Fiji is a dream destination for scuba divers, surrounded by the invitingly warm waters of the South Pacific. This famously friendly Polynesian country boasts more than 900 sun-kissed islands and islets, encircled by some of the most diverse coral reefs in the region. It's easy to see why the legendary ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau fell in love with Fiji’s underwater realm, calling 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 that are committed to minimising their environmental impact and protecting the reefs guests have travelled so far to experience. Additionally, many are dedicated to responsible tourism, ensuring the communities in which they operate can thrive.
In this article, discover 9 of the best eco-friendly dive resorts in Fiji, with something for all budgets.
For more Fiji dive inspiration, check out 7 of the best places for scuba in this island nation.
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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, whether you’re travelling as a couple or with the family in tow. From the spacious pool villas to the multi-bedroom residences, the design aesthetic here is “organic elegance”. Pacific-inspired cuisine is served at the Tovolea restaurant while the Rara delivers fusion fare made using locally sourced produce. Aside from offering underwater excursions, this eco-friendly Fiji dive resort is a wellness sanctuary, with the opportunity to make your own body scrubs at the Alchemy Bar. Most importantly, Six Senses Fiji places a strong emphasis on energy and water conservation, smart waste management and cutting down on single-use plastics.
"Heaven in Fiji." - Sana (read more reviews here)
Best eco-friendly dive resorts in Fiji
Luxurious thatched roof villas at the eco-friendly Six Senses on Malolo Island, Fiji (photo courtesy of Expedia)
Best affordable eco-dive resort near Taveuni
This eco-friendly Fiji 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, with options for couples, dive buddies and families. In addition to diving the surrounding waters, there are several surf breaks that can be reached in less than 10 minutes by boat. Aside from protecting the area's coral reefs, Maqai Beach Eco Resort places a strong emphasis on recycling and maintains an organic garden to supply its kitchen. Sustainable business practices are also part of the ongoing training for staff, most of whom come from the surrounding villages.
"One of the best resort locations I've been to in the Pacific. Getting there is half the fun." - David (read more reviews here)
Best eco-friendly dive resorts in Fiji
Exploring the underwater world near Maqai Beach Eco Resort in Fiji (photo courtesy of Expedia)
Best adults-only dive resort in the Mamanucas
Tucked away in the majestic Mamanuca Islands, this adults-only Fiji dive resort is not just a super romantic place to stay; it’s also an inspiring place for divers. It lies within a marine sanctuary the resort is committed to protecting, with courses and dive trips offered by the in-house scuba operator, Deep Blue Diving. All of the oceanfront villas and beachside bures come with private plunge pools or you can opt for one of the more affordable garden rooms. There’s a distinctly South Pacific influence in the changing daily menus, with options for both full and half-board. Kayaking and snorkelling will keep non-divers entertained, plus there’s an onsite spa and cultural performances.
"Heaven on Earth!" - Jama (read more reviews here)
Best sustainable dive resorts in Fiji
A spectacular house reef in front of the Matamanoa Island Resort in Fiji (photo courtesy of Expedia)
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 13 exclusive villas, perfect for couples, families and solo adventurers. The dining experiences here are extra special (you can eat alfresco in a grotto or on a secluded overwater deck) while the Sea Spray Spa is the perfect place to retreat to in between dives. As an eco-conscious Fiji resort, Savasi has done away with single-use plastics, sources a lot of its food from local suppliers and showcases sustainable, local architecture in its design.
"Amazing resort. Highly recommend." - Christine (read more reviews here)
Sustainable dive resorts in Fiji
Oceanfront villas at the sustainably run Savasi Island Resort in Fiji (photo courtesy of Expedia)
Best budget-friendly dive resort in Yasawas
Located in the northern Yasawas, Mantaray Island Resort offers budget-friendly dorms and beachfront bures, making it one of the most affordable options on our list. Delicious Fijian food is served at the restaurant, with a highlight being the locally caught seafood and tropical fruits. Scuba certification courses are available in the shallow waters off the beach while wreck, shark and night dives are offered for experienced divers. Aside from swimming with manta rays, you can embark on guided island treks and village visits, learn traditional handicrafts and cooking techniques or test your skills at paddle boarding and kayaking. Mantaray Island Resort has been a finalist for the Sustainable Tourism Award at the Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards, showcasing the resort's dedication to eco-friendly experiences.
