Yasawa Islands
Fiji · Pacific Islands & PNG
The Yasawa Islands stretch 90 kilometres through northern Fiji as a remote chain of volcanic islands ringed by pristine, largely uncrowded reefs. Seasonal manta ray aggregations in Drawaqa Passage, playful spinner dolphins, and crystalline visibility above 30 metres draw divers seeking classic Fijian colour without the crowds.
How this reef is doing
ⓘ How we measure thisReef state
Live coral covers 87% of this reef.
Coral cover
Fish life
Heat
Fishing
Open to fishing, and the water is fairly quiet.
Sources · MERMAID and the survey teams · Global Fishing Watch and reef gravity
Coral cover over time
Live coral cover, by survey year
Across 8 survey years from 2006 to 2026, live coral cover here has risen from 35% to 87%. Every point is a real survey reading, never a projection.
Live coral cover, percent by year
| Year | Coral cover |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 35% |
| 2007 | 49% |
| 2009 | 39% |
| 2010 | 34% |
| 2011 | 46% |
| 2019 | 28% |
| 2025 | 55% |
| 2026 | 87% |
What you will see
21 species across the dive sites here
Blue Linckia
Seen 21 days ago
at Drawaqa Passage
Kikau
Seen 24 days ago
at Drawaqa Passage
Least concern
Bleeker'S Parrotfish
Seen 1 month ago
at Naviti Reef Wall
Least concern
Coral Damselfish
Seen 1 month ago
at Naviti Reef Wall
Redfin Butterflyfish
Seen 1 month ago
at Naviti Reef Wall
Least concern
Fiji Tomato Anemonefish
Seen 1 month ago
at Naviti Reef Wall
Bigeye Trevally
Seen 3 months ago
at Naviti Reef Wall
Least concern
Moorish Idol
Seen 8 months ago
at Drawaqa Passage
Least concern
Scissortail Sergeant
Seen 8 months ago
at Drawaqa Passage
Least concern
Striped Surgeonfish
Seen 8 months ago
at Drawaqa Passage
Least concern
Bluestripe Snapper
Seen year round
at Drawaqa Passage
Least concern
Coral Grouper
Seen year round
at Sawa-i-Lau Blue Lagoon
Least concern
Green Sea Turtle
Seen year round
at Sawa-i-Lau Blue Lagoon
Least concern
Longfin Batfish
Seen year round
at Naviti Reef Wall
Least concern
Reef Manta Ray
Seen year round
at Drawaqa Passage
Vulnerable
Spinner Dolphin
Seen year round
at Sawa-i-Lau Blue Lagoon
Least concern
Staghorn Coral
Seen year round
at Naviti Reef Wall
Bicolor Blenny
Rare sighting
at Sawa-i-Lau Blue Lagoon
Least concern
Magnificent Sea Anemone
Rare sighting
at Sawa-i-Lau Blue Lagoon
Moon Wrasse
Rare sighting
at Sawa-i-Lau Blue Lagoon
Least concern
Three-Spot Dascyllus
Rare sighting
at Sawa-i-Lau Blue Lagoon
Least concern
