Beqa Lagoon diving offers accessible, exciting underwater experiences just south of Fiji’s main island, Viti Levu. While the lagoon does not boast the lush soft coral gardens of Taveuni, it remains one of the best diving areas near the main island. Divers can enjoy clear water, gentle currents, and a variety of marine life including reef fish, octopus, turtles, and reliable shark encounters.
The lagoon spans over 100 square miles and is shielded by roughly 18.6 miles of barrier reef. Its calm waters, consistent 79°F temperatures, and relatively shallow depths make it suitable for both novice divers and those seeking drift diving experiences. The area’s accessibility has made Beqa Lagoon a popular choice for visitors who wish to avoid domestic flights to outer islands.
Beyond the scenery, Beqa Lagoon is home to over 100 dive sites featuring pinnacles, bommies, fringing reefs, and wrecks. Divers can combine reef exploration, macro photography, and predator encounters, making it a diverse destination for every level of experience.
Beqa Lagoon is renowned for its baited shark dives, providing reliable encounters with multiple shark species. There are 3 main sites within the lagoon: The Bistro, Shark Reef, and The Cathedral, each offering a similar breathtaking experience.
The Cathedral is managed by Beqa Lagoon Resort, and The Bistro can be dived on day trips out of Pacific Harbour, or during a stay at Waidroka Bay Resort.
Each site is carefully managed, with baiting restricted to its designated area. Site overlap does not affect shark numbers, ensuring consistent encounters at every location.
Shark diving in Beqa Lagoon combines adrenaline, observation, and conservation education. Divers receive briefings on shark species, behaviors, and identification techniques. The protected waters of the Shark Reef Marine Reserve and ongoing monitoring programs support healthy shark populations, allowing visitors to leave more informed and respectful of these apex predators.
Minimum certification requirements for participation: Open Water for most reef dives, Advanced Open Water for drift or deeper dives, and 30 logged dives for The Cathedral. Nitrox certification is recommended for extended bottom times.
Beqa Lagoon offers encounters with up to 8 species of sharks. Observing and identifying these species enhances both safety and enjoyment.
These shark encounters are supported by conservation programs such as the Shark Reef Marine Reserve and the Fiji Shark Corridor. Divers gain a firsthand understanding of predator behavior while supporting sustainable marine tourism.
Shark dives are a highlight for many visitors, providing both thrilling interactions and educational opportunities. Observing multiple species within a single dive encourages awareness of marine ecology and the importance of apex predators. These encounters foster advocacy, with divers often leaving Beqa Lagoon motivated to support shark conservation initiatives both locally and globally.
Caesar's Rocks is one of the most visually striking dive sites in Beqa Lagoon. The site consists of several bommies covered in soft corals, gorgonians, and sea fans. Channels, caverns, and small tunnels run throughout the site, creating a dynamic underwater landscape that attracts photographers and divers alike.
Scuba divers exploring Caesar's Rocks are often struck by the abundance of color: pinks, reds, and oranges dominate the walls and tunnels. Longnose hawkfish, trumpetfish, and schools of tuna are common here, while lucky divers may spot turtles or manta rays passing by. Macro life is abundant, with nudibranchs, blennies, and other small creatures inhabiting the crevices.
The tunnel at around 50 ft depth is particularly photogenic, offering dramatic light and color effects. Careful observation of crevices and small overhangs rewards divers with close encounters with tiny critters.
This is one of the most photogenic and popular dives in the Beqa Lagoon area. Proper buoyancy control is essential to fully appreciate the site’s tunnels without disturbing the soft coral and resident marine life.
Carpet Cove is another standout dive site, combining a Japanese fishing boat wreck with an adjacent reef wall. The wreck, sunk in 1994, sits upright at 65-100 ft depth and has become an artificial reef over time, attracting a variety of marine life.
Nearby, the reef wall is rich in macro life, including lionfish, ribbon eels, scorpion leaffish, and various wrasses. The shallow sections are covered with carpet anemones, home to colorful fire clownfish and other anemonefish species. Drift diving along the wall allows divers to encounter both reef fish and invertebrates, providing ample photo opportunities.
The combination of wreck and reef allows divers to experience both vertical and horizontal exploration. Photographers benefit from natural light in the shallow sections, highlighting vibrant macro life.
Carpet Cove is dived at Beqa Lagoon Resort, who emphasize the site’s suitability for divers interested in both wreck exploration and macro photography. Its moderate depth and calm currents make it approachable for divers of varying experience levels.
