The Zoo – Taveuni and Somosomo Strait

Site Overview

The Zoo is an action-packed drift dive site in the Somosomo Strait named for the extraordinary density and diversity of schooling fish that congregate in the nutrient-rich current, creating a swirling mass of marine life that resembles a living aquarium. Massive schools of barracuda form tight circular formations in the current, their silver bodies creating a shimmering wall that flashes and shifts as individual fish adjust their position. Giant trevally patrol the edges of the baitfish aggregations, making explosive strikes that send schools scattering in every direction. Blue-lined snapper form dense aggregations that hover above the reef slope, their yellow and blue stripes adding vivid colour to the scene. Groupers of multiple species occupy territories along the reef, their large bodies and patient ambush hunting strategy providing a contrast to the frantic schooling activity above. The current in the Somosomo Strait concentrates nutrients that support the extraordinary fish biomass, with plankton-rich water fuelling the food chain from the bottom up. Manta rays occasionally pass through the site, their massive wingspans dwarfing the schooling fish as they filter plankton from the current. The reef itself supports healthy soft and hard coral communities that provide habitat and shelter for the fish populations. The drift dive format means divers are carried past the action at a steady pace, with the guide positioning the group for the best viewing angles. The sheer density of fish at The Zoo can be overwhelming, with visibility sometimes reduced by the mass of schooling fish surrounding the divers. This site is consistently rated among the most exciting dives in the Taveuni area for its relentless fish action.