What You Need to Know About Spearfishing in Fiji
Spearfishing is a way of life for the locals in Fiji and an exciting sport for visitors. Fiji’s waters are teeming with tropical fish, including whoppers like the Wahoo, Dogtooth Tuna, Spanish Mackerel and Yellowfin Tuna – just to name a few. Spearfishing trips in Fiji cater to fun reef dives for beginners to game spearfishing experiences for those looking for their next challenge. Find out how you can make your Fiji spearfishing dream a reality with this guide to spearfishing in Fiji!
Before we get into the guide to spearfishing in Fiji, be sure to bookmark The Complete Guide to Fishing in Fiji for even more tips.
5 Reasons to Go Spearfishing in Fiji
- There’s a strong possibility of catching some monsters: Marlin, Giant Trevally, Sailfish, Dogtooth Tuna, Yellow-fin Tuna and much more!
- The water is warm, with water temperatures not venturing too far from the 27°C (80.5°F) mark year-round
- The water clarity in Fiji is spot-on, with visibility usually being 15-30m (50-100ft)
- There’s so much to do in Fiji, which is ideal if you are travelling with others that might want to do other things. Take a look at the 101 Best Things to Do in Fiji
- There’s plenty of spearfishing options in Fiji, so you’ll find the perfect trip.
© oso243 on FlickrWhat Fish Can You Spearfish For in Fiji?
Fiji’s tropical waters and coral reefs provide the perfect environment for those fish species you’ve always dreamed of catching. Marlin, giant trevally, sailfish… You can tick a wide range of game fish off the bucket list on a spearfishing trip in Fiji.
Game Fish in Fiji
- Dogtooth Tuna
- Giant Trevally
- Mahi Mahi
- Pacific Sailfish
- Black Marlin
- Blue Marlin
- Striped Marlin
- Spanish Mackerel
- Wahoo
- Yellowfin Tuna
For more information on Fiji’s trophy fish, take a look at What Types of Fish Can You Fish For in Fiji.
Reef Fish in Fiji
The coral reefs of Fiji is where many locals source their food and can be a fun way to get into spearfishing in Fiji. Ask your spearfishing guide to take you reef fishing, where there are fewer restrictions on keeping the catch (although make sure you adhere to the minimum catch sizes, which can be referred to in this Fiji fishing guide) so you will be able to have the catch cooked up for dinner.
Reef fish species in Fiji include:
- Coral Trout
- Grouper
- Mangrove Jack
- Red Throat Emporer
- Spangled Emperor
- Parrot Fish
- Naked Eye Seabream
… and much more!
© Wendy Berry on FlickrWhen is the Best Time to Go Spearfishing in Fiji?
The short answer is: anytime really! With reef fish and many of Fiji’s game fish available to catch year-round, there is never a bad time to go spearfishing in Fiji. As a bonus, the weather and the water is always warm. However, if you are targeting a specific game fish, like marlin, sailfish, tuna, mahimahi, Spanish mackerel, wahoo and giant trevally, there are peak seasons for those fish where you’ll stand a greater chance of catching one.
Find out more about the fishing seasons in Fiji with What is the Best Time of Year for Fishing in Fiji.
© FijiPocketGuide.comWhere to Go Spearfishing in Fiji
Because of fishing restrictions and local customs to abide by, for instance, protected areas and fishing “patches” of local villages where permission needs to be granted before fishing, it’s best for visitors to go spearfishing with a guide or a tour in Fiji.
Spearfishing Tours in Fiji
Spearfishing is available as an activity at the following places:
- Mantaray Island Resort – Based in the Yasawa Islands, Mantaray Island Resort offers reef and green water fishing trips only 5-20 minutes away from the resort. Bluewater fishing trips to catch selected species of game fish take you out further.
- Naqalia Lodge – Another Yasawa Island retreat, Naqalia Lodge on Wayasewa Island can arrange reef spearfishing by day and by night.
- Tides Reach Resort – This resort on the northern Fiji island of Taveuni offers spearfishing, as well as other types of fishing.
- Maqai Eco Beach Resort – On Qamea Island, off Taveuni, this surf resort offer fishing packages with spearfishing included.
© Lance Cpl. Roger L. Nelson on WikipediaWhat Do You Need to Go Spearfishing in Fiji?
Because spearfishing is a lot more physically demanding than other types of fishing, you will need to meet the following in order to spearfish in Fiji:
- Need to have good health
- Need to be a moderate swimmer with sufficient mobility to swim and dive
- Need to be able to follow and act on the instructions of your guide.
As for equipment, the spearfishing operators will provide you with the appropriate gear needed depending on what type of trip you are doing. For reef spearfishing, you will be provided with a minimum of a speargun or a spear with a spear sling, as well as a snorkel and mask. For big game spearfishing trips, you will be equipped with a speargun, snorkelling gear, wetsuit, fins and possibly a weight belt and a dive knife. There will be no issue with bringing your own equipment if you wish.
Things you might want to bring on a spearfishing tour in Fiji include:
- Sunscreen (use a reef-safe sunscreen to protect Fiji’s reefs)
- Swimwear
- Booties or flip-flops (footwear that you don’t mind getting wet)
- Towel
- Change of clothes
- Sunglasses
- Camera.
More About Spearfishing in Fiji
