Fiji

Region: Republic of Fiji, South Pacific
Type: Soft coral reefs, shark dives, walls, channels, drift dives, liveaboard diving
Significance: Known as the “soft coral capital of the world”; host of the Digital Shootout 2004; world-class shark diving at Pacific Harbour; a premier wide-angle photography destination
First Wetpixel coverage: 2004 (Digital Shootout Fiji)
Key dive operators: Aqua-Trek, NAI’A Liveaboard, Fiji Aggressor, Fiji Siren (lost 2017), Kai Viti Divers, Garden Island Resort (Taveuni), Daive Kadavu

Overview

Fiji is an archipelago of more than 300 islands in the South Pacific, widely regarded as one of the world’s top underwater photography destinations, particularly for wide-angle photography. The waters between Fiji’s two main islands (Viti Levu and Vanua Levu) are renowned for extraordinary soft coral growth, earning the destination its reputation as “the soft coral capital of the world” (^[1]). The clear waters of Fiji make it “an underwater photographer’s playground — especially for wide-angle photography” and “the perfect place for refining your photography skills” (^[2]).

Fiji has been featured extensively in Wetpixel coverage since 2004, when Wetpixel co-produced the Digital Shootout at the Garden Island Resort on Taveuni (^[3]). The destination is also significant for shark conservation, with the Fijian government recognizing that sharks have more value attracting tourism than as foodstuffs (^[4]).

Long-time community member underwatercolours, who produced a CD-ROM about Fiji and dove extensively across the archipelago from Yasawa to Kadavu to Matangi to Tokoriki, confirmed that “the amazing soft coral shots you see in the Fiji ads and magazines come mostly from the area between the two big islands” and that other areas had smaller and more scattered soft coral (^[5]). She also reported that despite suffering coral bleaching, the reefs had recovered impressively by her most recent visit, describing how “I was amazed how great the reefs looked” (^[6]).

Professional photographer Daniel Botelho named Shark Reef in Beqa Lagoon, Fiji as one of his three favorite dive sites in the world, alongside Protea Banks (South Africa) and Tiger Beach (Bahamas), describing them as “the best shark diving I have ever done in my life” (^[7]).

Dive Regions

Taveuni and the Somosomo Strait

Taveuni, the “Garden Island,” sits in northern Fiji adjacent to the Somosomo Strait, which separates Taveuni from Vanua Levu. The strait is known as the Rainbow Reef area due to its vibrant soft coral coverage — as community member oneyellowtang explained, “Fiji’s north (Somosomo) is known for its soft coral above everything else (which is why the area is called the Rainbow Reef)” (^[8]). The Garden Island Resort on Taveuni hosted the Digital Shootout 2004, with diving operated by Aqua-Trek and Swiss Fiji Divers (^[9]).

Key dive sites in the Somosomo Strait include:

• Great White Wall — Named for the white soft coral (Dendronephthya) that covers the wall at certain times, this is one of Fiji’s most iconic dive sites (^[10]).
• Jerry’s Jelly — A standout site noted by visiting photographers for its coral diversity (^[11]).
• Fish Factory (including one off Vuna Reef) — Sites known for dense fish life (^[12]).
• Cabbage Patch — Home to massive Turbinaria reniformis cabbage corals (^[13]).
• The Zoo, Coral Gardens — Additional popular sites in the strait (^[14]).
• Purple Wall, Yellow Tunnel, Rainbow’s End — Famous sites known for their colorful soft coral formations, though some community members have noted they may not be what they once were (^[15]).

The Somosomo Strait is primarily a reefscape and small-fish destination. Community member oneyellowtang, who first dove the strait 30 years before his 2023 post, noted that larger fish including sharks were not commonly present even decades ago, and that reaching bigger schools, mantas, and sharks “usually takes a liveaboard” to sites like the Lau Group, Namena, Bligh Water, or Wakaya (^[16]). In 2023, trip reporter BobbyV confirmed the reef health was good, describing “the good health of the reef (both hard and soft corals, fish, etc.)” and expressing surprise, though noting the lack of bigger fish and wishing Fiji would “consider making the strait into a marine protected/marine conservation area” (^[17]).

