Beqa Lagoon Resort (Fiji) Trip Report

By Tyler (The Dive Otter) | April 2025

An in-depth review of a week at Beqa Lagoon Resort, Fiji...including legendary shark dives, cultural excursions, food, staff, and gear setup. I break down what to pack, how travel logistics are handled, and why this may be one of the most non-diver-friendly scuba resorts out there. Includes details on every part of the experience from arrival to departure.

Quick Summary

• Best for: Shark divers, couples, chill travelers who want culture over nightlife
• Water temp: 81–83°F in April
• Must bring: Reef-safe sunshirt, drybag, electrolytes, 1mm socks, save-a-dive kit
• Room quality: Outstanding oceanfront bure with A/C and hot water
• Shark dive: Epic! bull, nurse, lemon, and up to 7 tiger sharks
• Non-diver friendly: Yes. Cultural activities, spa, snorkeling, firewalks
• Food: Excellent for a remote island resort
• Nightlife: Basically none. You’ll be in bed by 9.

Trip Overview

Pronounced “BANG-ga” ..not... "BECK-a"

This trip to Beqa Lagoon Resort was organized by Mike and Liz from Crystal Blue Diving in Lake in the Hills, Illinois. They handled everything...flights, resort coordination, dive schedules, and travel logistics...for a group of divers from across the Midwest. They made the entire experience smooth and stress-free, from booking to boarding. If you're considering a future dive trip and want someone you can trust to handle the details, I highly recommend reaching out to them.

Note: I also used Crystal Blue Diving for a previous trip to Cozumel, and they delivered just as flawlessly.

Best Time to Visit Beqa Lagoon Resort

We visited in mid-April, which falls in Fiji’s shoulder season between the wet and dry periods. The weather was great, light rain overnight on a couple of days and one brief shower during the day. Otherwise, it was mostly sunny and calm.

The ocean was surprisingly flat most days, though boarding the dive boat after a dive could occasionally be a bit sporty, especially during the afternoon chop.

Although we didn’t ask for historical comparisons, the staff said this was a good time of year for shark sightings. It certainly seemed like it, given we saw multiple tiger sharks and had four excellent shark dives.

Travel & Arrival

Entry Requirements & Paperwork

U.S. travelers do not need a visa for Fiji. However, you will need to fill out a customs declaration and agricultural form on the plane before arrival. Bring a pen as it is much easier to complete in your seat.

Pre-Flight: Fiji Airways Customer Service

If you need to make changes to your Fiji Airways booking before departure, be prepared for potential frustration. Multiple members of our group tried to move or upgrade seats and encountered the same experience...long phone holds, needing multiple supervisors, and getting confusing or contradictory answers. One traveler spent over two hours just trying to upgrade from economy to the advertised "economy plus" option.

That said, once at the airport, the actual check-in, boarding, and in-flight service were perfectly fine. Just plan ahead, and don't expect easy help from their phone support.

Traveling from LAX to Fiji was straightforward, though the walk from the ticket counter to the gate is long so plan accordingly, especially with gear.

After TSA, there are plenty of food options, but almost nothing at the gate itself. So if you’re hungry, stop early.

Fiji Airways was a full flight in standard cabin. As someone 6’2”, I found the legroom reasonable. The in-flight meal was minimal and not exactly gourmet, but perfectly edible. Baggage made it just fine, and although they visually checked carry-on sizes, a few divers seemed to skate by with slightly oversized bags.

After arrival at the Nadi airport, don’t get tripped up by signage: you’ll see “International” and “Arrivals”. Stay right...“International” is for connecting flights, not for passengers entering Fiji. It wasn’t obvious.

From Nadi, we took a ~3-hour bus ride to the boat launch. About two hours in, we stopped at a small coffee house and shop for about 30 minutes. The ride was scenic and smooth...no crazy winding roads, no carsickness. However, be aware that the bus seats are very narrow, have little legroom, and can be uncomfortable...especially on the return trip when you're tired and ready to get home. It’s manageable, but you’ll probably find yourself wishing the ride was over by the last hour.

Transfer to Beqa Lagoon Resort

The resort handles nearly everything once you land in Fiji. After the bus ride from Nadi International Airport, we boarded the same dive boats used for daily diving, which served as the transfer to the island.

The boat ride to Beqa Lagoon Resort took around 40 minutes and was surprisingly smooth. A direct shot across the channel with no transfers or port stops. Luggage was handled entirely by staff from airport pickup to your room. No carrying dive bags over docks or through sand. You don’t need a drybag for the transfer unless heavy rain is expected, which we didn’t encounter.

