Viti Levu Island diving
Viti Levu is Fiji's main Island. Diving around Viti Levu is good and the variety of dive sites makes it possible for novice to advanced divers to find their pick. Sharks are the main attraction here but that's not all there is, the marine life is diversified.
Always dive according to your level of training.
Never enter the water without checking with the local dive center for safety, additional information, level required for each dive site and without being accompanied by a professional.
All the information provided is purely informative for our readers and shouldn't be used as is to plan your immersion.
Visibility: 5 – 30 metres (98 feet)
Possible to dive:All year round
Best time to dive: Probably during the winter months. July-September as this is when the visibility is best. The water may cool down to 25°C.
Viti Levu dive sites have plenty of hard coral walls as well as channels that are inhabited by pelagics.
The southern coast of Viti Levu is also referred to as the Coral Coast. This is a very popular area for diving and it offers easy access to the dive sites. While diving here you can see lots of soft corals and bommies.
The Vitawatawa Channel is located south of Viti Levu Island and is a popular place for diving. The depths on the dives vary from 5-30 metres (16- 98 feet). This makes it suitable for both beginner and advanced divers. The marine life here is varied offering both big and small marine creatures. Sightings can include juvenile batfish giant cod, lion fish and trumpet fish. At deeper levels you may see spotted rays and sharks as well as barracuda and big titan triggerfish. Nurse sharks may be spotted in the caves on the side of the channel and loads of little colourful coral fish are present. However, when diving here caution needs to be taken due to the currents which may at times be strong.
A not to miss attraction are the sharks. There is an amazingly large population of them. You may encounter up to seven or eight different kinds of sharks. Thanks to the Shark Reef Marine Reserve the sharks are protected. Among the species that you may encounter are silver tips, siclefin lemon sharks, grey reef sharks, black tip sharks, nurse sharks, bull sharks and tiger sharks. So for shark lovers, this is the place to be!
Underwater photographers will have the opportunity to take stunning shots here.
There are diving centers on the island that can organise your outings according to your needs. Absolute beginners will get a chance to try scuba diving for the first time while certified divers can go ahead and enjoy the diving Viti Levu has to offer. The dive sites you can visit will all depend on your level of experience and the currents. Sometimes the conditions can be choppy especially on dive sites in the Koro Sea and Bligh Water channel.
There are liveaboards departing from Viti Levu. If you're in the Fiji islands long enough a liveaboard is worth trying. Liveaboard trips will explore better the Bligh Water area and the Koro Sea.
Bligh Water, is the stretch of water that separates the two main islands of Fiji, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu and goes out to join the Koro Sea. The Bligh Water channel has an enormous amount of nutrient filled water passing through. This attracts a lot of marine life and creates a very interesting ecosystem. There is plenty of small fish that are prey for the big fish. Please note that because of the strong currents here the sites are more suitable for experienced divers. Fiji Liveaboards are a great way to explore the Fiji islands and visit the laid back dive sites otherwise inaccessible by daily diving.