Bligh Water and Vatu-i-Ra Passage

The waters between Fiji’s two main islands, including the Bligh Water region and Vatu-i-Ra Passage, are where much of Fiji’s legendary soft coral diving is found. James Wiseman described the diving in the Rakiraki area and Bligh Water as “the best in Fiji,” noting the “incredible reefs of the Vatu-i-ra Passage” (^[18]). He and Eric Cheng dove there with Kai Viti Divers after the 2004 Digital Shootout (^[19]). Kai Viti Divers, based out of Rakiraki on Viti Levu’s north coast, was recommended by multiple Wetpixel community members, with underwatercolours praising them as “one of the best dive operators in Fiji” with “great boats, very responsible” service that “takes you to those areas where you’ll see soft coral as far as the eye can see” (^[20]).

Namena Marine Reserve (Save-a-Tack Passage)

The Namena Marine Reserve, located south of Vanua Levu, includes the Save-a-Tack Passage, which multiple Wetpixel community members described as containing some of the finest diving in Fiji. The reserve features dramatic pinnacles (Hi 8, E6) and exceptional soft coral formations. Mike Veitch, who previously worked aboard the Fiji Aggressor, described Save-a-Tack/Namena as “one of my fave dives in the world,” specifically noting “go past the arch and come upon that bommie just absolutely covered in purple soft coral…awesome” (^[21]).

Forum member critter described the Kansas site within Save-a-Tack, which featured “beautiful soft gold corals that supposedly look like the wheat fields,” calling it “one of the prettiest sites I have ever seen diving” and adding “We all remarked that we just wanted to stay there for the rest of the diving” (^[22]). Namena also offers encounters with very large grouper and grey reef sharks, with oneyellowtang reporting that a drift dive along a wall “more times than not will lead you to 2-3 (very large) grouper, as well as a few grey reef sharks (one of the grouper was almost the size of a VW bug)” (^[23]). Underwatercolours identified the area between Gau and Namena and the Vatu-i-Ra Passage as her favorites in all of Fiji (^[24]).

Beqa Lagoon and Pacific Harbour (Shark Diving)

Pacific Harbour on Viti Levu’s south coast is the base for Fiji’s famous shark dives, operated in partnership with Aqua-Trek. The shark encounter, branded as the “Ultimate Shark Encounter,” allows photographers to see up to eight species of sharks in a single location: nurse sharks, lemon sharks, silvertip, whitetip, blacktip, grey reef, bull sharks, and tiger sharks (^[25]). Howard Hall praised the dive, saying: “On one dive, you will see more species of sharks than the average diver sees in a lifetime! This dive is a must do” (^[26]).

Beqa Lagoon, just south of Pacific Harbour, also offered shark encounters, though as the organized shark dives in Pacific Harbour became more regular, the sharks “learned the schedule” and concentrated there (^[27]). Tiger sharks reaching 3.5 meters have been encountered on the shark dives (^[28]). In a 2023 trip report, community member newdiver described the Pacific Harbour shark dive as “an unforgettable experience specially the first dive because the sun was up and no cloud cover” (^[29]).

Other Regions

• Kadavu — Fiji’s fourth-largest island, described as very remote with “the most beautiful waters I have ever seen” by community member sonny beaches, who spent 11 days at Daive Kadavu and praised the dive masters, quiet surroundings, and uncrowded diving (^[30]).
• Wakaya — Accessible primarily by liveaboard, known for consistently good large animal encounters (^[31]).
• Lau Group — Remote island group in eastern Fiji with encounters with larger schools, mantas, and sharks, generally requiring liveaboard access (^[32]).
• Mamanuca Islands — Closer to Nadi, with soft coral pinnacles and healthy hard coral bommies. Underwatercolours was “very impressed with the diving there” at Castaway Island, noting “We visited soft coral pinnacles and very healthy hard coral bommies. I didn’t expect that, but was very happy to see it” (^[33]).
• Qamea — Near Taveuni, accessible by resort. Photographer JackConnick spent 8 days at Qamea Resort shooting a Nikon D850 in a Nauticam housing (^[34]).
• Nadi/Lautoka area — Primarily lagoonal and shallow reef, with hard rather than soft corals. Aquacadabra operates from First Landing Resort marina near Lautoka, with dive sites within an hour, though the area lacks the soft coral spectacle of the Bligh Water region (^[35]).

