 Fiji Scuba Diving Guide Over 400 species of corals, sea walls and drops Fantastic marine life including turtles, rays and exotic fish Great Astrolabe Reef - Kadavu, Southern Islands Rainbow Reef between Taveuni and Vanua Levu, Northern Islands Beautifully warm seas all year round (26-31c) Fiji's waters are considered to be among the best in the world for diving. Soft corals and an abundance of stunning tropical fish as well as reef sharks, dolphins, manta rays and turtles can be seen throughout the islands. Visibility is excellent, often more than 50 metres. There are some fantastic walls and drop-offs up to 100 metres and 30-km drift dives. Shipwrecks, caves and night dives are also popular. And the seas are perpetually warm ranging from 26c in July to 31c in January at 5 metres depth. Visibility can be substantially reduced between November and February due to plankton blooms and stronger seasonal winds that churn up the water in th mid-afternoon. After heavy rains, waters closer to the larger islands can become murky with river run off. Throughout the islands, coral reefs are accessible either directly from the beach (ideal for snorkelling) or for the more specific sights, just a short boat ride away. Most resorts in Fiji offer PADI dive courses, starting from the comfort of the resort swimming pool but quickly moving into the wonders of shallow coral seas. Many of the dive operations will be independent companies operating from the premises of the resort. The majority are active members of the Fiji Dive Operators Association and agree to be bound by the Association's code of practice and thereby supprt the Fiji Recompression Chamber Facility. In cases of diving emergencies, divers will be taken by sea, road or air for recompression treatment. Charges vary according to circumstances so it is best to have adequate insurance cover. At some of the smaller budget resorts cowboys do exist, so choose carefully and if you're a beginner, don't jump to the chance of diving without proper PADI certified instruction. Fiji has a number of resorts for all budgets which are dedicated solely to diving and these offer a complete experience for the true enthusiast. A few of the luxury dive specialists have E-6 film processing and video-editing facilities. There are also several live aboard dive charters that can help you explore a wide range of dive sights in Fiji and some of the remoter diving areas. Fiji Scuba Diving Resorts There are four regions in Fiji for world class diving. Choosing where to go might well depend on whether you just want to dive, or to enjoy some of Fiji's other activities. The islands in the Mamanuca and Yasawa Group, for example, are more archetypically south pacific being small islands with white sandy beaches, lagoons and palm trees. The Northern Islands have fewer beaches but stunning tropical rainforests to explore. The Southern Islands and Lomaiviti Group are more remote and offer the true Fijian experience cut off from the outside world. Major Dive Attractions by Region
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