Page 126 - Melanesia

n addition to the six moorings within the Namena Marine Re- of diving.

I serve, three nearshore moorings were installed outside 3 of the N amena Marine Reserve – Grand Central Station - Type of Dive:
Drift (1.75 hours from the marina - full day trip in conjunc-
coastal villages in the district, namely the chiefly village of Kiobo,
Nakorovou and Navatu – from which a fourth village, Raviravi is

also accessible. Today, villagers enjoy meeting divers and yacht tion with another Namena dive). A premiere dive site, and as its

tourists to hear tales of experiences on their reef and the ocean, name suggests, this site is full of comings and goings down the

while mariners and divers appreciate learning about Fijian culture wall. Lots of grey reef sharks and whitetip reef sharks and even

in a rural village setting. After the Mutiny on the Bounty on 28 the occasional scalloped hammerhead. Humphead wrasse, tuna,

April 1789 William Bligh sailed his launch through the open area barracuda and snapper.

of the northern Fiji Islands. On his way to Kupang, he became the
first European to visit several islands in the Fiji group, which is why
amena Marine Reserve – Blue Ribbon - Type of Dive: Drift
Nthe sea area north of the Fiji island of Viti Levu, which was crossed (1.75 hours from the marina - full day trip in conjunction

here and in the Monuriki, is named “Bligh Water”. with another Namena dive). Another premiere dive site, involving

2 main pinnacles and several lower features. On this macro and

N amena Marine Reserve – Chimneys - World class diving is to invertebrate dive two soft coral covered bommies are split by a 50
be found at Namena. On this macro and invertebrate dive meter break which means you can spiral down the first pinnacle
at your leisure then swim to the second coral head, spiral up the

two soft coral covered bommies are split by a 40 meter break second, interspersing it with checking out the lower features sur-

which means you can spiral down the first pinnacle at your leisure rounding the coral head, and of course the garden eels between

try some shark and garden eel spotting on the ocean floor and the features. Blue ribbon eel, soft corals, grey reef sharks, whitetip

explore rocky features with lots of life, then spiral up the second reef sharks and even the occasional scalloped hammerhead.

bommie. The brilliant soft corals are dazzling and the small marine Humphead wrasse, tuna, barracuda and snapper.

life abundant and equally as colorful and diverse as the corals.

Veteran divers often rate it as their best dive ever in all their years