Marine Life

Fiji’s primary photographic subjects are its prolific soft corals, particularly Dendronephthya species, which grow in dense, colorful formations creating dramatic wide-angle compositions (^[36]). Hard corals are also present, including massive Turbinaria reniformis cabbage corals (^[37]).

During the 2004 Digital Shootout on Taveuni, participants photographed sea anemones with clownfish, Napoleon wrasses, white-tip reef sharks, and cleaner wrasse behavior. The first dive was “an easy spiral up a sea mount through clusters of lush soft coral” with the top “dotted with sea anemones and their clownfish inhabitants.” On the second dive, participants spotted “an enormous Napoleon wrasse and a few white-tip reef sharks” (^[38]). A participant named Peter photographed a white-tip reef shark having the inside of its mouth cleaned by two cleaner wrasses, prompting professional photographer Jim Watt to say “I’m diving with you, tomorrow” (^[39]).

Night dives in the Somosomo Strait reveal crabs, shrimp, and nudibranch species, including potentially undescribed species — an unidentified Trapania nudibranch collected in Fiji extended the known range of that genus, with forum member scubamarli identifying it from a photo posted by Art and noting “you should let Bill [Rudman] know, as the range will be quite increased” (^[40]).

Fiji is home to both reef manta rays (Manta alfredi) and oceanic manta rays (Manta birostris), with encounters possible at several locations. Mike Veitch included Fiji among the destinations where he encountered mantas during his diving career, listing it alongside Palau, French Polynesia, Yap, and Indonesia (^[41]).

Liveaboard Vessels

Several liveaboard vessels have served Fiji’s diving community:

• NAI’A — A long-established luxury liveaboard described as having “been in Fiji for decades” and praised as “really set up for photographers” by community member NWDiver (^[42], ^[43]). NAI’A is owned by Rob Barrel. In February 2010, an explosion aboard NAI’A during maintenance at a slipway killed one painter and injured two workers. As Barrel confirmed, “No crew were aboard at the time and the ship was, to use the legal term, ‘under custody’ of the slipway.” He chartered the M/V Lycianda from Blue Lagoon Cruises to continue operations, using “all of our normal crew, our own skiffs and dive gear, even our own linen and pillow” (^[44]). Wananavu Beach Resort near Rakiraki was recommended by James Wiseman as a pre-boarding stay for NAI’A trips, with diving by Kai Viti Divers (^[45]).
• Fiji Aggressor — Part of the Aggressor Fleet liveaboard chain, with routes covering Namena and Bligh Water. Mike Veitch previously worked aboard the vessel (^[46]). Community member critter, who spent a week on the Aggressor in 2005, praised the crew and described the diversity as making it “hard going back to the Carribean after this trip” (^[47]).
• Fiji Siren — Operated by Worldwide Dive and Sail (WWDS) as part of the Siren Fleet. On November 15, 2017, WWDS announced that the Fiji Siren had been lost at sea during a charter. All crew and passengers were accounted for and uninjured (^[48]). A detailed update the following day revealed that around 1am an impact on the vessel caused a breach in the engine room while cruising. Crew immediately dived under the vessel to apply pre-mix epoxy and activated all water pumps (combined capacity of close to 4,000 litres per minute), but by 2am evacuation of guests to land via diving skiffs was ordered. By 5:30am the main water pump failed due to flooding. Namena Divers assisted with additional fuel for fire pumps. Multiple dives to stem the breach were unsuccessful, and the Fiji Siren sank at approximately 10am (^[49]).