Arrival, Check-In & Departure Process

Once everyone arrives at Beqa, you’ll gather in the main dining area for a welcome and general resort briefing. After that, you’re brought to the dive shop for a dive-specific briefing. Some of the instructions could have been clearer, but it all makes sense by day two.

The resort is small and easy to navigate so you won’t get lost. Everything is within a 2–3 minute walk, including the dive shop, restaurant, spa, and beach.

We had a diver in our group who used a motorized wheelchair and navigated the resort with minimal issues, so accessibility is manageable for those with mobility concerns.

Departure Details and Tipping

On your final dive day, the dive team will bring your gear ashore for you, rinse it, and hang it to dry. You’re free to collect it anytime that day.

The evening before departure, you can settle your bill at the office with cash or card (note: credit/debit cards incur a 4% processing fee). At the resort, tipping is highly discouraged. Instead, you can optionally contribute to the resort’s Christmas Fund. A communal pool shared among all staff at the end of the year. This isn’t a tip in the traditional sense; it’s a cultural expression of fairness and community, and it’s managed entirely by the team (not the resort owner).

The next morning, place your checked bags on the porch and they’ll be transferred to the boat for you. Leave your carry-on bags inside the room to avoid mix-ups. Breakfast is at the usual time, but it helps the team if your luggage is ready before you eat. After breakfast, you’ll be asked to move to one of the common areas so they can prepare the rooms for incoming guests.

After leaving Beqa Island, the return journey mirrors your arrival. You’ll first stop again at the same small shopping area as on the way in so perfect for grabbing coffee, snacks, or last-minute souvenirs.

From there, the bus continues to a nearby hotel where guests have the option to book a day room (at additional cost). While the shower was nice, we found the day room otherwise not worth the money. You’re better off relaxing in the hotel lobby, bar, or small restaurant until your flight.

Afterward, the hotel provides a complimentary shuttle to Nadi International Airport for your evening flight.

One quick note: don’t be that guest arguing over a cocktail charge at checkout. The front desk team is just doing their job, and you’ve already signed the daily tab. If there’s a small discrepancy, politely ask...but don’t turn it into a scene. Nobody is trying to scam you on a remote island over $10. This is Fiji. Be kind. You’re heading home from what was likely a $5,000+ trip. Don’t finish it with an “ugly tourist” moment. We unfortunately witnessed this occur more than once (not with our dive group) and it made me sad.

After Beqa: Airport Tips

Nadi International Airport has one terminal, so there’s no need to rush between buildings. But the departure process has a few quirks worth noting.

• There is a strange-to-Americans “TSA” style check before you get to the airline ticket counter or bag drop. They may ask about your itinerary and flight number, so have it handy. They’ll put a sticker on your passport...don’t remove it.
• After that, you proceed to the actual airline counter to check in and drop bags as normal.
• Then it’s over to standard security screening.

Once inside the terminal, you’ll find a Burger King, a generic pizza place, a small bar, and plenty of duty-free shops. It’s a small airport, but you’ll have what you need. Just don’t expect peace and quiet if multiple flights are departing close together.

The Resort

"Room" #4 is an ocean view bure, and it was hands-down one of the best resort rooms I’ve ever stayed in, even compared to 5-star properties in Cozumel or the U.S. The view was breathtaking, the bed was comfortable, and the room was clean and thoughtfully designed. There was hot water, working air conditioning, and everything ran on generator power...which makes it all the more impressive.

Sample Daily Schedule

What to Bring (and What You Can Skip)

• Sunshirt or rash guard – Sunscreen is discouraged when diving as it will damage the reef
• 1mm neoprene socks – Prevents sand chafing inside dive boots
• Water shoes – Ideal for snorkeling or tide pool exploration
• Electrolyte powder
• Save-a-dive kit – Bring basics; no spare parts are sold onsite
• Hat and sunglasses – For sun protection between dives or on excursions
• Sunscreen – For after diving (reef-safe preferred)
• Power adapter – Use Australia-style (Type I) plugs
• Bug spray – Only for village visits or excursions off-resort

• A small to medium drybag is helpful. Space on the dive boats is extremely limited. You don’t want to show up with a full gear backpack or mesh duffel. Bring only defog, sunglasses case, hat, emergency parts (like batteries), and a water bottle with electrolytes.

