Nukubati Partners with National Geographic Pristine Seas to Showcase the Great Sea Reef and Fijian Community Leadership

Nukubati Partners with National Geographic Pristine Seas to Showcase the Great Sea Reef and Fijian Community Leadership Local ownership, community connections, and dive leadership highlighted in global expedition. Macuata, Vanua Levu, Fiji [18th August 2025] 

Nukubati Island Resort is proud to announce its partnership with National Geographic Pristine Seas during their expedition to the Great Sea Reef (Cakaulevu), the world’s third-largest barrier reef system. 

The Pristine Seas team, led by renowned explorer and underwater cinematographer Manu San Félix, is in Fiji documenting the health, biodiversity, and importance of Cakaulevu. Nukubati was honoured to host and support the expedition, contributing its deep-rooted community connections, local knowledge, and conservation leadership. 

As one of the few locally owned and Fijian-led resorts in Fiji, Nukubati played a key role in facilitating community interviews with traditional leaders and fisher communities, ensuring their voices and stories are at the heart of this global conservation effort. “Our strength has always been in our people and our community networks,” said Jenny Leewai Bourke, owner of Nukubati. “Hosting National Geographic Pristine Seas is not just about showcasing our pristine environment, but also about amplifying Fijian voices, traditional knowledge, and the importance of local stewardship in protecting the Great Sea Reef.” 

The expedition also highlighted the work of Leone Vokai, owner of Great Sea Reef Divers and Nukubati’s resident dive instructor. Originally from Mali Island, Leone established his dive business to create opportunities for local youth and to empower the next generation of ocean guardians. Today, operating from Nukubati, he and his team are the trusted guides for Pristine Seas’ underwater documentation of the reef. 

“Growing up by the reef, I always knew it was our lifeline,” said Vokai. “Working with Pristine Seas shows our young people that they can be both protectors and leaders in ocean conservation, while also building meaningful careers in diving and tourism.” 

This collaboration reflects Nukubati’s long-standing commitment to sustainability, regenerative tourism, and cultural empowerment. From employing local communities and practicing farm-tofork dining, to spearheading conservation initiatives such as mangrove restoration and living seawalls, Nukubati continues to be a model for how tourism can protect the environment while uplifting local people. 

The presence of National Geographic Pristine Seas at Nukubati further cements the Great Sea Reef’s global importance — not only as a biodiversity hotspot, but as a living cultural landscape that sustains Fijian communities. 

About Nukubati 

Nukubati is a boutique, locally owned island resort located on the edge of Fiji’s Great Sea Reef. Run by Fijians for over three decades, Nukubati champions sustainable tourism, cultural authenticity, and marine conservation. Its team of local hosts, farmers, and dive leaders provide guests with immersive experiences that celebrate both the reef and the communities who depend on it. 

Fiji’s ocean stories hit the big screen

National Geographic’s Pristine Seas is in Fiji and it is here to do more than just explore.

It’s capturing our ocean stories on film, turning tradition into something permanent.

Environment and Climate Change Permanent Secretary Dr Sivendra Michael said the project was about more than research, it is about preserving identity and passing on knowledge to the world.

 

“Because stories get passed down at different levels so coming from like our traditional leaders would be a very different lens to seeing it from a science lens to seeing it from like first-hand camera, you know, and just visualising what that means. I think that’s really important because people can then resonate with that story.”

Dr Michael said the stories from our people become evidence, powerful proof to help push for stronger ocean protection globally.

He also states that global recognition of Pacific climate challenges is crucial, and that true empathy emerges when others witness the impacts firsthand not through statistics, but through lived stories of rising seas, dying reefs, and disappearing island homes.

Blue Prosperity Fiji Regional Director Arther Sokimi explained that this partnership means better data, better decisions, and a clearer future for Fiji’s oceans.

He adds that proper equipment has been provided to explore the depths of Fiji’s ocean and examine its various strata.

Sokimi said this would also deepen our understanding of what lies beneath and what doesn’t, helping to inform key decisions for the country.

