The Best Seasons for Seeing Wildlife in Fiji© FijiPocketGuide.com
The Best Seasons for Seeing Wildlife in Fiji

The Best Seasons for Wildlife in Fiji: Manta Rays, Whales & More

© FijiPocketGuide.com
Last Updated: 2 October, 2024

What are the Best Times to See Manta Rays, Whales, Sharks, Turtles and Other Wildlife in Fiji?

Sure, the white sands, glistening waters and the tropical breeze might be reasons to jet off to Fiji. The wildlife, however, brings a South Pacific getaway to a whole new level. Fiji is the place to encounter majestic manta rays, sea turtles, humpback whales, sharks, and more, but they are not necessarily available to see or swim with all year round. Make sure you avoid disappointment by visiting during the right seasons to see wildlife in Fiji. Luckily, this guide is here to make sure you don’t miss the season!

Table of Contents

Fiji’s Wildlife Seasons…

… In a nutshell:

  • Manta ray season: May to October
  • Humpback whale season: June to October
  • Pilot whale season: April and September Kadavu, year-round Vanua Levu
  • Turtle season: All year round
  • Bird season: All year round
  • Shark season: All year round
  • Dolphin season: All year round
  • Balolo season: October and November

Now let’s take a deep dive into the best seasons for seeing wildlife in Fiji…

The Best Seasons for Seeing Wildlife in Fiji© FijiPocketGuide.com

Manta Ray Season

Yasawa Islands: May to October
Vanua Levu: May to October
Kadavu: April to September

Although there are rare sightings of manta rays in Fiji all year round, the best time to see manta rays is between May and October. Special snorkelling trips to see manta rays only typically take place between May and October when plankton is funnelled through narrow channels in the Yasawa Islands, Vanua Levu and Kadavu. In Kadavu, the season is typically a little shorter, ending in September.

Discover more about the manta ray season in The Guide to Swimming with Manta Rays in Fiji and the 10 Resorts in Fiji Where You Can Swim with Manta Rays.

The Best Seasons for Seeing Wildlife in Fiji© FijiPocketGuide.com

Humpback Whales and Pilot Whales

Humpback whales: June to October
Pilot whales: April to September

Although there are other South Pacific Islands where large numbers of humpback whales consistently breed and calve in their tropical waters, Fiji is one of the lesser-known islands to have humpback whale sightings every year.

The best places to see humpback whales in Fiji are from the islands of Vanua Levu, Taveuni and Kadavu. Travellers cruising along the Somosomo Strait between Vanua Levu and Taveuni might be lucky to spot whales on their migratory path from June to October. Additionally, a small number of whales breed and calf in Kadavu’s lagoons or inside the Great Astrolabe Reef. Pilot whales are also frequently seen in Kadavu between April and September.

Find out more about the whale season in Fiji in Where to See Whales in Fiji.

The Best Seasons for Seeing Wildlife in Fiji© FijiPocketGuide.com

Turtles

All year round
Nesting season: November to March

Fiji’s two most-frequented turtle species, green turtle and hawksbill turtle, can be spotted in Fiji’s waters all year round. Although you might be lucky enough to spot the occasional lone turtle while snorkelling or scuba diving, most encounter these threatened species in turtle pools found at a handful of resorts engaged in conservation programs.

Find out more about where you find turtle sanctuaries and resorts with turtle conservation programs in the 10 Best Places to See & Swim with Turtles in Fiji.

The Best Seasons for Seeing Wildlife in Fiji© FijiPocketGuide.com

Birds

All year round
Breeding and nesting season: August to November
Best hours: Early morning (6-8 am)

Reminding the world that Fiji isn’t just a place to admire marine wildlife; Fiji’s bird species are also well worth looking out for. Of course, breeding and nesting seasons between species vary, but generally, they occur from August to November. Fiji is home to around 30 endemic species of colourful doves and parrots, as well as the iconic bird of prey, the Fiji goshawk.

 

The early morning hours or late afternoon are the prime times for birdwatching in Fiji, offering the best opportunities to spot a diverse array of feathered friends. During these periods, you can expect to encounter various bird species, including some of Fiji’s unique endemic inhabitants.Learn more about where to do birdwatching in the 10 Best Places to See Birds in Fiji.

The Best Seasons for Seeing Wildlife in Fiji© FijiPocketGuide.com

Sharks

All year round

That’s right, sharks are also year-round members of Fiji’s ocean community. The most common species spotted are white-tipped reef sharks, often joining visitors of snorkelling and scuba diving trips; don’t worry, they’re friendly. Those who want more of an adrenaline rush can go on dedicated shark scuba diving experiences in the Yasawa Islands and Pacific Harbour.

Find out more about shark encounters in the 10 Best Places to See Sharks in Fiji.

The Best Seasons for Seeing Wildlife in Fiji© FijiPocketGuide.com

Spinner Dolphins

All year round

Seen making their acrobatic leaps out of the water all year round in Fiji, spinner dolphins are an impressive sight. A few resorts across the Mamanuca Islands, Vanua Levu and the Suncoast offer dolphin safaris to take guests to hotspots where large dolphin pods are known to congregate.

Check out the details about which resorts have dolphin safaris in the 5 Best Places to See Dolphins in Fiji.

More About the Best Seasons for Wildlife in Fiji

That’s it for our guide to the best seasons for wildlife in Fiji; for more information about Fiji’s incredible fauna, check out the following articles:

Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in The Complete Guide to Wildlife in Fiji.

Sources:

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across Fiji and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

Our editorial standards: At Fiji Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

About The Author

Robin (Ruveni) C.

This article was reviewed and published by Robin, the co-founder of Fiji Pocket Guide. He has lived, worked and travelled across 16 different countries before settling in the South Pacific, so he knows a thing or two about planning the perfect trip in this corner of the world. Robin is also the co-founder of several other South Pacific travel guides and is a regular host of webinars with the South Pacific Tourism Organisation.

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