{"id":8713,"date":"2019-08-05T12:01:10","date_gmt":"2019-08-05T04:01:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.oceanlight.com\/log\/?p=8713"},"modified":"2019-08-12T08:05:35","modified_gmt":"2019-08-12T00:05:35","slug":"the-insanely-beautiful-coral-reefs-of-fiji","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.oceanlight.com\/log\/the-insanely-beautiful-coral-reefs-of-fiji.html","title":{"rendered":"The Insanely Beautiful Coral Reefs of Fiji"},"content":{"rendered":"

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>. 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 from which they grow, Dendronephthya<\/a><\/em> soft coral polyps grasp minute bits of food from the water passing by. Swarms of Anthias<\/a><\/em> and other small fishes dance on the current, vying for the same planktonic food while trying to avoid becoming a meal themselves. When Fiji’s currents are at their strongest this show of life on the reef is astounding. I simply cannot get enough of it. While I occasionally photograph the smaller views of reef creatures<\/a>, most of my diving in Fiji has been devoted to trying to depict this vibrant spectacle in expansive, color-laden photographs that illustrate how beautiful these reefs are. Below are some of my favorites from my most recent visit in 2018. These images were shot on the superb Nai’a liveaboard boat<\/a> among the reefs of the Vatu-i-ra<\/a> and Namena<\/a> regions of Fiji. Cheers, and thanks for looking!<\/p>\n

\"Brilliantlly<\/a><\/p>\n

Brilliantlly colorful coral reef, with swarms of anthias fishes and soft corals, Fiji
\nImage ID: 34708<\/a>
\nSpecies: Dendronephthya Soft Coral<\/a>, Anthias<\/a>, Dendronephthya<\/i><\/a>, Pseudanthias<\/i><\/a>
\nLocation: Bligh Waters<\/a>, Fiji<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Beautiful<\/a><\/p>\n

Beautiful South Pacific coral reef, with Plexauridae sea fans, schooling anthias fish and colorful dendronephthya soft corals, Fiji
\nImage ID: 34716<\/a>
\nSpecies: Dendronephthya Soft Coral<\/a>, Gorgonian<\/a>, Anthias<\/a>, Dendronephthya<\/i><\/a>, Gorgonacea<\/i><\/a>, Pseudanthias<\/i><\/a>
\nLocation: Fiji<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Brilliantlly<\/a><\/p>\n

Brilliantlly colorful coral reef, with swarms of anthias fishes and soft corals, Fiji
\nImage ID: 34727<\/a>
\nSpecies: Dendronephthya Soft Coral<\/a>, Anthias<\/a>, Dendronephthya<\/i><\/a>, Pseudanthias<\/i><\/a>
\nLocation: Namena Marine Reserve<\/a>, Namena Island<\/a>, Fiji<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Closeup<\/a><\/p>\n

Closeup view of colorful dendronephthya soft corals, reaching out into strong ocean currents to capture passing planktonic food, Fiji.
\nImage ID: 34709<\/a>
\nSpecies: Dendronephthya Soft Coral<\/a>, Dendronephthya<\/i><\/a>
\nLocation: Fiji<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Spectacular<\/a><\/p>\n

Spectacular display of pristine cabbage coral, Turbinaria reniformis, in Nigali Pass on Gao Island, Fiji
\nImage ID: 34714<\/a>
\nSpecies: Cabbage Coral<\/a>, Turbinaria reniformis<\/i><\/a>
\nLocation: Nigali Passage<\/a>, Gau Island<\/a>, Lomaiviti Archipelago<\/a>, Fiji<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Closeup<\/a><\/p>\n

Closeup view of colorful dendronephthya soft corals, reaching out into strong ocean currents to capture passing planktonic food, Fiji.
\nImage ID: 34728<\/a>
\nSpecies: Dendronephthya Soft Coral<\/a>, Dendronephthya<\/i><\/a>
\nLocation: Namena Marine Reserve<\/a>, Namena Island<\/a>, Fiji<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Colorful<\/a><\/p>\n

Colorful and exotic coral reef in Fiji, with soft corals, hard corals, anthias fishes, anemones, and sea fan gorgonians.
\nImage ID: 34739<\/a>
\nSpecies: Dendronephthya Soft Coral<\/a>, Anthias<\/a>, Dendronephthya<\/i><\/a>, Pseudanthias<\/i><\/a>
\nLocation: Fiji<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Anthias<\/a><\/p>\n

Anthias fish school around green fan coral, Fiji
\nImage ID: 34740<\/a>
\nSpecies: Anthias<\/a>, Pseudanthias<\/i><\/a>
\nLocation: Fiji<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Beautiful<\/a><\/p>\n

