Question Fiji: Your top dives (besides the Rainbow Reef dives)

[JennyFurious]

@JennyFurious

Most of the good diving in Fiji (outer islands) are tied to resorts with their own dive operations. In the few areas where there are multiple dive operators, you can usually schedule dives with any of them, but they will have to come pick you up (often from a different island).

There are a number backpacker style resorts with dive operations both in the Mamanucas and the Yasawas, that might be your best bet unless you're planning on staying only on Viti Levu (where Nadi is) - which, other than the shark dive in Pacific Harbour (and some of the north coast) would mean you would miss much of the best diving in FIji.

If your goal is to visit Fiji and do a little diving this will work, however if your goal is to dive some of Fiji's best sites, etc. you are much better off picking a dive resort in the region you want to dive.

Thank you so much for responding. I really appreciate you sharing this!

 

[rmorgan]

Ningali (Nigali?) Pass is fantastic. We dove it from NAI’A, and I’m not sure it can be accessed from day boats.

 

[cetacean]

Ningali (Nigali?) Pass is fantastic. We dove it from NAI’A, and I’m sure sure it can be accessed from day boats.

@rmorgan

Actually, no... diving Nigali Pass from any where other than the Nai'a is pretty hard. There used to be a resort on Gau, but it's closed (and up for sale for $2.5M+). Toberua will dive it if you book a private boat, the trip will take about 90 minutes. They also will dive it from Levuka, but again - only if you book a private boat. The crossings from either location can be very rough...

The best way to dive it is from the Nai'a. The remoteness is one of the reasons it remains such a good site.

 

[rmorgan]

The best way to dive it is from the Nai'a. The remoteness is one of the reasons it remains such a good site.

Typo—I meant to say “not” sure. NAI’A is the only way I know, but my knowledge is limited

 

[Nervous diver]

Hello Everybody, I am starting to plan a trip to Fiji. What are your favorite Fiji dive locations besides the rainbow reef? We will definitely dive the rainbow reef. So, I am trying to decide where else we could dive

We went to Fiji and booked everything with www.waterlustfiji.com. They made us a multi itinerary trip staying at Oneta Resort on the Great Astrolabe where we saw manta trains, then to Beqa Lagoon for the shark diving and finishing up at Volivoli beach resort. Volivoli Beach was busy on the boats but heck the diving was amazing. Waterlust sorted out everything - internal flights and gave us a champagne dinner as we were travelling by group.

 

[amgscuba]

We went to Fiji and booked everything with www.waterlustfiji.com. They made us a multi itinerary trip staying at Oneta Resort on the Great Astrolabe where we saw manta trains, then to Beqa Lagoon for the shark diving and finishing up at Volivoli beach resort. Volivoli Beach was busy on the boats but heck the diving was amazing. Waterlust sorted out everything - internal flights and gave us a champagne dinner as we were travelling by group.

Curious about your "busy on the boats" @ VoliVoli? Am planning to go there in March 2026. Thanks.

 

[Tunaman68]

Only been to Beqa and Volivoli and for me, the Bligh water at Voli blew Beqa away. The shark dive at Beqa was great (did it twice and saw tigers both times) but the rest of the reef was just ok and a couple of the dives were pretty meh. The staff at Beqa was awesome and I don't have any complaints about the property.

EVERY single dive over a week at Voli was bad ass even though a couple of the boat rides were pretty long and a bit rough. Mellow Yellow, Mount Mutiny, Purple Haze and E-6 cathedral were some of the best diving I've ever done and even the dives we did that were closer to the resort were excellent with nice structure and incredible soft coral and fish life. Viz was better out in the Bligh waters than closer in, and the only 'should have skipped it' was the night dive we did simply because nothing came out to play. The shore dive was a near zero viz no thanks for me (but we did find 2 seahorses so depends on what you're after). I don't know if they take out divers who are not staying at the resort but they have several boats and it would seem they would have room if they wanted to do it. When we were at Voli, the boats were pretty full and I assume that's what 'busy' means but they run it very smoothly, break the boat into smaller groups with multiple DM's and it never felt too crazy or cramped to me personally. @amgscuba i can't imagine you won't have an incredible time and the food is crazy good esp the desserts! If you partake in adult beverages, buy them in cans at happy hour during 2 for 1 and keep them in your fridge to save some $$. However an overpriced ice cold fiji gold on tap right next to the dive shop after a three tank trip is pretty much worth the price!!