Fiji on the Fly

Fiji offers tropical island splendor and an appealing native culture, but what is a scuba diver to expect in Fijian waters? For starters, consider that Fiji advertises itself as "the Soft Coral Capitol of the World" for a very good reason. Reef cruisers, wide-angle photographers, and snorkelers will revel in the size, quality, and variety of colorful soft corals; and the hard corals that make up the reef structure are equally verdant. Keep in mind though, that these soft corals are so prosperous due to Fiji's substantial currents and tidal changes that bring sustenance to the reef. Fiji's population of tropical fishes is broad and beautiful, and invertebrates abound. I saw more unusual nudibranchs here than anywhere I can remember, though this may be due to Murphy's Law of underwater photography, because I carried the wide-angle Nikonos 15mm on most dives. We also saw our share of larger fish, barracuda, various jack, mackerel, tuna, and reef sharks. On a previous trip, our party saw migrating whales from the boat, and the possibility is always there to see manta rays or even a hammerhead.

Time of year plays a major factor in Fijian diving, as water temperature and visibility vary greatly with the seasons. Fiji is south of the equator, and thus the seasons are reversed from our own. The rainy season officially begins in December and ends in March. (January and February are traditionally the rainiest months.) The best time for dive tourism begins in mid April and runs through December. The water temperature in April can be in the low to mid eighties, and decreases as the year progresses. By November, the water can be down in the mid seventies. As a rule, visibility varies inversely with water temperature. In April, the warm water fosters plankton growth, somewhat reduced visibility, and more large pelagic activity, such as plankton feeding whales and mantas. Later in the year, as water temperature drops the visibility increases. So, after all this pedantry, when's the best time to go diving in Fiji? In my years of personal experience as a dive traveler, the absolute best time to go diving is "last week" or "next week," so go when you can sneak the money and the vacation time, stay wet, be sure to do your safety deco stops, and ENJOY!


Fiji on the Fly