Diving & Travel Guide to Lau Group and Remote Atolls

About Lau Group and Remote Atolls

The Lau Group and Remote Atolls represent the ultimate frontier for adventurous divers seeking untouched reefs and genuinely remote diving experiences in the South Pacific. This isolated chain of islands and atolls in eastern Fiji is among the least-dived regions on Earth, preserving marine ecosystems of extraordinary biodiversity and beauty. Mantis Reef stands as the Lau Groups most celebrated dive site, an extraordinary pristine pinnacle rising from deep water with dense soft corals, massive sea fans, schooling barracuda, dogtooth tuna, grey reef sharks, manta rays, and occasional whale sharks. The reef has been described by expedition divers as one of the most pristine underwater environments they have encountered. Vuaqava offers a unique lagoon dive with cave systems, nurse sharks, turtles, and untouched coral formations, rarely visited by outsiders. Ogea Levu and Ogea Driki provide coral gardens, walls, and large pelagic encounters, with the added attraction of humpback whale encounters from August to October when migrating whales pass through the Lau waters. The Moala Islands deliver huge fish aggregations, sailfish, and manta rays in deep clear water. Southern Lau islands including Kabara and Fulaga offer incredible biodiversity in crystal-clear waters, with largely uncharted seamounts awaiting exploration. Diving in the Lau Group requires an expedition mindset and tolerance for remote conditions. Liveaboards are the only practical access, with itineraries typically lasting 10 to 14 nights departing from Suva or Savusavu. The Lau Group is culturally significant as the traditional homeland of powerful Fijian chiefs, and visitors must respect local protocols and village permissions.

Highlights

• ✓Mantis Reef: Extraordinary pristine pinnacle with dense soft corals and sea fans, schooling barracuda, dogtooth tuna, grey reef sharks, mantas, and occasional whale sharks.
• ✓Vuaqava: Lagoon dive with cave systems, nurse sharks, turtles, and untouched coral. Rarely visited by divers.
• ✓Ogea Levu and Ogea Driki: Coral gardens, walls, and large pelagics with humpback whale encounters from August to October.
• ✓Southern Lau Seamounts: Largely uncharted seamounts around Kabara and Fulaga with incredible biodiversity and crystal-clear waters.

Getting There

International flights arrive at Nadi International Airport (NAN) on Viti Levu, with connections from Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and across the Pacific. Fiji Airways is the national carrier. Domestic flights with Fiji Link connect to Taveuni, Kadavu, Vanua Levu, and the outer islands. Seaplane services reach remote resorts and the Lau Group.