Dive the Mamanuca Islands in Fiji

Although not as famous for scuba diving as Taveuni and Kadavu, nevertheless the Mamanuca Islands offer some great diving opportunities for visitors to Fiji. Combined with the diving, this region is just so picturesque, with small islands encircled by the softest, whitest sand imaginable, sunsets to die for, and turquoise-coloured lagoons to swim and snorkel in. Dive sites provide a range of diving opportunities from shallow lagoon reefs, to outer reef drop offs. There is even an American bomber, and a purpose-sunk wreck to explore. See soft corals, hard corals, numerous coral fish species and pelagics, as well as turtles, manta rays and ocean-going sharks.

Some of the island resorts in the Mamanucas have their own on-site dive operations, while others are serviced by independent dive operators who collect guests from the different island destinations. You can also stay in Nadi and go out to the Mamanucas with a Nadi dive operator instead, as the dive sites are within reach of the mainland. This provides lots of choice. Resorts include Malolo Island Resort, couples-only Likuliku Lagoon, Castaway Island Resort, Mana Island Resort, Matamanoa Island Resort, the island destinations of Tokoriki, Navini, Treasure and Beachcomber, and Musket Cove Fiji.

DIVE OPERATORS (and their bases) include Aqua Blue Fiji (Nadi), Dive Tropex (Tokoriki), Subsurface Fiji (Beachcomber Island), Dive Castaway (Castaway Island), PADI Bubblemaker (Kids diving at Denarau's Fiji Hilton), and Aqua-Trek (Mana Island)

Getting to the Mamanucas

The Mamanuca island group is offshore from Nadi on the main island. Since Nadi is also the location of Fiji's international airport, this means that the region is very easily accessible. There are light aircraft services for the quick hop to a couple of the Mamanuca islands. These are Mana and Malolo Lailai. However, most of the islands do not have an airstrip and are accessed by regular ferry services from Denarau island in Nadi, or by privately chartered helicopter or float plane.

The Mamanucas provide fine scuba diving experiences in the reefs surrounding the many beautiful islands.

Photo Credit: Malolo Island Resort