Fiji
Pacific & Oceania
Fiji
£2.50
Fiji: The Soft Coral Capital of the World
Fiji is where color was invented. Known globally as the "Soft Coral Capital of the World," the reefs here are a psychedelic explosion of vibrant pinks, purples, oranges, and yellows. The currents feeding the Somosomo Strait and Bligh Water cause these corals to bloom like underwater cherry blossoms, creating a landscape so dense and colorful it almost looks fake. But Fiji isn't just about the pretty stuff; it’s also a high-octane shark destination. At Beqa Lagoon, you can dive with up to eight different species of shark—including Tigers and Bulls—on a single tank. It’s the perfect blend of delicate beauty and raw power.
Why We Chose This Sticker Design
We wanted this sticker to feel like a sensory overload. The artwork is anchored by a patrolling Bull Shark in the center, representing the adrenaline-pumping shark dives that make Fiji famous. However, we couldn't ignore the title, so we surrounded the shark with an absolute riot of soft corals in every shade of pink and purple imaginable. The contrast between the sleek, dangerous predator and the delicate, blooming reef perfectly captures the "Beauty and the Beast" nature of diving in these islands.
Diving Fiji
Fiji calls itself the soft coral capital of the world, and the claim holds up. Strong currents run between the islands, feeding dense curtains of soft coral in pinks, purples and oranges that cover the walls and bommies — the Great White Wall in the Somosomo Strait is the best-known example. Beqa Lagoon offers something quite different: a baited shark dive where bull sharks, and sometimes tiger sharks, come in close. Add warm water, easy logistics and famously friendly hosts, and it is one of the Pacific's most approachable destinations.
- Best time to dive
- April to October, the drier season
- Difficulty
- Intermediate — soft coral sites need current to look their best
- Water temperature
- 25–29°C
- Visibility
- 15–30m
Top dive sites
- •Great White Wall, Rainbow Reef — Soft coral wall in the Somosomo Strait
- •Beqa Lagoon shark dive — Baited dive with bull and occasionally tiger sharks
- •Bligh Water — Offshore bommies with dense soft coral
- •Nigali Passage — Drift through a channel lined with grey reef sharks
What you’ll see
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to dive Fiji?
April to October is the drier, cooler season with the most settled conditions and the lowest cyclone risk. Water sits around 25 to 27°C then, rising to 29°C in the wetter months from November to April. Soft coral looks its best when current is running, so tides matter as much as season — plan channel dives around them. Visibility is generally good year-round, though the wetter months bring more run-off near the larger islands.
Is the Beqa Lagoon shark dive safe?
It is a baited feed, run by experienced operators with a long safety record, and divers kneel behind a low coral wall while feeders bring in bull sharks — sometimes eight species across a dive, occasionally including tiger sharks. Briefings are thorough and rules are strict: stay in position, keep your hands in, do not reach out. Baited dives are debated in the diving world, so it is worth knowing the format in advance and deciding whether it appeals.
