Level: Free shore access This spot have a free shore access: you can go snorkeling there freely and without having to book a tour or pay an entrance fee. Resort nearby
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Last updated on September 4, 2023
The solitary Octopus Resort is the only hotel located on Waya Island, part of the Yasawa Archipelago. Snorkeling on its house reef, covered by corals and populated by a good variety of fish, is unbelievably beautiful and among the very best which can be experienced in the archipelago. The relatively quiet waters of a sheltered bay and great visibility make this snorkeling spot an ideal destination for anyone interested in underwater life.
The cheapest and easiest way in and out Waya Island is through Yasawa Flyer catamaran service. The boat runs this service from Nadi Marina several times per day. Octopus Resort is one of the first stops in the Yasawa Archipelago after having gone through the Mamanuca Islands.
Because there is no docking on the island you will need to have a booking in Octopus Resort for them to pick you up from the catamaran with their small boat. The resort will get in touch with you regarding your time of arrival. The resort has its own diving center where you can rent snorkeling gear. They also organize several daily scuba diving tours as well as night snorkeling.
A second option to reach the island is to get there with your own private boat. Also in this case, as the reef completely surrounds the beach, you will not be able to dock and will have to keep at a safe distance from the sharp shallow reef.
Water entrance is from the beach. Enter the water near the tiny passage located right in front of the resort, which is the only way to the outer reef. A rope is fixed along the channel to help snorkelers contrast the current when coming out of the water.
Trying to reach the outer reef from other parts of the beach is not recommended: it is almost impossible to find a way through the flat as the rocks are sharp and the water remains very shallow even at high tide (↕0-2ft/0-0.5m) for the first 20/30 meters.
When you reach the end of the passage the water is already deep (↕10ft/3m). From here you can snorkel along the drop-off on your right and on your left (↕10-15ft/3-5m), the snorkeling is fantastic on both sides.
It is when you are on the outer reef that you can exploit the more important depths (↕3-6ft/1-2m) to also explore parts on the top of the reef, especially along the right side when you enter the water. On your left, you will not be able to do the same as the drop makes a barrier reaching almost the water surface.
A common point for both the sides to explore are the fantastic shapes of the rocky core of the reef which creates underwater bays, S shapes coming out of the more monotonous drop walls, and a great variety of depths (↕10-15ft/3-5m) contrasting with a quiet rock-free sandy bed.
The underwater life is remarkable. Gardens of extremely well-preserved mixed corals create terraces of life very rich in fish and colors.
Big schools of fish swim around the corals stretching out in a place that seems to have been spared from the bleaching that is occurring elsewhere. You will never be tired to explore this reef as you will always find something that will keep you wanting to go back in the water.
Among the species identified at this location are stingrays, butterflyfish, damselfish, surgeonfish, parrotfish, groupers, and snappers. Octopus are present but hard to spot while sea turtles and reef sharks are occasionally seen too.
Corals include but are not limited to staghorn, branching, lettuce leaf, cauliflower, platygyr brain, and lobe.
If you venture far, remember to spare enough energy to snorkel back to where you started as the channel in front of the resort is your only choice to reach the shore.
The Octopus Resort has a restaurant.
These snorkeling spots are accessible to beginners and kids. You will enter the water gradually from a beach, or in a less than 3ft. deep area. The sea is generally calm, shallow, with almost no waves or currents. These spots are usually located in marked and/or monitored swimming areas. It is not necessary to swim long distances to discover the sea life. This level only apply when the spot experiences optimal sea and/or weather conditions. It is not applicable if the sea and/or weather conditions deteriorate, in particular in the presence of rough sea, rain, strong wind, unusual current, large tides, waves and/or swell. You can find more details about the definition of our snorkeling levels on our snorkeling safety page.
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Snorkeling spots are part of a wild environment and their aspect can be significantly altered by weather, seasons, sea conditions, human impact and climate events (storms, hurricanes, seawater-warming episodes…). The consequences can be an alteration of the seabed (coral bleaching, coral destruction, and invasive seagrass), a poor underwater visibility, or a decrease of the sea life present in the area. Snorkeling Report makes every effort to ensure that all the information displayed on this website is accurate and up-to-date, but no guarantee is given that the underwater visibility and seabed aspect will be exactly as described on this page the day you will snorkel the spot. If you recently snorkeled this area and noticed some changes compared to the information contained on this page, please contact us.
The data contained in this website is for general information purposes only, and is not legal advice. It is intended to provide snorkelers with the information that will enable them to engage in safe and enjoyable snorkeling, and it is not meant as a substitute for swim level, physical condition, experience, or local knowledge. Remember that all marine activities, including snorkeling, are potentially dangerous, and that you enter the water at your own risk. You must take an individual weather, sea conditions and hazards assessment before entering the water. If snorkeling conditions are degraded, postpone your snorkeling or select an alternate site. Know and obey local laws and regulations, including regulated areas, protected species, wildlife interaction and dive flag laws.
