How to choose a South Pacific island diving destination

25.01.2025 - 21:45 / lonelyplanet.com

Jan 25, 2025 • 7 min read

Australia may have the Great Barrier Reef, but its South and Western Pacific island neighbors also lay claim to some of the world’s best diving, with everything from teeming tropical reefs to coral-encrusted WWII wrecks to explore in their tropical waters. Located within the Coral Triangle, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands boast extraordinary marine biodiversity. But each island nation has unique underwater draws, from surreal lava tunnels to spectacular drop-offs, rewarding macro (critter) diving to pelagics (big stuff) galore.

Narrow down your perfect diving destination with our quick guide to the region’s key diving hubs.

Best for soft corals and pelagics

Fiji is one of the South Pacific’s most established diving destinations, making it a great place to get certified. When you’ve got your dive ticket, consider avoiding the controversial shark-feeding sites of Beqa Lagoon on the main island Viti Levu. Instead, admire marine life at top sites including the Vatu-i-ra Passage on Viti Levu’s Suncoast, also known as the soft coral capital of Fiji. Or try the Mamanuca and Yasawa islands stretching north of Viti Levu, offering a great mix of sheltered reef dives and dramatic wall and drift dives. More adventurous divers will love the Somosomo Strait off of Taveuni island, home to the Great White Wall (arguably Fiji’s most famous dive site) and the remote Kadavu island, surrounded by the magnificent Great Astrolabe Reef. 

Planning tip: Diving is available year-round, with liveaboards offering a great way to explore remote sites and avoid crowds.

Best for easy access to top-shelf diving

Palau lies just outside the Coral Triangle, but you’d never know it. Its ultra-clear, teeming waters aren’t only a product of its location, but also its forward-thinking marine conservation initiatives including establishing the world’s first shark sanctuary in 2009. Expect to see plenty of sharks at the famed Blue Corner, and mantas year-round in German Channel. There are also WWII wrecks to explore (the Japanese oil tanker Iro is a highlight), with most of Palau’s dive sites located within a 45-minute boat ride from the main tourism hub of Koror.

Planning tip: Diving is year-round, with ideal conditions from October to May. Given there are currents to navigate at most dive sites, Palau is ideal for advanced divers.

Best for an off-grid diving adventure

An abundance of wrecks and flourishing reefs make the Solomon Islands a magnet for serious divers. There are four main diving hubs: the capital Honiara with its multiple WWII wrecks (including the popular Hirokawa Maru or B1); Gizo with a range of wrecks and reefs; Uepi, known for its gorgeous coral gardens and drop-offs; and Munda for superb