Kelera Ditaiki

Multimedia Journalist

July 27, 2025 12:02 pm

https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/fijis-ocean-stories-hit-the-big-screen/

Depth of vision – The Cammicks and the heart of Fiji’s reefs

 

Fiji’s tourism industry has been graced by many dreamers, but few have shaped its course as profoundly as Ric and Dorothy Cammick. 

With a pioneering spirit, enduring grit, and infectious charisma, Ric remains not only a living legend, but a working one. 

At 84 years old, he continues to play an active role in the day-to-day operations of the exquisite Taveuni Island Resort, which he and his beloved wife Dorothy, fondly known as Do, built from scratch. Their story is not merely one of business success; it is a saga of love, for each other, for adventure, and above all, for Fiji.

From earthworks to island dreams

RIC Cammick’s journey to paradise didn’t begin on a tropical beach, but in the rugged trenches of New Zealand, where he worked as an earthworks contractor, laying water cables and pipes. Dorothy was a schoolteacher when they met, two grounded individuals with no inkling they would become icons in a Pacific Island nation thousands of kilometers away.

Their leap into the unknown came in 1973, when Ric’s father, an avid reader and newspaper publisher, spotted an ad for land for sale in Taveuni, Fiji. The Cammicks landed on the lush northern island and quickly bought an acre in Soqulu.

A fateful encounter at the local country club with Keith Douglas, founder of the now-renowned Matangi Island Resort, led Ric to a breathtaking stretch of coastal land near Matei. Initially, he acquired four acres to build a holiday home, but the dream soon evolved into a life mission.

Pioneering an industry: Scuba diving in Fiji

In 1974, Ric and Do built Fiji’s first dedicated diving resort, an act that marked the birth of an entirely new industry. At a time when scuba diving was virtually unknown in the country, Ric discovered the pristine marine wonderland off Taveuni’s coast. What he found would later be hailed as the Rainbow Reef, a kaleidoscopic underwater paradise that earned Fiji its global reputation as the Soft Coral Capital of the world.

Unlike the Cousteaus’ globally resourced expeditions, Ric brought scuba diving directly to this remote corner of the Pacific. He wasn’t broadcasting to an international audience, he was building infrastructure and opening access to the reef, island by island. This hands-on, ground-breaking effort brought adventure tourism to life in one of the most untouched marine environments on Earth.

Through determination and vision, Ric single-handedly mapped and promoted the reef, placing Fiji firmly on the global diving map. Together with Do, he trained instructors, built boats, and welcomed the world to explore Taveuni’s submerged treasures. Their 1974 resort launch did more than start a business, it sparked a national tourism revolution.

More than tourism: Conservation and community

Ric and Do weren’t merely business pioneers, they were conservationists and cultural diplomats. Recognising the fragility of the reef, they spearheaded some of Fiji’s first large-scale marine protection initiatives. With tireless diplomacy, they gained the support of 90 tribal chiefs to protect key reef areas, laying the groundwork for what would become enduring community-based conservation.

Their efforts caught the attention of famed oceanographer Jean-Michel Cousteau. Together, they established Fiji’s first recompression facility, a critical safety resource for divers and an essential piece of dive tourism infrastructure. This partnership not only underscored Ric and Do’s leadership, but also set new standards for sustainable adventure travel in the region.

In recognition of these remarkable contributions – to conservation, to indigenous partnerships, and to the nation’s dive safety infrastructure – the couple was inducted into the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame in 2012.

Building paradise: Taveuni Island Resort

Over the course of four decades, the Cammicks expanded their dream into the Taveuni Island Resort, a boutique sanctuary seamlessly integrated with the island’s natural beauty. Now managed alongside their sons Doug and Matt, the resort stands as a monument to their enduring vision.

Doug and Matt, who spent most of their lives on Taveuni, were raised on the island and are deeply rooted in the local culture. Though they attended high school in New Zealand for a few years, their hearts, and their home, have always remained in Fiji.

