Fiji is a vacation destination that is valued for its golden beaches, island community, indigenous
culture and wildlife. However, what is discussed
less often is Fiji’s popularity as a hub for water sports and underwater
activities. You cannot claim to enjoy your Fiji Holidays unless you have gone snorkelling off the island destination’s
shores.
On the surface, water sports and surfing services rule the
waters around Fiji. However, the underwater ecosystem around the most
uninhabited sections of Fiji’s shores is replete with plant and aquatic life.
Swimming among them is an otherworldly experience. So if you are planning to
snorkel in Fiji, then these are the sites to look at:
i. Rainbow Reef
Rainbow Reef, one of the most essential coral reef
observation points in Fiji, happens to be at Somosomo Strait. The Rainbow reef
is not only known for commercial use but is also a point for conducting studies
on marine life.
The diverse sea
currents that pass through the area have fostered a vast coral reef community
here, leading to the birth of the Great White Wall. The Wall is a 150-ft deep
and 200-feet broad community of coral reefs. So missing out on a visit to this
point on a Fiji trip is a big miss.
ii. Namena Marine Reserve
As mentioned above, the Fijian waters are also known for
conducting thorough research on marine life. It has led to the establishment of
the Namena Marine Reserve. The marine conservatory is situated on Namenalala Island and is a testament to the aquatic
biodiversity of Fiji. The waters surrounding Namenalala Island are home to over
a thousand species of fish and almost 400 different varieties of corals. Most
of these species are on display at the Namena Marine Reserve.
There are activities besides snorkelling available if you
visit the conservatory at specific times of the year. You can catch glimpses of
baby and semi-adult whales and dolphins at the conservatory, besides snorkelling.
iii. Great Astrolabe Reef
The Great Astrolabe Reef is a prime example of a bio-diverse
coral reef. The reef garlands Kadavu Island with an expansive wall of corals
and other marine life. These waters are specifically known to attract deep-sea
divers. The Great Astrolabe derives its name from the namesake shipwreck. The
whole community of coral reefs is born in proximity to the wreck.
iv. Beqa Island Lagoon
Beqa Island Lagoon is also another popular snorkelling spot.
It is located near the island of Viti
Levu. The coral gardens in the waters of Beqa Island lagoon are mostly made of the same species of corals.
Thus, these waters do not attract a big crowd
as the other snorkelling points.
However, what fascinates most snorkelling aficionados is the
topography or the natural features of the coral community, such as its size, shape of coral clusters,
etc.
v. Navini Island
The reef sanctuary of Navini Island is ideal for first-time
snorkelers and the likes. The currents that run along these reefs are much
gentler than the other coastal beaches that are popular in Fiji. Navini Island
also fosters diverse types of corals, such as fan and brain corals. There are
also a lot of Bluefin shoals, anemone clusters and schools of turtles to be
found on your Fiji holidays near
these coral reefs.
So if you are visiting Fiji for a vacation, do make the reefs a part of your itinerary.
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