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Fiji Scuba Diving Regions > Taveuni > Dive Sites
Fiji Scuba Diving Regions 11. Taveuni
Deserving of every accolade, this is definitely connoisseur country offering experiences which have earned rave revues from the most jaded divers. Taveuni features Rainbow Reef and the Great White Wall in the heart of Somosomo Strait. A few miles further north, Matangi and Qamea Islands have a different but equally impressive portfolio of dive sites while many more wait to be discovered. There are so many islands and reefs that even pioneers like Rick Cammick who "discovered" the Great White Wall and Rainbow Reefs, or the Douglas family of Matagi Island who have dived the area for 40 years, have not seen more than 1 per cent of what the area offers.
1 Great White Wall
Description: Has a outer wall with tunnel at 20 feet, with an exciting wall at 90 feet with a dramatic back drop of white soft coral covered wall dropping away to 240 feet
Marine Life found on Site: Mostly white soft corals with a few large sea whips sticking off the end of the wall, fish life includes a variety of pelagics ranging from the occasional barracuda to mackerel, eagle rays, manta rays, also on the top of the wall is a variety of reef fish primarily coral trout, lion fish and a small variety of hard coral
Best time for Dive: Falling tide
For Photographers: Wide angle and video camera
White Wall
Has a outer wall with tunnel at 20 feet, with an exciting wall at 90 feet with a dramatic back drop of white soft coral covered wall dropping away to 240 feet. Marine life found on site include white soft corals with a few large sea whips sticking off the end of the wall, fish life includes a variety of pelagics ranging from the occasional barracuda to mackerel, eagle rays, manta rays, also on the top of the wall are a variety of reef fish, primarily coral trout, lion fish and a small variety of hard coral. Best time for dive: Falling tide.
Zoo
Has a depth ranging from 30-300 feet with average visibility of 70-80 feet. Includes tons of fish, mackerel, barracuda, jack travelly, sharks (usually in schools) apart from pelagics and there are a large range of soft coral. Marine life found on site: moray eels, manta rays, potato cod, fusiliers, basslets, anthiases, flat worms and nudie branches. Best time for dive: Falling tide.
The Corner
The Corner is located on the same reef as Annie's Bommie and is roughly the same distance from shore (15 minutes) and located at the same depth, 65 feet (20 meters). There is a wonderful variety of multi-colored soft coral. It's called 'The Corner' because it's actually a corner of a large reef. In reality it's an oasis of soft corals and there is often an unbelievable amount of fish life that the diver passes through.
Annies Bommies
A submerged reef with big bommies which allows divers to weave between them with a depth ranging from 15-70 feet, includes tons of soft coral and a variety of hard coral on top of bommies. Marine life found on site includes schools of fusiliers, basslets, anthiases, Jack travelly, moray eels, leopard sharks occasionally, stingrays and pipefish, are often seen. Best time for dive: Falling tide.
Mini White Wall
A submerged reef with a mini wall with a depth ranging from 30-100 feet covered with mostly white soft coral. There are also a large variety of other soft corals. Marine life found on site includes sharks, barracudas, Jacks, stone fish, snapper, leopard sharks often seen, variety of nudie branches and Spanish dancers. Best time for dive: Rising tide.
Fish Factory
A wall with depth ranging from 20-500 feet plus a variety of soft coral on the top and side of the wall. Tons of fish, sharks occasionally and lots of pelagics cruise by. Marine Life found on site includes schools of parrot fish, rump headed, spanish, mackerel, angel fish, travelly's, cod, marge
The Ledge
The Ledge, located only 10 minutes from shore and at a depth of 65 feet (20 meters) is one of the most popular dives aside from the White Wall. It consists of a pinnacle of coral that rises from a depth of 200 to 250 feet (80 to 90 meters) almost to the surface. It's a magnet for reef fish and pelagics, with lion fish in residence in the overhangs and crevices. There are also outstanding soft corals here as well as a tremendous variety of underwater flora and fauna that makes for good night diving. Another plus is that it's easily accessible and great for photos.
