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Fiji Shark Diving with Bull Sharks
Encounter Bull Sharks and other shark species in their natural environment on Fiji's renowned Awakening Shark Dive at Kuata Island in the Yasawa Islands.
✔️ Small-group guided diving, max 10 divers.
✔️ Crystal-clear Yasawa Island waters and a
shallow 12-metre depth create the best shark
viewing conditions in Fiji.
Designed by marine biologist Dr Thomas Vignaud PhD, this world-class shark diving experience combines marine conservation, professional supervision and close encounters with Bull Sharks, Tiger Sharks, Tawny Nurse Sharks, Reef Sharks and other species within a protected marine sanctuary.
The Awakening Shark Dive is available to certified divers visiting on a day cruise departing Port Denarau, Nadi or staying at Barefoot Kuata Island Resort. Introductory divers can also participate when staying at Barefoot Kuata Island Resort, making this one of Fiji's most unique shark diving experiences.
Fiji Shark Diving with Bull Sharks –
The Awakening Shark Dive
'A must do is the Awakening Fiji shark dive. Being a novice diver, I did not think this was possible. Any apprehension I had soon went after a few practice dives in the shallows. By 11:30 and after a 30min boat ride, I was in 10m of water kneeling behind a rock, watching a dozen fully grown Bull Sharks being fed only a few metres away! Adrenalin stuff, an experience I will never forget.'
Developed around ecological best practice, the Awakening Shark Dive allows guests to encounter Bull Sharks and other shark species in their natural environment while ensuring no negative impact on shark behaviour or the surrounding marine ecosystem.
✔️Designed by marine biologist and shark authority Dr
Thomas Vignaud PhD
✔️Developed over more than 3 years of research,
planning and development
✔️ Successfully operating from Kuata Island in Fiji's
Yasawa Islands for over 10 years
The Awakening Shark Dive founded on Conservation and Research
Comprehensive safety procedures, experienced dive professionals and ongoing monitoring underpin every Awakening Shark Dive, providing a safe and professionally guided experience for both certified and introductory divers.
Today, the Awakening Shark Dive combines marine conservation, shark research and diver education with one of Fiji's most unique underwater encounters, making it one of the country's most recognised shark diving experiences.
How many times a day does the 'Awakening Shark Dive' operate?
There are 2 dive departures per day. The first is 8.00am and 2nd dive is at 11.00am, it's a 12 metre dive that both certified and introductory divers can join.
How is it possible an Introductory Diver (non-certified diver) can join the 'Awakening Shark Dive'?
The Awakening Shark Dive is conducted in shallow waters only 12 metres in depth, this falls within the requirements for an introductory dive. Prior to the Awakening Shark Dive, non-certified divers undergo comprehensive pool dive training with our qualified dive instructors.
Is Bull Shark Diving Safe in Fiji?
Yes! Divers are escorted by a Barefoot Shark Encounters dive team of 5 or more dependent on diver numbers. Their role is to look after you and monitor shark behavior to ensure diver safety, there are no compromises with a detailed briefing conducted pre-dive. Introductory Divers (non-certified divers) undergo comprehensive pre-dive training including shore dives to ensure dive proficiency before the 'Awakening Shark Dive'.
How many Bull Sharks will I see on the Awakening Shark Dive?
Numbers vary but it is common to see between 8 to 25 Bull Sharks plus guest appearances from other shark species.
What sharks will I encounter on the Awakening Shark Dive?
Bull Shark
Carcharhinus leucas
Tiger Shark
Galeocerdo cuvier
Tawny Nurse Shark
Nebrius ferrugineus
Bull Sharks are the dominant species encountered during the Awakening Shark Dive. They are distinguished from other sharks by their body’s high width-to-length ratio, giving them a stout appearance. Bull Sharks grow to 3.3 meters and weigh up to 227 kilos.
Tiger Sharks are a solitary, mostly nocturnal hunter. It's notable for having the widest food spectrum of all sharks it has a reputation as a 'garbage eater' consuming a variety of inedible, man-made objects that linger in its stomach. Tiger Sharks can grow up to 4 metres and weigh up to 900 kilos.
Nocturnal in habits, the tawny nurse shark tends to spend the day resting inside caves or under ledges. At night, it is an active-swimming predator that uses a powerful suction force to extract prey from inside holes and crevices. Tawney Nurse Sharks can grow up to 3.2 metres and weigh up to 120 kilos.
Lemon Shark
Negaprion acutidens
Lemon Sharks have an unusual yellow-brown coloring that resembles a lemon. As shallow water seafloor hunters, their unique yellow skin helps camouflage them against the sandy seafloor. Lemon Sharks grow up to 3 metres in length and weigh up to 100 kilos.
Silvertip Shark
Carcharhinus albimarginatus
The Silvertip Shark is a large robust, streamlined species with a moderately long, broad snout and large, round eyes. It features striking white tips and trailing edges on all fins. Silvertip Sharks can reach up to 3 metres in length and weigh up to 160 kilos.
Blacktip Reef Shark
Carcharhinus melanopterus
Whitetip Reef Shark
Triaenodon obesus
Whitetip Reef Sharks rarely exceed 1.8 m in length, this species is easily recognizable by its slender body, short broad head, white-tipped dorsal and caudal fins. They spend much of their day time resting inside caves. Unlike other requiem sharks, which rely on ram ventilation and must constantly swim to breathe, this shark can pump water over its gills and lie still on the sea floor.
Blacktip Reef Sharks are easily identified by the prominent black tips on its fins. It is is usually found over reef ledges, sandy flats they grow up to 1.6 metre in length. The blacktip reef shark has extremely small home ranges remaining within the same local area for up to several years at a time.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Awakening Shark Dive
How do I join the 'Awakening Shark Dive'?
There are 2 ways you can join the 'Awakening Shark Dive'.
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Certified-only divers can book Barefoot Shark Encounters Awakening Shark Dive Day Cruise departing Port Denarau, Nadi on a daily basis. Minimum age 10 years and children must accompanied by an adult.
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Book the Awakening Shark Dive when staying as a guest at Barefoot Kuata Island Resort. Minimum age for a certified diver 10 years, minimum age for introductory diver 14 years and children must be accompanied by an adult.