Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Nitrox was available for a very small cost, and Misi, the dive shop leader, was always available to attend to your equipment needs. You can further reduce this by treating a tropical dive as if you were in a low visibility situation: Pull strobes slightly behind the housing port and angle slightly outward. Would I take a third trip to Hideaway Island in Vanuatu where the diving is not so good. On top of that, some of us had already been to the 2nd dive site the day before. Unlike the sharks' bad reputation as bloodthirsty killers, the sharks didn't bother us and barely showed a little curiosity towards us as the divers fed them bait. Dont forget to shorten the shutter speed and decrease the ISO, however, when shooting up at silvertips and tiger sharks, which are often higher in the water column. Tawny Nurse sharks, Lemon sharks, Bull sharks and Tiger sharks purposefully move towards the feeders, opening their massive jaws to pluck food from their outstretched hands in direct view of divers. Dive guides were very good at finding specific fish and corals of interest to the guests. The diving is excellent, but accept that this is Fiji, so things happen in island time. Who We Are; Staff; Boats; Blog; Apparel; Safety; Covid-19 Protocol; Diving Menu Toggle. Beqa Lagoon, Fiji March 2017 Beautiful Coral and Wreck Diving more, This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Join us on The Fiji Shark Dive and experience the sight of up to 8 different species of sharks: Tawny Nurses, Sicklefin Lemons, Grey Reefs, Blacktip Reefs, Whitetip Reefs, Silvertips, massive Bulls and the occasional Tiger; all this on a single dive. In Vanuatu you felt like family and everyone was welcoming and genuinely friendly. Regardless of your positioningbut especially if youre in the thick of itstrobe positioning and settings are key. Beqa Lagoon Resort | Dive Resort | PADI Travel Also the little day hikes to Big Rock or the Waterfalls with our guide Blacky are a great experience. This is one of the world's largest barrier reefs where divers can escape to the marine wonderland. It is believed that a six foot Bronze Whaler shark bit Mr Wakeham twice while he was free diving after 8am at the Frigate Reef Passage, located at the West end of Beqa. There were no tiger sharks the two days we went, but that is the nature of the ocean and we saw dozens of other sharks. But often the outer edges of the amphitheater can provide close opportunities to the sharks with just a percentage of the particulates and backscatter in the water column. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. . There are a lot of contenders for the worlds best shark dive. It is home to radiant reefs that support a vast array of marine life, from gorgeous corals to massive Tiger and Bull sharks. The weather in Texas was so bad that our plane never left DFW! The boat captains and dive masters were expert and knowledgeable. The bed was incredibly comfortable. On the second dive three Tiger sharks came in and the Dive Masters were hand feeding them. The island runs on Fiji time, so expect to wait between bus and boat transfer. They charge for sodas and alcohol. Trips & Marketplace: Shore based or group trips, Russian citizen mauled to death by tiger shark off Egypt's Red Sea coast in rare attack. The silvertips cruise at a higher level before darting in for a fish head. The diving was amazing as I expected and the shark dive is a must for everyone. We are off the mainland but close enough to explore mainland options like Zip lining.. Shopping White water rafting.A big vinaka vakalevu from all of team Beqa for your comments and we hope we hope we the opportunity to host you again really soon. The beach in front of the property is very nice. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. Once we only had cylinders on board for our dives.The shark dive was amazing. more, This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Overall a great and romantic experience and thank you so much for the fruit and champers for our honeymoon and we are extremey greatful. If his head was in the shark's mouth, and it was that large, had it wanted to kill him, it could've done so. It may look rather ordinary, but the hard coral reef, just off Pacific Harbour's coastline, is home to many of the culturally significant shark population. Bula Vinaka Nicole..Vinaka for your comments. A widower, I was courting a widow. Shark Reef Marine Reserve-8 Shark Species & largest # of Bull Sharks in the world. NEW YORK TIMES ARTICLE ON THE BEQA SHARK DIVES MUST READ! Today we have achieve a lot a lot of which you may not be able to see.We are a 3 star resort we provide free Cona Coffee, Tea, Iced Tea and water. Whenever a bull shark swam above me, I could feel how powerful they really were. Beqa Adventure Divers - Fiji Beqa Adventure Divers' Fiji Shark Dive is the original product that has been conducted since 1999; A proud partner of Global Shark Diving, the world's first the first global alliance of responsible and long-term sustainable Shark diving operators; This is principally a marine conservation project that includes a dive operation, and not vice versa This is the hot, humid season with daytime temperatures averaging 29C. Almost every lunch and dinner was very good, and the chefs/cooks really made an effort to give guests a great selection of local and international food. Overall wonderful room. It was