A Beginners Guide to Snorkelling Fiji's Northern Division

The northern division of Fiji is a great place to snorkel but it’s really hard to find anything online about where to go and what to expect.

In the hope it might help you with your visit, we wrote this guide after a month exploring southern Vanua Levu and Taveuni in August 2023.

You will no doubt hear about cyclone Winston that had a devastating effect on the reefs in 2016. Recovery has been extraordinary and not everywhere was equally affected. There are places where the coral might even be more abundant with unusual wildlife now, than before. This is no reason not to visit. As you will see, there is still plenty of reef in good condition.

Despite a reputation for being diving’s poor-cousin you will see more snorkelling than diving, and mostly in only a few tens-of-centimetres of water. We travelled with the late Neville Coleman’s book Fiji Islands: World of Water Wildlife Guide which illustrates 512 species. We saw 224, of which 207 were while snorkelling. Many are prized sightings by divers but were common on the inshore shallow reefs, especially at night.

For native Fijians the ocean is their life and almost everyone knows something about the sea. Many people you meet will have swum, snorkelled or even dived, in nearby locations. The gateway to this region is the sleepy town of Savusavu. Away from the hustle of the major cities, it is a charming mix of visitors and locals, keen to help you with your stay.

Written, illustrated and photos by Simon Mustoe. 

Dimensions 20 x 20 cm. Soft cover. 

CONTENTS

Overview p6
Equipment & Techniques p8
Staying warm and protected in the water p8
Mask, snorkel and fins p9
Preparation, swimming and duck-diving p3
Top places to go snorkelling p6
Split Rock (Vanua Levu) Grade = Easy p7
Airport (Vanua Levu) Grade = Moderate to Hard p11
SigaSiga Inner Lagoon (Vanua Levu) Grade = Easy p13
SigaSiga Outer Lagoon (Vanua Levu) Grade = Hard p15
Honeymoon Island (Taveuni) Grade = Moderate p19
Maravu (Taveuni) Grade = Easy p21
Paradise (Taveuni) Grade = Easy p23
Other day trips p25
Where and who to go with p26
THIRTY more animals to look out for p27
List animals mentioned in this book p32
Wind, tides and currents 33
Other advice 34

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