Shark Conservation

Fiji has been an important site for shark conservation efforts covered extensively by Wetpixel:

• 2007: Positive conservation developments in Fiji were noted by community members discussing environmental progress (^[50]).
• 2011-07: The Fijian government proposed a fisheries policy banning all shark finning in the country. Department of Fisheries and Forests permanent secretary Commander Viliame Naupoto said the ban would be similar to existing turtle protection laws, covering the trade of all shark fins and other products derived from any shark species captured in Fijian waters. The government explicitly recognized that sharks have more value attracting tourism than as foodstuffs (^[51]).
• 2011-08: A trailer for the documentary “Shark Hope” was posted on YouTube by Shark Defenders. The film, produced by Walker Films and Ratu Manoa Rasagitale in collaboration with Coral Reef Alliance and Pew Environment Group, documented the plight of sharks in Fiji and efforts to create a Fiji National Shark Sanctuary (^[52]).
• 2012-05: A stakeholder consultation was held at the Suva Holiday Inn to discuss the protection of sharks in Fijian waters, with permanent secretary Mr. Inoke Wainiqolo presiding. Conservation organization Shark Defenders, represented by Kelly Thomas Brown, called for public support (^[53]).
• 2013-06: Air Pacific (soon to become Fiji Airways) joined Korean Air and Asiana in banning the transport of shark fins as cargo. CEO Aubrey Swift stated: “We believe a ban on the shipment of unsustainably sourced shark fins is the right thing to do, and have implemented this policy effective immediately” (^[54]).

Natural Disasters

• 2016-02: Cyclone Winston, a record-breaking storm, struck Fiji on Saturday, February 20, 2016, with winds reaching 184 mph (296 kph), bringing heavy rains and huge seas. The storm killed at least 10 people and left a trail of destruction throughout the islands. Wetpixel reported the event, expressing hope that “our many friends in Fiji have escaped the worst of the destruction” (^[55]).

Wetpixel Coverage

Digital Shootout Fiji 2004

The third annual Digital Shootout was held at the Garden Island Resort on Taveuni from May 6-15, 2004. Wetpixel was a sponsor and co-producer, alongside Backscatter, Light & Motion, and Optiquatics (^[56]). The event was directed by Berkley White, Gayle & Richard Todd, and Dan Baldocchi (^[57]). Space was limited to 50 attendees (^[58]).

Eric Cheng and James Wiseman attended, with Cheng providing a daily webcast and Wiseman contributing photographs (^[59], ^[60]). Craig Jones managed Wetpixel operations while they were away (^[61]).

Fifty participants were split across four dive boats with approximately one dive guide for every four guests. As Cheng described: “The dive and hotel staff here at the Garden Island Resort have been extremely accommodating and professional” (^[62]). The staff learned all 50 participants by name, with one staff member, Silio, humorously declaring himself the “buffet sheriff” (^[63]).

The week included daily diving in the Somosomo Strait plus seminars from Berkley White (digital photo techniques), Jim Watt (advanced composition covering Rule of Thirds, secondary subjects, separation using blurring, and negative space), Eric Cheng (organizing and sharing digital images), Adobe Evangelists Julieanne Kost and Daniel Brown (Photoshop sessions), and Richard Todd (digital video techniques) (^[64]). One notable participant, Art, flew a modified kite with a servo-controlled digital camera attached that could be panned in four directions with a remote shutter release (^[65]).

The photo contest featured four categories (Traditional Macro, Traditional Wide-Angle, Unrestricted Macro, Unrestricted Wide-Angle) plus Digital Video. “Traditional” categories allowed adjustment of brightness, contrast, color, and sharpness, but no cropping, cloning, or digital manipulation. “Unrestricted” categories had no such limitations. Best of Show was awarded to Greg Bang. First-place winners included Ken Bailey (Traditional Macro and Traditional Wide-Angle), Marc Hannigan (Unrestricted Macro and Traditional Wide-Angle 2nd place), and Bob Widman (Traditional Macro 2nd), Peter Mooney (Traditional Macro 3rd). Prizes included copies of Adobe Photoshop CS and Premiere Pro, Backscatter gift certificates, Light & Motion housings, and a 7-day trip back to the Garden Island Resort (^[66]).