my first trip to the South Pacific, so, much of what we saw underwater was new to me. When we stopped in the office the night before to confirm, we were then told that our boat wasnt going out until 11:00 AM. Two beds, large living room, large bathroom and a front porch. We later found out they are extremely accommodating and endeaver to get you to airport on time. This was investigated, and found to be a timing issue.As per the other boat incident sometimes guests request removal if the sea is rough, sea sickness etc or gear swapping. (partial quote from J.D. We also booked the recommend Beqa Shark dive experience as we were told that a prior group has seen Tiger Sharks on their dives. Bookings cancelled within 24 hours prior to dive will incur a charge of 50% of the total booking value. For generations, fishermen returning to Viti Levu would throw fish heads into the sea, as an offering to Dukuwaqa. The Fiji Shark Dive; Coral Dives; Wreck Dives; . When: Diving at Beqa is year round, although there are fewer bull sharks during the months of November-January. Filo and her team really did take the extra mile to accommodate our needs. Staying close to the DMs pays dividends as they will point out what you will probably miss like leaf scorpionfish, snake eels, nudibranchs and octopus.You can also dive off the beach for free, which was an unexpected bonus. On one morning 2-tank dive we sailed about an hour to dive near Yanuca Island. But it just didn't live up to my expectations. Some of these were up to 3.5M in length. Enjoy your Dive Adventure and travel with confidence. . Giant trevally dart in for a free meal, huge groupers graze nearby the action, moray-eels, skip-jacks and coral trout stick their noses in and dozens of remoras (shark-suckers) cruise just below the surface waiting for their free ride with their symbiotic shark friends. Fairway Place, Pacific Harbour, Fiji | Phone: +679.998.8006 | Email: contactus@fijisharkdive.com Beqa Island lies just 10 kilometres off the south coast of the main island of Viti Levu. Beqa Adventure Divers Home; About Menu Toggle. Its all about the big stuff on this dive, whether an 18-foot-long tiger shark or massive schools of hungry fish. The reefs and coral were in excellent shape at the dive sites we visited around the resort, and divers were taken to these great dive sites by an extremely knowledgeable and well-trained dive staff. Shark dive in Fiji with BAD, Beqa Adventure Divers Brian Carisch 70 subscribers Subscribe 25K views 7 years ago White tip, Black tip, reef sharks and of course many, many Bull Sharks. Music. The spa is a must and dont hesitate to buy the Pure Fiji products from them (very reasonably priced at the reception). In 1999 Aqua-Trek's Brandon Paige, a.k.a the "Shark Whisperer", created a dive with the intent to educate divers and aid in the conservation of sharks. Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Either is awful, but the risk level between the two is not the same, assuming it's similar to what's thought to be the case in Florida. Take a minute once the madness of the feeding starts to take it all in. Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions. Then let ambient light take care of the rest. There are not any banks or stores on the island. There could be some improvement in communications between the dive shop and guests.ACCOMMODATIONS AND FOOD: My Koi Pond bure was roomy and appointed with two beds, a living room area, refrigerator & hot water heater and bathroom with large walk-in tiled shower. My particular favorite part of each dive was when we reached the top of the reef. It may look rather ordinary, but the hard coral reef, just off Pacific Harbours coastline, is home to many of the culturally significant shark population. This year, we signed up for a DFW-LAX flight that got us to LAX a half a day before our Fiji flight was scheduled to leave. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. July to September usually has the best visibility, and surface conditions can be rougher between November and January due to high winds. Then, if shooting in manual exposure, use your hand or a fellow diver to meter and get all of your settings prepared, before turning to photograph the sharks. This dive is truly a shark lovers dream come true. If a large tiger shark decides to tear into you, the report will not be there there was a '0.8 centimeter long and 0.5 centimeter deep wound.'. In addition to the shark feedings, the reserve is also a site for ongoing shark population and behavior research. Though we already know what it says. Breakfasts were disappointing and monotonous.As always in Fiji the staff were welcoming and friendly, but you need to take the initiative to get to know them beyond "bula" and "vinaka". There are also oceanfront bures, but I did not see them.Moving to the restaurant, the food was almost always excellent. Most of the time we had to get our own water, coffee, tea. Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. At any time Boats are very expensive items. Beqa Lagoon is a all in one place to see all kind of sharks : Nursery shark, lemon shark, white . Take a trip down to the coast to ride the world-class waves of Frigates Pass. Ok, so once thats out of the way its all about the sharks. Get out and take advantage of all this resort has to offer. The food was good with a buffet breakfast and a meat, fish and vegetarian option for lunch and dinner. This resort was absolutely amazing! Not quite as dramatic as you have said. One tip is take cash, small denominations, because you will want to buy from the local crafts people and they pretty much require exact payment. Copyright Discover Fiji 2023. This was the most relaxing and fun dive experience we had with our dive group. Despite a few bumps, I enjoyed my stay there. because we are so busy. Joining is quick and easy. For this reason, most Fijians do not eat shark meat, as they fear they may anger the Gods, leaving them without protection from other sharks in the ocean. Very relaxing. The shark dive, as it's known in Fiji, is located on the fringing reef of Beqa Lagoon, in the south of Viti Levu island. We should do everything we can to protect our oceans and the shark species. The trails are safe and easy to navigate alone, as a group, or as part of a guided tour. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Equipment: Interchangeable lens shooters should pack a fisheye or rectilinear zoom, while compact users will benefit from the wider angle of view provided by an additional wide-angle wet lens. We ended up with a surface interval nearing two hours during weather that was particularly cool and rainy. The best months to visit are from mid-May to mid-October, with July being the driest and coolest month. Beqa Island boasts footpaths and trails that have crisscrossed between villages for hundreds of years. the one you are talking of was not reported. Fiji is well-known as the soft coral capital of the world, and Beqa did not disappoint. The surrounding marine ecosystem is home to blue ribbon eels, clown triggerfish, leaf scorpion fish, octopus, juvenile reef fish, rays, sharks and seahorses. Fijian culture and traditions passed down through the generations are very much alive and practied today. The entire staff was very friendly. The food was good at the resort, perhaps they could vary the menu, but overall no complaints. The dive is often crowded with fellow photographers, so looking for an open space along the rock wall is suggested for those with long strobe arms. Thank you :-) Beqa Adventure Divers - Bluewater Dive Travel Beqa Adventure Divers provides you with a shark dive where you will be able to experience the breathtaking sight of up to eight species of sharks. As part of a shark-encounter dive, dive customers were directed to lay in the prone position on a rocky alcove with their feet toward safety divers who would watch for sharks approaching from behind. The food was super delicious, the best 3 meals a day you ever had in a diving resort and every night a mouthwatering dessert made from scratch. Before kneeling down its a good idea to make sure there arent any stonefish in your spot. At one point during the dive, we were surrounded by at least 30. They have very well taken care of grounds with lots of flowers and trees. Beqa Lagoon - The Ultimate Shark Encounter in Fiji! - Dive O'Clock! The resort looks amazing and is well kept, just like paradise. In addition, you can also encounter Giant Groupers, Maori Wrasse, Rainbow Runners, Giant Trevally, Java Morays, Eagle Rays and more than 400 species of tropical reef fish. Accident handling is not acceptable - Review of Beqa Lagoon Resort Dive Boat departs at 8:30 am and returns at approximately 12:00pm. Optional equipment hire is available and includes BCD, Regulator, Masks/Fins/Snorkel and 3mm Wetsuit. A chance . Unfortunately, despite surviving for 450 million years, humans are the biggest threat to the shark's survival. We are investigating other contacts Also the Web site number has been updated. The BLR dive shop manager should have confirmed that was the case with the rest of the divers. In the protected waters of the Shark Reef Marine Reserve come face to face with up to 8 species of sharks and up to 450 species of fish. Seamlessly book a range of Fiji with instant confirmation, from day cruises and water excursions to cultural experiences and adventure activities. Death of a Shark Diver, Redux: Undercurrent 07/2009 If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. We have planed our honeymoon with Beqa lagoon resort after being married in Fiji and we do not regret it. The minimum age requirement is 12 years. Apparently the largest tiger that regularly shows up around Beqa. My diving travel advisor Send an email Call +33651603420 Contact by WhatsApp Dive trip Beqa Stay, Diving and cruising holidays in Fiji, in Beqa This is the shark diving mecca of the world! He has made various exhibitions and presented lectures 2023. She claimed that shark feeding diving at the resort did have some safety loopholes. " Sometimes we have it sometimes we don't anyone reading the please call Fiji 8937703. His photographs have been featured in different magazines, both in Europe and United Estates/Latin America. Please see our partners for more details. Beqa Lagoon Resort: Shark Diving - See 687 traveler reviews, 1,309 candid photos, and great deals for Beqa Lagoon Resort at Tripadvisor. Experienced divers come here for the Lagoon's astonishing biodiversity. Dive sites: Seven Sisters, Rainbow Reef, Jersey, Fantasy, Shark Reef Marine Reserve, Golden Arches, Batiluva Reef, Carpet Cove, Caesar's Rock.Royalty Free Music :Jamando Royalty Free - You are the stranger and You are a part of me - Vladimir SterzerFMA Royalty Free Music - MoonscapeFMA Royalty Free Music by Kai Engel - Daylight PON IIFMA Royalty Free Music by Fabian Measures - Feels like home