Beqa Island’s Shark Adventures

Sharks play a very unique role in our psyche, a role reserved for only a selected few species. Despite their prevalence and evolutionary resiliency, sharks have been subject to gross misconceptions and are facing their biggest survival challenge yet.

Shark dives and feedings are abound globally; from the eastern seaboard and Caribbean to the west coast, mid Pacific, Australia’s shores and south Africa.

Fiji’s Beqa Island, off the Southeastern tip of Viti Levu and across Suva’s busy harbor, is a great example not only of a very healthy reef system and shark population but also of a sustainable and cooperative effort by locals and visitors to share the bounty while raising awareness.

The anatomy of these dives is similar to many other shark feedings; however, what sets this apart from all other shark experiences are the sheer numbers and magnitude of the frenzy. True to the raw and wild nature of Fiji, this high-octane encounter takes place at depth of 60ft.

Shortly after the chum buckets are cracked open, the visibility falls drastically and within minutes countless fish descend over us, blocking the remaining sunlight. One can truly hear the commotion, as reef sharks narrow their circles and draw closer to the wrangler for a tuna tail.

The climax of the dives are reached some 20 min into the dive, once a column of fish 40-60ft in diameter hover overhead like a black tornado, and the enormous shadow of a Bull or Tiger shark slowly takes form, as it confidently, yet cautiously, comes to claim its share.

There are two reputable dive shops on the island offering cage free shark dives. Both outfits are manned by locals, who instead of fishing these waters are now acting as shark wranglers. Through profit sharing, the dive operations now offer the locals an alternative to fishing.

Preserving the reef and fish population supports a healthy shark population and ample opportunities to come face to face with countless reef sharks, lemons, bull and tiger sharks.

Further Reading

All Other Articles by Dariush Shemtoob

Overview of Scuba Diving in Fiji

Directory of Dive Sites in Fiji

Directory of Dive Shops in Fiji

Colorful Fiji

Fiji Diving, The Soft Coral Capital of the World