9 Eco-Dive Resorts in Fiji for a Sustainable Scuba Trip to Polynesia
Ahhhh Fiji! Just its name transports us to paradise.
Surrounded by the invitingly warm waters of the South Pacific, this famously friendly Polynesian nation is a dream destination for scuba divers. It encompasses more than 900 sun-kissed islands and islets, encircled by some of the most diverse coral reefs in Oceania.
It’s easy to see why the legendary ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau fell in love with Fiji’s underwater realm, dubbing it the “Soft Coral Capital of the World.”
If you want to plan a sustainable scuba vacation in paradise, Fiji is an inspired choice. It boasts some outstanding dive resorts committed to minimising their environmental impact and protecting the reefs guests travel so far to experience.
But they don’t stop there. Many of Fiji’s eco-dive resorts are also committed to responsible tourism, ensuring the communities in which they operate thrive. Funds are funnelled back into local villages and community-led conservation projects – it’s regenerative tourism at its best.
In this article, we’ll share 9 of the best eco-dive resorts in Fiji to help you plan a sustainable scuba vacation in paradise.
For more information about diving in Fiji, check out our detailed guide here.
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Six Senses Fiji
Best luxury dive resort in the Mamanucas
This luxurious resort on Malolo Island offers the ultimate getaway for divers wanting to splurge on their Fijian escape. That’s true whether you’re travelling as a couple, with a dive buddy or with the family in tow.
From the spacious pool villas to the multi-bedroom residences, the design aesthetic here is “organic elegance”.
Aside from offering underwater excursions, this eco-friendly Fiji dive resort is a wellness sanctuary. There’s even the opportunity to make your own body scrubs at the Alchemy Bar.
Pacific-inspired cuisine is served at the Tovolea restaurant, while the Rara delivers fusion fare made using locally sourced produce. Trust us, you won’t go hungry on a dive vacation here!
Most importantly, Six Senses Fiji places a strong emphasis on energy and water conservation, smart waste management and cutting down on single-use plastics.
So if you’re seeking an eco-friendly hotel in Fiji that doesn’t compromise on luxury, this might just be the answer.
Looking for other inspiring dive destinations in Polynesia? Check out our scuba guides to Samoa and Tonga.
Maqai Beach Eco Resort
Best affordable eco-dive resort near Taveuni
Enticingly down to earth, this Fijian eco-dive resort is located on beautiful Qamea Island, just north of Taveuni.
It features a handful of charming beachfront bures made from materials sourced in the surrounding area. There are options for couples, dive buddies and families alike.
Aside from diving the surrounding waters, there are several surf breaks that can be reached in less than 10 minutes by boat. It’s one of the best places to dive AND surf in Fiji!
Not only does Maqai Beach Eco Resort place emphasis on protecting the area’s coral reefs, but it has a well-established recycling program and maintains an organic garden to supply its kitchen.
Sustainable business practices are also part of staff training, with most staff coming from the surrounding villages. It’s this combination of eco-conscious operations and responsible tourism initiatives that we absolutely love!
Matamanoa Island Resort
Best adults-only dive resort in the Mamanucas
Tucked away in the majestic Mamanuca Islands, this adults-only Fiji dive resort is not only a super romantic place to stay; it’s also an inspiring place to dive.
Matamanoa is set within a marine sanctuary that the resort is committed to protecting. After all, the underwater world is one of its biggest allures!
Courses and dive trips are offered by the in-house scuba operator, Purple Turtle (formerly Deep Blue Diving), together with snorkelling safaris and village visits.
All of the oceanfront villas and beachside bures at this sustainable Fiji resort come with private plunge pools. Alternatively, you can opt for one of the more affordable garden rooms if you’re travelling on a budget.
In terms of dining, there’s a distinctly South Pacific influence in the menus (they change daily) at Matamanoa, with options for both full and half-board.
Plus, there’s an on-site spa and cultural performances are regularly held in the evenings.
If you’re seeking a sustainable scuba vacation without any children in sight, then Matamanoa Island Resort is the answer.
Savasi Island Resort
Best dive resort near Namena Marine Reserve
This stunning resort is located on a 52-acre private island near the Namena Marine Reserve, one of Fiji’s most biologically diverse underwater areas. It’s best accessed from the town of Savusavu on Vanua Levu and is perfect for those in search of a remote getaway.
Savasi Island Resort features just 12 exclusive villas, perfect for couples, families and solo adventurers. It really is a boutique experience and deservedly popular with honeymooning scuba couples.
KoroSun Dive is the in-house operator and runs daily dive trips, plus a range of courses (everything up to Divemaster). It’s led by Colin Skipper, who has more than 20 years of experience diving around Vanua Levu, so you really are in good hands.
When it comes to dining, the experiences at Savasi are extra special – you can eat alfresco in a grotto or on a secluded overwater deck. Meanwhile, the Sea Spray Spa offers massages, facials and exfoliations with the sounds of the ocean as your backdrop.
As an eco-friendly Fiji resort, Savasi has done away with single-use plastics, sources most of its food from local suppliers and showcases sustainable design elements in its architecture.
Mantaray Island Resort
Best budget-friendly dive resort in Yasawas
Located in the northern Yasawas, Mantaray Island Resort offers budget-friendly dorms and treehouse bures, as well as stunning beachfront villas. It’s one of the more affordable dive resorts in Fiji, but you can most definitely do luxury here!
