Bligh Water & Vatu-i-Ra · Fiji · Pinnacle · Reef
Black Magic Mountain
A pinnacle on a reef ridge, best on the change of tide
Black Magic Mountain is a pinnacle standing at the edge of a ridge that runs out from the main reef at the Rakiraki end of Bligh Water. The pinnacle starts at 5 m, the ridge sits at 21 m, and one side is deeper than the other, dropping to 36 m. It is a tidal site: divers can dive it at any time, but it is at its best on the change of tide, and the briefing includes taking a reef hook.
Where it is and how deep
17.2822° S, 178.4789° EPublished position for this site.
The dive
The pinnacle stands on the edge of a ridge that runs out from the main reef, with the ridge itself at 21 m. The top of the pinnacle is at 5 m and one flank is deeper than the other, dropping to 36 m, so there is a lot of vertical in one site: the deep side first, then back up the shallower side to finish on top of the rock with gas in hand and nothing overhead.
Timing is most of the dive. It can be dived at any time but is rated best on the change of tide, and the standing advice with it is to listen to the briefing and carry a reef hook, which tells you what the water can do here. Plan the profile so the deeper flank comes first and the shallow top of the pinnacle carries the long tail of the dive.
Marine life and season
The sources we used don't single out particular species here.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fair | Fair | Good | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Good | Fair |
Season follows Bligh Water & Vatu-i-Ra: Apr–Oct is the dry season with the best visibility; Nov–Mar is warmer but brings cyclone risk and rougher crossings.
Know before you go
- The site is tidal and the briefing includes carrying a reef hook: hook in rather than fin against the flow, and pick bare rock rather than coral when you do.
Dive videos
Awesome diving Black magic mountain. Vatui-ra-Passage. Fiji · David Crutchley on YouTube
Black Magic Mountain, Vatu-I-Ra, Fiji · M1gu3Lnz on YouTube
Questions divers ask
How deep is Black Magic Mountain?+
The pinnacle starts at 5 m on the edge of a ridge that sits at 21 m, and its deeper side drops to 36 m, so the dive can be run as a deep pass followed by a long shallow finish on top.
When is the best time to dive Black Magic Mountain?+
It can be dived at any time, but it is rated best on the change of tide. Take a reef hook and follow the dive briefing: the tidal exchange is both what makes the site work and what you have to plan around.
Sources
- Black Magic Mountain — Scubago
- Bligh Water Dive Sites — Volivoli Beach Resort / Ra Divers
- Rakiraki Dive Sites, Fiji — Dive The World
More dive sites in Bligh Water & Vatu-i-Ra
Seamount
A pinnacle climbing 900 m to within a metre of the surface
Coral heads from 3 m to 36 m, with swim-throughs and undercuts
Two coral pinnacles from 3 m, banked in yellow soft coral
Seamount
A Chironephthya soft-coral wall on a 2,000 m seamount
Similar dives elsewhere
Three coral towers rising almost to the surface at Namena
Two gorgonian-clad pinnacles with a giant archway next door
Green turtles rest at the base while kole surgeonfish clean them
A 12 m natural bridge marking the edge of a no-take marine reserve