Scuba diving in

Taveuni, Vanua Levu and Bligh Water

Northeast of Fiji's main island, this region offers an authentic Pacific experience amid rolling green hills, lush forests, and calm, protected coves. Vanua Levu, Bligh Water, and Taveuni all offer superb diving, with soft coral, dramatic scenery, and plenty of pelagic action to go around. Plus, development of these idyllic islands has been far slower than on Viti Levu, maintaining a unique atmosphere full of local culture and rustic charm, and allowing visitors to explore authentic villages, experiencing Fijian traditions and warm island hospitality.

This region is also home to some of Fiji's most fascinating history, including the story of the "Mutiny on the Bounty". In 1789 the English Royal Navy Cutter, Bounty, commanded by Lieutenant William Bligh, was overtaken by 18 crew members in an area known as the Vatu-I-Ra Passage. Bligh and his loyalists were set adrift, floating over 5,000-kilometres in an open launch, all the way to Timor. Today, the passage is commonly referred to as Bligh Water in memory of the event. And, it's home to some of Fiji's most legendary dive sites!

Fiji's international airport is on the main island of Viti Levu. This hub receives regular arrivals from Australia and New Zealand, as well as Los Angeles, Honolulu, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Japan. Nadi is the starting point for nearly every adventure in the country, and it's also where your domestic flight will connect.

If you've pre-booked a liveaboard or resort stay, you'll likely be met by a representative in the airport to assist with your onward travel. Otherwise, you'll find rental cars, taxis, and public buses. If you're driving, remember that traffic moves on the left side of the road, and keep an eye out for horses, cows, road humps, and other uniquely Fijian obstacles en-route.

To get to one of Fiji's smaller islands, taking a local ferry will likely be the most affordable and convenient option. You'll find shuttle boats as well as roll-on car and passenger ferries connecting Viti Levu to Savusavu, Taveuni, Vanua Levu, and beyond. From there, you'll likely find your island paradise easy to navigate on foot or by bicycle.

Taveuni is known as Fiji's garden island, thanks to its forests, waterfalls, and lush greenery, pretty much everywhere you look. You’ll find larger hotels and resorts near the airstrip at Matei, in the northeast. Smaller and more attractive hotels and homestays can be found in Waiyvo village, on Taveuni's northern coast, and near Vuda Point, on the southeastern end.

Vanua Levu is the second-largest island in the Fijian archipelago, and visitos can opt to stay in one of the more developed villages in the north, such as Labasa, or head south to Savusavu for lovely views over the bay and a quaint ambience. The coast and countryside around Vanua Levu are home to a smattering of charming resorts and guesthouses, tucked away in quiet patches of rainforest and remote coves. Most of these options require an all-inclusive package, as shopping and dining are scarce once you leave the island's more developed areas.

Some of the closer sites in the Bligh Water can be visited from a resort on a day trip, but is best   explored on a liveaboard.

Fiji's Taveuni, Vanua Levu, and Bligh Water offer superb, warm-water diving throughout the year.

The peak diving season runs from May through October, though visibility is at its best between July and December when water temperatures dip to a daily average of 25°C. During these months, plankton declines, and you may encounter fewer pelagics. But, as a trade-off visibility soars, sometimes exceeding 50-metres.

Fijian summer is in full swing from November through April, with warmer water between 28-30°C and an increased risk of tropical cyclones. During these months, you can expect daily rainfall with slightly reduced visibility due to runoff and blooming plankton. This influx in food also attracts pelagics to the area, with more manta rays and even migratory humpback whales.