"Unreal diving and service." - Benjamin (read more reviews here)
Eco-friendly Fiji dive vacation
An aerial view of the reefs around Mantaray Island Resort in Fiji (photo courtesy of Expedia)
Best family-friendly dive resort on Kadavu Island
This sustainable dive resort on Kadavu Island is great for families and groups of dive buddies, with your choice of one-, two- and three-bedroom suites. Each 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, with more than a dozen world-class dive sites within 10 minutes by boat. Additionally, it's within easy access to waterfalls and cultural villages. This Fijian eco-dive resort is also dedicated to operating in an eco-friendly manner, using solar and micro-hydro energy, managing its own wastewater and even growing fresh veggies in its organic gardens.
"Amazing experience!" - Guillaume (read more reviews here)
Eco-dive resorts in Fiji
One of the rustic garden bungalows at Oneta Resort in Fiji (photo courtesy of Expedia)
Best eco-friendly dive resort near Great Astrolabe Reef
This family-owned eco-resort enjoys a beachfront setting on Ono Island, surrounded by the incredible dive sites of the Great Astrolabe Reef. It feels blissfully remote but with all the creature comforts of a high-end resort and is located just five minutes’ by boat from the manta ray cleaning station at Vurolevu. The Fijian-style bures and villas at this sustainable dive resort are surrounded by tropical gardens while the onsite spa offers deep tissue massages using Pure Fiji products. Besides scuba diving, Oneta also offers hiking, kayaking and fishing adventures, making it the perfect spot for a family vacation in Kadavu.
"Not just a holiday but the most amazing travel experience." - Sherylee (read more reviews here)
Eco-friendly dive resorts in Fiji
An aerial view of the Beqa Lagoon Resort in Fiji (photo courtesy of Expedia)
Best eco-friendly dive resort on Beqa Island
Nestled in tropical gardens overlooking a beautiful 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 surrounded by some of the best dive sites in Fiji. The resort's charming bures are made from eco-friendly materials and there's a gorgeous swimming pool where you can unwind after your dives. Gourmet meals are served in the open-air dining space while rejuvenating massages are on offer at the Lali Spa. Non-diving family members can enjoy snorkelling, kayaking and paddle-boarding in the surrounding waters or surf the waves at Frigate Pass.
"World-class dive experience, a fantastic resort." - Shufen (read more reviews here)
Eco-dive resorts in Fiji
One of the oceanfront villas at the Volivoli Beach Resort in Fiji (photo courtesy of Expedia)
Best eco-friendly dive resort in north Viti Levu
Perched on the northern tip of Viti Levu, this highly-rated Fiji dive resort offers access to more than 90 incredible scuba sites in the nutrient-rich waters of the Bligh Water (Vatu-I-Ra Passage). It offers a range of stylish rooms and villas, most with incredible ocean views and some with private plunge pools. Farm-to-table dining is the focus of the two restaurants (Nuku and the Ra Bar & Grill), with much of the produce grown just down the road. This eco-friendly Fiji dive resort is on a mission to become carbon neutral and has planted several hectares of mangroves nearby in partnership with Mangroves for Fiji.
"5 days in paradise." - Raj (read more reviews here)
Best time to dive in Fiji
Fiji boasts a dreamy tropical climate, with temperatures usually sitting between 28 to 30°C (82 to 86°F) all year long. The water temperatures are invitingly warm too, ranging from 23 to 27°C (73 to 81°F), so most divers find a 3mm wetsuit sufficient.
While you can dive throughout the year in Fiji, the prime scuba season is from April to October. The visibility is at its best from July to December when the water temperatures drop slightly. The cyclone season runs from November to March, bringing bigger swells, more rain and stronger ocean currents, which can reduce visibility and make diving a bit more challenging.
About the authors
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 highlighting sustainably run surf camps, eco-friendly 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. Despite the benefits that surf and dive tourism can bring to local communities, we recognised that ocean-based adventures are not always managed in a sustainable manner.
Through our articles, we hope to inspire those seeking a responsible surf or dive trip that is all about supporting local communities, preserving our coastal environments and the incredible marine species that inhabit our oceans.