Beautiful Coral Reef Scene, Fiji
\nImage ID: 34782<\/a>
\nLocation: Vatu I Ra Passage<\/a>, Bligh Waters<\/a>, Viti Levu Island<\/a>, Fiji<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Leather<\/a><\/p>\n

Leather coral, Sinularia sp., Fiji
\nImage ID: 34711<\/a>
\nSpecies: Sinularia Soft Coral<\/a>, Sinularia<\/i><\/a>
\nLocation: Vatu I Ra Passage<\/a>, Bligh Waters<\/a>, Viti Levu Island<\/a>, Fiji<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Plexauridae<\/a><\/p>\n

Plexauridae sea fan or gorgonian on coral reef. This gorgonian is a type of colonial alcyonacea soft coral that filters plankton from passing ocean currents
\nImage ID: 34712<\/a>
\nSpecies: Gorgonian<\/a>, Gorgonacea<\/i><\/a>
\nLocation: Vatu I Ra Passage<\/a>, Bligh Waters<\/a>, Viti Levu Island<\/a>, Fiji<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Brilliantlly<\/a><\/p>\n

Brilliantlly colorful coral reef, with swarms of anthias fishes and soft corals, Fiji
\nImage ID: 34717<\/a>
\nSpecies: Anthias<\/a>, Pseudanthias<\/i><\/a>
\nLocation: Fiji<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Crinoid<\/a><\/p>\n

Crinoid (feather star) extends its tentacles into ocean currents, on pristine south pacific coral reef, Fiji
\nImage ID: 34725<\/a>
\nSpecies: Crinoid Feather Star<\/a>, Crinoidea<\/i><\/a>
\nLocation: Namena Marine Reserve<\/a>, Namena Island<\/a>, Fiji<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Beautiful<\/a><\/p>\n

Beautiful South Pacific coral reef, with Plexauridae sea fans, schooling anthias fish and colorful dendronephthya soft corals, Fiji
\nImage ID: 34726<\/a>
\nSpecies: Dendronephthya Soft Coral<\/a>, Gorgonian<\/a>, Anthias<\/a>, Dendronephthya<\/i><\/a>, Gorgonacea<\/i><\/a>, Pseudanthias<\/i><\/a>
\nLocation: Namena Marine Reserve<\/a>, Namena Island<\/a>, Fiji<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Red<\/a><\/p>\n

Red whip coral, Ellisella ceratophyta, Fiji
\nImage ID: 34748<\/a>
\nSpecies: Whip Coral<\/a>, Ellisella ceratophyta<\/i><\/a>
\nLocation: Namena Marine Reserve<\/a>, Namena Island<\/a>, Fiji<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Beautiful<\/a><\/p>\n

Beautiful South Pacific coral reef, with Plexauridae sea fans, schooling anthias fish and colorful dendronephthya soft corals, Fiji
\nImage ID: 34753<\/a>
\nSpecies: Dendronephthya Soft Coral<\/a>, Gorgonian<\/a>, Anthias<\/a>, Dendronephthya<\/i><\/a>, Gorgonacea<\/i><\/a>, Pseudanthias<\/i><\/a>
\nLocation: Namena Marine Reserve<\/a>, Namena Island<\/a>, Fiji<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Sinularia<\/a><\/p>\n

Sinularia flexibilis finger leather soft coral, Fiji
\nImage ID: 34755<\/a>
\nSpecies: Sinularia Soft Coral<\/a>, Sinularis flexibilis<\/i><\/a>
\nLocation: Namena Marine Reserve<\/a>, Namena Island<\/a>, Fiji<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Plexauridae<\/a><\/p>\n

Plexauridae sea fan or gorgonian on coral reef. This gorgonian is a type of colonial alcyonacea soft coral that filters plankton from passing ocean currents
\nImage ID: 34707<\/a>
\nSpecies: Gorgonian<\/a>, Gorgonacea<\/i><\/a>
\nLocation: Vatu I Ra Passage<\/a>, Bligh Waters<\/a>, Viti Levu Island<\/a>, Fiji<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Brilliantlly<\/a><\/p>\n

Brilliantlly colorful coral reef, with swarms of anthias fishes and soft corals, Fiji
\nImage ID: 34723<\/a>
\nSpecies: Dendronephthya Soft Coral<\/a>, Anthias<\/a>, Dendronephthya<\/i><\/a>, Pseudanthias<\/i><\/a>
\nLocation: Bligh Waters<\/a>, Fiji<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Sarcophyton<\/a><\/p>\n

Sarcophyton leather coral on coral reef, Fiji
\nImage ID: 34724<\/a>
\nSpecies: Sarcophyton Soft Coral<\/a>, Sarcophyton<\/i><\/a>
\nLocation: Gau Island<\/a>, Lomaiviti Archipelago<\/a>, Fiji<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Anthias<\/a><\/p>\n

