Namena Marine Reserve

Namena sits on a barrier reef about twenty-five kilometres off Vanua Levu and was closed to fishing by the customary owners in the Kubulau district, who levy visiting divers and use the money for community projects and enforcement. The result is a reef in noticeably better condition than most: soft coral on the pinnacles, schooling barracuda and jacks, sharks on the outer walls and a small island with nesting seabirds and turtles.

What you actually see

• The soft coral pinnacles - dense colour on the Grand Central Station and Chimneys sites.
• The schooling fish - barracuda and jacks massing in the passes.
• The outer walls - drop-offs with grey reef sharks and pelagics.
• Namenalala island - a small island in the reserve with nesting seabirds and turtles.

When to go

May to October is the drier season with the best visibility. The crossing from Savusavu takes over an hour and depends on sea state. Cyclone season runs November to April.

Honest expectations

Access is by dive boat or liveaboard only and the crossing is long and often rough. The reserve levy is compulsory and goes to the community, which is the point. Cyclone Winston in 2016 damaged the reef and recovery is uneven.

Nearby

Savusavu is southwest on Vanua Levu, and Vatu-i-Ra is west in the passage.