Sustainability is at the heart of TIRAS. From its organic farm supplying fresh produce to its support of neighbouring outer islands with limited agricultural capacity, the resort remains deeply tied to its environment and community. Even during the challenges of COVID-19, the Cammicks didn’t scale back – they rebuilt, reimagined, and reinvested. Today, they are expanding into wellness tourism with upgraded spa facilities and immersive experiences.

Vision beyond the reef

Ric’s imagination has always gone beyond the shoreline. While most saw beaches and boat rides, he envisioned rainforest treks, cultural journeys, and walking tracks that rival the world’s best.

“We have some of the best walking tracks in the world, but hardly anyone knows,” he often says.

One of his dreams is to see Taveuni recognised as a World Heritage Marine Park, a lasting tribute to its ecological significance and a promise to future generations. With the growth of eco-tourism and dive operations across the island, that dream edges ever closer to reality.

A golden milestone

In February 2024, Ric and Do celebrated 50 years of dedicated service to Fiji’s tourism industry, a milestone few could imagine, and even fewer could match. Yet if you visit Taveuni Island Resort today, you’ll likely find them welcoming guests, organising dive trips, and ensuring everyone feels less like a customer and more like family.

Their legacy lives not only in coral reefs and luxury villas, but in the lives they’ve touched. Employees like Storm Goulding, whose father was Taveuni’s first certified dive instructor and long-time guide at the resort, are living proof of the generational impact Ric and Do have had on the island.

The legacy continues with a new milestone: on Friday, July 25th, the new website for Taveuni Island Resort goes live, marking the first time in 50 years that guests can book online. This digital leap forward opens new doors for global travellers to connect with the island paradise the Cammicks have cultivated so lovingly.

The legacy lives on

Ric and Do’s story goes beyond business or adventure, it’s a story of love. Love for each other, for Fiji’s breathtaking natural beauty, and for its people. They built more than a resort, they raised a family, nurtured a community, and helped shape an island’s entire tourism industry. As stewards of both land and sea, they empowered others, protected reefs, and redefined what sustainable travel could look like in the South Pacific. Now, after 50 years of vision and grit, they prepare to entrust that legacy to the next generation, who will carry the story forward, rooted in love, shaped by the sea, and grounded in the spirit of Taveuni.

And perhaps the most beautiful part? They’re still building.

Stunning aerial view of Taveuni Island Resort (TIRAS). Picture: SUPPLIED

Ric and Dorothy Cammick celebrating 45 years of marital bliss. Picture: SUPPLIED

https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/feature-depth-of-vision-the-cammicks-and-the-heart-of-fijis-reefs/

A Scuba Diver’s Guide to the Best Places in the World to Explore Underwater - Fiji

 A Scuba Diver’s Guide to the Best Places in the World to Explore Underwater

From Fiji to Mexico and beyond, 13 essential places to dive deep.

Those who don’t scuba dive are getting only one angle on all of the planet’s best views. The world simply appears different down in the quiet of the deep—and through the underwater looking glass of a scuba mask. With more than 70 percent of the planet’s surface covered by water, the best places in the world to go scuba diving are as varied and interesting as any topside wildlife or nature attraction.

Here are 13 of the very best, from Fiji’s storied Rainbow Reef and the current-washed passes of the Tuamotu Archipelago in French Polynesia to the many sun-dappled coral reefs and shipwrecks closer to home in the Florida Keys. Dive in for inspiration, and then dive down in these places for the best scuba diving adventures in the world.

Fiji is a diver’s dream destination, and several hotels and operators offer sustainable ways to see the marine life.

Photo by Jay Clue and Padi

Fiji

Slip on a mask and roll off a dive boat in Fiji, and some of the world’s most colorful and bountiful soft corals await. The waters here are home to 42 percent of the world’s coral species, according to the Coral Reef Alliance.

To see the underwater colors and corals at their most mind-blowing, make for the aptly named Rainbow Reef, which runs between the islands of Vanua Levu and Taveuni in the Somosomo Strait. For daily two-tank dives on the reef, base at Paradise Taveuni or Fiji’s first PADI Eco Center, Sau Bay Resort & Spa, where mangrove and coral planting and village beach cleanups can be incorporated into your stay. Migrating humpback whales are often seen in these waters between June and October. And PADI and Fiji launched an initiative called “Bula Blue” to increase conservation efforts in this storied part of the South Pacific.