You Can Skip

• O₂ analyzer – One is always available and properly used onboard
• SIM card or international phone plan – Wi-Fi is available (for a fee)
• Gatorade or bottled electrolyte drinks – Bring powder instead
• Extra dive gear – Rentals are decent, and staff handles setup well
• Dock shoes – No pier at Beqa; you’ll be barefoot or in dive/water shoes in the water anyway
• Towels – Provided on land and on the boat

Resort Week at a Glance

Each day at Beqa Lagoon Resort includes a mix of free cultural activities and optional paid excursions. The free activities are built into the schedule, with the first item typically in the early afternoon and the second in the late afternoon or evening.

Included (Free) Activities:

• Monday: Coconut weaving / Weaving show & Fire Walkers
• Tuesday: School tour / Torch ceremony
• Wednesday: Local village visit / Fire dancers
• Thursday: Jungle hike / Kava ceremony
• Friday: Cooking show / Meke performance
• Saturday: (No scheduled activities)
• Sunday: Church service / Local choir

Optional (Paid) Activities:

• Mangrove kayaking – $65 USD
• Guided reef snorkel (gear included) – $40 USD
• Secret island lunch – $75 USD
• Suva day trip – $90 USD
• Sunset cruise – $75 USD
• White water rafting – $225 USD per person (plus boat fare)
• Coral planting (scuba or snorkel) – $25 USD

Some paid excursions require a minimum number of participants, so sign up early if you’re interested.

Food & Dining

This was a pleasant surprise. The food is excellent, especially given the resort’s small-island setting. You select your lunch and dinner at breakfast by filling out a slip with your room number and name. On the back of that slip, you write in your breakfast order.

If you’re diving and want a hot breakfast, show up around 6:45am, because they’re not particularly fast.

There’s always a vegetarian option, and it’s not an afterthought. I tried several and they were excellent.

The bar is well-stocked, with cocktails generally running between $11–18 USD depending on the drink. They also carry a couple of local Fijian rums, which are worth trying.

They serve soda for ~$4 USD, but don’t expect Gatorade or electrolyte drinks. I brought Skratch electrolyte powder and used it with the tap or filtered water I highly recommended as a hydration strategy, especially after multiple dives.

Resort Amenities

The tap water is safe to drink, and there’s also a triple-filtered water dispenser available at the resort. If you still prefer bottled, they sell Fiji Water onsite.

We brought standard Australia-style adapters and had no problems powering phones, cameras, or tablets. No converter was needed.

We couldn’t hear other guests in their bures, and there was no noticeable generator or construction noise during our stay.

Wi-Fi is available for a fee, either per day or as a discounted weekly rate. Connectivity can be inconsistent, but when it works, it’s high speed. Good enough for email, browsing, and even streaming. On some days, Wi-Fi was only available near the pool and dining room. It’s a small island in the Pacific...totally reasonable.

Individual tipping is strongly discouraged. Instead, guests are encouraged to contribute to the community tip box at checkout. Tips are then equitably split among all staff, including behind-the-scenes workers.

The resort also offers next-day laundry service for approximately $2 USD per item.

Spa

My wife said the spa was exceptional and shockingly affordable compared to U.S. pricing. Her 3.5-hour massage/facial was amazing, and she’d absolutely recommend it. She went back for a second helping later in the week.

Here are some typical prices:

• 60-min massage – $60 USD
• 90-min massage – $75 USD
• 60-min facial – $60 USD
• Deluxe manicure/pedicure – $55 USD
• 3.5-hour full spa package – $160 USD

Medical Access & Safety

There is no doctor or hospital on the island. In the event of an emergency, you’d need to be speed-boated back to the mainland, which takes 30–45 minutes just to reach the dock.

Bottom line: don’t be reckless. Dive safely, and consider DAN or travel insurance just in case.

Cultural Notes

All staff speak fluent English. Fijians are taught it in school. Communication was never a problem.

If you plan to visit the local school or village, be respectful of Fijian customs:

• Women should cover knees and shoulders.
• Hats and dark sunglasses are not allowed in certain areas (they’ll tell you when).
• Just be polite. It’s their home and culture.

Diving Experience

The House Reef

The house reef is shallow (max ~20ft), free to dive, and available any time you can grab a buddy and a tank. At low tide it’s too shallow to be enjoyable, but at high tide it’s fantastic and enormous in size, full of life, and worth multiple snorkels or dives. You might even get lucky and see a shark, seahorses, or an octopus. I snorkeled it with my wife, and we both enjoyed it. You can check tides at tideking.com or any other preferred site.