Scuba certification courses (SSI) are available in the shallow waters off the beach – it’s a great place to take your first scuba steps. Meanwhile, wreck, shark and night dives are offered for experienced divers.
But a highlight of staying at this Fiji eco-resort is swimming with manta rays – it’s located adjacent to a natural channel where they come to feed.
Away from the water, you can embark on guided island treks and village visits, learn traditional handicrafts or hone your skills at Fijian cooking.
If you prefer that someone else cooks, traditional Fijian food is served at Mantaray Island Resort’s restaurant, together with European, Asian and Indian dishes.
It’s also worth mentioning that Mantaray Island Resort has been a finalist for the Sustainable Tourism Award at the Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards. This reflects its commitment to sustainability and the eco-friendly experiences it offers.
Papageno Resort & Dive
Best family-friendly dive resort on Kadavu Island
With its one-, two- and three-bedroom suites, we think this sustainable dive resort on Kadavu Island is great for families and groups of divers.
Each suite is surrounded by jungle-like gardens that make them instantly relaxing and all are just steps from the Pacific Ocean.
Papageno is an incredible spot for exploring the Great Astrolabe Reef – Kadavu Island is in the south of the Fijian archipelago. Closer still are more than a dozen dive sites on Rooper Reef, which is reachable in 10 minutes by boat!
Aside from diving, you can snorkel the house reef, visit a manta cleaning station or embark on an island-hopping trip by boat. On land, there are several waterfalls to explore and cultural villages to visit – we honestly think this is such a great base for a sustainable holiday in Fiji.
It’s heartening to see how Papageno has dedicated itself to eco-tourism and minimising its footprint on Kadavu Island. It uses solar and micro-hydro energy, manages its own wastewater and even grows fresh veggies in its organic gardens.
Oneta Resort
Best eco-friendly dive resort near Great Astrolabe Reef
This family-owned Fiji eco-resort enjoys a beachfront setting on Ono Island, surrounded by the incredible dive sites of the Great Astrolabe Reef.
Accessed via a domestic flight to Kadavu and a 90-minute transfer, it feels blissfully remote but with all the creature comforts of a high-end resort.
The Fijian-style bures and villas are surrounded by tropical gardens and are well space to ensure lots of privacy. For views across the Great Astrolabe Reef and nearby islands, we recommend one of the hillside bures.
Besides scuba diving, Oneta also offers hiking, kayaking and fishing adventures. Oh, and it’s located just five minutes by boat from the manta ray cleaning station at Vurolevu. Meanwhile, the onsite spa offers deep tissue massages using Pure Fiji products.
Beqa Lagoon Resort
Best eco-friendly dive resort on Beqa Island
Nestled in tropical gardens overlooking a stunning beach, this sustainable Fiji dive resort is the ultimate spot for exploring the Beqa Lagoon.
It’s located on Beqa Island (just off the south coast of Viti Levu) and is surrounded by some of the best dive sites in Fiji.
The resort’s charming bures are beautifully crafted using sustainably sourced materials and with tiled floors that are instantly cooling. There’s also a gorgeous swimming pool where you can relax between dives or nod off beneath an umbrella.
Non-diving family members can go snorkelling, kayaking and paddle-boarding in the surrounding waters or surf the waves at Frigate Pass. And when that’s all too much, you can simply bliss out with a massage at the Lali Spa. What more could you want from an active vacation in Fiji?
Volivoli Beach Resort
Best eco-friendly dive resort in northern Viti Levu
Perched on the northern tip of Viti Levu is this highly-rated Fiji dive resort and a great choice if you don’t want to tackle a domestic flight. It’s around 2.5 hours by road from Nadi International Airport and the journey is undeniably scenic.
Volivoli boasts a range of stylish rooms and villas, most with incredible ocean views. Some come with private plunge pools and all are contemporary in their design, with plenty of room to store all your dive gear.
While staying at this Fiji eco-resort, you’ll enjoy access to more than 90 dive sites in the nutrient-rich waters of the Bligh Water (Vatu-I-Ra Passage). Ra Divers is the in-house operator and they offer Open Water courses if you’re just getting started.
Farm-to-table dining is the focus of the two restaurants (Nuku and the Ra Bar & Grill). In fact, much of the produce is grown just down the road!
As part of its commitment to sustainability, Volivoli is on a mission to become carbon neutral, something we think is truly admirable. To achieve this, it has planted several hectares of mangroves nearby in partnership with Mangroves for Fiji.
Best time to dive in Fiji
Fiji boasts a dreamy tropical climate, with temperatures usually sitting between 28 and 30°C (82 and 86°F) all year long.
The water temperatures in Fiji are invitingly warm too, ranging from 23 to 27°C (73 to 81°F). Most divers find a 3mm wetsuit to be sufficient.
While you can dive throughout the year in Fiji, the ideal scuba season is from April to October when the visibility is at its best.
The cyclone season runs from November to March. This brings bigger swells, more rain and stronger ocean currents, which can reduce visibility and make diving a bit more challenging.
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We are a team of passionate divers and surfers with decades of combined experience in the water and travelling to all corners of the globe.
After years of chasing waves and descending into the deep blue, we’ve created this resource to highlight sustainable surf camps, eco-dive resorts and conservation-focused ocean trips to help inspire your next adventure.
Eco Ocean Escapes was born out of a love of the ocean, an obsession with travel and a concern about the impacts of our adventures on the environments we explore.