Ultimate Shark Photo and Video Shootout (2009)

In November 2008, Wetpixel Expeditions partnered with Aqua-Trek to announce the first annual Ultimate Shark Photo and Video Shootout in Fiji, scheduled for April 16-25, 2009. The event was led by professional photographers David Fleetham and Shawn Heinrichs and was limited to 10 divers for optimal photography opportunities. The trip was based at the Pearl South Pacific resort with five days of shark diving, and included round-trip airfare from Los Angeles, accommodation, and seminars, at $3,250 per person (^[67]).

DivePhotoGuide Workshop (2012)

DivePhotoGuide organized a 10-day wide-angle underwater photography workshop aboard NAI’A from May 12-22, 2012, led by Keri Wilk and DPG publisher Matt Weiss. The workshop focused on wide-angle photography techniques including strobe positioning, basic exposure settings, getting great blue water, and post-processing (^[68]). While the focus was wide-angle, Wilk also assisted with “macro and creative techniques that he has become famous for, like snoots, super macro, self modeling, abstracts and reflections” (^[69]).

DiveFilm HD Podcast

The DiveFilm HD podcast, produced in association with Wetpixel and available free on iTunes, released an episode titled “Fiji in a Beat” by Pete Fowler in January 2011, capturing “the color and rhythm of Fiji underwater” (^[70]).

Jason Isley: Underwater Miniatures in Fiji (2017)

Photographer Jason Isley used Fiji as a location for his “Small Blue World” underwater miniatures project. While testing the latest Nauticam WACP converter with both the 28mm and 28-70mm lenses, he created images including a matador miniature “taking on the bull shark.” He was “extremely impressed with the quality and versatility” of the converter (^[71]).

Community Trip Reports

Fiji has generated numerous community trip reports on the Wetpixel forums:

• 2005: Critter posted shots from a week on the Fiji Aggressor, describing it as “our first foray into the Pacific” and noting “The biggest problems we had were trying to decide whether to shoot macro or wide angle” using a Nikon D70 in an Ikelite housing with Sea & Sea YS-120 strobes (^[72]).
• 2013: NWDiver posted video and stills from a NAI’A trip, shooting with a Canon XA10 in a Gates housing and a Sony RX100 (^[73]).
• 2018: JackConnick posted images from a week on NAI’A and 8 days at Qamea Resort near Taveuni, shooting a Nikon D850 in a Nauticam housing with Sigma 15mm fisheye, Nikon 17-35 behind a Zen 170mm dome, and Nikon 105mm VR macro, using Sea & Sea YS-D1 strobes (^[74]).
• 2023: BobbyV posted a detailed trip report from Taveuni, shooting a Sony A7RV with Nauticam WACP-C and 28-60 lens with YS-D3 II strobes, describing the reef health as excellent and the site variety as endlessly interesting (^[75]).

Competition Prizes

Fiji resorts frequently appeared as prizes in major underwater photography competitions. The Ocean Art Competition (organized by Underwater Photography Guide) regularly featured Fiji dive packages as prizes, including stays at Paradise Taveuni Resort, VoliVoli Beach Resort, and Wananavu Beach Resort (^[76], ^[77]). The 2011 Ocean Art Competition included a 7-day charter on the NAI’A and a 5-night stay at Wananavu Beach Resort among its grand prizes (^[78]).

Best Practices

Based on Wetpixel community discussions:

• Lens choice: Fiji’s clear waters and prolific soft corals make it ideal for wide-angle photography. The DPG workshop specifically focused on wide-angle technique (^[79]). However, night dives and specific sites reward macro and close-up work. BobbyV noted that “the focus there is primarily reefscapes and small fish” and kept the wide-angle setup on “for the most part” during his Taveuni trip, while acknowledging “someone interested in fish portraits or macro might do well with the standard lens+bayonet diopter” (^[80]).
• Strobe use: Getting close is essential for lighting wide-angle reef scenes. Community member oneyellowtang advised: “Even more powerful strobes will only give you a little more space — it’s the water that dissipates your light more than anything else. Get close (then get closer)” (^[81]). BobbyV found his YS-D3 II strobes triggered overheating protection when shooting at higher power, requiring him to “temper expectations on distances and coverage and lower the strobe power more often than not” (^[82]).
• Exposure protection: A 5mm wetsuit is recommended. BobbyV noted he was “happy I brought my 5mm suit and way too many divers on my boats had inadequate exposure protection,” adding that despite tropical latitude, “There was a lot of ‘tough’ people out there who tried to swing by with shorties and the like and I could tell they were suffering” (^[83]).
• Currents: The Somosomo Strait and other sites can have strong currents, which concentrate nutrients and feed soft coral growth but require drift diving experience. During the Digital Shootout, Cheng noted “The current out on the reef is still running pretty strong” but that it eased later in the week (^[84]).
• Liveaboard vs. shore-based: Shore-based diving at Taveuni and Rakiraki accesses the Somosomo Strait and Vatu-i-Ra Passage respectively. Liveaboards are generally needed to reach Namena, Bligh Water, Wakaya, and the Lau Group for larger marine life encounters (^[85]). Underwatercolours recommended: “If I had to do it again and time or money were not a factor, I’d get on a live-aboard and go back to the area between Gau and Namena” (^[86]).
• Season: Fiji is diveable year-round. Rain gets heavier in February and March but is generally not a problem in December, with underwatercolours noting “It usually rained at night and was sunny during the day” (^[87]). Stephen Frink listed Fiji among the “Plan-Ahead” exotic destinations requiring six months or more of advance planning, advising photographers to “Learn the seasonal variations and the probability for marine life encounters for where you are going and when” (^[88]).

Timeline

• 2004-01: Digital Shootout Fiji 2004 announced by Eric Cheng, with Wetpixel as sponsor. Third annual Digital Shootout event, hosted at Garden Island Resort, Taveuni. Space limited to 50 attendees (^[89]).
• 2004-05: Digital Shootout Fiji 2004 held May 6-15 at Garden Island Resort, Taveuni. Eric Cheng and James Wiseman produce daily webcast. Fifty participants dive the Somosomo Strait. Greg Bang wins Best of Show (^[90]).
• 2005: Community members share trip reports from the Fiji Aggressor, highlighting Namena and Save-a-Tack Passage as standout destinations (^[91]).
• 2005-09: Wetpixel community recommends Kai Viti Divers and the Bligh Water / Vatu-i-Ra Passage area for best Fiji diving (^[92]).
• 2005-03: Trapania nudibranch collected in Fiji identified on Wetpixel forums, extending known range of genus (^[93]).
• 2008-11: Wetpixel Expeditions and Aqua-Trek announce the first Ultimate Shark Photo and Video Shootout for April 2009, led by David Fleetham and Shawn Heinrichs (^[94]).
• 2010-02: Explosion aboard NAI’A during maintenance kills one painter, injures two. Owner Rob Barrel charters M/V Lycianda from Blue Lagoon Cruises to continue operations (^[95]).
• 2011-01: DiveFilm HD podcast releases “Fiji in a Beat” by Pete Fowler, produced in association with Wetpixel (^[96]).
• 2011-07: Fijian government proposes ban on all shark finning in Fijian waters (^[97]).
• 2011-08: “Shark Hope” documentary trailer released, documenting efforts to create Fiji National Shark Sanctuary (^[98]).
• 2012-04: DivePhotoGuide announces wide-angle photography workshop aboard NAI’A, led by Keri Wilk (^[99]).
• 2012-05: Stakeholder consultation held at Suva Holiday Inn on shark protection in Fiji (^[100]).
• 2013-06: Air Pacific (future Fiji Airways) bans shark fin cargo transport (^[101]).
• 2016-02: Cyclone Winston devastates Fiji with record 184 mph winds, killing at least 10 people (^[102]).
• 2017-09: Jason Isley uses Fiji as location for underwater miniatures project while testing Nauticam WACP converter (^[103]).
• 2017-11: Fiji Siren liveaboard lost at sea after hull breach during overnight cruising near Namena. All passengers and crew evacuated safely. Vessel sinks at approximately 10am after overnight damage control efforts (^[104], ^[105]).
• 2018-01: JackConnick posts Nikon D850 images from NAI’A and Qamea Resort (^[106]).
• 2023-07: BobbyV posts detailed trip report from Taveuni using Sony A7RV with Nauticam WACP-C, documenting reef health and photography tips (^[107]).

References