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A Guide to What You See When You Scuba Dive in Fiji

Fiji is one of the premier scuba dive destinations in the world. Avid divers travel from all over the world to dip their fins in the crystal clear South Pacific waters that surround the Fijian islands, while beginner divers are introduced to the sport in fantastic fashion. What should you expect when you scuba dive in Fiji and in the country’s top coral reef? Keep reading for our definitive guide on what you’ll see when scuba diving in the Somosomo Strait.

Discovering the Soft Coral Capital of the World

It’s impossible to ignore that Fiji is the “Soft Coral Capital of the World,” especially as the gorgeous, colorful coral surrounds you on every dive location in the Somosomo Strait. Located between Taveuni and Fiji’s second-largest island, Vanua Levu, the Somosomo Strait is a narrow, but nutrient rich, stretch of water that is home to some of the world’s most dazzling soft coral.

Throughout the Somosomo Strait are warm, smooth waters, which foster long stretches of reef and provide an ideal environment for delicate, soft corals to grow. Several of the dive sites on the Somosomo Strait, in particular along the famed Rainbow Reef, feature bountiful, dense soft corals that will impress and delight the most experienced diver. One dive site, the Great White Wall, is consistently named one of the best dive sites in the entire world. It’s truly a wonderland unlike anywhere else.

The corals on the Rainbow Reef are true to their name. You can locate corals of orange, lavender, green, and red. In addition to creating a colorful experience, these corals grow in a variety of shapes and sizes. It’s possible to locate impressive sea pens, and their relative the sea fan or gorgonians, and glide past other stunning octocorals, such as Blue Coral and Green Star Polyps.

While you’ll never tire of the dizzying array of soft corals, the Rainbow Reef is also home to over 300 species of hard and leather corals. A favorite dive site for hard corals is called the Cabbage Patch, and it’s home to some incredible hard coral gardens. At other dive sties take in the range of sea anemones that come in green, purple, and crimson, and you’re guaranteed to locate any and every color throughout this underwater world.

Swim with the Rainbow Reef’s Marine Life

Not only is the Somosomo Strait the perfect place to explore untouched coral reefs, it’s also an incredible dive location for marine life. When diving in Fiji, it’s common to feel as if you are in a fish tank, not the South Pacific Ocean. And with over 1,200 species of fish, 460 species of mollusks, tuna, reef sharks, and turtles all living in these waters, the problem isn’t finding interesting marine life, but deciding where to focus first.

One type of fish to look for in the Somosomo Strait is butterfly fish. These colorful and fascinating fish are ubiquitous in Fiji, and 27 species of butterfly fish have been identified on dive sites here. These interesting fish are also a good sign of reef health, and their prevalence on the Rainbow Reef are a clear indication that this reef continues to thrive.