Purple Wall Taveuni

A Somosomo Strait wall draped in dense purple and violet soft corals, sea whips, and large gorgonian fans — the chromatic companion to the Great White Wall.

Overview

Purple Wall sits in the Somosomo Strait on Taveuni’s reef system, within the same current-rich channel that makes all strait diving exceptional. Where Great White Wall is defined by the monochromatic spectacle of all-white Dendronephthya, Purple Wall showcases a concentrated growth of purple and violet soft corals, sea whips, and gorgonian fans covering the wall so densely that the underlying substrate is nearly obscured. Tourism Fiji describes the site as a “wall totally covered with a dense layer of purple soft coral trees, whip corals and sea fans.” The reef top starts at approximately 6 meters, dropping away to around 60 meters (recreational limit 32 meters). Salt Diver Fiji lists Purple Wall alongside The Zoo and Fish Factory as one of the strait’s vertical drop-off wall sites. The site is dived with tidal current coordination, though it tolerates a wider range of current conditions than Great White Wall.

Site Information

• Location: Somosomo Strait, Taveuni, Fiji
• Entry Type: Boat dive
• Site Type: Wall dive
• Difficulty Level: Intermediate
• Maximum Depth: 32 meters
• Typical Visibility: 20–35 meters (65–115 feet)
• Current: Moderate to strong tidal current
• Best Time: May to October

Marine Life

The purple soft coral canopy attracts filter-feeding fish communities typical of the Somosomo Strait. Anthias form dense aggregations in the current just off the wall face. Soldierfish and squirrelfish are documented in the overhangs and arches between coral formations. Hawksbill sea turtles are commonly reported on wall dives in the strait. Pelagics including grey reef sharks, barracuda, jacks, dogtooth tuna, and Spanish mackerel patrol in the current zone alongside the wall. Manta rays are seasonal visitors to the strait system. Sea fans grow large on the deeper wall sections. Sources do not confirm flameback pygmy angelfish specifically at Purple Wall; this claim from the previous description has been removed.

Dive Profile

Descend from the reef crest at 5–8 meters and follow the wall face down to 20–25 meters where the purple coral coverage is most intense. Traverse horizontally along the wall, observing the coral architecture and overhangs before ascending. The upper wall between 10–18 meters provides excellent color and fish activity for the latter portion of the dive. A yo-yo profile works well here — descend for a look at deeper structure, ascend to the main soft coral zone, spend the bulk of dive time at 12–20 meters, then complete the safety stop on the shallow reef crest.

Entry and Exit

Accessed by boat from Taveuni-based operators as part of a Somosomo Strait package. Timing is coordinated with tidal current. Entry by back roll or giant stride. Ascend the wall to the reef crest and drift to the boat pickup point. Deploy an SMB before surfacing; boat traffic in the strait is the primary surface hazard.

Tips and Recommendations

• Pair with Great White Wall: Both sites are in the strait and timed to the same tidal current. Purple Wall as the second dive (shallower maximum depth) is the typical sequence.
• Best color is between 12 and 22 meters: The purple soft coral density is highest in this zone.
• Use a torch or video light to reveal the purple: At depth, purple corals photograph with a blue cast under ambient light. A video light held close to the coral reveals the true saturated purple in photographs.
• Afternoon light works well: Unlike Great White Wall, Purple Wall photographs well across the day.

Safety Considerations

Current in the Somosomo Strait is the primary operational consideration. Strong bidirectional current can sweep divers away from the wall and the boat pickup point. Stay within a few meters of the wall, which provides a current break. Plan your ascent point carefully and use the reef crest as your exit zone.

Photography

Purple Wall is a flexible photography site. Wide-angle shooting of the coral wall with a diver for scale is the primary approach. The purple-blue color combination photographs distinctively — a video light or strobe close to the subject reveals the full purple saturation at depth. Macro subjects include nudibranchs, cleaner shrimp, and whatever small life inhabits the gorgonian structure.

Sources: Tourism Fiji - Somosomo Strait Diving, Salt Diver Fiji - Guided Dives, Dive The World - Taveuni. Last updated 2026-05-25.