Snorkelling Fiji: Pinnacle Reef and Honeymoon Island
If you’re visiting Fiji and looking for snorkelling near Port Denarau, two common stops are Pinnacle Reef and Honeymoon Island. We decided to give one of these touristy day trips a go — not usually our style — but we wanted to see what the hype was about. Here’s our honest review.
Pinnacle Reef – Snorkelling East of Port Denarau
What It’s Like
Pinnacle Reef sits just offshore from Denarau Island and rises steeply from the seabed until it almost reaches the surface. From above, snorkellers can clearly see the reef top only a few metres below, making it easy to float over and take in the shapes and colours.
The Snorkelling Experience
From the surface, Pinnacle Reef looks like a coral tower surrounded by deep blue water. The upper sections are covered in hard and soft corals, sea fans, and anemones. Fish dart in and out of coral heads, and schools shimmer just below the surface. Swimming slowly around the pinnacle feels like circling an underwater island.
Marine Life We Saw
Fortunately, we did see a fair amount of coral and reef fish here.
Our operator, Joe, explained that during Covid — when Fiji had little to no tourism — the coral reefs had time to recover. But with crowds back in force, we sadly witnessed people standing on corals, breaking staghorn branches, and snapping plates.
Corals spotted: branching Acropora, staghorn, finger corals, plate corals, brain corals, plus colourful patches of soft coral in pinks, purples, and yellows.
Fish seen: sergeant majors (striped black and white), butterflyfish, angelfish, parrotfish, and clownfish in anemones.
Snorkelling Pinnacle Reef, near Denarau Fiji.
Why Snorkel Here
Unlike flat lagoons, Pinnacle Reef rises vertically, giving a real sense of depth and scale even from the surface. The visibility was good on our visit, and the reef’s open-water location made it feel more wild and alive than some closer snorkel spots.
Honeymoon Island – Snorkelling Stop Near Port Denarau
After lunch, we travelled further east and stopped at Honeymoon Island, a sandy outcrop that’s popular for photoshoots.
The Snorkelling Experience
Unfortunately, snorkelling here was disappointing. Much of the coral was covered in algae, with only a few small patches of live coral left. While there were some reef fish and even a curious school of squid, the site lacked the colour and variety of healthier Fiji reefs.
Honeymoon Island is very shallow and easy to swim, but it feels more like a victim of mass tourism than a thriving reef.
Getting There – tour operators leave from Port Denarau
To reach Pinnacle Reef or Honeymoon Island, you’ll first need to get to Port Denarau. Most travellers stay in Nadi (a short taxi ride away) or at one of the Denarau resorts. The marina itself is a bustling hub of shops, restaurants, and tour operators.
We had booked a trip with Coral Cats in advance, but at the last minute they cancelled us (our group was only two people) and offered a private charter instead. With all other boats already departed, we reluctantly accepted. Our skipper Joe took us first to Pinnacle Reef and then to Honeymoon Island.
Would we return to Pinnacle Reef and Honeymoon Island?
No, we wouldn’t return – but then, we’re really not into touristy snorkelling trips (but we were happy to give it a go!).
If you don’t like going a little remote, Pinnacle Reef is a nice place to go to for a morning snorkel.
Give Honeymoon Island a miss though.
Our Verdict – Pinnacle Reef vs Honeymoon Island
Would we return? Probably not — we’re not really into touristy snorkelling trips, but we were glad we gave it a go.
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Pinnacle Reef snorkel rating: ⭐⭐☆☆☆ (2 out of 5). Some coral and fish life, but significant damage from tourism.
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Honeymoon Island snorkel rating: ⭐☆☆☆☆ (1 out of 5). Mostly algae-covered coral, saved only by the small school of squid that circled us.
👉 If you’re looking for a quick, accessible snorkel near Denarau, Pinnacle Reef is worth trying once. But if you want vibrant coral gardens and abundant marine life, you’ll find much better snorkelling elsewhere in Fiji.
FAQs – Snorkelling near Port Denarau
Is Pinnacle Reef good for snorkelling?
It’s a convenient option with some coral and fish life, but it’s not among Fiji’s best reefs.
Can you snorkel at Honeymoon Island Fiji?
Yes, but most coral is algae-covered. It’s shallow and safe, but underwhelming.
What’s the best snorkelling near Port Denarau?
For healthier reefs and more marine life, you’ll need to head further out to the Mamanuca or Yasawa Islands.
