world reviewer
Namena is in the migratory path of both whale and dolphin species, is lined with islands where turtles come to lay their eggs and just thrives with life. There are something like 400 different kinds of coral growing on the reef and thousands of different kinds of fish, including very healthy populations of jacks and barracudas.
North Save a Tack begins as a wall dive known for shoals of jacks and yellowtail barracudas then levels out onto a flat plateau sprouting sea grasses and gorgonian fans. Channels, tunnels and a rocky bridge are the other features, but it’s the coral colours that have given this spot its international reputation.
Chimneys is another well known local dive centred around three large coral bommies – it’s a good place to commune with eels – and there is a lot to investigate growing on the bommies, but take care this is an exposed site and the currents, which are what support so much life and colour, can be unfriendly.
Written by 
Nick Shaw.
Comments, reviews and questions
Best diving in Fiji
I recently went back to the Namena area of Fiji and its is still the most amazing diving in Fiji. The reefs are healthy and happy. This area is full of pinnacles that rise up from the sand and are loaded with luscious soft coral blossoms, sea fans and the marine life that thrives there. Some of the most spectacular photo opportunities in the worlds are right here.
North Save-a-Tack Passage
This is the dive that legend says brought Cousteau to Namena Island and Fiji. It has vast soft coral bommies alive with gorgonia, fans and black coral and the current brings in large schools of big fish who graze leisurely on the coral. Part of the dive is spent on a plateau where larger reef sharks, barracuda and giant schools of big eye gather, the rest amongst the coral in the shallower sections.
Namena Island itself is surrounded by a large reef complete with tunnels and pinnacles and is home to many large schools of fish, so there are plenty of other good sites waiting to be explored by both divers and snorkelers (not that you'll bore of North-Save-a-Tack Passage.).
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