E.T., short for Extraordinary Tunnels, features a massive bommie with an extensive tunnel system. The tunnels lead into two chambers, each decorated with soft corals, sea fans, and cup corals. A dive light is essential for fully appreciating the colors and spotting the smaller residents.
Nurse sharks, moray eels, lionfish, nudibranchs, red rock crabs, and various shrimp inhabit the tunnels. Due to the site’s complexity, multiple dives are often required to explore all areas, making it a favorite for repeat visitors.
Divers should take their time navigating the tunnels to avoid disturbing the delicate flora and fauna. Careful buoyancy control enhances the experience while ensuring safety in confined spaces.
E.T. is suitable for scuba divers seeking a combination of macro life, photogenic coral formations, and a moderate challenge. Post-dive, many divers resolve to return for a second dive to explore the unexplored sections.
Fantasea is known for its dramatic gorgonian fans and healthy soft coral ridges. Currents can be strong, so divers may need to adjust their pace, taking time to explore the site safely.
The highlight is Big Fan Alley, a narrow channel lined with expansive fans. Fields of garden eels populate the sandy floor nearby, often remaining visible longer than in other areas. Macro life includes twin-spot and clearfin lionfish, blue-lined snapper, nudibranchs, and flatworms.
The top of the pinnacle is bustling with anthias, tangs, and gray damselfish. Anemones host Clark’s and pink anemonefish, offering colorful opportunities during safety stops.
Fantasea is ideal for divers interested in photogenic reef structures, macro life, and moderate drift diving, providing a full spectrum of visual experiences within a single dive.
Seven Sisters comprises 7 pinnacles, though boundaries are hard to identify. Divers enjoy drift diving over ridges, bommies, and soft coral fields. The site frequently hosts octopus, flatworms, and other macro life along the seafloor.
Shallow areas feature schooling basslets, anthias, and reef sharks such as whitetip and blacktip species. Sandy flats reveal bulldozer shrimp and gobies, while sunlight-dappled rocks highlight anemones and crinoids.
Seven Sisters provides a varied diving experience suitable for intermediate divers, with both macro and small-pelagic viewing opportunities. Currents can guide the dive naturally, enhancing exploration along the pinnacles.
The site is recommended as a safe and engaging choice for new divers and as a third dive following shark encounters in Pacific Harbour.
The Three Nuns consist of 3 large bommies near Yanuca Island, covered in soft corals, table corals, and red gorgonians. Macro life includes nudibranchs, sea dragons, and various hawkfish, while whitetip reef sharks occasionally rest on sandy bottoms nearby.
The shallow top of the first pinnacle is perfect for safety stops, with carpeted anemones providing cover for fire clownfish and boxer shrimp. Divers are encouraged to slowly circle each pinnacle to maximize sightings of reef life.
This site is ideal for new divers, offering manageable depth, gentle currents, and rich opportunities for observation and photography.
The Three Nuns remains a favorite for new divers and those seeking a more relaxed dive within Beqa Lagoon.
Beqa Lagoon caters to divers of all experience levels. Most dive sites are within a short boat ride from local resorts, allowing multiple dives per day.
Certification requirements vary by site: Open Water for most reef dives, Advanced Open Water for drift or deeper dives, and 30 logged dives for The Cathedral. Nitrox certification is recommended for extended bottom times. Divers are advised to book in advance during the peak dry season (July–September).
Photography opportunities abound, from wide-angle shots of shark dives and reef pinnacles to macro captures of nudibranchs, crabs, and ribbon eels. Experienced operators can tailor dive itineraries based on skill level and interests.
Beqa Lagoon diving provides accessible, varied underwater experiences near Fiji’s main island, Viti Levu. While its coral is not as vibrant as Taveuni or Namena, the lagoon offers excellent drift diving, macro photography opportunities, and abundant marine life. Divers can explore pinnacles, bommies, wrecks, and sandy flats without leaving the main island.
As an honorable mention, the lagoon is also home to 3 renowned shark dive sites: The Bistro, Shark Reef, and The Cathedral. These sites provide consistent predator encounters. Reef sites such as Caesar's Rocks, Carpet Cove, E.T., Fantasea, Seven Sisters, and The Three Nuns, provide a wide variety of marine life for observation and photography. Dive operators ensure both safety and environmental stewardship, helping visitors engage responsibly with the ecosystem.
Whether seeking shark interactions elsewhere, colorful macro subjects, or easy-access pinnacles, Beqa Lagoon delivers a rewarding diving experience. With clear waters, gentle currents, and diverse marine life, it remains a must-visit destination for divers exploring Fiji. Book your unforgettable Fijian dive adventure today with Dive The World and experience the magic of Beqa Lagoon firsthand!