Off Viti Levu’s southern coast, in Beqa Lagoon, divers marvel at the sight of tiger sharks, nurse sharks, bull sharks, lemons, and more. “What makes this dive site even more magical is that the massive shark gatherings will take place among the vibrant hues of healthy coral,” Andersen says. Coral reefs to visit include the Great Astrolabe Reef around Kadavu Island and Namena Marine Reserve, between Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, the country’s largest no-take reef.

Elsewhere in Fiji, pair topside relaxing and diving with a stay at an eco-minded property like Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, Six Senses Fiji, or Vomo Island, all of which run coral restoration programs and have resident marine biologists to help with deeper diver education, including youth programs.

https://www.afar.com/magazine/best-places-in-the-world-to-go-scuba-diving 

Terry Ward: Terry Ward is a Florida-based travel writer whose work appears in CNN, National Geographic, Lonely Planet, and the Washington Post, among many other outlets.

PADI CLub : Speaker Series | Shark Conservationists Natasha Marosi & Yannis Papastamatiou

Please join us as we host Natasha Marosi, Conservation Director for Beqa Adventure Divers and Founder of My Fiji Shark, and Yannis Papastamatiou, PhD, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences at the Institute of Environment at Florida International University. 

Natasha and Yannis will discuss shark conservation and why PADI AWARE’s® new shark and ray census is a valuable tool for citizen science.

This past summer, PADI AWARE® launched the funding phase of their Shark and Ray Census, a citizen science initiative aimed at collecting critical data to help protect our cartilaginous friends in waters all over the world. 

Please join us as we host Natasha Marosi, Conservation Director for Beqa Adventure Divers and Founder of My Fiji Shark and Yannis Papastamatiou, PhD, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences at the Institute of Environment at Florida International University to talk about these misunderstood animals and their extraordinary impact on marine ecosystems. 

REGISTER HERE

PADI Member Forum Savusavu & Taveuni

 

The 2023 Member Forum is here to bring you the latest in risk management, training updates, marketing, new product launches, PADI AWARE, and more. Stay informed and improve your risk management skills by understanding the latest standards that impact your teaching. See how PADI’s marketing efforts have inspired millions to explore the adventure of diving and make the most of the marketing tools and resources available to you. Lastly, learn about PADI’s Blueprint for Ocean Action and join forces with millions of passionate PADI Torchbearers who are dedicated to saving the ocean. Together with our global partners, you can make a difference.   Member Forum - Savusavu Savusavu Hot Springs Hotel Savusavu, Fiji Thursday 26th October, 2023  |  5:30pm      REGISTER NOW

Member Forum - Taveuni Garden Island Resort Waiyevo, Coastal Road, Taveuni Island East, Fiji Sunday 5th November, 2023  |  4:00pm      REGISTER NOW

Attend one presentation and receive one seminar credit towards future PADI Master Instructor or PADI Course Director Training Course applications. We look forward to seeing you. Best Regards, Robyn Vincent Robyn.vincent@padi.com +6427 222 9971

Look at this face! She's so metal! Zorro!

Look at this guy's face! She's so metal!

Her name is Zorro, because of the mask! 😊

Scuba diving in Fiji – Lustrous reefs & more sharks than you can count

October 31, 2022

Everyone knows that the scuba diving in Fiji is amazing, but until you have seen the explosion of colour and life with your own eyes it is hard to imagine the sensation of submerging in these South Pacific waters!

Which diver doesn’t dream about Fiji’s pristine coral reefs? Currents coming from the outer reefs let colourful soft coral thrive, which, by the way gives Fiji its nickname: the soft coral capital of the world. Standing in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, the archipelago is home to a tremendous variety of marine life and is visited by many pelagic species. Therefore, Fiji usually delights the divers seeking the big and bold as well as macro hunters. Moreover, we recommend specific locations depending on the sightings that you’re hoping for, although you never know what amazing surprise you might see around the corner of any Fijian dive site. 

