The best dive sites are located amongst Fijian islands and barrier reefs near Vatu-i-ra in Bligh Water and Namena, Wakaya, and Gau in the Koro Sea. On ten-day charters we have more time available to dive other reefs in the Koro Sea, some of them near Namena and others near nowhere!

Here is a list of a  few of the top dive sites visited:

Dive Site name : Cat's Meow

This site lies in deep water but is protected from the swell by the Vuya barrier reef. Much of the gorgeous soft coral featured in the IMAX film Coral Reef Adventure was shot here.

Dive Site: Vatu-i-ra

There are seven very distinct dives on the Vatu-i-ra barrier reef, several of which are among the best coral reef dives in the world. The barrier reef protrudes north from Viti Levu into the Vatu-i-ra Channel, narrowing the channel to only 4.5 miles across. This is the same body of water that supports E-6 and Mt. Mutiny. The area is regularly flushed by currents, which is why the reefs are so healthy. The Nai's dive team has intimate dive experience in Vatu-i-ra. Over many years they have learnt when to dive there so that you can tour the glorious reefs without having to fight the currents.

Dive Site: E-6

A seamount rising sheer-sided from 3,000ft right in the center of the narrowest part of Bligh Water's Vatu-i-ra channel, E-6 intercepts the flow of nutrients funneled between the two large islands of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. Extraordinary diving! Pelagics are normally found on the two sides of the pinnacle flushed by currents, while delicate soft corals and fans decorate the protected lee side where NAI'A moors. Dives at E-6 feature schooling barracuda, trevally, and surgeonfish, occasional hammerhead sharks and eagle rays, and a plethora of reef fish including anthias, fusiliers, and leaf scorpionfish.

Dive Site: Mt.Mutiny

Compared to E6, Mount Mutiny is a smaller seamount, named in honor of both Captain Bligh, who charted it as he passed nearby shortly after the mutiny on the Bounty, and the passengers on a NAI'A charter who threatened mutiny unless they were allowed to dive the seamount again and again. A highlight is the wall of unusual thin-stalked Chironephthya soft coral in a broad range of colors which blankets the south flank of the pinnacle. This is one of the single prettiest soft coral dives anywhere.

Dive Site: Namena Marine Reserve: Thumbs,Tetons & Mushrooms

Each of these distinct sites on Namena’s southerly barrier reef consists of two pinnacles of pleasure rising from 60-90’ to 15’ and covered in fans and soft corals as thick and colourful as any in Fiji – the perfect sites for wide angle photographers. But, just to make you question your choice of lens, the bottom is littered with jawfish, shrimp gobies, fire dartfish, adhesive anemones and assorted juveniles, while the pinnacles have more nudibranchs and pipefish than you can poke a stick at.

Dive Site: Namena Marine Reserve: North Save-a-tack Passage

This site has it all, concentrated schools of big fish and beautiful soft coral bommies. Descend into the blue and level off at an expansive sandy bottom alongside a sheer drop-off from which dogtooth tuna, grey reef sharks and the occasional scalloped hammerhead come in to upset things. The bottom camouflages a few large, over-fed grouper waiting to nail any fish staying low to hide from the grey reef sharks swimming among barracuda and trevally schools overhead. When your computer finally signals the end of your time on the plateau among the big guys, the current carries you deeper into the channel, where a line of bommies rise nearly to the surface. Two of the bommies are connected by an arch and all are alive with color: gorgonia fans, black coral, soft coral, and every reef fish imaginable.

Dive Site : Wakaya

The dive sites are along the edge of the barrier reef bordering a 3,000ft deep channel that leads to the Vatu-i-ra Passage and through which pass humpback, sperm and pilot whales. During dives you often see resident manta rays at cleaning stations and hammerhead sharks frequently come up to check you out. Grey reef and whitetip sharks are resident along the drop-off but it is the healthy coral and the critters that live in it that often excite divers the most: blue-ribbon eels, leaf scorpionfish and posing lionfish.

Dive Site: Gau: Jim's Alley & Anthias Avenue

Jim's and Anthias are soft coral gardens in shallow water, home to millions of reef fish. They are prime examples of the kind of soft coral diving for which Fiji is famous. Cluttered with multihued soft coral and nearly every kind of reef fish known, they often leave divers in awe. As an added bonus, they are a regular stop for four or five mantas, who can frequently be found feeding in the adjacent channel during the waning tide. Macro photographers, too, love them because of the profusion of little creatures living among the hard corals, soft corals, and fans.