Fiji

Our first trip to Fiji was taken in April 1998. It is a ten and a half hour flight from Los Angeles, which makes it very accessible from the West Coast of California.

Landing at Nadi Airport on the western side of Viti Levu, we were than transported by bus to a southern port and taken by motor vessel to the island of Beqa. Our diving was then confined to the numerous dive locations within the lagoon. A second trip to Fiji took place in April of 2004, where we dove to the northeastern location of Taveuni.

Fiji is known for its diverse array of corals, particularly the bountiful number of soft corals.

Where possible, I have attempted to identifly each subject with its common name with the genus and species identification. My degrees are not in this area, so bare with me. Also, realize some species are identified with mulitple common names. For example, the Orangefin anemone fish appears to be listed as Amphiprion chrysopterus.

Often confused, the Bannerfish and Moorish Idol have similarities in their long fins. Parrotfish are very common in the Caribbean, but are also found in the islands of Fiji.

Various types of angelfish and lionfish are found in the islands. Here we have an Emperor Angelfish and two types of lionfish.

Damselfish and multiple types of Butterflyfish are also in abundance.

The Porcupinefish is a type of puffer and can be found day or night, this one on a night dive. We normally find the Soldier and Surgeonfish during the day. Unfortunately, the Crown-of-Thorns is found all too often, day or night.

You have to look rather hard, but you will find a small flat worm to the left of center in the image of the coral. Placing a hand near the worm gives you an estimate of its size.

The types of wrasse seem endless, we believe this to be a Sling Jaw. Unfortunately, the Blue Spotted Stingray elected not to face us head on during this night dive.

A second trip was made to Fiji in 2004.

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