Fiji Reefs We Love – A Diver’s Guide
Fiji’s Iconic Reefs – Dive Deeper, Feel More
Not all reefs are created equal—and after decades exploring Fiji’s underwater world, we’ve learned where the magic really lives. From drift dives through coral cathedrals to manta encounters and shark sanctuaries, each of Fiji’s major reef systems has its own rhythm, its own marine personality, and its own kind of diver.
Whether you’re a new diver, learning for the first time, a seasoned photographer chasing the perfect shot, or a snorkeller who just wants colour and calm—you’ll find a reef here that fits you perfectly.
This isn’t just a list. These are the reefs we return to again and again—because they surprise us, challenge us, move us. We’ll take you beyond the brochure highlights to the real stories, ideal conditions, and why each reef deserves a spot on your must-dive list.
Fiji is made up of hundreds of reef systems—but these are the ones we know and love best. Some, like Rainbow Reef, Beqa Lagoon, and Bligh Waters, are world-renowned among divers. Others, like the Great Sea Reef and the Great Astrolabe Reef, are still quietly off the radar—uncrowded, underexplored, and absolutely unforgettable.
This isn’t a complete map of every reef in Fiji. It’s a curated collection of our favourite underwater worlds—each with its own personality, marine life, and style of diving. Whether you're chasing pelagics, learning to dive, or just want to snorkel with your kids in calm, coral-filled shallows, there’s something here for you.
And if you're not sure where to start? Our expert team of passionate divers will help you choose the perfect reef—and the right resort to match.
Click on each reef below to explore the experiences and resorts that bring these incredible ecosystems within reach.
The Great Sea Reef – Fiji’s Wild Northern Frontier
Stretching over 200 km along the northern coast of Vanua Levu, the Great Sea Reef is one of the largest—and least explored—barrier reef systems on Earth. It’s remote, raw, and wildly biodiverse, with everything from swirling barracuda and reef sharks to coral-covered swim-throughs and vibrant hard coral gardens.
This is diving for the adventurers. Conditions can be thrilling, marine life is abundant, and the best part? You’ll likely have the dive sites all to yourself. For snorkellers, the shallows offer a kaleidoscope of fish and coral—but for divers chasing that off-the-map, frontier feeling, this reef delivers in full.
Great Sea Reef
Beqa Lagoon
The World Renowned Rainbow Reef.
This is the reef divers dream about. Located between Vanua Levu and Taveuni, Rainbow Reef earns its name from the kaleidoscope of soft corals that light up the current-fed walls and bommies. Think swirling schools of fish, dramatic drop-offs, and the legendary Great White Wall—a sheer cliff face blanketed in ghostly white soft coral when the tide is just right.
It’s a must-dive for certified divers, but snorkellers get plenty of wow-factor too. And bonus? Some resorts on Vanua Levu are even closer to it than Taveuni. Shorter boat rides, longer bottom time, and fewer bubbles around.
Beqa Lagoon – Shark Encounters & Adrenaline Dives
Welcome to Fiji’s adrenaline capital. Beqa Lagoon is home to the world-famous Beqa Shark Reserve, where experienced dive operators lead controlled, respectful encounters with up to eight species of shark—including bull, tiger, and hammerhead—alongside giant groupers and swirling snapper.
But it’s not all about the big fish. Beqa also offers colourful coral gardens, swim-throughs, and calm sites perfect for newer divers and snorkellers. What makes it special is the contrast: peaceful lagoons one day, heart-pounding shark dives the next.
Ideal for thrill-seekers, photographers, and bucket-list divers, Beqa Lagoon blends cultural richness with reef drama—just a short hop from Fiji’s main island.
Great Astrolabe Reef
Bligh Waters & Vatu-i-Ra Passage
Namena Marine Reserve
Great Astrolabe Reef – Mantas, Drop-Offs & Remote Magic
Wrapping around the remote Kadavu archipelago, the Great Astrolabe Reef is the fourth-largest barrier reef in the world—and one of Fiji’s most untouched marine treasures. It’s a haven for manta rays, especially around the famous manta cleaning stations, and offers dramatic drop-offs, colourful coral walls, tunnels, and drift dives that deliver something different every time.
The reef hugs the outer edge of the islands, meaning visibility is often crystal clear and marine life comes in wild abundance—think turtles, reef sharks, and endless clouds of fish. But it's not just for divers. Calm lagoons and protected coral gardens make it a dream for snorkellers too.
Perfect for manta lovers, reef explorers, and anyone craving remote reef time, the Great Astrolabe is raw, radiant, and unforgettable.
Bligh Waters & Vatu-I-Ra – Colour, Current & Coral Highways
Between Fiji’s two main islands lies the Bligh Waters and Vatu-I-Ra Passage—a stretch of ocean known for vibrant coral gardens, big fish action, and some of the healthiest reef systems in the South Pacific. Fed by nutrient-rich currents, these sites explode with soft coral, reef life, and cinematic drift dives.
But it’s not just for the pros. While some sites deliver adrenaline and flow, there are plenty of calmer bommies and protected coral gardens that make this region just as rewarding for beginners and snorkellers. Clear visibility, gentle entries, and rich marine diversity make it the perfect classroom for new divers—and a dream for seasoned ones.
Whether you’re earning your first certification or chasing the next big current, Bligh Waters offers a stunning, crowd-free way to see Fiji’s reefs at their absolute best.
Namena Marine Reserve – One of the World’s Top 5 Dive Sites
Tucked between Vanua Levu and Viti Levu, the Namena Marine Reserve is widely ranked among the top 5 dive sites in the world—and with good reason. This protected marine sanctuary is a biodiversity powerhouse, home to over 1,000 species of fish and nearly 500 species of coral, including countless endemics and rare sightings.
Expect vertical walls cloaked in soft coral, powerful currents, schools of barracuda, resident reef sharks, turtles, and vibrant macro life hiding in the cracks. Every dive is different, and every descent delivers something spectacular.
Because it’s remote, protected, and carefully managed, Namena feels truly wild—no crowds, just pure reef wonder. It’s best suited for experienced divers ready to drift, drop, and dive deep into one of the planet’s most spectacular underwater ecosystems.
Rainbow Reef
Koro Sea Reef – Fiji’s Next Reef Frontier
Tucked deep within the heart of Fiji, the Koro Sea Reef is vast, remote, and almost entirely unexplored by tourism. It stretches between Fiji’s main islands and outer archipelagos—an underwater world of untouched coral bommies, drop-offs, swim throughs, caves and reef systems few have ever dived.
There are no resorts here... yet—but that’s about to change.
With two new resorts under construction and opening later this year, this is one reef to keep firmly on your radar. Expect front-row access to raw reef systems, new dive site discoveries, and a rare chance to explore before the rest of the world catches on.
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Koro Sea Reef