In this blog post you can virtually explore the different scuba diving areas in Fiji and plan a trip of a lifetime!

All underwater photos by Tobias Friedrich – BELOW SURFACE

 

Savusavu – schooling hammerheads & stunning topography

One of the top scuba diving destinations in Fiji is Savusavu. It is located on Vanua Levu the second biggest island of the country. The school of hundreds of hammerhead sharks that resides not far from the coast is famous worldwide. However, the other dive sites also reveal a hidden marine paradise presenting untouched coral reefs where you can see napoleon wrasse, eagle rays, reef sharks, mackerels, the occasional manta, as well as an unbelievable variety of shrimp, nudibranchs, pipefish and leaf scorpionfish. The Savusavu dive sites also display amazing underwater scenery built on peculiar topography offering dramatic walls, swim-throughs and caves.

Most of the dive sites are quite close to shore, usually about 20 minutes by boat. We recommend staying at least a few days to grab the opportunity to see hammerhead sharks and discover the multiple stunning surrounding dive sites.

 

Savusavu’s best dive sites

Dreamhouse

This is one of the rare places in the world where you can see a school of hundreds of scalloped hammerhead sharks all year round. The sightings are reliable but as always, not guaranteed. This famous dive site is an isolated seamount. In order to find the school of hammerheads, your guide will lead you out into the blue at around 20-30 meters / 65-100 feet depth.

Watch out for the school of barracudas hanging on the edge of the reef. They are usually a good indicator for the hammerheads’ presence. As you shallow up, you will swim back to the reef where sightings of reef sharks are very common.

Depth range: 30-40 meters / 100-130 feet max.

Divers level recommendation: Advanced or Open Water divers with deep specialty. 

 

Purple Garden

The name of this mind-blowing dive site comes from the striking abundance of purple soft coral which covers three adjacent pinnacles. A brief exploration of the pinnacles brings the possibility of seeing huge humphead wrasses and stunning macro life. Next, you will swim across a channel that funnels currents from the deep bringing all kinds of pelagic life from mackerel to sharks. On the other side of the channel lies a breathtaking swim-through, followed by a quick tour around the gullies of the inner reef which is home to colour changing magic coral and plenty of turtles.

Depth range: all depth ranges up to 18meters / 60 feet.

Diver level recommendation: Suitable for all divers from beginners to advanced.

 

 

The top dive center of Savusavu

For the best diving experience we recommend you book your dives with KoroSun Dive. There is noone on the island, who knows the dive sites and conditions better than Colin, the owner of Koro Sun Dive. He has been scuba diving in Fiji for almost 20 years and is literally the person to have discovered, explored and mapped the hammerhead point. So if you want to have a good chance of spotting the school of sharks, Colin knows the best time to go and how to find it in the blue.

KoroSun Dive is located at the Savasi Island Resort and offers trips to the Namena Marina Reserve and the Somosomo Strait as well as a full range of dive courses. Pick up from other hotels can be arranged on demand. Your non-diving buddies can also join the trip and enjoy snorkelling at the shallow reef of Turtle Alley.

 

 

Namena Island Marine Reserve

This world class atoll reef is infrequently visited by tourists, which is evident by the sheer abundance of all marine life that is left to thrive undisturbed. Sightings of various shark species, pelagic fish, and the entire spectrum of colours are very common, and the lucky divers may even cross paths with resident pilot whales on the journey.

Depth range: all depth ranges up to 30 meters / 100 feet.

Diver level recommendation: Suitable for all divers from beginners to advanced.

 

Natewa Bay – Breathtaking hard corals & conservation

Now here is a gem! Natewa Bay is dubbed Fiji’s newest diving paradise and it will be one of your favourite excursions in Savusavu for many reasons. This is the largest bay in the South Pacific and its perfectly secluded location protects it from winds, which affect the south of the island. This means, that when the seas are high on the oceanic side, you can take a scenic drive through the tropical forest, followed by an even more stunning scenic boat ride to some of the best hard coral gardens!

