Diving

Fiji's popularity with divers is based on the ease of access and sheer beauty of its dive sites. Due to its vast area of scattered islands the Fiji group has been split into three dive regions.

The Northern region is justifiably regarded as the most spectacular area for soft coral diving. The best spot to catch the colour is in the strong currents of the Somosomo straits between Vanua Levu and Taveuni.

Garden Island Resort on Taveuni is the best option, being only 5-15 minutes from the main dive area. If you require accommodation with more comfort and ambience then Dive Taveuni is the place to stay, placed further up the coast and priced a little higher but with more privacy in a warm family atmosphere.

Qamea and Matagi Islands have access to the Somosomo area as well as superb dive sites on their own reefs, some of which they share with each other. Matagi has the added attraction of the north's only serious live aboard charter boat with trips starting in Somosomo and heading north to the Ringgolds and associated reefs and islands.

Across the straits on Vanua Levu is Savu Savu with a variety of resorts. The best diving can be found not far from the moderately priced Kontiki Resort. Currents are not a problem here in comparison to Somosomo, with the inevitable trade off being less soft coral profusion but better hard corals.

Many of the sites, such as Magic Island, are shared, so personal preference over type of accommodation (bure as opposed to condo) and price would be the determining factors.

For those wanting to learn to dive this area is ideal with safe diving and operations heavily geared towards dive training. For divers with a little more money to spend Tokoriki or Matamanoa have a more exclusive flavour while Beachcomber, with its marine reserve status, is the ideal spot for the travelling backpacker on a tight budget, or Mana Island with its famous dive for the adventurous.

The Central Region begins on the coral coast with its huge resorts and wall diving. All diving is on the outer barrier reef wall which means early morning dives are the norm, as the onshore trade winds tend to pick up in the afternoon The very best diving is actually just off shore around Beqa Lagoon which is accessed from Pacific Harbour.

Both Dive Connections and Beqa Divers offer fast service to the reefs around Yanuca Island, which sits on the outer edge of Beqa Lagoon, boasting the best soft corals south of the Somosomo straits.

The best variety of diving in Beqa Lagoon is from the Marlin Bay Resort on Beqa Island. They have dive sites around Yanuca Island and more than 100 additional sites throughout the huge lagoon.

Malawai, not far from Matana has a more up market appeal with a warm family atmosphere. Nukubalavu on the far eastern tip of Kadavu is ultra cheap, has great diving but is very basic in facilities.

The island of Vatulele, north and slightly west of Kadavu, is absolute tropical luxury with unique architecture, soaring ceilings, cool thatch, spacious adobe style and total five star privacy. The diving matches the resort -exquisite, unique and luxurious.

Of special mention is a new liveaboard dive charter vessel, the Hana Nai'a. Starting each trip to Beqa and covering the entire offshore eastern islands from Kadavu up to Namensa near Savu Savu, the 'Nai'a' run by Rob Barrel covers a huge fertile area that is largely unvisited by any other dive operation.

For ease of access, minimum travel time, variety of accommodation or live-aboards and superior diving you can't go past Fiji.

For more information on Liveaboard Dive Cruises, go to:

• Fiji Aggressor
• Naia Dive Cruises