Purple Wall – Taveuni and Somosomo Strait

Site Overview

Purple Wall is a spectacular wall dive in the Somosomo Strait draped in dense colonies of vivid purple soft corals that create one of the most visually striking underwater landscapes in the Taveuni area. The wall drops from approximately 8 metres to beyond 35 metres, its entire face covered in thick clusters of purple Dendronephthya soft corals that pulse rhythmically with the current, creating a mesmerising display of movement and colour. The intensity of the purple colouration is remarkable, with the soft corals ranging from deep violet to bright lavender depending on the light conditions and the degree of polyp extension. When the polyps are fully extended to feed on the plankton-rich current, the wall takes on a fuzzy, almost furry appearance that is extraordinarily photogenic. Dense clouds of anthias in orange and pink hover above the purple coral colonies, creating a stunning colour contrast that wide-angle photographers find irresistible. Grey reef sharks patrol the deeper sections of the wall, their dark silhouettes providing dramatic contrast against the purple backdrop. Barracuda schools form tight formations in the current above the wall, their silver bodies flashing in the filtered light. Sailfish are occasionally observed passing the wall during seasonal migrations, their distinctive dorsal fins and spear-like bills creating an unforgettable silhouette against the purple coral landscape. The current in the Somosomo Strait brings a constant supply of nutrients that sustain the prolific purple coral growth, while also demanding respect from divers who must manage both current and depth on this exposed wall. The drift dive format carries divers along the wall at a controlled pace, with the guide managing the depth profile to showcase the best coral coverage.