Cabbage Patch

Cabbage Patch is a coral reef dive site on Rainbow Reef, located in the Somosomo Strait near Vanua Levu, Fiji. The site is defined by a garden of layered whorl corals forming a vast and intricate crinoline coral patch that reveals itself gradually as the seabed slopes upward. The dive begins to the right-hand side of a large bommie to the south, its surfaces covered in hard corals, and continues along the reef at around 18 metres before rising gently into the shallower cabbage-like coral formations.

The reef holds a strong cross-section of species throughout the dive. Damselfish are resident among the staghorn and fire corals near the bommie, while unicorn fish, reef sharks, butterfly fish, and giant pufferfish are seen along the deeper section of the reef. As depth decreases into the crinoline coral patch, soldierfish, green chromis, and moorish idols join the mix. Water temperature sits between 26–30 °C year round, with July noted as a good season.

Conditions at Cabbage Patch are calm, with no to light current and great visibility, making it well suited to beginner divers. Maximum depth is 18 metres. The site is a boat dive, reached more quickly from the Vanua Levu side of the Somosomo Strait than from Taveuni Island.