Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020

Diving with manta's

Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Fiji

It would be great if you can help me with the following. We are both divers and never seen Manta rays yet, and love to see them. We are planning to go to Fiji, looking for a relaxed, not too touristy place to dive/snorkel and be lucky to see them. We will be there in September. Do you have any recommendations? Kadavu, Barefoot island?

What is the most recommended place to dive in Fiji anyway? Thanks in advance.

The manta rays are only in the waters around "Manta Ray Island Resort" several weeks during the year.
So, it's entirely possible to stay there and yet not see the manta rays. Kadavu's Astrolabe Reef
is among Fiji's top dive destinations. Another world-class dive is the Rainbow Reef off Taveuni's
in the Somosomo Strait between Taveuni and Vanua Levu.

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Strictly speaking, the Barefoot resort is slightly closer (by half a mile or so) to the Manta Ray site than the Manta Ray Island resort. So, Barefoot works as well.

Please note that it's not permitted to dive with the mantas. Only snorkelling is permitted.

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