Jerry's Jelly
Jerry's Jelly is a series of coral heads covered in every conceivable color of soft coral. It's a favorite of photographers because of the colors, the abundant tropical fish life, and the numerous small caverns and crevasses that mark the reef. It's located 15 minutes away from Taveuni by boat and is at a maximum depth of 65 feet (20 meters).
Yellow Tunnel
The Yellow Tunnel is located 10 minutes away from Taveuni by boat and is at a depth of 85 feet (25 meters). It's an astounding display of yellow soft coral on a wall with a vertical swim-through. One actually swims through a chimney-like structure. There is also a wonderful variety of fish here.
White Wall
Has a outer wall with tunnel at 20 feet, with an exciting wall at 90 feet with a dramatic back drop of white soft coral covered wall dropping away to 240 feet. Marine life found on site include white soft corals with a few large sea whips sticking off the end of the wall, fish life includes a variety of pelagics ranging from the occasional barracuda to mackerel, eagle rays, manta rays, also on the top of the wall are a variety of reef fish, primarily coral trout, lion fish and a small variety of hard coral. Best time for dive: Falling tide.
Blue Ribbon Eel Reef
Blue Ribbon Eel Reef, a 65 to 85 foot (20 to 25 meters) dive, is best as a drift dive. There are some incredible violet soft corals as well as an amazing density and variety of fish. The main attraction of course is the blue ribbon eel, which measures about the length of a finger but has strikingly vivid bands of blue and yellow.
Rainbow Passage I
A submerged reef with depth ranging from 25-120 feet covered with a large variety of soft coral, sea fans, whips, schools of fusiliers, basslets, anthiases and a few bommies towards the end. Marine life found on site includes a variety of hawk fish, pipe fish, clown trigger, schools of Spanish mackerel, barracudas, stone fish, nudie branches, Spanish dancer and clown fish. Best time for dive: Rising tide.
Rainbow Passage II
A submerged reef with a depth ranging from 25-120 feet with gradual slope, has a few coral heads along the way with sweet lips as their habitats. Marine life found on site includes a variety of soft coral. Best time for dive: Rising tide.
The Cabbage Patch
The Cabbage Patch is a garden of unusual cabbage-shaped (hard) coral ranging in size from 3 to 15 feet (1 to 5 meters) in diameter. It's not unusual to see cabbage-shaped coral here but why they are here in such abundance is a mystery.
Chief's Garden
Also in the same reef system as "The Caves", "Broken Reef" and the "Playground". Good vis., healthy hard coral reef. Occasional white tips and turtles. Gentle drift. Depth: 40-80'
The Caves
Large cavern at 25' and a swim through "tunnel" in the reef at 20' at opposite ends of this dive. Many soft corals, large tridacna clams, healthy hard corals. Usually excellent visibility due to distance from land. Currents mild. Depth: 20-65'
The Playground
Similar to "Chief's Garden" but more of a spur & groove formation. Patch of garden eels. Usually excellent visibility. Mild current. Depth: 40-80'
Coral Gardens
Healthy hard coral reef system with some soft corals usually with superb visibility. Large tridacna clams common as well as large schools of fusiliers. Enormous 12 ft. brain coral at end of dive on incoming tide. Depth: 35-75'
Barracuda Pinnacle
Offshore reef so visibility is usually good. Another very fish active dive along a healthy reef that includes a steep vertical wall. Sightings of schooling barracudas fairly common with large schools of tropicals and jacks. Large walu are also seen. Depth: 40-90'
Fish Patch
A submerged reef located between Qamea and Taveuni with a depth ranging from 10-120 feet with gradual slopes off a variety of sea fans and fishes of all kind at 70-80 feet. Marine life found on site includes a variety of soft coral, trigger fish, occasionally eagle rays, schools of barracuda and Spanish mackerel, fusiliers, golden anthers, file fish, variety of nudie branches and heaps of sea fans at 8-10 feet. Best time for dive: Rising tide.
Gorgonian Garden
This reef has a vertical drop off with a depth ranging 15-200 feet, it has a variety of sea fans and soft coral, more fish life and exciting with sharks. A mild current from the beginning to the end of the dive. Marine life found on site includes sea fans, tons of soft coral, barracudas, tuna, sharks (in schools), fusiliers, anamones, sweet lips, travelly, anthiases and basslets. Best time for dive: Rising tide.
