Fiji

Aerial Photography Fiji

Aerial Photos of the Coral Reefs of Fiji

Beneath Fiji’s clear waters lies a vibrant maze of coral reefs built by tiny coral polyps. Hard corals, also known as stony corals, act as reef architects secreting calcium carbonate skeletons that fuse into massive limestone frameworks over centuries. Intertwined with these sturdy builders are soft corals, flexible flower-like organisms…

Phil CollaOctober 31, 2025

Fiji Underwater Photography Vatu i Ra Passage

Tracy and Phil Go Diving on the Nai’a

Tracy and a lush display of anthias fishes and Dendronephthya soft corals all energized by a strong current. Perfect Fiji. It had been a long time since Tracy and I were SCUBA diving together and I had not been on the wonderful Nai'a liveaboard boat in Fiji for a few…

Phil CollaOctober 3, 2025

Fiji Underwater Photography

The Insanely Beautiful Coral Reefs of Fiji

If I had but one tropical location to dive for the rest of my life, it would be coral reefs of Fiji's Bligh Waters. A labyrinth of current-swept coral reefs, Bligh Water reefs are covered with an insane profusion of colorful soft corals. Reaching out from the hard coral substrate…

Phil CollaAugust 5, 2019

Fiji Underwater Photography Vatu i Ra Passage

A Sampling of Fiji Marine Creatures

Aerial View of Vatu-i-Ra Coral Seascape, Fiji Image ID: 34691 Location: Vatu I Ra Passage, Bligh Waters, Viti Levu Island, Fiji On my last trip to Fiji the goal was to make expansive wide-angle images of the spectacular coral reefs of the Fiji's Bligh Waters, of which the Vatu-i-ra Seascape…

Phil CollaJuly 10, 2019

Aerial Photography Fiji Vatu i Ra Passage

Fiji Islands Aerial Coral Reef Photos

During my last trip to Fiji aboard the Naia, I spent time between dives photographing the gorgeous coral reefs from the air. The most productive areas were the Vatu-i-ra Seascape and around Namena Marine Reserve. We would make 4-5 dives each day on these reefs and, as I had experienced…

Phil CollaJuly 6, 2019

Fiji Seascapes Underwater Photography

Photographs of Namena Marine Reserve, Fiji Islands

The Namena Marine Reserve is one of the most spectacular marine areas in the Fiji Islands. Since it is located between the two main islands Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, Namena Marine Reserve is bathed with strong ocean currents that pass through that gap. It was established in 1997 and…

Phil CollaApril 14, 2016

Fiji Seascapes Underwater Photography Vatu i Ra Passage

The Spectacular Coral Reef Walls of Mount Mutiny, Bligh Waters, Fiji

One of most spectacular underwater sights I saw while in Fiji was the incredible wall at Mount Mutiny, a huge coral bommie in the Bligh Waters near the middle of the Fiji Islands. Mount Mutiny is surrounded by deep water and typically bathed in strong ocean currents rich with plankton,…

Phil CollaFebruary 3, 2016

Fiji Seascapes Underwater Photography

Dendronephthya Soft Corals

In my experience Dendronephthya soft corals are the most spectacular and photogenic of the myriad invertebrate denizens of tropical coral reefs. "Soft coral" is a broad term, often used to describe gorgonians, leather corals, cup corals, sea whips, octocorals, etc etc that are found in all oceans of the world. The…

Phil CollaJanuary 24, 2016

Alaska Antarctica Bald Eagle California Fiji Hawaii Mexico Ocean Sunfish Penguin Surf Underwater Photography

Seven of my Favorite Images #challengeonnaturephotography

In December a Facebook "challenge" was making the rounds named #challengeonnaturephotography. One of my favorite underwater photographers, Allison Vitsky Sallmon, nominated me to give it a try, and these are the seven images I plucked from my files to share. Each bears a special place in my personal history of…

Phil CollaJanuary 16, 2016

Fiji Seascapes Underwater Photography

Chironephthya, Fiji’s “Other” Soft Coral

Fiji's Coral Reefs are known as the "Soft Coral Capital of the World" for good reason. Spectacular displays of colorful soft coral, usually Dendronepthya, are found on Fiji's coral reefs in abundance. I had done a fair bit of research before the trip and thought I knew what types of…

Phil CollaJanuary 6, 2016

Fiji Seascapes Underwater Photography Vatu i Ra Passage

Diving the Vatu-I-Ra Passage in Fiji’s Bligh Waters

See also: Photos of Fiji's Beautiful Coral Reefs The ocean waters between Fiji's Viti Levu and Vanua Levu islands are called the Bligh Waters after Captain William Bligh and his flight from mutineers. The Bligh Waters are famous among divers as they are home to some of the most spectacular…

Phil CollaJanuary 4, 2016

Aerial Photos of the Coral Reefs of Fiji

Tracy and Phil Go Diving on the Nai’a

The Insanely Beautiful Coral Reefs of Fiji

A Sampling of Fiji Marine Creatures

Fiji Islands Aerial Coral Reef Photos

Photographs of Namena Marine Reserve, Fiji Islands

The Spectacular Coral Reef Walls of Mount Mutiny, Bligh Waters, Fiji

Dendronephthya Soft Corals

Seven of my Favorite Images #challengeonnaturephotography

Chironephthya, Fiji’s “Other” Soft Coral

Diving the Vatu-I-Ra Passage in Fiji’s Bligh Waters

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