Experience Beqa Lagoon Shark Diving
Fiji's Diving Crown Jewel
Unforgettable Beqa Lagoon Diving
Welcome to Beqa Lagoon, a protected marine paradise on Fiji's legendary Southern coast, where adventure pulses beneath the waves. More than just a dive destination, with wrecks and soft and hard coral reefs carved out from Fiji's volcanic land, Beqa Lagoon is a world renowned sanctuary for shark encounters.
Here dramatic walls, swim throughs and wrecks, creare an underwater theatre where sharks command the stage and every dive leaves guests breathless.
For divers seeking the extraordinary, Beqa Lagoon delivers the ultimate blend of adrenaline and awe.
Fiji's World Famous Shark Dives
Witness the raw power and the grace of the ocean's apex predators. Beqa is globally famous for its controlled, expert led shark diving encounters. At sites in the 'Shark Marine Reserve.,' you'll observe up to eight different species, including massive bull sharks, graceful steely silvertips, toothy lemon sharks, nurse sharks and possibly a tiger or too, from a safe, respectful vantage point.
Its not just a dive; its a profound education in conservation and respect or these magnificent creatures.
The World's Best Shark Diving
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Key Species : bull sharks, tiger sharks, grey reef, whitetip and blacktip reef sharks, silvertips, lemon sharks and nurse sharks.
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Experience Level : Advanced Open Water recommended. Conducted by top-rated, safety-focused operators.
Thrilling Shark Dives and Abundant Marine Life
Discover Beqa Lagoon Scuba Diving
Beyond the sharks, Beqa's reefs are a bustling metropolis of colour and life. Drift along walls adorned with Fiji's famous soft corals and navigate through schools of fusiliers, butterfly fish and barracuda. Find macro wonders like leaf scorpionfish and ghost pipefish hiding in sea whips and under ledges. Each dive site is a kaleidoscope of gorgonian fans, anthias and vibrant tropical fish.
The dramatic topography of Beqa Lagoon creates thrilling drift dives as you fly along
The Iconic Dive Sites of Beqa Lagoon
Carpet Cove
Carpet Cove is a sheltered dive site with the wreck of a 33 metre long trawler in around 28 metres of water. The wreck is covered in soft corals and barracuda schools often appear in the background.
After exploring the wreck divers ascend to a series of bommies densely covered in sea fans and dendronephthya soft corals and sponges.
The nutrient rich currents attract schooling fish. White tip reef sharks can be seen sleeping on the sea bed and fusilier schools in vibrant blues can be spotted.
The dive site is between 15 - 30 metres and suitable for intermediate to advanced divers due to the depth and potential currents. Carpet Cove showcases Fiji's soft coral ecosystems offering a perfect blend of advenure and beauty.
The Shark Marine Reserve
Descend to one of the specific zones where the legendary shark feeding dives takes place and encounter unrivalled shark biodiversity. Encounter 8+ species of shark in a single dive from massive bull sharks to sleek silvertips.
These shark encounters are carefully orchestrated two tank dives. All of which involve divers descending to a sandy bottom and kneeling by a man made wall of dead corals. Professional shark feeds in chainmail gloves draw in the sharks using bait boxes. Get a front row seat as bull sharks, lemon sharks, nurse sharks and more swirl in a breathtaking display of power.
Safety is always paramount with divers staying behind the demarcated line. Dark dive gear is recommended.
ET
ET is one of the most stunning dive sites in Beqa Lagoon with the highlight being a large tunnel filled with soft corals and sea fans carved through volcanic rocks.
Swim through two chambers decorated with melithadae soft corals, vibrant red sea whips, gorgonians and green sun corals and fizzing with anthias and other small reef fish.
Nudibranchs, flat worms and lionfish are commonly sighted amid the beautifully coloured corals of this premium Fiji dive site.
Caesar's Rock
Ceasar's 'Rock' is actually plural. A series of bommies stretched out along the reef ranging from 28 metres to 5 metres in depth brimming in sea whips, soft corals and gorgonians in every colour.
Expect white tip reef sharks resting on the sea bed, nudibranchs and macro life hiding in the various swim throughs and the whole range of vibrant marine fish.
Conservation at Fiji's Shark Marine Reserve
Prior to the baited shark feeds in Beqa Lagoon, it had been customary for the 'Turaga ni Koro' (the Fijian term for the head of the village) to grant the fishing rights of these reefs to the highest bidder. However, the reef systems are small and other a short period of time, had been fished out leaving empty and unhealthy ecosystems.
When a dive operator explored the concept of a shark feed, back in 1999, they were armed with the knowledge that there was a significant sized population of bull sharks (Carcarhinhus leucas) due to the concentration of river mouths in the area. Female bull sharks have their annual litter of pups in these murky waters in order to reduce food competition for their young. There is also a 200 metre deep 'freeway' between the river mouths near Beqa Lagoon which acts as a passage for pelagics.
The shark feeding was instantly successful with 8 species of shark becoming regular visitors, the additional food attracted many species of fish to these formerly depleted coral reefs and the corals regrew. The Fijian communities receive a marine park fee in exchange for preventing fishing and the shark population has been successfully conserved attracting divers and marine conservation scientists from all over the world.
Shark, Reef and Wreck Diving in Beqa Lagoon - Fiji
Why Chose Beqa Lagoon for your Fiji Dive Holiday?
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World Leading Shark Conservation: Your dive directly funds vital research and protection programs, making you part of the solution.
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Protected Marine Reserve : The lagoon's status ensures healthy, abundant and thriving ecosystems in Beqa Lagoon.
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Premium Dive Operators : Beqa is serviced by award-winning PADI and SSI 5 star dive resorts known for exceptional safety and service.
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Accessibility : Located just off Pacific Harbour ('Fiji's Adventure Capital'), its easily accessible from Nadi International Airport
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Beyond Diving : Combine your trip with river safaris, zip-lining, cultural village visits and relaxing at luxury resorts.
Beqa Lagoon Dive Planner : Essential Information
Best Time to Dive
Year round! May to October offers dry season visibility ( 30 metres +). November to April is warmer, rainier and with a small chance of a cyclone. However, it can be quieter with discounted dive packages. The number of bull sharks decreases between the months of November to January as females will go into the river mouths to pup.
Is the Shark Diving Safe?
Yes. Shark dive protocols were pioneered in Beqa Lagoon. Divers observe a kneeling position at the reef whilst expert feeders manage the interaction. Dive guides have long sticks with which to redirect sharks and a thorough briefing is provided prior to dives explaining shark behaviour, safety and use of camera gear/video. Safety is the absolute priority for all reputable operators.
Water Temperature in Beqa Lagoon
Usually 25°C -30 °C. A 3 mm wetsuit is sufficient. Even in the summer months the cool currents that keep the lagoon's ecosystems healthy mean a wetsuit is required.
Visibility
Excellent! often ranging from 20 to 40 metres. In the summer months the visibility closer to the mainland dive sites can be affected by rain run off but operators will take divers to dive sites in the Beqa Lagoon area unaffected by this
Suitable for
All levels of diver, from beginners on shallower sites with minimal currents to advanced divers on the shark and drift dive sites. Most of the shark feeding is done between 18 - 22 metres.
A typical dive day
Morning - 2 tank dive boat trips to outer reefs or to shark dive sites. Most operators alternate between coral reef dives and shark dives.