Long Beach Point
Easy drift until the turn around the point. Current gradually increases and can be swift. Soft corals, many feather star crinoids clinging to sea fans. Depth: 40-75'
Purple Wall
It has an outer wall with reef top starting at 20 feet dropping away to about 200 foot plus, the wall is covered with purple soft corals, sea whips and large gorgonia fans. Marine life found on site includes a variety of pelagics ranging from barracuda to travelly (jacks), mackerel, sea fans, variety of nudie branches, anthiases, fusiliers, basslets, white tip sharks and manta rays occasionally. Best time for dive: Falling tide.
The Fans
Large gorgonian sea fans, soft corals, and anemones with anemone fish galore. Large schools of fusiliers when dived during faster currents. Have seen mantas here. Depth: 25-75'
The Rock
Vertical wall from surface dropping to over 100ft. Sea grapes, some soft corals, but more hard corals, large schools of small tropicals, occasional white tip sharks and turtles. Currents can be fast during Full and New Moons. Depth: 40-75'
Suthu
A large pinnacle resembling a woman's breast begins at 30 feet. Large schools of tropicals. Currents can be strong and change as divers circle the pinnacle. Best dived at slack low tide. Depth: 30-70'
Lost Reef
Another large pinnacle near Suthu. Top of reef is also 30 feet but slopes down to over 100 feet. A school of chevron barracuda are usually seen. Divers are engulfed in large schools of fusiliers and jacks as they cascade over the top of the pinnacle. Large sea fans and soft corals abound. Currents are similar but a bit stronger than at Suthu. Large colonies of blue tipped anemones with anemone fish on the lee side of pinnacle. Depth: 30'-90'
Mariah's Cove
Located on the coast of Qamea with depth ranging from 15-80 feet. Best for second dive and perfect night dives, also known as red wall a little ledge at 15-30 feet covered with variety of soft red coral. Marine life found on site includes wrasses, blennies, puffer fish, garden eels, sea whips, parrot fish, butterfly fishes, variety of nudie branches, Spanish dancers, moray eel and occasionally soft coral. Best time for dive: Rising tide
Still Waters
A submerged reef off the coast of Qamea with a depth ranging from 15-100 feet, famous for soft coral dives. Marine Life found on Site: Variety of soft coral, tons of fusiliers, anthiases basslets, occasionally white tip sharks, nudie branches (flat worms) and schools of barracuda. Best time for dive: Rising tide
Broken Reef
Usually good visibility. Large schools of small tropicals, healthy hard corals, clams, regular sightings of white tip reef sharks. Currents usually mild. Depth: 40-70'
Rainbow Sands
Matagi Island-Reciprocal heading or can be done as an outgoing drift. Sloping reef with some soft corals and mini-walls. Large clams and more turtle and eagle ray sightings than other sites. Depth: 30'-80'.
Ringgolds
Submerged reef on the inside of ringgold's reef with a depth ranging from 15-90 feet, it has healthy hard corals, large variety of pelagics, and famous for hard coral dive. Marine life found on site includes occasional sweet lips, angelfish, clown trigger fish, fusiliers, moray eels, and white tip sharks. Best time for dive: Either falling or rising tide.
Cross Channel
Located on Motui atoll, has a vertical drop off at 15-1000 feet plus famous for black corals with long nose hawkfish and occasionally beautifully untouched hard corals at 35 feet. Marine life found on site includes soft coral, sea fans, sea whips, sharks, tuna, travelly, king mackerel, tons of fusiliers and carport anemones (rare ones). Best time for dive: Falling tide
Nukubalavu
Located on the coast of Qamea with a depth ranging from 10-120 feet with gradual slope, has beautiful fish life and a variety of soft coral. If dived with a mild current will be a perfect night dive. Marine life found on site includes moray eels, variety of nudie branches, Spanish dancers, blennies angel fish, stone fish, hawk fish, variety of soft coral with schools of jack trivially, Spanish mackerel and barracuda with a slight current. Best time for dive: During rising tide.
