The Best Places to See Sharks in Fiji + 10 Best Tours 🦈 [2025]

1. Barefoot Kuata (Yasawa Islands)

Experience “The Awakening Shark Dive” at Barefoot Kuata in the Yasawa Islands for a once-in-a-lifetime underwater adventure. This safe and controlled dive is open to both certified and non-certified divers, offering close encounters with impressive marine life.

You’ll likely spot five to twenty bull sharks, with the possibility of seeing tiger, lemon and nurse sharks too. (More sharks tend to visit during the wet season). Safety is paramount, with the dive designed in consultation with world-renowned shark experts.

Barefoot Kuata’s mission goes beyond thrills; they’re committed to dispelling myths about sharks and promoting conservation. A portion of your dive fee supports shark conservation, eco-tourism and marine education in local schools.

Interestingly, the dive site boasts 22% more coral cover than surrounding areas, possibly due to the nutrient-rich gatherings of fish and sharks during feedings.

Location: Barefoot Kuata Resort, Kuata Island, Yasawa Islands, Western Division. Accessible by boat from Port Denarau.

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2. Shark Reef Marine Reserve (Pacific Harbour and Beqa)

Dubbed the “Adventure Capital” of Fiji, it’s no surprise that the Pacific Harbour has shark diving on its menu of adrenaline activities. Located on the southern coast of Viti Levu, Fiji’s main island, and just an hour’s drive from Suva, the Pacific Harbour is one of the best places in Fiji to dive with sharks.

Aqua-Trek, Beqa Adventure Divers and Coral Coast Divers take keen divers into the Shark Reef Marine Reserve, which is a protected area where sharks can thrive in their natural habitat. There are up to eight different species of shark to be seen in this one area: blacktip reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks, grey reef sharks, silvertip sharks, tawny nurse sharks, sicklefin lemon sharks, bull sharks and tiger sharks.

Alternatively, Beqa Lagoon Resort has its own private shark dive known as ‘The Cathedral’. Check out more things to do in the area in our 20 Best Things to Do in the Pacific Harbour & Beqa.

Location: Aqua-Trek Beqa – The Pearl Resort, Queens Road, Pacific Harbour. Beqa Adventure Divers – Fairway Place, Pacific Harbour. Coral Coast Divers – 1 Atoll Place, Pacific Harbour. Beqa Lagoon Resort – Beqa Island. Learn more about getting there in the Pacific Harbour Transport Guide.

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3. Kuata Island (Yasawa Islands)

The Moyia Reef, just a short boat ride from Kuata Island, is home to a spectacular array of reef sharks, as well as larger Bull Sharks which can only be seen through scuba diving. Resorts like Barefoot Kuata Island Resort can take you either diving or snorkelling with sharks, while homestays in the village on Waya Lailai (Wayasewa) Island also run snorkelling trips.

Shark snorkelling day tours from Denarau can also be booked with South Sea Cruises. Kuata Island is located in the lower Yasawa Islands.

Location: Moyia Reef, the southern region of the Yasawa Islands. Learn more about getting there in our Yasawa Transport Guide.

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4. Great Astrolabe Reef (Kadavu)

Located 100 m (60 mi) south of the mainland, Kadavu Island and its surrounding islands are another great base for diving and snorkelling with sharks in Fiji. The reason is thanks to the Great Astrolabe Reef, the world’s fourth-largest barrier reef!

While scuba diving and snorkelling trips are not dedicated to finding sharks, it’s highly likely that you will still see a few reef sharks swimming in this hugely diverse ecosystem. The best months for seeing sharks near Kadavu is between July and August, however, they are often seen outside of these months too.

Kadavu is also one of the very few places in Fiji where you can also dive with giant manta rays.

Learn more about the best places to dive with sharks in the 10 Best Dive & Snorkel Sites on the Great Astrolabe Reef.

Location: Great Astrolabe Reef, Kadavu. Accessible with the 5 Best Resorts on Kadavu.

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5. Namena Marine Reserve (Vanua Levu)

Nearby Savusavu is the incredible Namena Marine Reserve providing a safe haven for fish, turtles, humpback whales, soft coral and, of course, sharks!

