Fiji is known for its beautiful palm-fringed islands, but some of its most spectacular scenery is found below the waves. Its warm, clear waters offer year-round diving and snorkelling in what’s often referred to as the soft coral capital of the world. There are reefs with lush gardens of corals, deep canyons and walls, multihued fish and plenty of big swimmers like sharks, turtles and manta rays.
Dive operators and resorts offer scuba diving and snorkelling almost everywhere in Fiji. If you’re new to the underwater world, many offer PADI-certification courses that will get you below the waves quickly and safely.
When planning your trip, remember that while it’s fine to dive straight after your flight, your last dive should be completed at least 12 hours but ideally 24 hours before getting on a plane. The reason for this is to minimise the risk of residual nitrogen in the blood causing decompression. You should take particular note of this because so much inter-island transport in Fiji involves planes.
