I'm going to Beqa in late-May with a small group. Added on 5 days in Taveuni afterwards. When I was planning for the group, info below is what I was told. If you have the opportunity, it seems like a good idea to hit another area, such as Volivoli.
1.
Rainbow Reef (Somosomo Strait) - which is closet to the island of Taveuni.
At Somosomo Strait, the tidal currents through the strait are extremely nutrient rich which create the perfect conditions for the large and variedly coloured, soft coral reefs – hence the name Rainbow Reef! There are over 30 dive sites to be found in the Rainbow Reef area alone.
You will find everything from walls of soft corals in variety colours, to clusters of coral heads and sandy slopes covered in bommies, and a few thousand species of fish from grey reef sharks to clown triggers and even the occasional Manta! It’s a diver’s paradise.
Many divers come just for the World Famous ‘Great White Wall’, but you’d be crazy to book for anything less than a week if you want to do justice to the diversity of dive sites on offer
2.
Beqa Lagoon - Located at the South end of Viti Levu and is well know for its Shark Feeding Dives.
Get to know every small hole and hiding place on these pristine reefs they are able to show divers all of the colourful and amazing treasures that these waters hold from Blue-ribbon eels, Clown Triggerfish, Leaf Scorpionfish to camouflaged day Octopus. All the while you dive in a rainbow of vivid pink and orange anthias and silver-blue fusiliers. Take some time to explore sunken wrecks or even feed your adrenaline with the Beqa ‘Big Fish Encounter’, a dive that teases you with huge groupers, bait balls of massive Trevally, and the chance of being up close and personal with 9 different species of sharks.
3.
Bligh Water - Located at the North end of Viti Levu
Here there is incredible nutrient-rich waters. These waters feed huge numbers of smaller fishes, which in turn feed the larger fish. Here is where you can dive and watch this extraordinary interplay of ecosystems.
Due to the strong currents, not all the dive sites in Bligh Waters are particularly suitable for beginners, but the reefs are a playground for experienced scuba divers, especially photographers seeking pristine conditions and uncrowded sites.
4.
Great Astrolabe Reef - Located near the island of Kadavu
The reef is a breeding ground for many large billfish species,
sharks,
tuna,
giant trevally,
mahi-mahi (dolphinfish) and
snapper, due to it having many channels leading from extremely deep water into shallow lagoons. Parts of the reef, such as
Naiqoro Passage, one of the main passages, are protected from fishing and require entry fees. This is because Naiqoro Passage is one of the main thoroughfares for large fish.
