Best Scuba Diving Locations: Taveuni, Fiji

by Jason Gyulay
(Milwaukee WI USA)

Our scuba diving trip to Taveuni, Fiji offered the best diving we have ever done with great vis, beautiful coral and abundant marine life.

We dove the Somosomo Straight, shortly after we had been certified for diving here in Wisconsin in the US. First of all, let me say the water temperature in Wisconsin leaves a bit to be desired. Even in August we dive with at least a 5 mil suit.

So this was really our first dive trip in warm water. When we went in late September the water temperature in Fiji was great. Fiji is known as the soft coral capital of the world and after our dive trip, I wholeheartedly agree.

The visibility in Fiji was truly spectacular. We made six dives the week we were there and the visibility was really no less than 100 ft (33 meters) on each dive. The sea life, hard and soft corals - everything was so abundant.

Now this area is a straight so there is some current, and in some areas, a great deal of current. It just depends on where your dive operator takes you.

The firm that we dove with was Aquaventure in Taveuni (http://www.aquaventure.org/). They were an outstanding organization, they respected our limits and abilities. They took us to dive sites that were truly incredible.

As I stated before, this is a straight with current and I believe that this is the reason the coral and sea is so healthy here.

The colors and varieties of the corals were vast at the site "Purple Wall". While we may not have seen monstrous mantas or whale sharks, we did see a large number of sharks and other large fish at the site called "Fish Factory". I am not sure how it got it's name.

Some of the other "must do" sites are: Annie's Bommies" and "The Zoo". So the diving was really the best we have ever done so far. At all of the places we dive we find great things, but we haven't found it all in one place like this. We have dove on both coasts of Mexico, as well as Cozumel (pre-hurricanes), and most recently in St Lucia.

The other part of the diving experience is top side so a bit about that. We stayed at Maravu Plantation Resort (http://www.maravu.net/) it was right across the street from the dive shop. It looks like they have won some awards since we went, but I would say all are well deserved! Food outstanding! Accomodations fit for a king and queen.

Truthfully though, even aside from the scuba diving, I would go back solely for the staff and the people of Fiji.