Diving & Travel Guide to Namena Marine Reserve and Lomaiviti Group

About Namena Marine Reserve and Lomaiviti Group

Namena Marine Reserve and the Lomaiviti Group represent some of the finest diving in the South Pacific, combining world-class pelagic action with extraordinary biodiversity and pristine coral ecosystems. Grand Central Station is the reserves signature site, where immense schools of barracuda, giant trevally, and grey reef sharks patrol a reef draped in dazzling soft corals and patrolled by hawksbill turtles. This single site has been described by diving publications as one of the top dives anywhere on Earth. Chimneys offers three coral-encrusted pinnacles with huge schools of snapper and jacks, while cleaning stations attract cleaner wrasse and shrimp. Black Forest features a sloping reef covered in massive sea fans and gorgonians, with pygmy seahorses and ghost pipefish rewarding macro enthusiasts. Kansas provides a deep vertical wall where dogtooth tuna and manta rays appear in the blue. Blue Ribbon at Namena, distinct from the Taveuni site of the same name, features a steep drop-off with large pelagics and occasional hammerheads. Beyond the reserve, Wakaya Wall offers a pristine drop-off with whitetip sharks and eagle rays, Makogai Island provides calm house reefs ideal for training and macro photography, and Gau Island remains one of Fijis least-dived destinations with pristine walls and pelagic encounters. The reserve is accessed primarily from Savusavu on Vanua Levu, with several resorts and liveaboards offering trips.

Highlights

• ✓Grand Central Station: The reserves most famous site with immense schools of barracuda, giant trevally, grey reef sharks, hawksbill turtles, and dazzling soft corals. Ranked among the worlds top dives.
• ✓Chimneys: Three coral-encrusted pinnacles with huge schools of snapper, jacks, and swirling fusiliers. Cleaning stations with cleaner wrasse and shrimp.
• ✓Black Forest: Sloping reef with massive sea fans, gorgonians, and exceptional macro life including pygmy seahorses and ghost pipefish.
• ✓Wakaya Wall: Pristine drop-off off Wakaya Island with whitetip sharks, eagle rays, turtles, and huge gorgonians.

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.