Viani Bay, Vanua Levu

About This Anchorage

Viani Bay is a remote bay on the eastern tip of Vanua Levu, positioned at the western entrance to the Somosomo Strait between Vanua Levu and Taveuni. The bay is the base for visiting the legendary Rainbow Reef dive sites — the Great White Wall, the Tic Tac Toe, and the Purple Wall are all within dinghy or short sail range. The bay is quiet, rarely visited, and stunning in its tropical scenery. A small local village requires sevusevu protocol. The anchorage has good holding in sand and mud with protection from the NE trades. The Somosomo Strait tidal currents must be carefully considered for all dive and sailing planning in this area — the current can run at 3–4 knots at springs. Viani Bay Resort provides basic dive accommodation — dive packages may be arranged through the resort. This is one of Fiji's most scenic and least visited anchorages.

Hazards

• !Somosomo Strait tidal currents — 3–4 knots at springs; plan all movements for slack water
• !Remote location — 25nm from Savusavu; carry full provisions and fuel
• !Eastern exposure — SE swell can enter the bay in strong trades; monitor conditions

Skipper's Tips

• →Viani Bay is the best base for Rainbow Reef diving without the current challenge of Taveuni
• →Time all dives and dingy excursions for slack water in the Somosomo Strait — the current is powerful
• →Sevusevu at the local village opens access to guided walks in the tropical forest above the bay
• →The approach from Savusavu (25nm) passes through spectacular tropical scenery on the north Vanua Levu coast
• →Carry a full dive computer and underwater torch — the Great White Wall descends to 40m and below

Nearby Anchorages