Fiji Diving: Beqa Lagoon & Taveuni's Rainbow Reef

Today you experience one of the world's most thrilling dives, the famous Beqa Lagoon shark dive. In the warm, clear water, expert local operators run a carefully managed dive where you watch, at close but safe quarters, an astonishing array of sharks, including impressively large bull sharks, alongside grey reef sharks, whitetips, blacktips, nurse sharks and occasionally tiger sharks. Kneeling on the sandy bottom behind a low coral wall as these powerful, graceful predators glide past just metres away is an awe-inspiring, heart-pounding and utterly unforgettable encounter. The dive is run with a strong emphasis on safety and conservation, supporting local shark research and a marine reserve. A second dive on Beqa's vibrant soft-coral reefs reveals abundant fish and colour. The afternoon is free to relax and process the adrenaline. It is a bucket-list experience and a spectacular start to your Fiji diving adventure, the memory of those sharks etched forever in your mind.

Another day exploring the superb diving of Beqa Lagoon, famous for its vibrant soft corals and dramatic reef topography. You dive colourful reefs, pinnacles and drop-offs festooned with soft corals in pinks, purples and yellows that pulse in the current, and alive with clouds of tropical fish, reef sharks, turtles and rays. The nutrient-rich waters of the lagoon feed an explosion of life and colour, and the dives are relaxed and beautiful after yesterday's adrenaline. The friendly local operator tailors the diving to your experience, with plenty of time in the warm, clear water. Between dives, you might relax at the resort, enjoy the beach, or explore the local area. As the sun sets, a fresh seafood dinner rounds off another rewarding day beneath the surface. Rest well, for tomorrow you fly to Taveuni, the 'Garden Island', gateway to the legendary Rainbow Reef and the world-famous Great White Wall.

This morning you transfer for the scenic domestic flight to Taveuni, Fiji's lush 'Garden Island' and the gateway to the legendary Rainbow Reef. As the plane crosses brilliant blue water and green volcanic islands, the anticipation builds. On arrival you are welcomed warmly and settled into your dive resort or lodge, opening onto the sea near the famous Somosomo Strait. The rest of the day is yours to settle in, check your gear, and perhaps take a first dive or snorkel on the vibrant reef, or simply relax and admire the lush rainforest and dramatic volcanic scenery of this beautiful island. Taveuni is famous both for its world-class diving and its spectacular topside beauty, waterfalls, rainforest and rare birds, and as the sun sets, you look forward to several days diving some of the most beautiful and colourful reefs on earth in this stunning setting.

Today you dive the legendary Rainbow Reef in the Somosomo Strait, one of the world's greatest dive sites and the jewel of Fiji's soft corals. Nutrient-rich currents feed an explosion of soft corals in every colour imaginable, carpeting the reef in a spectacle of almost unbelievable beauty. The highlight is the Great White Wall, a sheer drop-off entirely covered in a dense blanket of white soft corals that, in the blue water, resembles a snow-covered slope, an ethereal, unforgettable dive regularly ranked among the finest on earth. Alongside the corals, the reef teems with clouds of anthias and reef fish, sharks, turtles and rays, and the dramatic drop-offs, swim-throughs and tunnels make every dive a highlight. Two tanks give you ample time to explore this underwater wonderland. Experiencing the Rainbow Reef and the Great White Wall is a genuine bucket-list achievement, and one of the most beautiful diving experiences you will ever have.

Another day diving the spectacular Rainbow Reef and the Somosomo Strait, exploring more of its legendary soft-coral gardens, drop-offs and dive sites. Each dive reveals new wonders, vibrant soft corals pulsing in the current, clouds of colourful fish, sharks, turtles, rays and the dramatic reef topography that makes this one of the world's premier diving destinations. The friendly local operator tailors the diving to your experience, with plenty of time in the warm, clear water among the most beautiful reefs on earth. Photographers, in particular, are in heaven amid the intensity and variety of colour. Between dives, you relax at your resort, enjoy the island scenery, and are looked after with the legendary Fijian hospitality. As the sun sets over the strait, a relaxed dinner rounds off another day of world-class diving. Rest well, for tomorrow you explore Taveuni's spectacular topside beauty, its rainforest and waterfalls, a lush counterpoint to the reefs below.

A day to explore the lush, spectacular topside beauty of Taveuni, the 'Garden Island', a rest day for your diving. You visit the Bouma National Heritage Park, where a walk through pristine rainforest leads to the beautiful Tavoro Falls, a series of waterfalls where you can swim in cool, clear pools beneath the cascades, a magical experience. You might also walk part of the stunning Lavena Coastal Walk, winding along a shoreline of black-sand beaches, rainforest and villages, or seek out Taveuni's rare birds, including the orange dove and silktail. The island's dramatic volcanic scenery, dense rainforest and rich birdlife make it as beautiful on land as beneath the sea. This lush, green day complements the diving perfectly, and gives you a deeper appreciation of Taveuni's natural riches. As the sun sets, enjoy a relaxed dinner and reflect on the beauty of this unspoiled island, both above and below the waterline.

A final day to enjoy Taveuni's world-class diving and beautiful setting. You might fit in a last dive or two on the Rainbow Reef or another of the Somosomo Strait's spectacular sites, seeking out more soft corals, sharks and reef life, or snorkel the vibrant reef, take another rainforest walk, or simply relax by the sea. The warm, clear water and incomparable soft corals make every dive a pleasure, and the friendly local operators and warm Fijian hospitality make the whole experience special. As your Fiji diving holiday draws to a close, a farewell dinner celebrates the days of spectacular diving, from the thrilling sharks of Beqa to the ethereal Great White Wall, and you watch one last sunset over the strait, logbook full and thoroughly content. Rest well, for tomorrow you depart this beautiful island, taking with you the memory of some of the finest reefs on earth.

After a final morning on Taveuni, perhaps a last snorkel over the reef, you transfer for the flight back to Nadi and your onward international departure. You leave with a logbook full of world-class dives, the thrilling sharks of Beqa, the incomparable soft corals of the Rainbow Reef, the ethereal Great White Wall, in some of the warmest, clearest and most colourful water on earth. The beauty of Fiji's reefs, the lush green splendour of Taveuni, and the warmth of the Fijian welcome stay with you long after you unpack your fins. Fiji rewards divers richly, and you depart already dreaming of a return to the 'soft coral capital of the world', to explore more of its spectacular underwater wonders and bask again in the warmth of its wonderful people.