Diving in Fiji
Cartographers tally some 330 islands and more than a thousand miles of reef in the Fiji archipelago. There is enough here for a lifetime of diving, and it is estimated that less than 20 percent of the underwater terrain has been explored by divers. But there's no need to stage an expedition to the outer islands to find exceptional diving. International travelers arrive on the largest island, Viti Levu, which boasts a number of resorts at points around the island. On the north shore, the Rakiraki area gives access to the Bligh Waters, while Pacific Harbor is the gateway to Beqa Lagoon. In addition to the deservedly famous shark dives, the lagoon's 39-mile ring of coral shelters more than 100 dive sites in clear water. Signature features are the high-profile bommies dotted in soft corals.
Resorts on the islands of Vanua Levu and Taveuni provide access to the Somosomo Straits. At famous sites such as Rainbow Reef divers can ride currents that typically envelop rather than overpower, and glide over reefs festooned with vivid displays of alcyonarian soft corals in hues from ice blue, yellow, red, pink to dark red and purple. The Great White Wall presents a patchwork tapestry of light-blue and white soft corals. The Strait attracts both reef dwellers and passing pelagics, and there's always a chance for sharks and rays at sites such as the Zoo. Taveuni-bound divers can also explore the less-visited northern sites near the adjacent islands of Qamea and Matagi. Liveaboard option gives access to an even greater range of venues.
Fiji possesses a wide range of reef ecosystems to choose from. Collectively, they feature all four major classifications: shallow coral gardens, steep slopes, walls and bommies. The term bommie originates from the Australian aboriginal word "bombora," meaning reefs that do not break the surface. This type of reef structure is actually an immense mesa of coral that can be several hundred feet across, rising from depths as great as 100 feet, and stopping just short of the surface. Many of these structures develop caves, crevasses, and deep undercuts, and support a wide range of coral communities. Walls also feature prominently. Fiji's entire network of islands, as well as a large number of its’ reefs, are the remains of extinct volcanoes. Located in the heart of the Pacific Coral Belt, these dead caldrons have become the vital substrata for reef building corals. For thousands of years, the upward growth of these coral has kept pace with slow sinking of the islands, creating expansive tolls and ribbon-shaped coralline barriers. Quite a few of these walls begin their plunge into the abyss at depths of less than 10 feet.
Fiji has been called the Soft Coral Capital of the World. Sustained by nutrient-rich flows, more than 200 varieties of soft coral perch on ledges, walls and pinnacles, with tentacles outstretched to capture passing meals. In areas of stronger currents, colonies cover every inch of underwater real estate, seeming to climbing atop one another to compete for passing morsels. In addition to the often dominating soft corals, Fiji also features reef systems which are almost completely governed by some 300 species of hard corals, including dense thickets of antler and table-top corals virtually overlapping each other in competition for space, seldom leaving room for anything else to grow. Given the richness of the landscape, it's not surprising that Fiji is also home to more than 1,200 species of fish, ranging from hidden reef dwellers to schooling pelagics and numerous species of shark.