Life on board
Fiji Liveaboard Diving
Offshore pinnacles, remote passages and up to four dives a day: what a Fiji liveaboard covers and who it suits.
Why a liveaboard
What Fiji liveaboard diving offers
Fiji liveaboard diving opens up the parts of the country that are hard to reach from land. Many of the best pinnacles in Bligh Water stand miles from the nearest resort, and the islands of the Lomaiviti group in the middle of Fiji have few dive operators at all. A liveaboard can sail between them overnight, reach a site first thing in the morning, and dive it before anyone else arrives.
Life on board revolves around diving. Most trips offer three or four dives a day, sometimes including a night dive, with meals, briefings and rest in between. You unpack once, your gear stays set up on deck, and the only commute is the dive deck.
Where Fiji liveaboards go
Routes depend on the boat, the season and the weather, but most Fiji liveaboards cover some combination of these areas:
- Bligh Water. Pinnacles and seamounts in the channel between Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, covered in soft corals. This is the core of most itineraries. Read more on Bligh Water and Namena.
- Namena Marine Reserve. The protected reefs off Vanua Levu's south coast, with a reserve fee paid on board.
- The Lomaiviti islands. A group of islands in the centre of Fiji, including Gau, Koro and Wakaya, with passages and walls that see very few divers.
- The Koro Sea. Open water between the Lomaiviti and the eastern islands, with offshore reefs.
Most trips start and finish on Viti Levu, at Lautoka or Denarau on the west side or near Suva on the east. Check the departure port before you book flights.
Choosing a boat
Only a handful of liveaboards work in Fiji, and they include long-established boats such as NAI'A and the Fiji Aggressor. Boats differ in size, cabin type, number of guests and price, and some specialise in photography or marine life research trips. When you compare them, look at:
- How many dives a day are offered and whether night dives and nitrox are included.
- The guest-to-guide ratio and the minimum experience required.
- Which areas the itinerary covers, and how the boat handles bad weather.
- What is included: park and reserve fees, gear rental, transfers and drinks are often extra.
- Safety equipment, including oxygen, first aid and emergency communication.
Prices and schedules: this guide does not list liveaboard prices, because they change each season. Check the boat's own site or a booking agent for current rates and departure dates. Read about this guide to see how we handle details that change often.
Compare
Liveaboard or resort diving?
Choose a liveaboard if
You want as many dives as possible, offshore sites and remote islands, and you are happy to spend a week mostly at sea.
Choose a resort if
You are travelling with non-divers, want time on land, or prefer two dives a day with a choice of activities in between.
Or do both
A week on a boat followed by a few days at a resort on Viti Levu is a popular way to see Fiji above and below the water.
Experience, seasons and flying home
Fiji liveaboards usually suit certified divers with some experience. Many of the best sites have current, and some are deep. If you are newly certified, ask the boat whether its itinerary suits you, or build experience on a resort trip first. Our learn to dive in Fiji page explains how an Advanced course can help.
Boats run all year, but itineraries change with the weather. The cooler months bring steadier trade winds, while the warmer months bring calmer seas on many days but the risk of cyclones, when a trip may be changed or cut short. See best time to dive Fiji for the seasons.
A liveaboard week means a lot of dives in a short time, so plan for a gap before your flight home. Common guidance from dive safety organisations is to wait at least 18 hours after repeated days of diving before flying. Build that day into your plans: the Fiji dive trip planning page has itineraries that leave room for it.
Questions
Fiji liveaboard diving FAQ
How long are Fiji liveaboard trips?
Most trips run for about a week, with some shorter and longer options. Check each boat's schedule.
Do I need to be an advanced diver for a Fiji liveaboard?
Requirements vary by boat. Many sites have current, so some experience is strongly recommended, and some boats ask for a minimum number of logged dives.
Where do Fiji liveaboards depart from?
Most start and finish on Viti Levu, on the west side near Lautoka or Denarau, or on the east side near Suva. Confirm the port before booking flights.