Fiji - Rainbow Reef - My Favourite Reef in Fiji
Bula! You hear everywhere in Fiji, this is how to say “hello” in Fijian.
I have been to Fiji twice and dove at few places in Fiji. No doubt to say Rainbow Reef is my favourite dive place in Fiji.
Rainbow Reef locates at Somosomo strait between Vanua Levu and Taveuni Island, the coral system and marine life are thriving from the nutrients bringing by the constant tidal current to the Somosomo strait. It is a magical place, clear visibility, full of vibrant soft coral and varieties of hard coral, rich diverse of marine life, from tiny critters to pelagic life and anything in between.
It was 2016 the first time I dove at Rainbow Reef, I spent a week there, I already love this place. I made my way back 5 years after, it is actually the first dive destination that me and my dive buddy go back for diving. The reef is as healthy as 5 years ago, I encountered more marine life and noticed more coral species, that probably come with more experience in diving. We spent 3 months at Taveuni Island this time, had more than 40 dives at the Rainbow Reef, still I never get enough of it.
Rainbow reef have more than 20 dive sites. I really like that there are different landscape of dive sites at Rainbow Reef, there are wall reef, slopes reef, reef with bommie heads, you could see different scenery at different dive sites. Some dive sites are more rich in soft coral life from the tidal current passing through, you will see healthy hard coral and rich diversity of marine life at all dive sites. Each dive site have its characteristics and its charm.
You would need to dive at the right timing to see its characteristics at some dive sites, for example the reputable Great White Wall, so I highly recommend you to plan at least 3 to 4 days there and communicate with dive shop in advance.
Other thing I really like about Rainbow Reef is the diversity of marine life, you could see tiny critters like different species of nudibranch, skeleton shrimps, Pontoh's pygmy seahorses, orangutan crabs. Slightly bigger marine life like blue ribbon eels, different colours of leaf scorpionfishes, decorated dartfishes are commonly seen. You would also see different kind of reef sharks, manta rays, groups of big-eye jack or barracudas at certain dive sites. It is a magical place as you never know what would you encounter each dive and it always surprise me. The charm here is indescribable.
Here is coming to the end of my journey in Fiji this time. Rainbow Reef is definitely a place that I would like to return to dive again!
For dive information of Rainbow Reef and more detailed dive experience, please read Rainbow Reef - Taveuni Island.