DIVE DESTINATIONS
Fiji Scuba Diving Regions > Sunshine Coast > Dive Sites
Fiji Scuba Diving Regions 9. Sunshine Coast
Mainland diving meets the needs of every diver. Experienced divers can dive the ocean side of the barrier reef and passages through it. As well as vibrant corals and colorful small free fish, dolphins, sharks, manta rays, turtles and large pelagic fish are frequently encountered. The Coral Coast begins 15 kilometers south of Nadi town. Various dive sites include vertical walls festooned with soft corals and gorgonia fans and fish life on the outside of the main reef and in the passages. The area has earned a justifiable reputation as one of the worlds top dive destinations.
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THE AMAZING MAZE
Almost 400m from The Mushroom but within the same reef system, this site is a real maze. Tunnels, swim-throughs and canyons make up this wonderful diving spot starting from 18-20m all the way up to 10m. Every possible coloured reef fish you can imagine swarm through the multicoloured soft coral. Black coral trees hang off the tunnel walls while Clown, Triggerfish and Squirrel Fish dash in and out.
GOLDEN DREAMS
Six spectacular coral heads covered with yellow soft coral top to bottom. Even the walls and roofs of every tunnel are covered with yellow soft coral. Fiji's best display of the golden coral. Schools of Red Bass and Coral Trout always roam the canyon like gutters hunting for a meal, while Barracuda, Spanish Mackerel and Trevally are always in the background. Turtles, Stingrays and Sharks are often found here towards the sixth coral head at a depth of 21m. The dive spot starts off at 21m and rises to 11m with golden waterfalls of yellow soft coral all around.
NEPTUNES WEDDING CHAPEL
A shallow dive to a maximum depth of 16m with an abundance of corals that simply glow with every colour. This site is made up of four coral heads and has some tunnels and one large cave. The walls of the cave are covered with red and purple soft corals and red gorgonian fans hang off the roof of the cave. This site is prolific in Moray Eels and Giant Clams.
MACARENA
A section of reef where four coral heads sit in approximately 22m of water on the outer edge of the reef. Schools of Trevally and Rainbow Runners feed in the area and are abundant. Sponges and huge Sea Stars accompany the great number of gorgonians to be seen
SERAFINA
Two large reefs rising from the midst of the open sea on the outer sections of the main reef. In some 26m of water is a vast display of hard and soft corals in pristine condition with many large reef fish and cruising sharks patrolling the area. The spaciousness and spectacular sights are overwhelming.
THE PINNACLES
Four deep coral heads which reach 35m on the landward side and dropping off much deeper on the seaward side. At the shallower depths a wide range of tropical fish are seen meandering amongst the yellow soft corals and deeper schools of larger fish including barracuda, tuna, trevally and mackerel with the occasional reef shark can be found.
DREAM MAKER
A large part of the outer reef in three sections containing gigantic walls of soft golden corals and multi-coloured corals. One of the best displays of live soft coral in Fiji. The walls of coral are truly magnificent. Three separate walls of soft coral each different to the other with the deepest part of the dive in 18m and an average depth of 14-16m. Box fish and surgeon fish are seen in profusion with a group of deep sea snapper regularly present near the reef. Electric rays are occasionally seen during the dive.
THE ARCH
A large coral head in 18m of water in which openings resembling doors and windows are inset reminiscent of a boat off which hang many corals and gorgonians. Sweet lips regularly cruise in and out curiously observing the divers and the many smaller reef fish.
DOLPHIN BAY
Three large coral heads in approximately 18m of water situated some distance from the main reef where dolphins that migrate through the area are often seen. Schools of bat fish inhabit the reefs which are covered in a mixture of hard corals, gorgonians and whips.
THE MUSHROOM
More than a dozen superb coral heads covered with multicoloured soft corals. Gorgonians in vivid red hang from the tunnel walls. Emperor and Regal Angelfish patrol through the stands of Sea Whips while Coral Trout lazily circle the area. Hours could be spent at this one site observing the many varieties of Nudibranch in their different shapes, sizes and colours. Maximum depth is 18m.
PAVILION
Four superb coral heads prolific with tropical fish. One cannot expect to see more tropical fish at any other dive spot. This site is an underwater photographer's paradise. Stands of Sea Whips, multicoloured soft coral and yellow gorgonians hang off the sides of the coral heads. Maximum depth is 18m.
TUNNEL CITY
This is one spot where the coral heads are honeycombed with tunnels and caves like nowhere else. For the adventurer, this is the site to visit. Long and winding tunnels, dark corners and very spooky caves where one needs to have eyes in the back of their head to watch for the unexpected. Maximum depth is 19m- average 12m.
THE ENCHANTED CANYONS
Fourteen coral heads with caverns, canyons, tunnels and swim-throughs. Huge gorgonians partially block the tunnels while multi-hued soft coral hang from the walls of the canyons. Schools of Moorish Idol, Clown, Dansel and Regal Fish shimmer among the stands of staghorn and stump coral formations. Schools of Batfish normally swim around the deeper edges of the canyons.
SMALL WORLD
The vast variety of marine life at this one diving spot makes it difficult to simply describe. Starting off at 10m all the way to 16m, it displays a true Disneyland nature. Multi-hues soft corals, hard corals and huge gorgonians hang from every coral head, while Sea Whips sway with the slight passing current. This area is also prolific in Fluted and Giant Clams. Nudibranch and Spanish Dancers act in their corner while Coral Trout lazily watch.
BREATH TAKER
A deep reef where schools of big fish and many sharks are found. The principal area consists of three coral heads at a depth of 25-30m with a drop-off to about 100m. White Tip, Black Tip, Whalers and Gray Reef Sharks are at this particular spot at all times. Truly an experience of a lifetime. Schools of Barracuda, Spanish Mackerel, Trevally, Skipjack and Amberjack are seen here roaming the coral heads with the sharks. The last coral head has an amazing display of giant purple fans. Turtles are often found here and if one's lucky - the elusive Manta Ray. This spot is Nananu-I-Ra's best display of very big fish, and with so many different species of sharks at one spot, and at any time of day, is truly the last frontier!
BLACK CORAL FOREST
A single pinnacle rising from a depth of 19m to 5 m covered with ancient black coral trees from bottom to top. The black coral trees are swarming with Moorish Idol, Butterfly fish and Squirrelfish. This spot is Nananu-I-Ra's best display of black coral trees in one particular pinnacle which is isolated from the main reef system!
SALLY'S CHOICE
A multiple series of coral heads descending approximately 22m, each some 5m apart containing many swim-throughs, caverns and caves upon which are encrusted many coloured soft corals and gorgonians. Spanish mackerel, rock cod, black trevally and black tipped reef sharks are commonly encountered.
SEGA NA LEQA
A giant swim-through in approximately 20m leading from the outer sea to the main reef. Coral trout, Rock Cod, Red Emperor entertain the passing divers who always become fascinated with the homing morays while navigating the multiple swim-throughs and caverns.
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