The one and only – Ocean Ventures

There is only one dive center operating in this isolated piece of heaven. Ocean Ventures offers diving and snorkelling trips in small groups for all levels. But best of all, they have started their own coral conservation programme, in which anyone can get involved and gain some hands-on experience. You will visit the coral nurseries and learn about basic biology and restoration.

 

Where to stay in Savusavu and how to get there

What better place to spend your holiday than on a private island resort? With only 11 panoramic sea-view villas Savasi has been voted Fiji’s No.1 boutique hotel. The idyllic island is surrounded by turquoise water where you can enjoy swimming at the house reef, kayaking through the mangroves or simply relaxing on the white sand beaches or in your private pool. The hospitality and atmosphere is perfect for an unforgettable vacation.

Savasi Island Resort is conveniently situated just a 10-min drive from the domestic airport of Savusavu and the local town. The best and fastest way to get to Savusavu is to take a domestic flight from Nadi (NAN) where the international airport is also located. There you will be greeted by a member of the staff and transferred conveniently to the resort.

 

Rainbow reef

Another absolute must for anyone planning to scuba dive in Fiji is the Rainbow Reef. It is located in the Somosomo Strait between Vanua Levu and Taveuni and is accessible from both islands. This 32-kilometer-long coral reef has been voted one of the most beautiful places to dive in the world. It inspired the name of “the capital of soft coral”. The pieces of coral are astonishing here. The tides result in strong currents in the strait, which create a perfect environment for soft coral to prosper. The reef is teeming with life including reef sharks and pelagic species as the occasional great hammerhead shark or manta ray. 

If you prefer to dive from Vanua Levu, you can go from Savusavu (look up the Savusavu paragraph for the trip there) to the south-east side of the island. Otherwise, you can also take a flight to Taveuni. Make sure to save a few days to visit the amazing dive sites of Rainbow Reef. We also strongly recommend shore dives and night dives.

 

Rainbow reef’s best dive sites 

The Great White Wall

This peculiar site offers a view on a dramatic wall completely covered with white soft coral. It almost looks like if it has been enveloped with a thin layer of snow. The Great White Wall is one of the most famous dive sites in the world for a good reason. The grandness of this place will surely blow your mind!

You will start your dive by swimming down through a wonderful chimney full of giant fan corals (make sure you bring a light with you). As you exit, the marvellous sight of a completely vertical wall, which drops to more than 35m / 115ft will unravel in front of you. Watch out for pelagic species out in the blue and for whitetip sharks sleeping on the plateau as you’ll shallow up.

Note that the soft white corals are open only a few days a month, depending on the tides and lunar calendar. If you want to dive at the Great White Wall of Fiji, make sure you time your visit. Your dive operator will be able to tell you in advance which dates would be suitable for the dive.

Depth range: 15-40 meters.

Diver level recommendation: Open Water diver or higher.

 

Rainbow’s End

The most flamboyant dive site of them all! Everything you imagined the scuba diving in Fiji to be and more. A dense mix of soft and hard coral and literally thousands of fish cover the slope. The biodiversity here is so rich that you can spend the whole dive exploring just a small patch of the dive site. You will see piled corals in literally all the colours of the rainbow! Many white tip reef sharks and spotted eagle rays reside here, so be sure to check out the sandy bottom as well.

Depth range: 5-25 meters / 15-80 feet

Diver level recommendation: Suitable for all divers from beginners to advanced.

 

Annie’s Bommie

Annie’s Bommie refers to several large pinnacles rising from the seabed which display some of the iconic sea life of Fiji such as school of fusiliers, mackerels and trevallies, octopus, moray eels, bubble coral and leopard sharks for the lucky ones. This site metamorphoses depending on the current’s strength due to the bursting of colourful soft corals when the current is strong.

Depth range: 5-25 meters / 15-80 feet

Diver level recommendation: Suitable for all divers from beginners to advanced.

