Fiji has earned its reputation as one of the world's greatest holiday destinations, based in part on the friendliness of its people. Here your greatest concern, in the countryside and on the smaller islands, is probably how to thank the locals enough for their kindness. Verdant green islands giving way to golden sandy beaches lapped by crystalline waters - Fiji really is paradise on earth. Resorts, ranging from the fabulous to the simple, allow those who come on a diving holiday here a chance to sample the unique Fijian culture and laid-back way of life.

For the diving enthusiast there is not only the abundance of fabulous dive sites including the world's second largest barrier reef and the colour schemes that earn the country the title of "The World's Soft Coral Capital", but also arguably the world's best shark diving.

Fiji is considered "The Soft Coral Capital of the World" It lies in the Western Pacific, part of French Polynesia, and offers a rocket ride in eight knot currents through shark-filled passes. The Deep Waters in Central Fiji creates upwelling, deep sea currents, that feed a food chain from the smallest to the biggest creatures. Dives include walls, caves, overhangs and colourful soft and hard coral gardens, all accompanied by schools of pelagic fish such as barracuda, trevally, grey reef sharks, rays, tuna, turtles and clouds of bright coloured tropical reef fish. On calm days, pilot whales are often spotted. Often bottlenose dolphins move together with the pilot whales, forming larger groups for protection.