Dive Groups & Surfacing Procedures

• Thresher – 16 divers with 3 divemasters
• Mako – 14 divers, typically run with 2–3 divemasters
• Leopard – 14 divers, typically run with 2–3 divemasters

Even with only 12 divers aboard, Mako and Leopard often had three divemasters. The three boats do not visit the same dive sites, so there’s no crowding underwater even when the resort is full.

Beqa does not require DSMBs for surfacing. Since the current is minimal, divers surface via a mooring line or a weighted line hanging at 15 feet below the boat. It’s a simple system that worked well every day.

Rental Gear & Repair

The resort rents Sherwood BCDs with standard inflator hose configurations and ScubaPro regulators. If you need service, they can work on ScubaPro gear onsite...but not other brands, as they’re not certified for them. That said, they’ll let you use tools at the shop if you want to tinker with your own equipment.

There’s a small gift shop, but it doesn’t stock any major dive gear. The only diving-related items for sale are defog, reef-safe sunscreen, and a few souvenirs.

Boat Dives

The dive boats are aluminum catamarans...very stable, even in chop. Boat rides to most sites were about 20 minutes. The shark dive stays in place for both dives, while all others do a surface interval on board while transiting to the second site.

You board the dive boats by walking out into knee deep water and climbing up a dive ladder, there is no pier at Beqa Lagoon Resort. Plan accordingly with water shoes or dive booties.

There’s no real “dry area” on the boats, but I kept a drybag clipped with a boltsnap under the shade tarp or to the captain’s chair, and it stayed dry enough. There are small rinse buckets and a dedicated camera bucket on board. A small cookie snack and drinking water are provided (a cup or two per diver), but most guests bring their own water bottles or snacks. I personally brought a Skratch energy bar on each morning trip.

Water temps were a balmy 81–83°F (27–28°C) all the way down to 70 feet. Visibility varied, but it was consistently good enough that no one on our boat ever complained.

The standard schedule is two dives in the morning, back for lunch. There’s also an optional afternoon single-tank dive at 2:00 PM.

Beqa Lagoon Resort has the capacity to run up to three boats. The three boats do not go to the same dive sites, so there’s no crowding even if all are full and supporting the same dive group.

You leave your gear on the boat between dives and even overnight. The crew sets it up for you each day...except for your wetsuit, which you rinse and hang in the dive locker yourself. There are two freshwater showers near the dive locker for rinsing off after dives. Staff emphasizes checking your gear, and I did every day...but never found a mistake. One diver on our boat had a short fill, which the staff resolved immediately with spare tanks kept onboard.

Over six days of diving, I saw zero o-ring failures, which was a pleasant surprise coming from places like Cozumel where they’re fairly common.

Night Dive & Second Shark Dive

In addition to the standard two-tank morning schedule and optional 2 PM dive, the resort also offers a night dive for an additional fee, conditions permitting.

You can also book a second shark dive day during your stay for an extra cost...it’s not included by default but absolutely worth it if the first one leaves you wanting more.

Photography & Camera Storage

Each dive boat has two camera buckets, which can each fit one DSLR-sized rig comfortably. With 16 divers per boat, space is tight. So if you’re bringing a large camera setup, be aware you may need to coordinate with others.

Shark Dive - Cathedral

The shark dive at Beqa Lagoon Resort is a signature experience, and it absolutely lived up to the hype. The site was Cathedral, and the dive profile was approximately 67 feet for 20–30 minutes. You don’t surface based on your tank pressure...they signal when it’s time to go. After a one-hour surface interval, you do a second shark dive.

Dive Setup & Safety

The briefing was thorough and taken seriously. Current can be strong at this site, so there are lines running from the boat all the way to the bottom, including a dedicated safety stop line. Once at the site, divers kneel behind a rock wall, backs against a coral pinnacle. Multiple divemasters stay behind the divers at all times, using long poles to maintain separation from the sharks.

Cameras were welcome, but no video lights...only strobes are allowed. This is both a safety and behavioral measure to avoid startling or attracting sharks unpredictably.

The Sharks

We got lucky. On our dives, we saw:

• Bull sharks
• Nurse sharks
• Lemon sharks
• 5–7 tiger sharks (!)

We were later told this was very unusual...typically, only one or two tiger sharks show up. It was a rare and incredible sighting.

About 30 minutes before the dive, they lower a box of fish heads to attract sharks to the area. Once divers are in place, a couple of divemasters in chainmail suits swim out from behind the wall every 10 minutes to hand-feed the tiger sharks, then retreat. The feeding is carefully choreographed, and at no point did I feel unsafe. The team’s professionalism was clear...heads on a swivel, tank knocks to signal shark direction, and no distractions.