 

 

Where to stay at Rainbow Reef and how to get there

Can you imagine having the prettiest and healthiest reef literally at your feet? Sau Bay Resort & Spa is just what you are looking for! This secluded luxury hotel is just a 10min boat ride from the best dive sites of Rainbow Reef. It is situated in a quiet bay, amid a pristine rainforest, accessible only by boat. Here you can completely disconnect from everyday life and reconnect with nature. Apart from world-class diving you can enjoy mangrove or cultural history walks, a trip to Taveuni and its beautiful waterfalls or simply relax in your waterfront bure. A highlight in itself is the Somosomo spa, where you can indulge in a range of transformative treatments inspired by ancient Fijian rituals, tailored to relieve the stresses of the modern world.

Getting to Sau Bay involves a scenic flight to Savusavu or Taveuni. There are multiple flights a day from Nadi or Suva you can choose from. The Taveuni airport is slightly closer and involves a 20min car ride + 20min boat ride to reach the resort. From Savusavu the transfer is 1,5h by car + 20min by boat.

 

Pacific Harbour

If you love sharks, then you must head to Beqa Lagoon! This area is renown for the most fantastic bull shark encounters. Pacific Harbour is  located on Viti Levu on the main island, approximately 2h drive from Nadi international airport. Apart from the breathtaking shark dives, the region also has amazing coral life with massive pinnacles and swim throughs as well as some pretty cool wrecks.

There are 8 species of sharks that you have high chances of seeing during the famous shark dives. Prepare to see up to 50 bull sharks on a single dive (largest in the world), whitetip reef sharks, blacktip reef sharks, nurse sharks, lemon sharks, grey reef sharks, silvertip sharks, and even the occasional tiger shark. 

 

Beqa shark dive

Prepare to be blown away as this will be the best dive of your life! The Bistro (there could not be a more suitable name for this dive site) is an easy 10-15min boat ride from Pacific Harbour. After an extensive safety briefing you will descend down a line to a purposefully sunk wreck and together with your guide make your way to the shark point. There you will have 20-25min bottom time to have the most bedazzling shark encounters ever!

Shark diving is year round but bull sharks will be off mating from November to January. They will start returning to Beqa in February and will be in full swing by March-October. Tiger sharks are year round but you have higher chance of seeing them from April to October. 

Depth range: 10-25 meters / 33-80 feet

Diver level recommendation: Open Water diver or higher

 

 

The most reputable dive center

Aqua Trek has over 20 years of experience in shark conservation and sustainable tourism. We guarantee you will have the time of your life feeling safe and having an adrenaline rush at the same time. All dive guides are extremely knowledgable and experienced with sharks, which will guarantee your good time.

Aqua Trek runs double-tank shark dives 4 times a week and are 100% dedicated to customer safety and satisfaction! On the other 3 days you can join them for splendid reef and wreck dives in the area!

 

Budget for scuba diving in Fiji

Fiji is a relatively expensive country the diving rate varies between 150 FJ$ (approx. 65USD) and 450 FJ$ (approx 200USD) for 2 dives depending on the operator, potential marine park fees and on whether you have your own equipment or not. Food and accommodation are also considerably expensive so make sure that you saved enough! 

 

Diving conditions

During wet season, from November to September, water temperature rises up to 30°C/85°F. However, this is also the time of the year during which runoffs are more likely to cause medium visibility. The dry season extends from May to September and water temperature drops to around 26°C/79°F. Nevertheless, Fiji is a country extremely damp where it rains often. Therefore, we fully recommend packing some rain coats and good shoes.

The water visibility in Fiji usually ranges from 25 to 60 meters / 80 to 200 ft, depending on conditions and dive sites.

All underwater photos by Tobias Friedrich – BELOW SURFACE

 

What else can you do in Fiji apart from scuba diving?

Fiji is a breathtaking country, as much underwater as on land. There are long empty beaches perfect to discover surfing, beautiful hikes around waterfalls and some of the friendliest population there is. We highly recommend hanging out with the locals and discovering their beautiful culture!