The Pacific Ocean brims with life, especially when a phenomenon occurs when a portion of the ocean is forced through a narrow, shallow channel. Between two islands in the Fiji archipelago, that phenomenon is the Rainbow Reef. Fiji’s status as the soft coral capital of the world is cemented by the gardens of brilliant color off Fiji’s garden island of Taveuni, where the world-famous Rainbow Reef is located within Somosomo Strait. A whirlpool of nutrients is forced onto the reef by the tidal currents and produces an amazing display that impresses divers.
Scuba Diving In Taveuni: Exploring Rainbow Reef and the Great White Wall
Taveuni Dive Resort caters to the needs of underwater explorers and supports the sustainability of Rainbow and other reef areas.
My flight on Fiji Link to Matei airport arrived early, but the resort heard the plane go overhead and sent the truck in time to pick me up. Taveuni’s roads require a certain amount of driving finesse so four-wheel drives are the go-to. Taveuni is entirely the product of volcanic activity and has the fertility to show for it. The island is on the top of a dormant volcanic cone. From ridges to reefs, the island is full of life but not necessarily bustling.
Our drive was punctuated only by a handful of passing vehicles and hues of forest green and ocean blue were in full saturation. We passed the famous Waitavala Waterslide, a daring feat for tourists and a weekend pastime for local children. The natural streambed is a rough-and-tumble chute of about 50 meters. But I was there for the main attraction, the Scuba diving. Taveuni is arguably Fiji’s Scuba diving capital and for two days, I got to roam the crevices and curves of one of the most beautiful reef systems in the world. A particular stretch of underwater architecture is especially exciting: the Great White Wall. In the right conditions, it is exactly as its name describes a face of ice-colored soft coral. However, without the right current, it remains bare. The site is typically a drift dive and as tempting as it is, not recommend it for first-time drift divers.
Close inspection of the White Wall reveals tones of blue, purple, and red that take nothing from the grandeur of its name. There are swim-throughs and coral caves that on closer inspection, house colorful critters bound to delight. In the more sheltered areas, Gregorian fans and reef fish can be discovered in bursts of color. We returned to Taveuni Dive Resort to the smiles of Star, our bartender, and the keen interest of Carl and Muriel our hosts, all eager to hear our reaction to their “front yard”
Originally titled “Riding the Rainbow in Taveuni” By DRUE SLATTER
FURTHER READING: For those interested in exploring this topic further, additional resources and in-depth materials are provided below when available; otherwise, no further reading is included at this time.:
REFERENCES: This guide is based on over a decade of research and firsthand experience living in Fiji. It incorporates extensive knowledge gained through long-term residence and ongoing engagement with the region. Images and text have been sourced from official references, which are acknowledged below, to ensure accuracy and comprehensiveness.
FOOTNOTES: Additional details, clarifications, or sources referenced in this article are included as Footnotes below the text when applicable; otherwise, no Footnotes are provided.