Question Fiji trip planning - Where to go for large Pelagics

[OMGinger]

Hello all,

I'm planning a trip to Fiji in mid-April 2026 and am looking for some thoughts on where best to focus my time. I've read good things about Taveuni Dive Resort and it's on the list, but if Manta Rays, Hammerheads or other large Pelagics are common in certain parts of Fiji, then I definitely would like to spend some time there.

Additionally, it looks like the Nai'a is fully booked during my stay, so a live aboard is not on the menu.

Thanks!

 

[TostitoBandito]

You'll see plenty of reef sharks diving Taveuni Dive resort, and maybe a manta if you're lucky. I spotted a great hammerhead in the blue when I was there last time as well. We also saw dolphins from the boats numerous times. The guy who runs the pearl farm on the other side of the Taveuni also sometimes has schools of hammerheads hanging out over the sand there, but weather can be dicey on that side of the island. We tried to once and got blown out.

Aside from some feeding dives like Beqa which I don't count, Fiji isn't famous for big pelagics like places in Indonesia are for example (Raja Ampat, Komodo, etc...). A while back I dove down on the astrolabe reef off Kadavu and there were reliable manta sightings there, but I have no idea on the current state of resorts in that area. In general you go to Fiji for the soft corals, colors, healthy reefs, and plentiful small-medium sized shark, fish, and invertebrate life.

 

[Living4Experiences]

Soft corals in rainbow colors are what Fiji is all about. Sightings of bigger pelagics is more of a special treat than a regular occurrence. From previous research and having been to Fiji three times, Viti Levu (main island) and Taveuni are the two islands with the best choices for diving and modern infrastructure.

 

[rmorgan]

During a sailing aboard the Nai’a liveaboard, we dove the Namena Channel, which is narrow but floods/drains a large bay. I think it’s a protected zone. We rode a slow flood tide in and then tucked behind rocks and watched blacktips and maybe others (but no hammers) swim up up and down the channel, and flew a howling ebb tide back out through the cut. We also spent a day around at and around a busy manta cleaning station. I think the liveaboard is the only commercial way to dive there.

 

[sharkbear]

Namena is your best bet for hammerheads, large schools of barracuda, and passing wahoo and walu. Nai'a has the ideal itinerary for hitting the best spots in Fiji. A seven day trip will combine the best sites for corals, hammerheads, and mantas.