Scuba Diving the Magical Rainbow Reef, Fiji
Fiji's Rainbow Reef and its crown jewel, the Great White Wall, are world famous and attract divers from all over the world.
This beautiful soft coral reef system, is located off Fiji's 'Garden Island'. Diving through the Great White Wall is like floating through a living cathedral of ice and lace - a paradox of tropical warmth and Artic beauty. The colours of the Rainbow Reef are astounding.
With over 20 dive sites the narrow Somosomo Strait is a huge attraction for scuba divers enjoying incredible marine biodiversity, pelagics such as mantas and everything down to the smallest shrimp and crab. The technicolour corals are both hard and soft with purples, reds, yellows, white explosions of dendronephthya and shallow acropora shelves filled with anthia fish.
Taveuni Island is also blessed with waterfalls, lush tropical rainforests, blow holes, friendly little Fijian towns and much more - making the perfect dry day adventure!
Why dive Rainbow Reef?
Unbelievable soft coral gardens
The Rainbow Reef offers a concentration of soft coral species in many different colours and textures. These soft corals, or Alcyonarians, are the same as hard corals yet they do not have a calcium exoskeleton. These soft corals, of which there are around 1200 species, don't contain the symbiotic algae, Zooxanthellae, which means they don't require sunlight and are found deeper and in areas of current. This current acts as a conveyor belt to deliver zooplankton to the feeding polyps.
Incredible marine biodiversity
The Rainbow Reef is habitat to thousands of species of fish and critters. All of these marine inhabitants offer a dazzling display of evolution. Every piece of living space is fought over on a coral reef. The need to eat, not be eaten and to reproduce is key to the daily struggle of survival for marine creatures. Steely trevally and barracuda dart on the reef to snatch a meal, camouflaged lizard and scorpionfish await an unwitting fish, clown fish nuzzle in the stinging tentacles of their anemone....
World famous dive sites
The Great White Wall : spectacular soft coral wall dive in Fiji which sees divers descend onto a glowing white soft coral sheer drop off through a larval tube filled with fish and red sea whips. The wall descends to over 100 metres and is magical scuba dive as you drift with the current enjoying the white lacey spectacle.
Rainbow Passage: after descending to a series of soft and hard coral covered bommies amid vibrant reef fish, moray eels and fusilier schools this drift dive takes you past garden eels swaying on the sea bed. Swim through a valley in the reef before ascending onto immense fire coral covered shallow reefs teeming with orange and pink lyrtail anthias
Purple Corner: one of Fiji's best dive sites, Purple Corner, is wall drift dive covered with vibrant purple soft corals buzzing with small reef fish feeding in the current. The colours of the purple and pink Dendronepthytha corals is stunning and divers can expect barracuda, bat fish and possible turtles on the dive.
Rainbow Reef Dive Sites
Rainbow Reef : How to Dive it!
The best way to dive the Rainbow Reef is with one of our carefully curated Rainbow Reef all inclusive dive packages - with 'bundled pricing' that saves you money. Explore Fiji's underwater paradise at one of these tried and tested Rainbow Reef resorts and ensure your trip comes with :
Ultimate convenience and seamless logistics : one booking , one price.... we handle everything for you. There are no hidden costs or financial decisions to make.
On site or convenient dive shops : PADI 5 star dive centres on site means your dive gear is washed, stored, tank fills and often a beautiful house reef are just steps away from your room
Maximised diving time and flexibility : Some resorts operate a 'boat dive in the morning' followed by explore the house reef schedule in the afternoon and night time. Smaller resorts can take you to the reef to dive your choice of Rainbow reef sites whenever you wish
The Rainbow Reef is 'right there' : Fiji's Rainbow Reef isn't a single spot, it's a long vibrant stretch of reef. The best resorts are strategically positioned on it and resorts such as Sau Bay are closest to the Great White Wall meaning you can dive there whatever the weather.
All Inclusive Rainbow Reef Dive Packages
Frequently asked questions about diving Rainbow Reef
Which side of the Somosomo Strait should I stay on?
Some of the resorts peppered along both sides of Rainbow Reef have beautiful house reefs, or coral areas that can be easily reached by kayak. Other resorts are closer to the wilder western side of Taveuni which is perfect for guests who wish to mix up their diving with adventure in the waterfalls and coastal walks. Or perhaps, a mix of divers and non divers who are seeking to fill their days with different activities.
Given the depths of the Somosomo Strait there is also blackwater diving available during which strong torches attract zoonic creatures which migrate from the depths of the deep trench at night time to feed on phyto plankton. A wealth of larval zoo plankton fish and critters can be spotted.
Are there strong currents on Rainbow Reef?
The currents on Fiji's Rainbow Reef can be strong - however, they are also very predictable - diving with expert local guides at our resorts will ensure you dive correctly to the tidal patterns and your dives are scheduled to the best possible conditions. Located on the narrow Somosomo Strait between Fiji's Taveuni and Vanua Levu islands the geographical set up acts like a natural funnel for water. Both the tidal currents and ocean currents circling through the reef bring a constant supply plankton and nutrients - which is the reason that the soft corals are so incredibly vibrant and and abundant.
Drift diving with currents on Rainbow Reef
Most dives on Rainbow Reef, with the exception of the Cabbage Patch dive site, are drift dives - meaning you enter the water at one point and the current carries you along a wall or through pinnacles until your dive boat picks you up at the exit point. This can be an exhilarating experience allowing you to cover a lot of ground with minimal effort. The intensity of the current varies drastically based o the lunar calendar and the time of the tide. There can be a 'slack tide' (the period between incoming and outgoing tides when the water is still) and then become a roaring river an hour later. The key is to dive Rainbow Reef only with safe and skilled dive operators.
