FIJI
An archipelago of 300 islands in the South Pacific, Fiji has long attracted Australians and New Zealanders who have looked to the country as their 'Hawaii,' a paradise just a few hours flight away. Nowadays, divers from Europe and Fiji are attracted to the soft corals, grey reef sharks and whales that frequent the waters around this country.
THE DIVING:
Viti Levu
The main island of Viti Levu is where most of the country's population lives, and most of the resorts are located here, with diving sites a short ride away. It is also where all international flights arrive into Fiji.
Popular dive sites here include the famous Coral Coast where many wall and reef dives can be enjoyed.
Vanua Levu
Vanua Levu is the second largest island, remote, rugged and undeveloped, with smaller islands offshore, where reefs and dropoffs make for excellent diving, especially for soft corals, for which the area has become world famous.
What to Expect:
With a tropical climate, hurricanes can occur during the summer months (the northern winter) rain is frequent during the year, with heavy squalls at times.
Getting there:
No US carriers fly to Fiji, though Air New Zealand provides a direct flight from Los Angeles and Auckland. Qantas flies there from Australia, while no major Asian carriers serve Nadi, the capital.
