Garden Island Resort

Garden Island Resort is a long-established diving destination situated on the island of Taveuni, Fiji. Since 2006, the Morais family has operated this professional PADI centre, focusing on the unique marine ecosystems of the Somosomo Strait.

The resort is positioned to take full advantage of the Rainbow Reef, offering a mix of deep wall dives, pinnacles, and shallow reef flats. With a local team that possesses an intimate understanding of the regional currents and tides, the operation is designed to maximise the quality of every excursion.

The diving operation is run by an experienced local team with a deep connection to the Taveuni waters. This expertise ensures that dive sites are selected based on the most favourable daily conditions, whether you are looking for large pelagics or macro life.

As a PADI affiliated centre, the team provides a full spectrum of training, from initial certifications to professional level courses. The atmosphere is professional yet relaxed, catering to those looking for structured learning or those simply wanting to explore the reef at their own pace.

The centre offers a comprehensive range of PADI courses for all experience levels. Beginners can start with Discover Scuba Dive or work through the Open Water Diver and Advanced Open Water Diver certifications.

For those looking to advance their skills or career, the centre provides Rescue Diver, Divemaster, and Nitrox courses. They also offer Open Water and PADI Online Referrals, as well as Refresher courses for divers returning to the water.

The centre operates three 30-foot dive vessels to service the local reefs. These boats are used for the primary two-tank dive excursions that depart each morning.

On board, refreshments are provided to divers during the trips. The vessels allow access to the more distant sites of the Rainbow Reef, such as Dakuniba Pass, while Nitrox is available to support extended bottom times.

For those who prefer not to carry their own heavy kit, a full range of Scubapro equipment is available for hire. This includes regulators, BCDs, torches for night dives, and masks, snorkels, and fins.

Nitrox is available on-site for divers looking to optimise their nitrogen loading. The centre also supports shore diving, with unlimited access to the reef flat available from the resort.

The reefs around Taveuni are defined by an extraordinary abundance of Soft coral (Alcyonacea) and Hard coral (Scleractinia). The walls are draped in vibrant gorgonian fans and sea whips, creating a high-energy environment for both large and small species.

In the blue and along the steeper slopes, you will encounter larger residents such as Grey reef shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos), Whitetip reef shark (Triaenodon obesus), and various species of reef shark. Schools of fish are a constant presence, including bigeye trevally (Caranx), Jack (Carangidae), and various species of barracuda, alongside Napoleon wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus) and large trevallies.

For those interested in the smaller details, the sandy areas and coral heads host a wealth of macro life. You can find various species of Nudibranch (Chromodoris willani), garden eels (Gorgasia), and many types of shrimp. Scorpionfish (Scorpaenidae), mantis shrimp, and various species of anemone fish inhabit the complex structures of the reef.

Marine turtles, including the Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), are frequently seen navigating the reef, alongside stingrays and various species of eels.

Diving in the Somosomo Strait requires attention to the tides and currents. While the strait is generally protected from heavy swell, the currents can become quite strong in certain sections of the reefs, particularly during drift dives.

When currents are high, the dive team typically uses a descent line to allow divers to enter the water safely. The centre selects dive sites based on the daily conditions to ensure that the experience remains manageable for the diver's level.