Dive operators based in Savusavu on Fiji’s second-largest island Vanua Levu can take you to see grey reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks, tiger sharks and hammerhead sharks in several dive sites – one of the most famous being Shark Alley.

Find out more about this area in our 20 Best Things to Do on Vanua Levu.

Location: Namena Marine Reserve, Vanua Levu. Learn more about getting there with our Vanua Levu & Savusavu Transport Guide.

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6. Somosomo Strait (Taveuni and Vanua Levu)

Situated between Vanua Levu and Taveuni, the Somosomo Strait is one of the top diving locations in Fiji. The narrow passage between the two large islands is ideal for coral growth, in turn attracting a wide range of marine species.

Most of the species found in Fiji can be found in the waters of the Somosomo Strait, which means those divers hoping to see sharks are in with a very good chance! Reef sharks will be the most common sight, while leopard sharks and hammerhead sharks are also likely to be seen.

Find out more about this beautiful corner of Fiji in our Complete Guide to Taveuni.

Location: Somosomo Strait, between Vanua Levu and Taveuni. See how to get there in the Taveuni Transport Guide.

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10 Best Shark Diving Operators in Fiji

From close encounters with bull sharks to snorkelling with reef sharks, Fiji offers some of the best tours for swimming and diving with sharks. These top operators will have you swimming with these magnificent creatures in no time, providing unforgettable underwater adventures that make Fiji one of the best destinations for shark encounters.

Get ready to experience the thrill of sharing crystal-clear waters with these awe-inspiring predators on some of the best tours in Fiji for swimming and diving with sharks!

1. Aqua-Trek (Pacific Harbour): Offers shark dives at the Shark Reef Marine Reserve, home to species like bull sharks, tiger sharks, nurse sharks, and reef sharks. The dive site is just 20 minutes from the base at Pacific Harbour. They also offer soft coral and wreck dives in Beqa Lagoon.
2. Matava Eco Adventure Resort (Kadavu): This eco-friendly lodge provides thrilling shark encounters in the pristine waters of Kadavu. Divers can expect to see grey reef sharks, white-tip reef sharks, and occasionally hammerhead sharks in the Great Astrolabe Reef.
3. Beqa Adventure Divers (Pacific Harbour): Known for their world-famous shark dive, this operator offers encounters with up to eight species of sharks, including bull sharks and tiger sharks. Their conservation efforts have helped protect these magnificent creatures and their habitats.
4. Coral Coast Divers (Pacific Harbour): Shark dives at the “Colosseum” dive site, which is home to up to 8 species of sharks, including tiger sharks and one of the largest populations of bull sharks.
5. Ocean Ventures (Vanua Levu): Offers snorkelling and diving at Natewa Bay, which is known for vibrant coral reefs and over 400 species of reef fish, including reef sharks. This experience is conservation-focused and conducted in small groups.
6. Jean-Michel Cousteau Dive (Vanua Levu): Offers diving and snorkelling experiences at the Namena Marine Reserve, renowned for its diverse marine life, including hammerhead sharks and vibrant coral reefs.
7. Barefoot Kuata Island Resort (Yasawa Islands): This resort in the Yasawa Islands offers a popular shark snorkelling experience. They operate professional shark tours where visitors can snorkel with reef sharks, including white-tip and black-tip reef sharks. See one-day and two-day trips from Denarau with South Sea Cruises.
8. Paradise Taveuni Resort (Taveuni): This resort offers diving on both Vuna Reef and Rainbow Reef, with over 40 dive sites available, where divers may encounter reef sharks among other marine life.
9. Viani Bay Resort (Vanua Levu/Taveuni): Resort-based dive centre which is locally and conservation-focused and offers small-group dive tours to the Somosomo Strait where sharks may be seen.
10. Beqa Lagoon Resort (Pacific Harbour/Beqa): This resort has its own private shark dive known as ‘The Cathedral’.

With these operators, you’re sure to have an exhilarating and safe shark diving experience in Fiji. Remember to always follow the guidelines provided by your dive instructors and respect these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. Happy shark diving!

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