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ew other places in the world offer such the lifeblood of Fiji’s reefs, kick-starting the represent the main season for scuba diving
food chain by sweeping nutrients to both in Fiji in terms of diver numbers, although
F an abundance of this coral, nor the wide corals and fish alike. The currents affect the the visibility tends to peak between the
water’s visibility with incoming currents months of July and December when the
spectrum of colors, ranging from pink, pur- bringing clear sea water into the lagoons water is cooler. It can cool enough in this
ple, orange, yellow and fiery red. Dendrone- and outgoing currents removing any cloudy period to reduce plankton activity suffi-
phthya soft coral needs current. With little lagoon water. Lagoons are a feature of the ciently for the visibility to rise to impressive
current present, the soft corals are muted, islands and often the water remains shallow distances, sometimes exceeding 50 meters.
but as the current increases, they inflate until some distance from shore. This means November to April are Fiji’s summertime
with water and their colors explode. As the that most of the diving is conducted from and when the seas are at their warm-
current picks up, planktivores such as beau- boats and also that the shorelines are great est - around 28 to 30°C. This is also rainy
tifully colored anthias spring up off the reef for adults and children alike to go snorke- season and December to March carries a
in schools. The best places for soft coral in ling and swimming. greater risk of cyclones. Run-off from Fiji’s
Fiji are the Bligh Waters between Viti Levu rivers can reduce the otherwise excellent
and Vanua Levu where there are numerous G eographically there are so many is- visibility, particularly on dive sites off the
reefs and pinnacles, the Somosomo Strait lands that you have to decide whether coast of Viti Levu. For comfort and protec-
between Taveuni and Vanua Levu, and Na- you wish to travel to experience the best tion, many choose to dive with a 5mm full
mena Island and its marine protected area. scuba diving Fiji has to offer or you want to length wetsuit during winter months from
stay put in one place and get a taste of that May to October, and a 3mm during summer
C onditions and underwater sights vary area alone. Stay on Taveuni to see the soft months from November to April.
greatly here and while some places coral splendor of the Somosomo Strait, and
are tranquil and great for learning, most Kadavu Island to explore the Great Astro-
sites will enjoy some current, ranging from labe Reef. The dive season is all year round.
barely perceptible to very strong. It is this The winter months of April to October
presence of current that makes the diving
in the Fijian Islands so rich. Currents are