Mulomulo
Located on the coast off Qamea with a depth ranging from 10-120 feet with gradual slopes and beautiful sea fans, soft coral. Marine life found on site includes a variety of nudie branches, flat worms, sea whips, moray eels, fusiliers, wrasses, white tip sharks and napoleon wrasses found occasionally. Best time for dive: Either falling or rising tide.
Windseye Passage
It is a passage at the Laucala barrier reefs with a depth ranging from 15-130 feet with gradual slopes at the beginning of the dive and beautiful pinnacles towards the end. Marine life found on site includes clown triggers at all times, garden eels, angel fish, anthiases, scorpion fish at all times, stone fish, red anamones, leopard sharks, variety of Spanish dancers with hard and soft coral. Best time for dive: Rising tide.
Motui I
An atoll 8 miles off Matagi Island with wall dives, depth ranging from 15-1000 feet plus vertical drop off with a variety of soft corals, long sea whips on the side of the walls and tons of fish life everywhere. Marine life found on site includes fish life of every kind and sharks, humb headed parrotfish, tons of soft coral and beautiful hard coral at 25-30 feet. Best time for dive: Either falling or rising tide.
Motui II
Approximately 500 feet in distance from Motui I with almost the same reef structure,Motui II has more beautiful hard coral at the top of the wall. Marine life found on site includes schools of fish every kind, sharks, occasionally soft and hard corals, surgeon fish everywhere, long sea whips, nudie branches and flat worms seen quite often. Best time for dive: Either falling or rising tide.
Backside
Located on the North side of Boulders which is about 100 feet in distance with a depth ranging from 15-75 feet with big coral heads a swim through and a variety of soft coral on the overhangs. Marine life found on site includes puffer fish, trunk fish, surgeon fish, variety of nudie branches, trigger fish, stone fish, file fish, red anemones, clown fish, soft coral, sea fans and occasionally sleeping leopard shark. Best time for dive: Either falling or rising tide.
Bonnie's Boulder
Located between Laucala and Matangi, big bonnies which divers weave between them. It has a depth ranging from 15-75 feet with a variety of soft coral on the overhangs and untouched hard coral on the seabed. Marine life found on site includes a variety of nudie branches, occasionally sea snakes, white tip sharks, leopard sharks at all times, red anamones, stone fish hawk fish, emperor angel and dragon masses. Best time for dive: Best for rising tide but can be dived during falling tide.
Rainbow Passage
A submerged reef with a depth ranging from 15-120 feet, it has a variety of soft corals with large bommies at the end of the dive. Fish life includes a variety of pelagics including barracuda, mackerel, travelly, white tip sharks, occasional leopard shark, stone fish, clown trigger, long nose hawkfish, clown fish, anamones, damsel fish and a variety of butterfly fish. Marine life found on site includes marine life includes soft corals, tube corals (Grey), nudie branches, flat worms, feather stars and sea whips. Best time for dive: Rising tide.
Noel's Wall
An atoll 15 miles off Matagi Island with a vertical drop off 30-1000 feet plus cannons and swim through at 30 feet with beautiful hard coral at 30-40 feet. Most famous for soft coral dive and pelagics. Marine life found on site includes tons of soft coral, fusiliers, schools of barracudas, occasionally surgeon fish, schools of bronze whalers, golden anthiase, unicorn fish, schools of jack trevally at all times and queen angels are seen quite often. Best Tide for dive: Rising tide.
Golden Garden
An atoll 10 miles off Matagi Island with a vertical drop off 15-1000 feet plus with a mild current which opens up the Golden soft coral, also cannons at 50 feet. Marine life found on site includes golden soft coral, sea whips, anemones, clown fishes, unicorn fish, occasionally schools of barracuda and white tip sharks. Best Tide for dive: Rising tide.
The Edge
An atoll 10 miles off Matangi. It has a vertical drop off Matangi Island at about 30-1000 feet plus. Marine life found on site includes a combination of soft and hard coral, barracuda, unicorn fish, clown fish, anemones, clown trigger fish, groupers, fusiliers and occasionally white tip sharks. Best Tide for dive: Falling tide.
