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Fiji 2010

The Southern Fiji Island One of the best known diving destinations in Fiji and once christened "The Mecca of Pacific Diving", Beqa Island (pronounced "Benga") lies just thirteen kilometres south of the southern coast of Viti Levu and to the north of Kadavu. The area was famed for its incredibly varied sites which were home to some great bommies and rocky pinnacles as well as some of the best pelagic fish encounters in Fiji. Anemonefish and purple anemone - photo courtesy of Mike Greenfelder Nowadays, after El Niño struck at the tail end of the 20th century, the coral reefs are some distance from its former glory, but still represents some of the better diving to be had around Viti Levu. There are a number of pretty good sites around Beqa Lagoon and, although there may not be too much in the way of schools of fish or pelagics, there is a good variety of reef life. For less experienced divers or for those who do not wish to take a domestic flight to the outer islands of Fiji, scuba diving at Beqa could be right for you. The lagoon consists of over one hundred square miles of clear water surrounded by the protective arms of some thirty solid kilometres of barrier reef. This makes it one of the world's largest barrier reefs. Given this geographical feature you'll experience only gentle currents when diving in Beqa Lagoon, and the water stays around 26°C for most of the year.

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Dive Sites

Discover the unparallel adventure of diving with the ocean's most enigmatic and graceful predator....the shark! In the past Aqua-Trek Mana's staff handfed these creatures at our world famous dive site "The Supermarket".
Out of respect for these magnificent animals we no longer feed them, believing it is better for them to hunt and feed in their natural manner. The sharks however, are still plentiful at this location. The Shark Encounter provides a fabulous opportunity for divers to witness this illusive animal at close range and to experience the awe that their perfect adaptation to the underwater environment solicits. To dive at the Supermarket is an electrifying and unforgettable experience!

Uprising Resort

Far from the rustic huts we were expecting, Beqa Island Resort's private bures (villas) were large and luxurious. Tucked in the coconut trees just a few yards back from the beach, each bure is elegantly furnished with rattan, bamboo and decorated with colourful splashes of fabric and works of art.

Every bure is a mini-suite with a spectacular marble lined bath, a king poster bed and a sitting room with one twin bed and settee. Every front porch has a table, lounge chairs and a beautiful view; and if you walk a few feet in any direction, you can find a cozy hammock to hunker down in with your a favourite book or companion.

What will you need?

 

Beqa Lagoon Diving

Have a look


The Southern Fiji Island

One of the best known diving destinations in Fiji and once christened "The Mecca of Pacific Diving", Beqa Island (pronounced "Benga") lies just thirteen kilometres south of the southern coast of Viti Levu and to the north of Kadavu. The area was famed for its incredibly varied sites which were home to some great bommies and rocky pinnacles as well as some of the best pelagic fish encounters in Fiji.

Anemonefish and purple anemone - photo courtesy of Mike Greenfelder

Nowadays, after El Niño struck at the tail end of the 20th century, the coral reefs are some distance from its former glory, but still represents some of the better diving to be had around Viti Levu. There are a number of pretty good sites around Beqa Lagoon and, although there may not be too much in the way of schools of fish or pelagics, there is a good variety of reef life. For less experienced divers or for those who do not wish to take a domestic flight to the outer islands of Fiji, scuba diving at Beqa could be right for you.

The lagoon consists of over one hundred square miles of clear water surrounded by the protective arms of some thirty solid kilometres of barrier reef. This makes it one of the world's largest barrier reefs. Given this geographical feature you'll experience only gentle currents when diving in Beqa Lagoon, and the water stays around 26°C for most of the year.

History


Fiji, which had been inhabited since the second millennium B.C., was explored by the Dutch and the British in the 17th and 18th centuries. In 1874, an offer of cession by the Fijian chiefs was accepted, and Fiji was proclaimed a possession and dependency of the British Crown. In the 1880s large-scale cultivation of sugarcane began. Over the next 40 years, more than 60,000 indentured laborers from India were brought to the island to work the plantations. By 1920, all indentured servitude had ended. Racial conflict between Indians and the indigenous Fijians has been central to the small island's history.

Fiji became independent on Oct. 10, 1970. In Oct. 1987, Brig. Gen. Sitiveni Rabuka staged a coup to prevent an Indian-dominated coalition party from taking power. The military coup caused an exodus of thousands of Fijians of Indian origin who suffered ethnic discrimination at the hands of the government.

