The soft coral capital of the world!

Fiji! It conjures up images of the perfect South Pacific island paradise: Coconut-lined, white sand beaches that flow seamlessly into warm, azure blue seas. The Republic of Fiji is a cluster of about 332 islands—160 are inhabited—and over 500 tiny islets that falls between 16º and 18º south of the Equator. The two main islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu account for almost 75 percent of the total land mass and possesses nearly 90 percent of the population (last estimated to be nearly one million people). Born of fire, Fiji is mostly volcanic in origin and has lush tropical jungles that cover mostly rugged terrain.
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Only 15 square kilometers in size, the island of Beqa (Pronounced “Benga”) is located to the south of the main island of Viti Levu, and is enclosed in a lagoon defined by over 190 km of coral reef. Though Beqa Lagoon, and all of the islands of Fiji, fall just outside the boundary that defines the Coral Triangle, the diversity of marine life as astoundingly high. It has been reported that Fiji possesses nearly 1500 species of tropical fish and almost 400 species of hard corals. Beqa has a good variety of habitats within the lagoon including shallow coral gardens that showcase the incredible diversity of hard corals and fish in the area, current-swept passages that offer exhilarating drift snorkels over the world famous soft corals that display a kaleidoscope of colors, and seaward reefs where big fish such as groupers, sharks, and turtles can be found. The lagoon also benefits from its close proximity to the Great Astrolabe Reef where the high diversity overflows to the reefs around Beqa. If it’s a South Pacific paradise you seek, please join us for this amazing 11-day snorkeling tour to one of the world’s most beautiful tropical island destinations!
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ITINERARY

Our tour begins and ends in Nadi, Fiji.

Day 1: Nadi, Fiji / Beqa Lagoon
Meals provided: D
Upon arrival a representative from Beqa Lagoon will meet you for your transfer to Beqa Lagoon Resort. Transfers begin with a 2.5-hour drive to Pacific Harbor and then a 45-minute boat ride to Beqa Lagoon Resort. We will meet for our welcome dinner at the resort at 7:00 pm. Overnight Beqa Lagoon Resort.

Day 2 – 10: Beqa Lagoon
Meals provided: B,L,D

With over 190 miles of reef that make up the expansive lagoon, there are literally hundreds of snorkel sites to choose from. Shallow, brilliant coral gardens that are clouded by schools of colorful fishes, seaward reefs with drop-offs that plunge hundreds of feet and are adorned with magnificent soft corals in the shallows and along the walls, current-swept channels where the big fish like sharks, groupers, barracudas, and jacks hang-out along with thousands of tropical fishes that feed on plankton, are just some of the snorkel sites we will visit. Each day we use the tides, weather, and our preferences, to guide us in our choice of snorkel sites. But with the amazing diversity of reef habitats, fishes, and corals, it will be a fantastic, memorable snorkel no matter where we go in Beqa Lagoon!

During our time at the resort, we will also have one half-day tour to Kula Eco Park, Fiji’s only wildlife park where native plants and animals reside, and one full day to visit explore the freshwater systems and jungles of Fiji and experience traditional Fijian culture. On this tour, we gently raft down the Navua River where vibrant bird songs coming from the tropical jungle along the banks fill the air. We end at a native Fijian village where we will be immerse ourselves in Fijian culture and enjoy a traditional lunch and Kava ceremony! Both of these trips will be planned according to weather and timing preference. Overnight Beqa Lagoon Resort.

Day 11: International transfers or extensions
Meals provided: B

After breakfast we transfer back to Nadi for international connections or extensions.

Beqa Lagoon Resort (pronounced “Benga”) is situated on six acres of lush, tropical gardens and beachfront. There are 25 deluxe, spacious (430 square feet of floor space), air-conditioned rooms (bures), each one with its own private deck and gardens. Our accommodations for the tour will be in the beachfront bures, each that also include a private pool and views out onto the tropical blue sea. World-class cuisine is expertly prepared by internationally trained chefs and served in an open-air veranda. The resort has luxury spa treatment facilities and a full service SCUBA dive center with their own fleet of speed boats.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Fiji experiences a warm, tropical climate throughout the year with average daily temperatures hovering around 26º C (80º F). As you would expect, rain is nearly a daily occurrence though it may only be light or happen in the evening/early morning hours. Water temperatures average around 28º C (82º F), though influxes of cooler surface waters can be experienced at any time, resulting in a drop in water temperatures by a couple of degrees. We recommend full 3mm wetsuits and having a hood is also important not only for thermal protection, but as a barrier against the sun. At a minimum, please have a full dive skin (such as lycra or more advanced materials like Lavacore). to help with protection against the sun as well as the random no-see-um stingies that are part of the plankton community.

Our land tours involve vehicle supported excursions and require comfortable clothing for being out in the sun and comfortable footwear for walking on paved walkways and well-established trails. On our river rafting tour, while not expected to be vigorous, guests should be prepared to get wet. We suggest wearing quick-drying materials or bringing a change of clothes. Dry bags are also highly recommended to ensure items remain dry while on board the raft.

Please read more about our daily schedule here.

WHAT TO BRING

The following list is a suggestion of things to bring and applies to almost all of our trips (specific items on a particular departure will be noted on the departure information).

-A good fitting mask, snorkel, and set of fins. If your equipment is brand new, please try it out in the pool. Determining the fit and function of your equipment in the pool includes doing several laps with all of your equipment on. Doing several snorkel dives is also very beneficial. It is also important to clean your new equipment, especially your mask. Cleaning procedures for your mask include light scrubbing with toothpaste or dishwasher soap to remove the light layer of silicon that is used to preserve the mask during shipping and storage. All areas of the mask, both inside and out, need to be addressed. Doing this greatly reduces the chances of having your mask fog. Not doing this, even when using mask de-fogger, usually results in a fogged mask.

-A wetsuit, rash guard, diveskin, or any type of clothing that can be used for thermal and/or protection form the sun. We suggest bringing a full 3mm wetsuit and some type of core insulation like a vest or shirt made of 1 – 2 mm neoprene (e.g., Lavacore or Sharkskin shirts or vests). These items will not only provide thermal protection but protection from the sun as well. For those who feel that a 3mm suit may be too warm, please consider a full body skin or rash guard to ensure protection from the strong sun. With regards to thermal protection, remember the saying: it is better to have and not need, than to need and not have. One that note…

-Head protection in the form of a wetsuit hood, a cap, or even a bandana. Anything that can keep the sun off of your head is extremely important. It is the most exposed part of our bodies when we are floating on the surface.

-Biodegradable sunscreen lotion. Okay, this is a tricky suggestion. Even many biodegradable sunscreen lotions have been shown to harm and even kill tiny larvae (baby marine life ranging from fish to all types of invertebrates especially coral). It is fine to wear on land, but we highly discourage the use of sunscreen lotions in the water. Having a full wetsuit or skin will do the job of protection from the sun much better than lotions and the suits also help with thermal protection. It is truly a win-win for everyone and the marine environment.

-Casual, lightweight, tropical clothing
-Sunglasses (and a spare in case you lose your main pair)
-Comfortable footwear such as active sandals (Teva, Keen, Merrell, etc.)
-Hats. We cannot stress the importance of a hat in the tropics!
-All of our boats provide items like shampoo, soap, towels, etc. We bring this up because these items represent added weight and if they leak, less-than-fun times during the unpacking stage of the trip.

Other items that may be considered:
-Lightweight rainwear to protect from the occasional afternoon shower