Fiji's ultimate shark dive!
The Aqua-Trek team are passionate about sharks and shark conservation.
Find out how they are protecting Fiji's sharks.
The Aqua-Trek team are passionate about sharks and shark conservation.
Find out how they are protecting Fiji's sharks.
Descending silently through the blue water of Fiji’s Beqa Lagoon, I can’t help but wonder how many pairs of hungry eyes are watching and waiting... After all, this is said to be one of the best shark dives in the world, so I know they can’t be too far away!
Once settled in our viewing positions, intently observed by an overly large and overly friendly moray eel, the cameras are raised and lunch is served at “The Bistro”.
I have never seen anything like this, the water is swarming with remora and giant trevally in numbers that defy belief. The fish diversity and abundance is shockingly evident, the activity is intense, overwhelming the senses.
Once settled in our viewing positions, intently observed by an overly large and overly friendly moray eel, the cameras are raised and lunch is served at “The Bistro”.
I have never seen anything like this, the water is swarming with remora and giant trevally in numbers that defy belief. The fish diversity and abundance is shockingly evident, the activity is intense, overwhelming the senses.
The smaller fish dart about erratically, desperately grabbing every floating morsel they can find. The sharks are calmer and swim with purpose. The Aqua-Trek team hand feed the enormous Bull Sharks, it’s a civilised affair amongst a sea of chaos. They glide effortlessly towards an outstretched arm and with a gentle grasp, they take a piece of fish and continue on their way.
Casually cruising into “The Bistro” for a bite to eat are around 20 Bull Sharks, not one of them could be described as ‘small’ or ‘average’, these are enormous sharks! Also strewn around the feeding arena, coming and going with all the nonchalance of a top predator are countless Sicklefin Lemon Sharks. Their size is impressive, they radiate confidence, they are fantastic specimens. If you are lucky enough, at certain times throughout the year, you may get a visit from one of several Tigers that frequent "The Bistro" aswell.
As my gaze drifts down to the ground level dining area, it becomes apparent that ‘the Labradors of the ocean’ have joined us! Writhing, rolling scores of Tawny Nurse sharks, clambering over each other to find food.
All the while, flitting around behind us, a little too timid to venture closer, are the sleek silhouettes of Grey Reef Sharks, Black Tip Reef Sharks and further off, White Tip Reef Sharks patrolling the upper levels.
I search the madness for the telling stripes of a Tiger, but sadly no Tigers this time. But I'll be back here again and I’ll have my fingers crossed for Galeocerdo cuvier next time!
Back to the action, the intensity of movement defies comprehension. Where to look, when to snap, what is about to transpire?
The feeding stops. The Aqua-Trek team converge on a single Tawny Nurse. Amidst the confusion of feeding animals, floating fish debris and 7 divers wrapped around a shark, it soon becomes clear that they are trying desperately to control this animal. The wriggling shark is restrained and the divers manoeuvre around its head. It clearly needs their help, a hook and 2.5 metres of thick trace line are embedded inside its mouth. After several long minutes of careful extraction, the hook and line are removed and the shark is released, to swim away and live a longer life.
It really is quite difficult to smile and keep breathing with a regulator in your mouth, but after seeing such a deliberate and heartfelt display of shark conservation, it’s harder NOT to smile! We are witness to the compassion and obligation the Fijians have towards their shark friends.
We swim round a wreck dotted with Remora and climb upwards over a large coral bommie to reach the surface.
The water is too enticing to stay on the boat for the surface interval, so we grab the snorkels and mingle with the wary Grey Reef Sharks beneath us. The Bulls somewhere below, waiting for their second course.
Dive two is just as exhilarating. Now accustomed to the frenzied feeding of fish we sit back and immerse ourselves in the experience that is diving with Fiji’s sharks. Even more Bull Sharks join us this time, it seems they have worked up the courage to swim with Fiji’s tourists!
As we ascend to the surface, I take one last look below and take in a scene of beautiful corals, slinking White Tip Reef Sharks and in the distance, just a haze now, one last Lemon Shark fading away.
I have never found it so hard to drag myself out of the water back onto the boat.
Brandon Paige is the founder of Aqua-Trek Fiji, he and his team are both knowledgeable about sharks and passionate about promoting shark conservation. The Aqua Trek team are extremely professional and are excited about sharing their shark experience with you. The dive does not disappoint!
Brandon explains that a percentage of the dive fee goes to a local village who have agreed to stop fishing this area and allow this type of eco-tourism to flourish. Ultimately benefiting both the community and marine environment alike. He also describes how they are actively involved in creating and expanding marine reserves and shark protection in the Beqa Lagoon area.
Aqua trek are located on the Pacific Coast right next to Beqa, it's only a 10 minute boat trip from the dive shop to the dive site. A double dive takes about 4hrs and an underwater camera is a must, but if you don’t own one do not despair, DVD’s of the dive are available for purchase.
If you love sharks, or have always wanted to dive with them, this experience is a memorable way to do it!
To find out more about diving The Ultimate Shark Dive with Aqua-Trek, visit www.aquatrek.com
“It was a dive that I can only describe as unforgettable. I can't wait to go back and do it again!” Rebecca.