A new constitution, which took effect in July 1998, provided for a multiracial cabinet and raised the prospect of a coalition government. The previous constitution had guaranteed dominance to ethnic Fijians. In 1999, Fiji's first ethnic Indian prime minister, Mahendra Chaudhry, took office.

Continuing ethnic tensions, partly fueled by economic problems, plunged Fiji into a national nightmare in 2000. On May 19, a group of armed soldiers entered the parliament and took three dozen people hostage, including President Chaudhry. George Speight, a part-Fijian businessman, led the insurrection, and he demanded that the 1998 constitution be rewritten to allow dominance of ethnic Fijians. The standoff lasted two months. In July 2000, Speight and other coup leaders were taken into custody and charged with treason. In Feb. 2002, Speight was sentenced to death, but his sentence was commuted.

Although the coup was eventually foiled, deposed prime minister Chaudhry and his democratically elected government were not restored to power. Instead, the military and the Great Council of Chiefs, a group of 50 traditional Fijian leaders, appointed an interim government dominated by ethnic Fijians. Elections were held in 2001, but no party achieved a majority. Interim prime minister Laisenia Qarase's Fijian United Party won 31 of 71 seats, and Qarase was sworn in as prime minister in September. His cabinet consisted entirely of ethnic Fijians, but the supreme court declared Qarase's government unconstitutional in 2003. In 2004, political infighting stalled the implementation of a new multiethnic cabinet. Much to Prime Minister Qarase's displeasure, Vice President Ratu Jope Seniloli and four other prominent figures were convicted for their part in the 2000 coup and imprisoned in Aug. 2004. In 2005, Qarase backed a highly controversial bill that included an amnesty clause for the 2000 coup leaders. The bill was supported by the Great Council of Chiefs and the ethnic Fijian establishment but vehemently rejected by the opposition (led by former prime minister Chaudhry, who was deposed in the coup) as well as the military. Qarase was narrowly reelected in May 2006 for another five-year term.

In December Fiji's military commander, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, announced he has assumed executive power, deposed Prime Minister Qarase, and appointed Jona Senilagakali, a medical doctor, as interim prime minister. It was the country's fourth coup since 1987. Tensions had built up over several years between the military and Qarase over a corruption scandal and issues regarding the 2000 coup—the military accused the prime minister of excessive leniency toward those who had orchestrated that coup.

In January 2007, Bainimarama reinstated Iloilo as president. Senilagakali resigned as interim prime minister, and Bainimarama succeeded him.

 

Fiji Travel Tips



Time Zone: Time zone approx 12 hours ahead G.M.T (2 hours ahead of AEST)

Electricity: Fiji operates on 240 volts / 50 cycles power supply using 3 pin power outlets, identical to those in Australia.

Climate: Fiji experiences a warm tropical climate. The summer season is from December to February (average temperature 30C) with the cooler season being from June to August. (Average temperature 26C)

Visa Requirements: All visitors to Fiji must hold a ticket for onward travel and a passport with at least 6 months validity. Australian, New Zealand passport holders and US are granted a free tourist visa upon arrival, valid for stays of up to 3 months. For further information or to confirm your status please contact your local Fiji Visitors Bureau.

Currency & Banking: Local currency is the Fijian dollar. Major credit cards are accepted at most large retail stores, restaurants, resorts and hotels. ANZ and Westpac banks operate in Fiji and are open Monday - Friday from 9:30am - 3:00pm.

Eating & Drinking: Fiji offers a range of Polynesian, Asian and European cuisine, with a heavy emphasis on seafood. Water is safe to drink in all cities, resorts and urban areas.
Dive Adventures - Australias Leading Scuba Diving Travel Experts, Australia and Asia Pacific
Health: Fiji is free from most tropical diseases and vaccinations are not necessary unless arriving from an infected area. Medical and dental services are available 24 hours a day. Anti-malaria medication is not usually required, however consult your doctor for further medical advise.

Water temperature: The water temperature varies throughout the year, though the water is warm enough to swim all year round and averaging about 27 degrees.

Language: English is the official language, although Fijian and Hindustani is widely spoken by the locals.

Tipping: Although tipping is not compulsory in Fiji, excellent service can be rewarded by the visitor through tipping.

Dress: Light and casual but not too brief, especially outside your hotel. Tropical clothes for evening wear; open necked shirts are fine but no ties.

Departure Tax: A departure tax of FJD$20 is payable upon your departure from Fiji.

 

 

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