Anthias fishes school over the colorful Fijian coral reef, everything taking advantage of currents that bring planktonic food. Fiji
\nImage ID: 34747<\/a>
\nSpecies: Dendronephthya Soft Coral<\/a>, Anthias<\/a>, Dendronephthya<\/i><\/a>, Pseudanthias<\/i><\/a>
\nLocation: Vatu I Ra Passage<\/a>, Bligh Waters<\/a>, Viti Levu Island<\/a>, Fiji<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Branching<\/a><\/p>\n

Branching whip coral (Ellisella sp) captures passing planktonic food in ocean currents, Fiji
\nImage ID: 34752<\/a>
\nSpecies: Anthias<\/a>, Branching Whip Coral<\/a>, Pseudanthias<\/i><\/a>, Ellisella<\/i><\/a>
\nLocation: Bligh Waters<\/a>, Fiji<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Green<\/a><\/p>\n

Green fan coral, extending into ocean currents where tiny polyps gather passing plankton, Fiji
\nImage ID: 34830<\/a>
\nLocation: Vatu I Ra Passage<\/a>, Bligh Waters<\/a>, Viti Levu Island<\/a>, Fiji<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Leather<\/a><\/p>\n

Leather coral, Sinularia sp., Fiji
\nImage ID: 34835<\/a>
\nSpecies: Sinularia Soft Coral<\/a>, Sinularia<\/i><\/a>
\nLocation: Bligh Waters<\/a>, Fiji<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Crinoid<\/a><\/p>\n

Crinoid (feather star) extends its tentacles into ocean currents, on pristine south pacific coral reef, Fiji
\nImage ID: 34710<\/a>
\nSpecies: Crinoid Feather Star<\/a>, Crinoidea<\/i><\/a>
\nLocation: Vatu I Ra Passage<\/a>, Bligh Waters<\/a>, Viti Levu Island<\/a>, Fiji<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Closeup<\/a><\/p>\n

Closeup view of colorful dendronephthya soft corals, reaching out into strong ocean currents to capture passing planktonic food, Fiji.
\nImage ID: 34713<\/a>
\nSpecies: Dendronephthya Soft Coral<\/a>, Dendronephthya<\/i><\/a>
\nLocation: Bligh Waters<\/a>, Fiji<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Colorful<\/a><\/p>\n

Colorful Chironephthya soft coral coloniea in Fiji, hanging off wall, resembling sea fans or gorgonians
\nImage ID: 34718<\/a>
\nLocation: Vatu I Ra Passage<\/a>, Bligh Waters<\/a>, Viti Levu Island<\/a>, Fiji<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Anthias<\/a><\/p>\n

Anthias fishes school in strong currents above hard and soft corals on a Fijian coral reef, Fiji
\nImage ID: 34719<\/a>
\nSpecies: Anthias<\/a>, Pseudanthias<\/i><\/a>
\nLocation: Bligh Waters<\/a>, Fiji<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Brilliantlly<\/a><\/p>\n

Brilliantlly colorful coral reef, with swarms of anthias fishes and soft corals, Fiji
\nImage ID: 34720<\/a>
\nSpecies: Dendronephthya Soft Coral<\/a>, Anthias<\/a>, Dendronephthya<\/i><\/a>, Pseudanthias<\/i><\/a>
\nLocation: Bligh Waters<\/a>, Fiji<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Anthias<\/a><\/p>\n

Anthias fishes school in strong currents above hard and soft corals on a Fijian coral reef, Fiji
\nImage ID: 34721<\/a>
\nSpecies: Anthias<\/a>, Pseudanthias<\/i><\/a>
\nLocation: Bligh Waters<\/a>, Fiji<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Brilliantlly<\/a><\/p>\n

Brilliantlly colorful coral reef, with swarms of anthias fishes and soft corals, Fiji
\nImage ID: 34722<\/a>
\nSpecies: Dendronephthya Soft Coral<\/a>, Anthias<\/a>, Dendronephthya<\/i><\/a>, Pseudanthias<\/i><\/a>
\nLocation: Bligh Waters<\/a>, Fiji<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Spectacularly<\/a><\/p>\n

Spectacularly colorful dendronephthya soft corals on South Pacific reef, reaching out into strong ocean currents to capture passing planktonic food, Fiji.
\nImage ID: 34754<\/a>
\nSpecies: Dendronephthya Soft Coral<\/a>, Dendronephthya<\/i><\/a>
\nLocation: Namena Marine Reserve<\/a>, Namena Island<\/a>, Fiji<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Closeup<\/a><\/p>\n