Ethics & Education

Between the two dives, a divemaster gave a presentation on the ethics of shark feeding, including the rationale behind why they do it, how it impacts the ecosystem, and how it helps the local community. It was logical, non-emotional, and genuine...I walked away feeling like their reasoning was thoughtful and responsible.

Gear & Recommendations

I wore a 3mm wetsuit on the first two dives mainly to protect my knees while kneeling in the sand. I switched to diving with my Mako diveskin, which was acceptable if I was careful where I put my knees. I would not do this dive without some kind of knee protection.

I enjoyed the experience so much I repeated the shark dive two more times later in the week...for a total of four shark dives. Highly recommended.

Eco Practices

Beqa Lagoon Resort actively promotes reef conservation. During the initial dive briefing, guests are asked to use only reef-safe products of any kind and to refrain from wearing sunscreen or bug spray when diving. Instead, divers are encouraged to wear a sunshirt, rash guard, or hat for sun protection.

Onboard, water is served in reusable cups rather than plastic bottles, and dive boats use pre-positioned mooring lines to avoid damaging the reef with anchors. The resort’s commitment to environmentally responsible diving is both visible and appreciated.

Jay, one of the divemasters and cultural guides, gave a 1-hour conservation presentation as part of the snorkel tour my wife attended. It was informative, heartfelt, and helped connect non-divers to the environmental mission of the resort.

My wife also participated in a mangrove planting project with Jay during our stay as an activity offered just down the beach. Ours happened to be on Earth Day, but the project isn’t limited to that date.

Non-Diver Experience

My wife came along for this trip and doesn’t dive and she still had a blast.

Beqa Lagoon is very non-diver friendly for what is still a “dive resort.” The staff arranges morning and afternoon activities and cultural opportunities throughout the week. That said, she was just as happy to sleep in, get a massage, and read near the pool with a view of the beach and ocean with drinks and snacks just a few feet away.

On several days, members of the staff even joined in for a friendly game of water volleyball after their shift ended. They played with the guests for several hours on both days.

My wife says she would absolutely come back and is already asking about prices and options.

Pricing - 7 Night

Included:

• Non-stop flight from LAX to Nadi
• Round trip ground transportation from Nadi Airport to our boat launch at the Pearl Resort Marina in Pacific Harbour
• Round trip boat transfers from Pacific Harbour to Beqa Island
• Three meals daily (includes water, coffee, tea, juice and milk. Other beverages available for purchase)
• 4 two-tank reef boat dives
• 1 two-tank shark dive (package upgrade)
• Unlimited shore diving
• Kayaking, snorkeling, paddle boarding, hiking and other activities
• Fijian culture & entertainment daily
• Welcome poolside foot massage
• All taxes

Not included: Airfare to and from LAX, additional excursions not included in the package, nitrox.

Base Package Pricing (Double Occupancy):

• Beachfront Bure: $3,580
• Garden Bure: $3,480
• 2BR Suite Bure: $3,480

Adjustments:

• Non-diver discount: –$500
• Single person supplement: +$400

Surprises & Takeaways

While the whole staff at Beqa Lagoon Resort was friendly and attentive, one person stood out in particular: Jay. My wife, who doesn’t dive, couldn’t stop talking about how much fun he made the week for the non-divers.

Jay has the kind of personality that makes you feel welcome instantly. He spent hours by the pool bantering with guests, answering cultural questions, and helping people feel connected to the Fijian way of life. His bad jokes were legendary and somehow, that made them even better.

He led snorkeling tours, adjusted activities to fit guest preferences, participated in fire walking performances, and supported conservation programs. His presence added a personal, heartfelt touch to everything he was involved in.

If you're traveling with someone who doesn't dive, Jay might be the highlight of their trip.

For a remote island dive resort, Beqa exceeded my expectations in a few big ways. The food quality was excellent...easily better than many larger resorts I’ve stayed at, and the vegetarian options weren’t an afterthought.

The room quality floored me. Room #4 had one of the best views I’ve ever had at a resort, and the fact that everything ran off a generator; hot water, A/C, lighting made it even more impressive.

I was also surprised by how smooth the logistics were. From the moment we landed in Nadi to when we stepped off the dive boat at Beqa, we didn’t have to carry gear or guess where to go. It just worked.

And of course, seeing 5–7 tiger sharks on our first shark dive? That was completely unexpected. I figured it would be one, maybe two. Instead, we got the full cast.