through October.
🌈 Taveuni Ocean Sports – Taveuni
Rainbow Reef specialists. Garden Island Resort and Pro Dive Taveuni are also solid options on the island. Small groups, good for photographers. FJD $150 to 220 per dive.
🐠 Subsurface Fiji – Mamanucas
Covers multiple resorts across the Mamanucas. Reliable equipment, frequent departures, good for resort-based divers. FJD $140 to 200 per dive.
🏝️ Matava Dive – Kadavu
Astrolabe Reef specialists with a strong focus on small groups and manta season timing. FJD $160 to 240 per dive. Remote access, but the quality reflects it.
🚢 NAI'A Liveaboard
The main liveaboard option for Namena and Bligh Water. 7-night trips run USD $3,995 to 4,495, 10-night trips USD $5,690 to 6,290 (approximately FJD $8,800 to 13,900 at current rates). Three to four dives daily. Advanced certification required.
Practical Diving Tips
Essential Gear and Costs
Must Bring: C-card, logbook, dive insurance, reef-safe sunscreen
Equipment Rental: FJD $40 to 50 per day (bring your own mask if possible)
Dive Costs: Budget FJD $120 to 160, mid-range $160 to 220, shark dive $400 to 450 plus levy $20 to 25
Insurance: Essential. Recompression chambers in Suva (CWM Hospital) and Nadi (PSH Hospital). DAN covers Fiji. Remote islands require evacuation planning.
Water Temp: 24 to 29°C year-round (3mm wetsuit or rash guard works for most divers)
Responsible Diving
- Perfect buoyancy – never touch coral
- Use reef-safe sunscreen only
- Observe marine life from a safe distance
- Support conservation-focused operators
- Take only photos, leave only bubbles
More eco-tips in our eco-activities guide.
FAQ
What's the best month for diving in Fiji?
July through September gives you the best visibility, active sharks, and peak manta season. That said, diving works well year-round. November through April brings warmer water and lower prices, with occasional rain that rarely affects conditions below the surface.
Can beginners dive Fiji's best sites?
Yes. Rainbow Reef, Astrolabe, the Mamanucas, and Coral Coast all work well for Open Water divers. Great White Wall, Beqa shark dive, and Bligh Water require Advanced certification and logged experience.
Is dive insurance required?
Not legally required, but you'd be taking a real risk without it. Recompression chambers are in Suva and Nadi. If you're diving remote islands, a DCS incident means evacuation. DAN insurance covers Fiji and is straightforward to set up before you travel.
How much does diving in Fiji cost?
Single dives run FJD $120 to 220 depending on location. Shark dives are FJD $400 to 450 plus a Marine Park Levy of $20 to 25. Open Water course: FJD $999 to 1,500. Advanced: $950 to 1,000. Rescue: $1,100 to 1,250. Equipment rental FJD $40 to 50 per day. Liveaboards run USD $570 to 900 per day all-inclusive.
Planning Your Fiji Dive Trip
Rainbow Reef and Beqa Lagoon sit at opposite ends of the diving spectrum here: one is all about colour and reef life, the other puts you in the water with large sharks. Both are worth doing if your certification allows. For most divers, a week split between Taveuni and Pacific Harbour covers the highlights without rushing.
Book shark dives at least two weeks ahead during peak season. Check our transport guide for getting between islands, and factor in small-plane transfers if you're heading to Kadavu or Taveuni.