Whales in Fiji: What Species, When to See Them and Where
Fiji is renowned for its diverse marine life, including sharks, manta rays, dolphins, turtles and, of course, whales. While Fiji has many species seen in abundance all year round, seeing whales is not such a common occurrence. Unlike the nearby islands of Tonga, Fiji’s whale spotting opportunities are few and far between, where travellers should rely on luck and not get their hopes too high if wishing to spot whales in Fiji. Nevertheless, there are a few areas where you’re more likely to see whales than others. With that in mind, we’ve laid out the three top locations for spotting whales in Fiji.
Table of Contents
7 Species of Whale You Can You See in Fiji
The most common types of whales seen in Fiji’s waters are pilot whales, minke whales and sperm whales. Humpback whales are more of a common sight between June and October. Occasionally, other species are seen migrating through Fiji’s waters.
Some of the whales seen in Fiji include:
- Pilot Whales
- Humpback Whales
- Minke Whales
- False Killer Whales
- Fin Whales
- Sperm Whales
- Blue Whales
Now that you know which magnificent creatures you might encounter, let’s dive into the best places to spot these gentle giants in Fiji’s crystal-clear waters!
© niuepocketguide.comWhere to See Whales: Taveuni
Taveuni is one of the best places to spot whales in Fiji. Off its coast is the Somosomo Strait, which is not only a top scuba diving destination but is often frequented by pilot whales year round. Resorts, such as Paradise Taveuni, have their own whale-watching trips on the Taveuni Explorer Day Cruise, and it is sometimes possible to snorkel with whales if the conditions are right.
The Somosomo Strait is also a migratory path for humpback whales making their way from Antarctica to mating grounds in Tonga, so travellers cruising the waters, from June to October (with better chances in August), might have the opportunity to spot humpback whales.
A common sight that may also excite whale lovers are pods of spinner dolphins, another resident of the Somosomo Strait. See the 5 Best Places to See Dolphins in Fiji for more details.
Additionally, one of the best places to spot whales is from one of the many elevated resorts on Taveuni that offer sensational views across the ocean. Vacala Bay Resort and Raiwasa Grand Villa are just a couple worth mentioning. Check out more resorts on Taveuni in the 20 Best Resorts on Taveuni.
© FijiPocketGuide.comWhere to See Whales: Vanua Levu
Vanua Levu, Fiji’s second-largest island, offers a few exciting opportunities for whale watching enthusiasts. The Somosomo Strait, shared with Taveuni, occasionally sees whales passing through (see above), giving lucky visitors a chance to spot these majestic creatures. However, the prime location for whale watching on Vanua Levu is Natewa Bay. This expansive bay near Savusavu is known to attract both dolphins and whales, offering an exclusive marine mammal experience in its deep waters.
For those eager to get up close, Ocean Ventures provides snorkelling and scuba diving tours in Natewa Bay. These excursions not only offer the chance to explore the vibrant underwater world but also the possibility of encountering these magnificent marine mammals in their natural habitat.
Learn more about Savusavu and Vanua Levu in The Complete Travel Guide to Savusavu & Vanua Levu.
© niuepocketguide.comWhere to See Whales: Kadavu
This off-the-beaten-track island destination in Fiji holds many amazing experiences for travellers who take the time and the journey to visit, including whale spotting! Pilot whales are often seen in pods of around 50 individuals on cruises and fishing trips. Snorkelling trips with resorts like the Matava Eco Adventure Resort will allow you to snorkel with pilot whales in their frequent feeding grounds should the opportunity arise.
Humpback whale watching is also available in Kadavu between June and October. There is a small number of whales that head to Kadavu’s lagoons or inside the Great Astrolabe Reef to breed and calf. Resorts will sometimes run snorkel tours with humpbacks should the occasion arise.
Learn more about the island group of Kadavu in The Complete Guide to Kadavu.
© niuepocketguide.comWhere to See Whales: Pacific Harbour
Finally, another area of Fiji where you stand more of a chance of seeing whales is from the Pacific Harbour. Just off the shores is the Beqa Lagoon, one of the world’s largest barrier reefs often frequented by humpback whales in the whale season (June to October).
Operators, such as Sea Fiji Reefs, offer seasonal whale and dolphin watching cruises, along with the opportunity to snorkel among the Beqa Lagoon’s coral reefs.
Learn more about the Pacific Harbour in The Complete Guide to Pacific Harbour & Beqa.
More About Where to See Whales in Fiji
That’s it for our guide to where to see whales in Fiji; for more information about wildlife in Fiji, check out the following articles:
- A Traveller’s Guide to Wildlife in Fiji
- 10 Animals & Birds Unique to Fiji
- 10 Best Wildlife Cruises in Fiji
Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in our 5 Best Places to See Sharks 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:
- Tourism Fiji (General travel advice - Updated [2025])
- Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association (Tourism trade association - Updated [2025])
- SPTO (Pacific tourism advice - Updated [2025])
- Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (Tourism statistics - Updated [2025])
- Land Transport Authority (Road safety advice - Updated [2025])
- Fiji Immigration (Visa and immigration advice - Updated [2025])
- Fiji Revenue & Customs Service (Customs and visitor taxes - Updated [2025])
- Biosecurity Authority of Fiji (Biosecurity advice - Updated [2025])
- Fiji Meteorological Service (Weather forecast and warnings - Updated [2025])
- Fiji Bureau of Statistics (Statistics and travel data - Updated [2025])
- Safe Travel (New Zealand travel advisory for Fiji - Updated [2025])
- Smart Traveller (Australia travel advisory for Fiji - Updated [2025])
- Travel.State.Gov (U.S. travel advisory for Fiji - Updated [2025])
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