Closeup view of colorful dendronephthya soft corals, reaching out into strong ocean currents to capture passing planktonic food, Fiji.
\nImage ID: 34749<\/a>
\nSpecies: Dendronephthya Soft Coral<\/a>, Dendronephthya<\/i><\/a>
\nLocation: Vatu I Ra Passage<\/a>, Bligh Waters<\/a>, Viti Levu Island<\/a>, Fiji<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Plexauridae<\/a><\/p>\n

Plexauridae sea fan or gorgonian on coral reef. This gorgonian is a type of colonial alcyonacea soft coral that filters plankton from passing ocean currents
\nImage ID: 34750<\/a>
\nSpecies: Gorgonian<\/a>, Gorgonacea<\/i><\/a>
\nLocation: Bligh Waters<\/a>, Fiji<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Brilliantlly<\/a><\/p>\n

Brilliantlly colorful coral reef, with swarms of anthias fishes and soft corals, Fiji
\nImage ID: 34751<\/a>
\nSpecies: Dendronephthya Soft Coral<\/a>, Anthias<\/a>, Dendronephthya<\/i><\/a>, Pseudanthias<\/i><\/a>
\nLocation: Bligh Waters<\/a>, Fiji<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Brilliantlly<\/a><\/p>\n

Brilliantlly colorful coral reef, with swarms of anthias fishes and soft corals, Fiji
\nImage ID: 34762<\/a>
\nSpecies: Anthias<\/a>, Pseudanthias<\/i><\/a>
\nLocation: Fiji<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Colorful<\/a><\/p>\n

Colorful and exotic coral reef in Fiji, with soft corals, hard corals, anthias fishes, anemones, and sea fan gorgonians.
\nImage ID: 34763<\/a>
\nSpecies: Dendronephthya Soft Coral<\/a>, Anthias<\/a>, Dendronephthya<\/i><\/a>, Pseudanthias<\/i><\/a>
\nLocation: Fiji<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Beautiful<\/a><\/p>\n

Beautiful South Pacific coral reef, with Plexauridae sea fans, schooling anthias fish and colorful dendronephthya soft corals, Fiji
\nImage ID: 34768<\/a>
\nSpecies: Dendronephthya Soft Coral<\/a>, Gorgonian<\/a>, Anthias<\/a>, Dendronephthya<\/i><\/a>, Gorgonacea<\/i><\/a>, Pseudanthias<\/i><\/a>
\nLocation: Fiji<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Colorful<\/a><\/p>\n

Colorful and exotic coral reef in Fiji, with soft corals, hard corals, anthias fishes, anemones, and sea fan gorgonians.
\nImage ID: 34802<\/a>
\nSpecies: Dendronephthya Soft Coral<\/a>, Anthias<\/a>, Dendronephthya<\/i><\/a>, Pseudanthias<\/i><\/a>
\nLocation: Fiji<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Beautiful<\/a><\/p>\n

Beautiful South Pacific coral reef, with Plexauridae sea fans, schooling anthias fish and colorful dendronephthya soft corals, Fiji
\nImage ID: 34803<\/a>
\nSpecies: Dendronephthya Soft Coral<\/a>, Gorgonian<\/a>, Anthias<\/a>, Dendronephthya<\/i><\/a>, Gorgonacea<\/i><\/a>, Pseudanthias<\/i><\/a>
\nLocation: Fiji<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Beautiful<\/a><\/p>\n

Beautiful South Pacific coral reef, with Plexauridae sea fans, schooling anthias fish and colorful dendronephthya soft corals, Fiji
\nImage ID: 34824<\/a>
\nSpecies: Dendronephthya Soft Coral<\/a>, Gorgonian<\/a>, Anthias<\/a>, Dendronephthya<\/i><\/a>, Gorgonacea<\/i><\/a>, Pseudanthias<\/i><\/a>
\nLocation: Fiji<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Crinoid<\/a><\/p>\n

Crinoid (feather star) extends its tentacles into ocean currents, on pristine south pacific coral reef, Fiji
\nImage ID: 34840<\/a>
\nSpecies: Dendronephthya Soft Coral<\/a>, Crinoid Feather Star<\/a>, Dendronephthya<\/i><\/a>, Crinoidea<\/i><\/a>
\nLocation: Namena Marine Reserve<\/a>, Namena Island<\/a>, Fiji<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8723,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[72,123],"tags":[230,240,330],"class_list":{"0":"post-8713","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-fiji","8":"category-underwater-photography","9":"tag-coral-reefscapes","10":"tag-fiji","11":"tag-underwater"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oceanlight.com\/log\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8713","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oceanlight.com\/log\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oceanlight.com\/log\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oceanlight.com\/log\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oceanlight.com\/log\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8713"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.oceanlight.com\/log\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8713\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oceanlight.com\/log\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8723"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oceanlight.com\/log\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8713"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oceanlight.com\/log\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8713"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oceanlight.com\/log\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8713"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}