Rakiraki, on the northern tip of Viti Levu, is defined by its shark encounters. Grey Reef Shark and Whitetip Reef Shark appear across nearly every site, with Blacktip Reef Shark and occasional Silvertip Shark adding further depth to that picture. Green Sea Turtle, Napoleon Wrasse, and Emperor Angelfish round out a rich reef community. Three operators serve the area, including Ra Divers Fiji, Volivoli Beach Resort, and Ring Gold Divers, giving divers solid access to all sixteen sites.
Monthly water temperature across Rakiraki's sites, from satellite sea-surface data corrected for depth. The band shows the site-to-site spread.
Water stays warm throughout the year, with the coolest months running from mid-year through to early spring. Visibility and conditions are rated most favourably from late autumn through to mid-spring, making the cooler, calmer months the prime window for diving. The warmest water coincides with the wet season, when conditions can be more variable.
16 operators
Ba, Fiji
Ba, Fiji
Ba, Fiji
16 more sites to explore
Water temperature around Rakiraki ranges from about 26°C in July to 29°C in January, based on satellite sea-temperature data for its dive sites.
In the warm season (about 29°C) a rash guard or 3mm shorty is comfortable in Rakiraki; in the coldest months (about 26°C) step up to a 3mm full suit.
Fin maps 16 sites in Rakiraki (16 scuba diving sites and 3 snorkelling spots, with some suited to both).
Grey Reef Shark and Whitetip Reef Shark are very commonly observed and appear across the vast majority of sites. Blacktip Reef Shark is also a frequent sighting, and Silvertip Shark has been recorded at a good number of sites too. Rakiraki is one of the more reliable destinations on Viti Levu for multi-species shark encounters on a single dive.
With sixteen dive sites ranging across the area, there is variety in what is available, and operators such as Ra Divers Fiji and Volivoli Beach Resort cater to different experience levels. Some sites with active shark populations may suit more confident divers, so it is worth discussing site selection with your operator on arrival. The consistently warm water and generally good visibility make conditions comfortable throughout the year.
Three operators are based in the area: Ra Divers Fiji, Volivoli Beach Resort, and Ring Gold Divers. Between them they provide access to all sites across the region. Booking through a resort-based operator like Volivoli Beach Resort can be convenient if you are staying on site.
Green Sea Turtle is very commonly observed and appears at the majority of sites. Napoleon Wrasse and Emperor Angelfish are both consistently recorded, alongside Giant Moray, Leaf Scorpionfish, Spotfin Lionfish, and Clown Triggerfish. Cryptic species such as Scorpionfish and Lizardfish, the latter found at every site surveyed, reward divers who take time to search the reef structure carefully.
