UK tour operator Oonasdivers are launching a brand new destination to coincide with their 30^th anniversary. Fiji has been added to the many fantastic worldwide dive locations that the Oonas crew already offer.

Four stunning Fijian resorts have been hand-picked, so there’s plenty of choice and fantastic scenery above and below the water. There’s also a Photo Workshop planned for May 2016 led by Alex Tattersall (so plenty of time to save for this dive holiday of a lifetime!).

In the heart of the South Pacific, Fiji, with 333 tropical islands, is just waiting to be explored. Famous for its soft coral diving, white sand beaches and a pristine natural environment, Fiji is also a world leader in eco-tourism.

Viti Levu is the largest island in Fiji. Rakiraki (Voli Voli Beach Resort) towards the north of the island is fast becoming recognised for its world-class reefs, brining you beautiful pinnacles, stunning drop-offs and an abundance of marine life, with many new dive sites still being discovered.

Travel south towards Pacific Harbour (Waidroka Resort) for a chance of bull and tiger shark encounters at the world famous Sharks Reef, as well as the soft corals and pinnacles of Beqa Lagoon, one of Fiji’s most famous dive destination.

The Great Astrolable Barrier reef, the worlds 4th longest Barrier Reef,  runs along the South side of Kadavu Island (Matava Resort) and up to the North Astrolabe Reef. Consisting of 75 miles of pristine hard and soft corals, it creates extensive sheltered coral lagoons where you can drift over coral gardens filled with countless colourful reef fish, starfish and critters. The many channels leading from the extremely deep water into shallow lagoons is also the ideal breeding ground for marlin, sharks, tuna, giant trevally, mahi-mahi (dolphin-fish) and snapper.

Manta Reef is one of best places to dive and see oceanic and resident manta rays. Primarily a feeding area, some mantas do hover over the reef for a clean within a few feet of divers. Even without these magnificent creatures, the reef itself is outstanding in its quality and diversity of fish life.

Taveuni makes a lasting impression underwater too. The well chosen Paradise Taveuni Resort will grant you easy access to the world famous Somosomo Strait, and wonderfully diverse dive sites such as Eel Reef, Rainbow Reef and the Great White Wall, an amazing drop-off covered in white soft coral.

Somosomo Strait is known as the “Soft Coral Capital of the World”. The horseshoe-shaped Vuna Lagoon, near the southern end of the island, is favoured among divers for the opportunity to see larger pelagic and schooling fish species on the exposed southern side of the reef, whereas the sheltered western parts provide pristine soft and hard coral gardens. Migrating humpback whales may be spotted passing the island in July.

International flights to Fiji operate daily from major UK airports. For more information, email info@oonasdivers.com or visit www.oonasdivers.com.