What else is there to do on Taveuni Island?
Taveuni is the wild Jurassic island of the Fijian archipelago. Verdant and pure, 150 volcanic cones are spread over the island creating lush jungle framed waterfalls, carved lava rock formations, elevated lakes and craters. Remote and pristine, Taveuni, Fiji's third largest island is wild, unexplored and pure... with the friendliest smiles, the tallest jungles, the most beautiful waterfalls, the endemic flower, the Tagimouca, and native birds. There are so many beautiful places to see on Taveuni Island we have created a separate section below highling the top 10 activities for your 'dry' day or to combine into your Rainbow Reef dive trip.
Manta rays visit the Rainbow Reef during Fiji's winter months of May to October and most resorts will offer snorkelling trips to a cleaning station and feeding area where you can often see 5+ manta rays between picnicking on beautiful near by beaches. The mantas are often seen whilst diving on the reefs.
EXPLORING TAVEUNI ISLAND - Fiji's 'garden'
**Fijian people images courtesy of Chris McClellan
Guide to Taveuni Island , Fiji
Bula Sia (welcome!)
Taveuni Island is a utopia for divers and nature lovers
This cigar shaped volcanic island sitting on the dateline, a short flight from Nadi International Airport, is almost Jurassic! Volcanic peaks, kissed by white clouds, virgin rainforest, prolific bird life, lush verdant jungle and waterfalls. Peppered with small and friendly Fijian villages Taveuni is a true stage upon which the South Pacific reaches perfection.
Rainbow Reef, including the Great White Wall dive site, sits to the left of the island with over 20 + world class dive sites, visiting pelagics such as manta rays, dolphins and pilot whales and to the right explore rugged coastal walks, waterfalls and surf breaks. The Southern tip is home to Vuna Reef, volcanically carved blow holes and a colossal coconut plantation.
Taveuni - The Garden Island of Fiji
Taveuni Island in Fiji is a remarkable destination that showcases natural beauty and a wealth of biodiversity.
Other than Rainbow Reef diving Taveuni offers beautiful hiking traills, the Lavena Coastal Walk where turquoise waterfalls descend into the surf as well as the Bouma and Tavoro falls.
Explore the Civa Pearl Farm, the Waitabu marine park, watch for rare birds such as the Fijian parrot finch and orange dove.
10 Unforgettable Experiences on Taveuni Island
Nature's Playground
Tavoro Waterfalls is one of Taveuni's most celebrated natural wonders. Managed by the local Bouma village the lovely Sarah will explain how your entrance fee pays for the local village school. As you wonder through the forest on the short walk to the waterfalls explore fascinating plants and birdsong. Cool off in the cool volcanic waters in the waterfall. There are 6 higher up waterfalls - 3 of which can be reached in a moderate 2 - 3 hour hike.
Pelagics of Somosomo Strait
Somosomo Strait is a deep water system characterised by currents carrying upwellings of nutrients. Fish 'work ups' are common as schools of tuna and birds take advantage of the food supply, Dolphins and pilot whales are frequently seen in the Strait.
Manta Ray Snorkelling
Manta rays feed on microscopic plankton which is often channelled into compacted areas on Rainbow Reef. Between March to November these incredible creatures can be sometimes spotted on Rainbow Reef dive sites. The southern tip of the northern Somosomo Strait island of Rambi attracts the manta rays as it funnels plankton into easily swallowed meals. Many dive resorts offer manta ray snorkelling trips.
Cultural Immersion
Enjoy the incredible warmth and hospitality of the Fijian people. Expect smiles, laughter, a genuine interest in you and your homeland. Visit Fijian villages and learn about traditional crafts, enjoy a welcoming kava ceremony or meke performance and leave with friends and desire to return.
Qamea Surfing
Qamea, to the east of Taveuni Island offers undiscovered surf breaks. Enjoy the ride without the crowds.
The Taste of Paradise
Savour the flavours of Fijian cuisine, from fresh seafood to e exotic fruits and local delicacies. In Fiji we shop differently with organically grown fruit and vegetable stalls dotted around Matei and the inhabited areas of Taveuni Island.
Lavena Coastal Walk
Explore this gem within the Bouma National Heritage Park as the rainforest reaches the reef. The 10 jm round trip hike takes you through lush forest and pristine beaches and waterfalls that crash into the ocean
Star Gazing
Stargazing in Taveuni offers a breathtaking experience, as the clear, unpolluted skies reveal a array of stars and constellations. With its remote islands and light pollution, the island provides the perfect backdrop for celestial observations. Whether you're on a beach or atop a hill, the sight of the Milky Way stretching across the sky is truly mesmerizing.
Learn about Blue Carbon
Blue carbon in Fiji's mangroves plays a crucial role in combating climate change by sequestering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. These vibrant ecosystems not only provide habitat for diverse marine life but also protect coastlines from erosion and storm surges. Learn about mangrove protection initiatives on Taveuni Island.
The Civa Pearl Farm
Situated on the windward west side of Taveuni in the Wailoa Lagoon the Pearl Farm established a Marine Park Protected Area and a reef rehabilitation programme. Explore the Pearl Farm and learn more about the how these South Pacific gems are cultured