Motuilailai
An atoll 10 miles off Matagi with a depth ranging from 10-200 feet plus. Has gradual slopes with tunnels penetrating into the reef with beautiful sun rays through the top opening of the reef also has a wide variety of hard corals and fish of all kinds normally in schools. Marine life found on site includes sharks (very often), turtles, variety of hard coral, schools of sweet lips, travelly, eagle rays, clown trigger fish, sea whips, and variety of beautiful brain coral Best time for dive: Either falling or rising tide.
Joe's Reef
Located outside Laucala barrier reef with a depth ranging from 15-100 feet, It has a variety of hard soft coral. A few coral heads that comes up to about 15 feet which divers weave between them and perfect for safety stops. Marine life found on site includes wrasses, moray eels, gobi's, puffers, clown trigger, occasionally white tip sharks and sleeping leopard sharks. Best time for dive: Falling tide.
Mini Yellow Wall
It is located outside the Laucala barrier reef with a depth ranging from 15-200 feet, it has gradual slopes and a mini wall from 60-100 feet covered with yellow soft coral. Marine life found on site includes wrasses, parrot fish, tuna, sweet lips, moray and sharks and occasionally soft coral. Best time for dive: Rising tide.
Sangrila
Located on Welagilala "BARRIER REEF" with a variety of coral heads and pinnacles. Most of the coral heads have swim through and tons of sweet lips as their habitats, schools of hump headed parrotfish and a variety of pipefish often seen. It has a depth ranging from 15-90 foot slope. Marine life found on site includes a variety of nudie branches, flat worms and scorpion fish seen occasionally. Best time for dive: Either falling or rising tide.
North Passage
On the North side of Matagi. You'll see the healthiest and biggest cabbage coral covering the floor bed of the passage. Amongst this beautiful cabbage coral are groupers and sweet lips and occasionally white tip sharks. Marine life found on site include sweet lips, surgeon fish, parrot fish, red anemone, lion fish, sharks, eagle ray seen occasionally, schools of anthiases and large variety of nudie branches and flat worms. Best time for dive: Falling tide.
South Passage
At the outer edge of the fringing reef on the southern side of Qamea, a short swim underwater across a sand patch to a parallel reef. Divers follow along the top drifting with a mild current. Sea grapes abound, white tip reef sharks are common and large schools of shy, bumphead parrot fish occasionally cruise by. Depth: 45-80'.
3 The Zoo
4 The Corner
5 Annie’s Bommies
6 Mini White Wall
7 Fish Factory
8 The Ledge
9 Jerry’s Jelly
10 Yellow Tunnel
11 White Wall
12 Blue Ribbon Eel Reef
13 Rainbow Passage 1
Description: A submerged reef with a depth ranging from 15-120 feet, it has a variety of soft corals with large bommies at the end of the dive. Fish life includes a variety of pelagics including barracuda, mackerel, travelly, white tip sharks, occasional leopard shark, stone fish, clown trigger, long nose hawkfish, clown fish, anamones, damsel fish and a variety of butterfly fish.
Marine Life found on Site: Marine life includes soft corals, tube corals (Grey), nudie branches, flat worms, feather stars and sea whips.
Best time for Dive: Rising tide
For Photographers: Wide angle, macro, and video camera
14 Rainbow Passage 2
15 Cabbage Patch
16 Chiefs Garden
17 The Caves
18 Playground
19 Coral Gardens
20 Barracuda Pinnacle
21 Fish Patch
22 Gorgonian Garden
23 Long Beach Pt
24 Purple Wall
25 The Fans
26 The Rock
27 Suthu
28 Lost Reef
29 Mariah’s Cove
30 Still Waters
31 Broken Reef
32 Rainbow Sands
33 Ringgolds
34 Cross Channel
35 Nukubalavu
36 Molumolu
37 Windseye Passage
38 Motui I
39 Motui II
40 Backside
41 Bonnie’s Boulder
42 Rainbow Passage
43 Noel's Wall
44 Golden Garden
45 The Edge
46 Motui Lailai
47 Joe's Reef
48 Mini Yellow Wall
49 Sangrila
50 North Passage
51 South Passage
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